Category Archives: Radios

Our New Shortwave Radio Index

The new RFspace NetSDR–limited availability Feburary 10

The RFspace NetSDR wideband receiver

The new RFspace NetSDR has been announced on the RFspace website and Universal Radio is already accepting orders. According to RFSpace, they will have limited availability on February 10th 2011.

Based on the NetSDR’s specs, it appears that this will be a very robust and high-performance SDR. RFspace is touting that it’s fully plug and play and designed to be integrated with your home network and the internet.

We will post all updates about the NetSDR here and on our new Shortwave Radio Index website (click here for the RFspace NetSDR entry). When available, we will also link to relevant reviews in the SWRI entry.

Cardboard Tube Radio Kit

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While cruising Retro Thing, this cardboard tube radio kit caught my eye. It’s available for 49.95 EUR from Conrad International in Germany. I would have never thought about combining the warm character of vacuum tubes with a cardboard chassis. Still, one builder’s report is quite positive and assembly time is estimated at two hours.

Alinco DX-R8T $499 from Universal Radio

Tecsun PL-660 shortwave radio now available

The Alinco DX-R8T – a new shortwave tabletop

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UPDATE -> 02 September 2011: Please click here to read our full review of the Alinco DX-R8T.

Universal Radio has announced the Alinco DX-R8T with an estimated delivery date of December 28th. All of the data and specs they mention are subject to change, but this looks like it could be a receiver worth consideration.

The Alinco DX-R8T tabletop shortwave radio.

Notable features include:

Frequency coverage: 150-30,000 kHz
500 Hz CW Audio Filter
600 Alpha Memories
10 Hz Display
IF Shift
RIT
Squelch
Dual VFOs
Attenuator

Will the Alinco DX-R8T perform as well as the Icom IC-R75 or the Palstar R30A? We’ll let you know.

We can say that this is most likely a stripped-down version of their amateur transceiver, the Alinco DX-SR8T–probably a good thing. The DX-SR8T gets good marks for receiver sensitivity and selectivity (for a transceiver in its price range). In fact, eham reviewers give it an average of 4.5 stars out of 5.

Regarding price, I imagine it will be in the $500-600 US range (especially based on the pricing for the DX-R8 by Nevada in the UK and the $645US price point of the DX-SR8T transceiver). Universal has not yet announced a price (listed T.B.A.).

Check back for updates–we will post them as soon as they become available.

Please click here to read our full review of the Alinco DX-R8T.

Grundig G8 Traveler II on sale at National Geographic

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The National Geographic online store has a few Grundig radios on sale. Most notably, the Grundig G8 for $24.95.

The G8 is a great little shortwave receiver. I’m very impressed with the performance, especially for a $25 radio (normally, these sell at retailers for $50.00 US).

Features include:

FM/MW/SW/LW
Auto/manual tuning
Auto Tuning Storage (ATS) function (on FM, this will auto-populate memory slots with available stations)
Digital tuning with digital frequency readout (LCD)
Local timer setting + world timer settin
Sleep timer & alarm clock (either radio or buzzer
Snooze
Key lock function
3.5 mm headphone output
DC jack – 6V
Comes with warranty, manual and a nice travel case

Of course, with a radio in this price class, there are some compromises:

No single-side band.
There is muting between frequency changes, so while tuning you will notice a slight “chug” sound.
No manual gain control.
Speaker is small, though audio (as with many Grundig portables) is quite impressive.

At $25 US, this is a no-brainer. Pick up a G8 today as I have no idea how long this sale will last.

If you’re reading this post after the National Geographic sale, check G8 prices at the following places:

G8 documentation: