{"id":1413,"date":"2011-07-30T06:07:03","date_gmt":"2011-07-30T11:07:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=1413"},"modified":"2020-05-19T11:00:47","modified_gmt":"2020-05-19T15:00:47","slug":"ultralight-shortwave-radios-now-tagged-in-the-shortwave-radio-index-swri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2011\/07\/ultralight-shortwave-radios-now-tagged-in-the-shortwave-radio-index-swri\/","title":{"rendered":"Ultralight shortwave radios now tagged in the Shortwave Radio Index (SWRI)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Tecsun PL-380 is an “ultralight” that has exceptional shortwave sensitivity and selectivity.<\/p><\/div>\n

I have gone through the SWRI and tagged all portable shortwave radios that are considered “ultralights” <\/a>by the ultralight “Definitions Committee.” Note that “ultralight dxing” is primarily a Mediumwave hobby, but you will find that many of the best performing ultralights are also capable, if not best-in-class shortwave receivers.<\/p>\n

What are the attributes\/guidelines for a radio to be considered an “ultralight”? Per the definitions committee:<\/p>\n

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  1. It is a simple shirt pocket-sized radio of not more than approximately 20 cubic inches.<\/li>\n
  2. It is an entertainment-grade radio, as opposed to enthusiast’s radio. As such, it will\u00a0usually not have AM synchronous detection, SSB clarification or other specialized\u00a0features.<\/li>\n
  3. It is readily available to the hobby in new or used markets at the time of its approval.<\/li>\n
  4. It costs no more than $100 retail at the time of approval.<\/li>\n
  5. It is primarily a radio. While it may have other features as well (MP3 recorder, etc.), the\u00a0design and function should have radio reception as its focus.<\/li>\n
  6. It is not a “novelty radio” such as Coca Cola Can radio, Mr. Potato Head, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    Each radio is individually approved before it is considered an ultralight.<\/div>\n

    The Tecsun PL-310<\/a>, PL-380<\/a> and C.Crane CCRadio-SWP<\/a> are three shortwave ultralights that I\u00a0regularly\u00a0use and are considered fine examples of ultralights.<\/p>\n

    Want to know more about ultralight dxing? Check out these resources:<\/p>\n