Category Archives: Radios

Video: Dave’s “Sproutie” home-brew regenerative receiver in action!

My good buddy, Dave Richards (AA7EE), has just posted videos of his home-brew regenerative receiver–nicknamed “The Sproutie.” [You may recall an earlier post about this very receiver.]

Below, you’ll find a video where Dave tunes in broadcasters with The Sproutie–she certainly has ears!

Dave, that’s a simple, beautiful little radio you’ve built there. I love the HRO knob–form and function at its best.

Readers: be sure to check out Dave’s full post about the Sproutie along with another video. If you haven’t yet, bookmark Dave’s blog–it’s a good one!

New RadioShack portable AM/FM/SW radio?

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SWLing Post reader, Paul, points out this RadioShack model 2000669 portable radio and asks, “Is this a new RadioShack shortwave radio?”

Very good question! Though I haven’t been inside a RadioShack in a couple of months, I’ve never noticed this portable on their shelves. In fact, I don’t even recognize the form factor as a re-badged Tecsun or Degen.

Has anyone purchased the model 2000669 from RadioShack?

Name that dial!

6 Replies

Yesterday, I acquired another antique radio (yes, a “boat anchor”) for my modest collection of vintage receivers. I took a quick close-up photo of its backlit dial (above).

For fun, I’m curious if any SWLing Post readers can name the radio sporting this dial? If you want to give it a go, please comment below.

CountyComm GP5/SSB: videos and photos

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Many thanks to Nick at CountyComm who recently sent me a short video he made of a prototype GP5/SSB in action:

Nick also shared a few close-ups of the GP5/SSB:

Additionally, many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mike McShan, for sharing this video overview of the CountyComm GP5/SSB that Universal Radio recently posted:

Universal Radio hopes to ship the first batch of the CountyComm GP5/SSB by December 1, 2014.

I plan to do a review the GP5/SSB in early December as well.

Follow the tag CountyComm GP5-SSB for updates.

Ultra Portable Shoot Out: Which radio do you prefer?

17 Replies

I’ve been traveling this week, but found the opportunity to hold another shortwave portable shoot-out. (You may recall the weak signal shoot out earlier this year.)

This time, I’m comparing three popular ultra portable radios, namely, the: CountyComm GP5/DSP (a.k.a. Tecsun PL-360), the Tecsun PL-310ET, and the Tecsun PL-380.

This particular trip afforded me a bit of time to test these wonderful little portables in a relatively scenic environment, on balcony overlooking the Atlantic. And even though propagation has been somewhat dismal this week, I had so much fun recording these samples, I recorded several for comparison.

Which of the three radios do you prefer? Listen to the recordings, then vote! You’ll find a survey form at the bottom of the page that will allow you to cast your vote for your favorite with weak signals, with strong signals, and your favorite overall.

We’re using a form this time to make it easier to tally the results. If you enjoy this contest–or have any problems–simply comment below.

Stay tuned for a medium-wave shootout in coming weeks!

Note: I will close this survey at 00:00 UTC on Saturday, November 22, 2014.

Global 24 – 9395 kHz (Strong)

Radio 1

Radio 2

Radio 3

ERT Open/ Voice of Greece (Relatively strong)

Radio 1

Radio 2

Radio 3

Radio Riyadh (Weak)

Radio 1

Radio 2

Radio 3

Rádio Bandeirantes (Very weak)

Radio 1

Radio 2

Radio 3

Submit your response

Click here to use our response form to vote on your favorites, or simply use the form embedded below:

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Sony ICF-SW100: difference between MKI and MKII

1 Reply

In response to our post about the Sony ICF-SW100, Michael comments:

“I’ve found that, with some patience and a willingness to search outside of eBay, that the ICF-SW100 can be found for under $250. It’s more than a fair bit of money for a shortwave receiver. If I had to take a guess at why it has held its value so well it would most likely be down to the amount of performance and features that still exist in a radio so small.

It is rather sensitive but even more so with an active external antenna or just a long wire attached to either the external antenna jack or the whip itself. It seems that the size of the whip itself (due to space constraints) limits the sensitivity of the radio. I use mine with a PA0RDT mini whip that I have constructed and the two work well very together. If you add a small outboard filter such as a NEScaf you have an entire station in miniature.

The fault with the hinges was only found on the MKI models. The MKII model was released by Sony primarily as a revision to solve the ribbon cable issue. You can tell a MKII from a MKI by looking at the lower right hand corner of the display part of the clamshell. If you see a rectangular shaped notch then it is a MKII. That notch is there for preventing the ribbon cable from being pinched between the two halves when the case is shut.

If you’re looking for a radio that is feature laden as well as exceptionally small then the ICF-SW100 is still an excellent choice.”

Many thanks for your comment, Mike!

The CountyComm GP-5/SSB: a $79 shortwave portable with SSB

12 Replies

CountyComm GP5/DSP (Click to enlarge)

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Jim, who points out that the new CountyComm GP-5/SSB is available for pre-order at Universal Radio. Universal expects to ship the GP5/SSB in late November.

I have the CountyComm GP-5/DSP (a.k.a. Tecsun PL-360) and recommend it in my radio travel guide. I especially like the unique external ferrite bar antenna that attaches (and rotates) on top of the radio. Medium wave sensitivity is quite good when the external antenna is attached; best part is you can rotate the antenna to null out unwanted signals.

If the new GP5/SSB has similar receiver performance, this will be an excellent, low-cost portable with SSB mode.

With availability in late November, the GP-5/SSB could be a great radio to give as a gift this holiday season. If time allows, I’ll try to review one in early December.

The GP-5/SSB has been added to the Shortwave Radio Index.