What's the best way to listen?

[franklin]

New to the site and just came across this thread. I think the suggestions on portable receivers that include SW etc are a good idea. I have a similar unit in my kit. An external antenna will add tremendous improvement on what you can receive. Antennas used on receivers are not as wavelength dependent as they are for transmitting. A long wire strung to a tree 100 ft away will do a fantastic job. (Assuming the radio has an external antenna connection.) Just be sure to disconnect if lightning is a possibility.

For those that are a little more technical a low cost SDR (software defined radio) might be an option. Using a SDR dongle, wire antenna, and a laptop with the appropriate drivers and software can allow you to tune a wide range of frequencies and modulation types. Even tell if there is transmitted energy in the area. Including digital transmissions that you might not be able to demodulate. (Hear the content.)

This book is a good primer on SDRs and explains how to load the driver used for many of the cheap dongles.

https://www.amazon.com/SDR-Beginners...4&keywords=SDR

[MountainGirl]

New to the site and just came across this thread. I think the suggestions on portable receivers that include SW etc are a good idea. I have a similar unit in my kit. An external antenna will add tremendous improvement on what you can receive. Antennas used on receivers are not as wavelength dependent as they are for transmitting. A long wire strung to a tree 100 ft away will do a fantastic job. (Assuming the radio has an external antenna connection.) Just be sure to disconnect if lightning is a possibility.

For those that are a little more technical a low cost SDR (software defined radio) might be an option. Using a SDR dongle, wire antenna, and a laptop with the appropriate drivers and software can allow you to tune a wide range of frequencies and modulation types. Even tell if there is transmitted energy in the area. Including digital transmissions that you might not be able to demodulate. (Hear the content.)

This book is a good primer on SDRs and explains how to load the driver used for many of the cheap dongles.

https://www.amazon.com/SDR-Beginners...4&keywords=SDR

Hi franklin, thanks for adding the good info to the thread and welcome to the forum

[juskom95]

New to the site and just came across this thread. I think the suggestions on portable receivers that include SW etc are a good idea. I have a similar unit in my kit. An external antenna will add tremendous improvement on what you can receive. Antennas used on receivers are not as wavelength dependent as they are for transmitting. A long wire strung to a tree 100 ft away will do a fantastic job. (Assuming the radio has an external antenna connection.) Just be sure to disconnect if lightning is a possibility.

For those that are a little more technical a low cost SDR (software defined radio) might be an option. Using a SDR dongle, wire antenna, and a laptop with the appropriate drivers and software can allow you to tune a wide range of frequencies and modulation types. Even tell if there is transmitted energy in the area. Including digital transmissions that you might not be able to demodulate. (Hear the content.)

This book is a good primer on SDRs and explains how to load the driver used for many of the cheap dongles.

https://www.amazon.com/SDR-Beginners...4&keywords=SDR

I thought about turning my old toughbook into an SDR just as a sort of "quick and easy," to use radio that doesn't take up my work bench.

[Coppertop]

It took me a day- or two- to remember I was looking for this. Here is a study guide for the HAM radio technician test. I know the thread is about listening and you don't need a license to do that, but it has some useful starter information about radios and how everything works.


https://www.kb6nu.com/wp-content/upl...-guide-v20.pdf

[MountainGirl]

It took me a day- or two- to remember I was looking for this. Here is a study guide for the HAM radio technician test. I know the thread is about listening and you don't need a license to do that, but it has some useful starter information about radios and how everything works.


https://www.kb6nu.com/wp-content/upl...-guide-v20.pdf

Thanks, Coppertop, appreciate the info

[MikeTango]

Hey MountainGirl!

Wish I would’ve been here to see your post way back.

Here is the radio receiver I decided on:

https://www.ccrane.com/item/rad_ccra...e_travel_radio

CCrane makes good stuff as know by now...

This little radio is a powerhouse! The main reason I decided on this particular unit is it’s small size. Also, like you, I wanted to be able to listen for entertainment.

Unfortunately, the radio you selected only receives the 2 meter ham band. Which is narrow fm and very much line of sight. You will have to be fairly close to a unit that’s transmitting or a repeater to hear anything.

Being able to receive regular am fm and noaa wx is always nice and can be informative as these stations are relatively close by. However, the real fun is listening to distant stations. The SKYWAVE receives 2300 - 26100 kHz shortwave. I’m listening to China Radio International (in English) on 13740 kHz being transmitted from Quivicán Cuba as I type this. I can receive shortwave stations from all over the world without needing any type of external antenna. This radio also receives the air band (as in aviation) in addition to regular am fm and noaa wx.

Anyway, I love it! And it’s very affordable... I plan on purchasing a second one.



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