Short wave radio lingo

[PRB]

There is a term for a short wave radio (receiver) that can be tuned to any frequency between the minimum and maximum, as opposed to the cheaper, and far more common, type which can be tuned only within certain narrow bands within the minimum and maximum. What is that term? I'm trying to search for this type of radio online but it's hard to Google it if you don't know what word to look for...

[Milton Shupe]

I am guessing here: side band, or single side band. Do you have a scanner receiver or what?

[PRB]

I have a SW radio (Sangean ATS-818). It has four bands:

FM: 87.5 - 108 MHz
LS: 150 - 519 KHz
MW: 520 - 1710 KHz
SW: 1.711 - 29.999 MHz

So, evidently, the aircraft frequencies are not covered, nor are several other freq ranges. The lowest freq covered with this radio is 150 KHz, and the highest 30 MHz. But, only certain parts of this spectrum can be tuned. I read once that you can buy receivers that cover the entire RF spectrum from, in this case, 150 KHz to 30.00 MHz. I remember doing some research on this in that past, and discovering that such radios are also expensive.

[Roger]

Paul,
The best type of short wave receiver (500kHz-30mHz) is one using a phase locked loop like the Barlow Wadley(sp?) type. Such a system was used in the Yaesu Musen Frg-7 receiver which I used 20 or 30 years ago.
Also as Milton suggested the ability to select different bandwidth filters and a bfo for sideband transmissions.

[Ickie]

VFO :salute:

I use to have a Yaesu 101 EX, the best damm radio I ever owned, it had removable cyrstals and I had them all, lol, i use to buy my cyrstals from Jan's cyrstals in Miami

I remember about 10 years ago when I still had my tower and beams I tried to call Roger one night but he cold not hear me.

[robert41]

Years ago I was into radio immensely. I found out that there was no one radio that will cover the entire rf spectrum. I had several that I bought, made, and modified for LF, HF, VHF, and UHF. Some were old tube sets, others digital. But the one part that can make or break a radio is the antenna.

[PRB]

VFO, hmm. My Sangean has a tune "wheel", in addition to the keypad for directly entering freqs. Does that mean I have a VFO? In reading about the history of VFO, it seems the alternative was crystals, which is really old technology, no?

[PRB]

Years ago I was into radio immensely. I found out that there was no one radio that will cover the entire rf spectrum. I had several that I bought, made, and modified for LF, HF, VHF, and UHF. Some were old tube sets, others digital. But the one part that can make or break a radio is the antenna.

Rgr on the antenna! It makes all the difference.

[robert41]

Beat freq oscillator. Used to tune in the single side bands on a SW reciever. My time with radio was just before personal computers and cell phones became the norm. One of the reasons that I lost interest in radio.

[n4gix]

There is a term for a short wave radio (receiver) that can be tuned to any frequency between the minimum and maximum, as opposed to the cheaper, and far more common, type which can be tuned only within certain narrow bands within the minimum and maximum. What is that term? I'm trying to search for this type of radio online but it's hard to Google it if you don't know what word to look for...

The term you're describing is "continuous tuning." Search Google with the keywords:
continuous tuning shortwave radio

One example is the Sangean ATS 909:



CONTINUOUS TUNING allows the reception of any frequency from 153kHz through 29999kHz plus FM 87.5-108MHz

[PRB]

The term you're describing is "continuous tuning." Search Google with the keywords:
continuous tuning shortwave radio

One example is the Sangean ATS 909:

I think that's what I looking for. Thanks!

[Roger]

I used to have to pay £15.00 a year to renew my Amateur Radio Licence G8 VLR but now it's in perpetuity. Also in the UK we so-called B licence holders now have a full licence for all available bands. Trouble is I have little interest in amateur radio these days, but perhaps when I retire I might get all the old gear out again, especially my 1.2 gigaHz gear where a decent high gain Yagi is small and cheap!

[tonybones2112]

There is a term for a short wave radio (receiver) that can be tuned to any frequency between the minimum and maximum, as opposed to the cheaper, and far more common, type which can be tuned only within certain narrow bands within the minimum and maximum. What is that term? I'm trying to search for this type of radio online but it's hard to Google it if you don't know what word to look for...

