Portable radios are not the problem. As long as your able to connect a good external antenna to it it should’t be a problem. I’ve seen many videos of people using portable radios with Single Sideband mode with excellent reception. So no portable radios are not the real problem
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Sorry, no offence, but that’s a bit of a daft, silly, general statement.
Receivers can clearly (no pun intended!) be the problem - I bought a Tecsun PL-880 a couple of years ago and sent it back within two hours, as it was so unstable it was incapable of receiving SSB - I’ve never seen a receiver drift-off frequency so badly in my life.
This was with an external aerial, as it was completely deaf with the built-in telescopic whip.
Having to use an external aerial with a portable receiver sort of defeats the entire reason for it being portable. As far as I’m concerned if it’s classed and/or marketed as portable, it should be capable of operating on its own, i.e. without external aerial, power etc.
Yes, using an external aerial may improve reception on a portable, but having to use one to actually get reception? No - that’s a receiver issue.
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Wrong again your approach is not valid not everyone can afford a bigger rig
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Sorry, that makes absolutely no sense.
You have so many great portable radios on the market nowadays… Is only about choice…! You can get a cheap ATS 20+ cheap Chinese radio for 30€ and using it portable with it’s own provided telescopic antenna… Just because you got bad luck with a model the market has several options and some even cheaper…!
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Please be respectful when disagreeing with others. Shortwave listening is a niche and wholesome hobby. There should be no conflict here. In my opinion, shortwave receiver technology has reached its peak. Many handheld radios like Xhdata D-808 are almost as good as tabletop radios if you hook them up to a bigger antenna. And using an external antenna with a handheld radio doesn’t defeat its purpose. You can bring that radio anywhere and run a long wire. I wouldn’t carry a tabletop radio while hiking.
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Spot on sir 73s thank you again
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I will say something here, I got my first short wave receiver in 1973. I’ve owned various receivers over the years and I’ve been a licensed ham for over 30 years. I’ve also worked in The commercial Motorola two way radio world. And to say that the receiver can’t be the problem is very misleading and might lead a new SWL down the wrong path to spending money on a particular radio, and being very disappointed. There are some pretty amazing little portables these day. But do your research before you buy a radio.
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