Looking for suggestions, handheld receiver for lower frequency use - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / rf-microwave

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2024, 03:03:30 am
content: I am looking for a receiver that covers 540k to 148MHz. Wider is better. Looking at what is out there, most have limited coverage or it appears limit the modulation type based on frequency. Say I want to listen to the CB band with both AM and FM. The ones I have looked at seem to support AM or SSB but not FM.Other appear to allow AM in the short wave bands but I do not see where they offer a BFO for CW.Digital modes and PC interface are not needed but would be a bonus. It needs to run stand alone.Also want something I can manually tune. My car radio for example will not allow me to manually tune. You get the auto sweep and that's it. If there is no strong station to lock to, you are out of luck.Ease of use a must. I don't want something I need to refer to a manual to run it.Cost isn't much of a factor. More important for me would be sensitivity, selectivity, durability.Want something that uses standard batteries that I can pick up at the local gas station. If it supports AC operation as well, a plus.Small form factor, if I can palm it with one hand, good enough.Any suggestions?

author: szoftveres
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2024, 04:52:10 am
content: I think the Yaesu Ft-817 and 818 are all very close, e.g. they do all modes on all bands except for 88-108MHz (which is understandable). Cannot speak for ease of use, I think they are all super difficult to operate but people seem to get used to them.Also people carry these with ducky antennas and attached (or built in) batteries.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2024, 05:41:33 am
content: Thanks but really wanting a receiver, not a transceiver and something with a smaller palm size form factor. I would want the FM broadcast band as well. Outside of that, the 817 looks a like good fit. From the following site for the 818, " 1.8 MHz - 29.7 MHz Amateur Bands only;" I assume you are locked out.https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ysu-ft-818Hunting around, something more like this but with standard batteries.https://www.retekess.com/tr110-portable-full-band-digital-radiohttps://www.amazon.com/Retekess-Portable-Shortwave-Airband-Stations/dp/B0B8H1C62Q

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2024, 07:00:30 am
content: check this onehttps://www.icomjapan.com/lineup/products/IC-R30/

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2024, 01:46:12 pm
content: Quote from: A.Z. on January 03, 2024, 07:00:30 amThat link doesn't work for me but no problem:https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ico-ic-r30I read the following review on it, which doesn't lead me to think it is a very good choice. They show it no longer available but I wondered based on their comments how much this old looking relic was. Further searching:QuoteQuoteLooks like it requires a separate battery pack to utilize standard batteries. Funny is they are talking about modifying the power supply right out of the gate.https://www.qsl.net/n9ewo/icr30.html$kbuck for a used receiver. You must really feel it is something special.https://www.ebay.com/itm/204544802794?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2024, 09:20:21 pm
content: well ... set aside the usual YMMV which I forgot (my fault !) the receiver is much berter than that "retekess" and then ... you asked for a handheld/portable, and the other rigs aren't so "handheld"; but then yours the money, yours the choice, good luck.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2024, 12:16:32 am
content: Joe, I did read this yesterday but I don't have any products in mind that fit your requirements. I don't think there is a lot out there anymore that would, but I will keep looking.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2024, 02:28:10 am
content: I think this was was made by Siglent:QuoteI'm striking out finding anything and am starting to think about dropping some of the features. Ditch the 2M ham band and things open up a lot. May get something like this one:https://www.amazon.com/PL990-Worldband-Shortwave-Longwave-Reception/dp/B08KL77Q4H?ref_=ast_sto_dp

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2024, 02:46:17 am
content: Yea all those types of portable receivers are available if you can ditch 2m ham. The Tecsun brand is one of the better ones, as well as Sangean.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2024, 02:54:33 am
content: I watched a few reviews for a similar one from Tecsun. Looks alright for what it is. I like it uses a common enough battery that I have spares.If you can think of something better, let me know.

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2024, 11:43:32 am
content: Ok, in such a case, start herehttps://swling.com/https://radiojayallen.com/https://radiojayallen.com/holiday-shopping-guide-jays-personal-picks-for-performance-and-value/and make an informed decision

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2024, 01:53:41 pm
content: I read the manual for the PL990. I would like to see a matrix of the frequency band and demodulation methods allowed. They write AM, FM talking about broadcast bands confusing it with the demod. But for example, it is not clear to me if the radio supports FM demod in the sub 30MHz. Simple enough to answer but I can't find where it is spelled out.I almost want something like the DMM matrix that Dave has set to sticky. List of radios, features, all in a matrix.Swling didn't appear useful. Mostly beginners guide to listening to short wave radio. Radiojay reviewed the PL990 and I thought from your recommendation would at least have provided some basic answers. Lots of words, little details. No luck.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2024, 03:11:24 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on January 04, 2024, 01:53:41 pmI checked the manual, it's typical of these sorts of receivers. When they say it receives "FM" they mean the FM broadcast band in your region - not that it can demod FM in any of the bands. Nor can it demod SSB or AM in the "FM" broadcast band. So the sort of thing you want to do meaning push a button to select any demod in any band isn't what they can do.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2024, 03:58:54 pm
content: If you don't mind going second hand you could look at an Icom IC-R10. I have one and I think it ticks all the boxes. If you read the reviews people are complaining about the scanning functions but it's not a scanner. Most of the stuff you can get new these days are either the chinesium 'let's put all in one chip' portables or the sdr boxes which are great but not portable.

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2024, 04:35:07 pm
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on January 04, 2024, 03:58:54 pmHeh, Paul... in a previous post I suggested the IC-R30, but he didn't like it ...

author: geggi1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2024, 09:02:06 pm
content: Check out AOR AR-DV10. I is expensive but probably the best reciever avalable as new now.You can also look into the Icom IC-R20 that is a older model but will let you change modes as you want in any frequency.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2024, 09:07:17 pm
content: Quote from: A.Z. on January 04, 2024, 04:35:07 pmI know, but at least it takes normal AA batteries and you can get it for $200-300. It's not a bench receiver so don't expect the same features, it will overload if you connect a big antenna to it without using the attenuator and it could do with a smaller filter for sure. I'm sure my R-9000 is a better receiver and so are the various SDR boxes I have, but they kind of lack the fit in the hand. You can't have it all and the R10 is a good compromise, that's all I'm saying.

author: vk4ffab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2024, 09:41:01 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on January 03, 2024, 03:03:30 amThere is the hackrf one portapack and the malachite SDR or DeepSDR 101 on ebay there are probably others. Just add a telescopic whip and its an all in one that does what you want, albeit a rather clunky one. Depends on how much of a traditional receiver experience you require.

author: berke
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2024, 10:05:34 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on January 03, 2024, 03:03:30 amSadly they don't make them anymore but the AOR AR 8200 ticks all your boxes. It basically has a walkie-talkie form factor, runs on 4 AA's, covers 100k to 3GHz no gaps and will demod USB,LSB,NAM,AM,WAM,NFM,WFM,CW on any band. It has a 12V DC input as well. There is a custom connector from which you can tap the discriminator output. The tuner is pretty fast and it can scan lots of channels per second looking for activity. That connector also has a data link for editing the channels using a PC (haven't tested this.) It's pretty power hungry, batteries don't last long. Not super rugged either. Oh and it comes with a little plug-in ferrite antenna for the lower frequencies.

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2024, 11:05:09 pm
content: Check out the CountyComm GP-7https://countycomm.com/products/countycomm-gp-5-ssb-general-purpose-radioIt's handheld, covers the FM broadcast band in FM, the AM broadcast band in AM, and it covers 1700 to 29999 Hz in both AM and SSB. It also covers down below the AM band. from 153 to 513 kHz in AM and SSB.I don't own one, but I saw one demonstrated at the local ham radio club. The SSB works for strong signals, both voice and CW, in the ham bands with the included whip antenna. Of course the antenna performance of a small whip isn't as good as a full-sized quarter-wave dipole, but that's to be expected.But it uses an included lithium battery, and it doesn't go over 30MHz.Another radio that checks some, but not all, of your boxes is the Icom IC-R2. I bought one in about 1995, and you'll have to pry it out of my cold dead hands some day. Very tiny, uses AA batteries, covers from 495 kHz up to 1309 MHz, with gaps for the old cell bands. But it's only AM and FM, no CW or SSB. It's a good scanner for VHF/UHF FM, as well as for both VHF (civil) and UHF (military) airband in AM. I used to use it for AM shortwave broadcasters, but there aren't many of those left. The Icom IC-R6 seems to be the current replacement, with some improvements.Good luck in your quest.

author: p.larner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2024, 12:39:34 am
content: what about an ATS25-X1?