Paul, many ham radios have ham transmit and what they call Full Spectrum receive, the slang term is DC To Daylight. I know what you want, can't think of it, I've been inactive on my ham/CB/scanner/shortwave hobby.

Tony

[PRB]

Thanks Tony.

My other problem is antennas. The Sangean is an ok radio, but with just the little antenna it comes with you're very limited in what you can pick up. An old friend of mine from the navy was (still is) a ham radio person. He had a great rig in the house, with a huge antenna on the roof of his house. He could pick up stations all over the world.

[Roger]

What frequencies are you interested in Paul?

[Ickie]

I have one of these and have used it for 30 years, they never get old, lol

http://cgi.ebay.com/MFJ-934-300W-HF-ANTENNA-TUNER-W-ARTIFICIAL-GROUND-L-K-/120664531384?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c182aa1b8

[PRB]

Two catagories, I think. I'd like to be able to tune aircraft comm frequencies, and also the short wave freqs from stations around the world. And the common AM/FM spectrum. The Sangean has all that except the A/C freqs, but I can't pick up much in SW, I think because of the crappy antenna.

[PRB]

I have one of these and have used it for 30 years, they never get old, lol

http://cgi.ebay.com/MFJ-934-300W-HF-ANTENNA-TUNER-W-ARTIFICIAL-GROUND-L-K-/120664531384?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c182aa1b8

What is that, exactly? Is it a reciever? My brother used to have a huge pile of old radios, some from the navy, as he worked as a cryptologic tech.

[Ickie]

antenna tuner, I use to brag that it could tune a coat hanger to match your freq

in my van I have a rigg 25,000 to 30,000 MHz, 10-11 meter and I use it to tune my wilson intenna

it even has a long wire hookup on the back

[PRB]

antenna tuner, I use to brag that it could tune a coat hanger to match your freq

in my van I have a rigg 25,000 to 30,000 MHz, 10-11 meter and I use it to tune my wilson intenna

Does it sit between the antenna and the receiver?

[Ickie]

yes between and it is used for trans and receive, up to 300 watts, it even has a dummy load for tuneing on 10 - 160 meters

[TeaSea]

I'm not a HAM, but an old Army Signal guy...


You guys are making me nostalgic for old RATT rigs....

[Ickie]

I once hooked it to my old 70's short wave receiver and you would not believe what I could hear. and I did this with a 5/8 wave fire stick

[Ickie]

BTW MFJ stands for "Mississippi's Finest Junk"

[Ickie]

Here is my house
see the lightning rod, lol

[robert41]

For SW listening, I strung a wire across the ceiling and outside between the house and trees for an antenna. Worked pretty good. For VHF and UHF, I had expensive antennas mounted on the roof. The aircraft bands are 108 to 136Mhz and 225 to 400Mhz in AM mode.

[Ickie]

If anyone is interested I have a 12-13 band SW receiver, ac/dc and if you offer a fair price, this is the delux radio, not easily found. It dates 1970'ish its AM/FM HF and VHF and sideband with wide or narrow bandwidth

[tonybones2112]

Thanks Tony.

My other problem is antennas. The Sangean is an ok radio, but with just the little antenna it comes with you're very limited in what you can pick up. An old friend of mine from the navy was (still is) a ham radio person. He had a great rig in the house, with a huge antenna on the roof of his house. He could pick up stations all over the world.

Paul, the Sangean you mention is identical to mine, it's a world class receiver with the right antenna. my antenna for my Sangean was two 102 inch CB whips on a home made dipole mount, it snatched signals right down into 160 meters. about 10 feet off the ground.

Bones

[PRB]

Paul, the Sangean you mention is identical to mine, it's a world class receiver with the right antenna. my antenna for my Sangean was two 102 inch CB whips on a home made dipole mount, it snatched signals right down into 160 meters. about 10 feet off the ground.

Bones

Interesting. I think I will look into making an antenna... Thanks Tony.

[Ickie]

456 divided by the freq = length in meters for long wire, now divide that by 1/2 or 1/4 or 1/8 gives you the antenna you want for that freq

[TeaSea]

Yes, and an M-16 is approx. a yard long, which you use as your ruler. Get your doublet 1/2 half the wavelength off the ground, point it the right way and ground your radio.....or go with an inverted V.....

Oh, sorry....flashback.