[dfwgator]

How many of these interval signals can you recognize?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFRYKDF2kxs

[Vendome]

.

[spokeshave]

1155

[THX 1138]

The Panasonic RF 2600 is the best portable shortwave I ever had. I loved that thing. Powerful and stable. It has digital and analog readings.

Unfortunately, they are hard to find and as such carry a premium.

You'd be lucky to find one under $250.

But if you can save up for a while, and if you can find one, get it!

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

bfl

[miele man]

You’ve been given several good suggestions in this thread; however, IMO, the absolute best small, portable, all-band receiver money can buy is the Sony 2010. No longer produced, sadly, but it is available via e-bay and occasionally you will see them on www.qrz.com or www.eham.net. Grundigs (older ones) are good but now they are made in China. Happy hunting...and listening!

[MachIV]

Sony 7600. Those Sangean models others referenced are good too. Grundig also had nice models.

[SueRae]

Bookmarking

[Portcall24]

“Varmint. I’m going to blow you to smithereens!”

[GJones2]

I was a shortwave listening enthusiast in my youth, but in recent decades the net has replaced shortwave listening as my source for things exotic. After all, distance is no real barrier on the internet. There are thousands of crystal-clear broadcasts from stations all over the world (including tv). Struggling to hear a weak signal from Tahiti or Sri Lanka on shortwave radio -- as it fades in and out, or emerges from a wall of static -- wouldn't have the same charm now that it once had. I've been spoiled by easy access through other means.

I started shortwave listening in the early 1960s with a Hallicrafters S120 (tubes -- I still have it), and moved on to transistorized models by Lafayette and Allied. Then, in relatively modern times, I got a digital Realistic DX-440 (Sangean 803A), which is about in your desired price range. Also, for power outage emergencies, I have a Grundig FR-200 (with a hand crank for recharging the battery).

The DX-440 does a decent job. I noticed from a net listing that Australia is listed on 9580 KHz at this time of day (between 8 and 9 am). I just checked that frequency, and was able to receive it on the U.S. east coast (with some static, but that's using only an indoor antenna).

For comparison, though, here's an example of what's available from Australia on the net (not counting tv) -- Australian Live Radio. I can understand having a shortwave radio for emergencies, or to receive special kinds of broadcasts, but for ordinary listening I think the internet is better.

[SeminoleCounty]

Really cheap.....but not good....Coby CX-CB 12....bought some on Amazon last year. Analog....non digital dial. Nine SW channels Lots of bleed over on FM and AM. Paid $12 each for them

I got them because I went to Europe and wanted an ole school dial radio as US radios have different spacing between AM stations. Also...this cheap radio has LW (longwave)....which comes in handy in Europe if you want English language radio on the continent....as BBC and RTE (Ireland) have LW stations

Cheap radio in price....cheap quality also this

[Cboldt]

Look for a Yaesu FRG-7 on eBay or Craigslist.

[SpaceBar]

The MFJ-8100K WORLD BAND SWL RECEIVER-KIT
is a surprisingly good sw receiver. It's a regen, which the old-timers know about, but with a reasonable outside wire, and a simple L-network tuner, it will pull in world shortwave broadcasts, SSB phone, CW etc like a champ. Plenty of online reviews and has been around forever. Comes as a kit, or pre-assembled. Fun for the whole family.