[steve86]

You can get an inexpensive radio like the Kaito 1103

Or the Degen 1103 (same, basically).

People have been surprised to see the $49 DE1103* SSB/PLL match the performance of expensive military shortwave receivers in side-by-side comparisons. This is one rare case where Chinese engineering and production is first rate. The controls do take some getting used to, but I can change the volume in my sleep now. Works great with the bundled active loop antenna (if packaged that way) or an outside long wire.

* check on eBay

[mylife]

Yeah. I have the little active loop.
It is great for knocking out adjacent axial noise.