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2024, 01:07:46 am
content: Quote from: xrunner on January 04, 2024, 03:11:24 pmThat's too bad but pretty much what I expected from the literature.That's the problem with the GP-7 as well.Quote from: PA0PBZ on January 04, 2024, 09:07:17 pmRight, the $1000 for an old used radio is out. The Icom IC-R10 appears easier to find but similar concerns that a portable radio may have had a rough life and on it's way out. If someone had one local that I could actually try it out first, I may be interested.I had seen the Malachite SDR but not the DeepSDR 101. Reading reviews, people complain about the encoders. It sounds like that crap Siglent encoder is a step up, and that's bad. If you have one of these, what is your experience with it?QuoteThe other thing that bothered me was this statement:QuoteThe idea of having to register a radio, make my hair stand on end.I have never heard of AOR. Looks like the one is obsolete and it would be used. Pretty high price tag for a used radio. I could find the other new. Maybe. Do you own one? Like it? Problems?I had looked at the ATS25-X1 and like most of the others, it doesn't appear to support all the demodulation modes on all bands.Looking at the Deepsdr 101, it doesn't appear to support FM demod below 30MHz. Like that PL990, they mix the AM/FM broadcast bands with the specific type of modulation. Fine for an AM/FM broadcast radio, bad for a continuous coverage radio. At least they spelled it out on their ebay page.

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2024, 10:32:31 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on January 05, 2024, 01:07:46 amThe encoders were an issue with previous releases but afaict it was resolved, and then, as for the Malahit, you may check herehttps://swling.com/blog/2021/09/malahit-dsp-2-versus-chinese-clone-taking-the-gloves-off/for some additional infos, and then if you are the kind of guy which likes to see some video, check this one

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2024, 05:44:58 pm
content: Thanks. If they truly have replaced the poor encoders with something that will hold up and the this licensing stuff they talk about isn't an issue, then it may be a good fit for my use.

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2024, 07:35:43 pm
content: Quote from: A.Z. on January 05, 2024, 10:32:31 amThanks for posting that, now I have to get one

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2024, 01:53:41 am
content: About $500 on Amazon, $350 on banggoodhttps://www.amazon.com/GOOZEEZOO-Malachite-Receiver-10kHz-2GHz-Amplifier/dp/B0CGD7DNWL?th=1But second review seems like a deal breaker:QuoteQuote from: PA0PBZ on January 05, 2024, 07:35:43 pmIf you get one, please make a critical review for it.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2024, 02:01:18 am
content: Encoders not responsive? Gee I wonder what causes that ...

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2024, 05:43:02 am
content: Well, I gave up. The Icom IC-R10 looked like a good fit and there were two on eBay used. As is, no returns. The risk is just too high. The encoders on SDRs look like they are problematic. The one I looked at used PCB material for the case. I think that was a $300+ radio. Not the sort of thing I want to take outside. So while these look like a very good fit feature wise, I'm pretty sure they would end up in the trash the first time the encoder wasn't smooth.So I went back to that cheapo Tecsun knowing it doesn't support a lot of the features I want.Thanks for all the input.

author: vk4ffab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2024, 06:08:36 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on January 07, 2024, 05:43:02 amAdd one of those Quansheng handhelds into the mix change the firmware and get all the modes on RX for 2m. Between that and the Tecsun, it covers all your needs. Yeah it sucks its hard to find everything in the one box. I cant even think of a ham home brew project that covers everything you wanted, even there it would be separate for HF and VHF.

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2024, 08:46:08 am
content: if using two receivers is acceptable, then this onehttps://belrig.by/belka%20dxwill cover 0.1 to 30 MHz with pretty good performance, even just using the whip antenna; add a second receiver for V/UHF and that will be itjust in casehttps://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=14803

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2024, 04:28:22 pm
content: would you be so kind to spend a bit of time reading thishttps://revspace.nl/Msi2500SDRand the linked pages ? In particular this onehttps://github.com/EndlessEden/msiSDR/tree/RSP1-S

author: rf-messkopf
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2024, 09:19:32 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on January 07, 2024, 04:09:44 pmIf you you are prepared to spend some money you can look at the older professional portable radiolocation and radiomonitoring receivers. I've got a R&S EB200 here (website with a description and some pictures, theglossy brochure, and themanual). These can be fitted with an optional battery pack and carried on a shoulder strap. You decide if that matches your definition of portable or handheld.That will give you continuous coverage from 10 kHz to 3 GHz with no restrictions on detection modes (AM/FM/Pulse/CW/USB/LSB and raw IQ data) and bandwidths, with a fully digital IF (filters, demodulation and audio processing), a preselector, and an optional IF panorama view.And it has a very frequency agile synthesizer and a tuning knob with an optical encoder, magnetic indents, ball bearings, and a mechanical flywheel. Plus selectable tuning steps and knob speed acceleration. So no problems there.But these units are now about 20 years old and still fetch a pretty penny. I got mine broken and fixed it (not easy to work on because of the compact design and heavy shielding). Because of age you would have to fit new batteries into the battery pack if you want portable use. And they don't make them like that any more. Thesuccessors of theseare more compact but have a much less desirable form factor, at least for my liking.I think there are similar receivers from Narda, but I'm not sure.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2024, 11:19:31 pm
content: Joe ain't gonna drop that kind of money on a receiver - OK I might be wrong but I don't think so ...eBay auction: #284813257692

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2024, 11:57:57 pm
content: Quote from: A.Z. on January 07, 2024, 04:28:22 pmJust looked like someone's home project, nothing commercial. I was looking for something I could just use, not something to construct.... Though...

author: rf-messkopf
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2024, 12:57:30 am
content: Quote from: xrunner on January 07, 2024, 11:19:31 pmWell, there is a difference between wanting to have so much money and actually getting so much money.Even though it comes with a handheld active directional antenna system and carrying cases, and has the IF panorama option, I think that price is a bit over the top.

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2024, 06:42:27 am
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on January 07, 2024, 11:57:57 pmthe "revspace" page carries a link to "aliexpress" there you'll find the commercial versions, including the one with a single antenna input, the unit can also be found elsewhere.https://www.taobao.com/list/item/645090109900.htmhttps://www.amazon.com/Software-Receiver-Aluminum-Compatible-10KHz-2GHz/dp/B09PYD25K7

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2024, 01:44:15 pm
content: That looks like a portable handheld radio.

author: A.Z.
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2024, 04:04:41 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on January 08, 2024, 01:44:15 pmWell, you didn't specify you wanted to carry it in a pocketSeriously, given the requisites I suspect that as of today only an SDR will fit your needs, in this case to use it in portable you'll need a "tablet" but then you'll still need to find an acceptable arrangement for the antenna(s)

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2024, 06:02:53 pm
content: True. I had seen Signal Hound posting an article mounting one of their SAs to a drone to measure antenna radiation patterns, rather than sending out the ground troops. I could drag it around with my laptop and it would make for a decent receiver but that's not really what I am after. Standalone, hand held. Not duct tape and a tablet.

author: vk4ffab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2024, 10:25:09 pm
content: Quote from: joeqsmith on January 08, 2024, 06:02:53 pmHanRongDa-HRD-747 might fit the bill. No FM below 20Mhz, air band AM, and only FM on 2m and 70cm, AM and SSB 2 to 30meg and AM only medium wave and FM only for broadcast FM. Not sure why they just cant use the same chip for all modes dc to daylight instead of sliced and diced modes for different band segments.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 08, 2024, 10:37:38 pm
content: Quote from: vk4ffab on January 08, 2024, 10:25:09 pmI suspect everyone and their brother rebrand that receiver. It was one of the low cost receivers I considered. It looked like a very good fit... until I started reading reviews for it. I can deal with a lot of problems but when it comes to bad encoders and that the entire UI is based on, it better be rock solid or I would pitch the device, use it for target practice, chop it up for other projects, waste time trying to fix what that mfg should have done in the first place, throw it against the wall... Take your pick.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2024, 04:05:57 pm
content: The Tecsun 990 showed up. Came with a battery, charger, SD card (for your MP3 collection), ear phones, external antenna. Doesn't have a hard on/off switch. Manual claims 120μA draw (has a clock and guessing battery back for NVRAM). I played with both encoders a fair bit and they both work very smooth. None of that Siglent stuff. Seems fairly rugged and comes with a protective carry case. Even with the attached antenna, tried it on the 80m band and listened to some SSB stations.Wish I had found something closer to what I was looking for but it works fine for what it is.