{"id":35947,"date":"2019-02-06T09:21:55","date_gmt":"2019-02-06T13:21:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=35947"},"modified":"2019-02-06T11:58:38","modified_gmt":"2019-02-06T15:58:38","slug":"radios-what-are-your-daily-drivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/02\/radios-what-are-your-daily-drivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Radios: What are your daily drivers?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, John C., who writes:<\/p>\n

“Hi Thomas, I love [the SWLing Post] and have been meaning to thank you for all of the amazing reviews. Truly a treasure trove. But as I contemplate my next radio purchase I would like to know what radio you use more than any other. In other words…what’s your daily driver??? Enquiring minds want to know! Thank you. – JC”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thanks for your question and the kind compliment, John.<\/p>\n

Your inquiry is one I get quite a bit, so I hope you don’t mind if I share my response here publicly.<\/p>\n

First of all, I should state that I don’t have a single “daily driver.”<\/p>\n

Since I evaluate, test, and review radios I spend a lot of time with a variety of new receivers and transceivers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I’m currently evaluating the Radiwow R-108,<\/a>\u00a0so it goes with me pretty much everywhere since I like to test receivers in a variety of settings. I’m also packing the Tecsun PL-310ET<\/a> and the CC Skywave<\/a> so I have units to compare with the R-108.<\/p>\n

My Daily Drivers<\/h1>\n

Still, there are a number of radios in my life that get heavy use. Here’s my current list based on activity:<\/p>\n

For Travel<\/h2>\n

When I travel, I reach for my favorite multi-function ultra-compact shortwave portable. In the past, I would have reached for the Grundig G6<\/a>, the\u00a0Sony ICF-SW100<\/a>, the\u00a0Tecsun PL-310ET<\/a>, the\u00a0Digitech AR-1780<\/a>, or the\u00a0C. Crane CC Skywave<\/a>, Currently, I reach for the C. Crane CC Skywave SSB<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

When I travel, I try to pack as lightly as I can–perhaps some would even call me a borderline travel minimalist. For example, when I fly to Philadelphia later this month for the Winter SWL Fest<\/a>, I will take only one piece of luggage, a “personal carry-on” item: the Tom Bihn Stowaway<\/a>, a pack the size of a small laptop bag. The Stowaway will contain my iPad, cords\/accessories, and all of my clothes and toiletries for about 5 days of travel. As you can imagine, there’s not a lot of spare room in there for radio gear (quite the understatement).<\/p>\n

I’ll still have room in my bag for the CC Skywave SSB, though, because the receiver is so compact. In addition, it’s a little “Swiss Army Knife” of a radio which covers the AM\/MW, Shortwave, WX, and AIR bands.\u00a0 It also has SSB mode and uses common AA batteries. The Skywave SSB is a welcome travel companion.<\/p>\n

For Portable Shortwave DX<\/h2>\n

When I head to a park or go on a camping trip with the goal of doing a little weak signal DXing, I reach for a full-featured portable. In the past, I’ve relied heavily on the Tecsun PL-660 or PL-680<\/a>, the\u00a0Sony ICF-SW7600GR<\/a>, and the\u00a0Tecsun PL-880.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After acquiring the amazing\u00a0Panasonic RF-B65<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0last year, it has become my choice full-featured portable. Of course, the RF-65B hasn’t been in production for ages, but thanks to a number of friends\/enablers (including Dan Robinson<\/a> and Troy Riedel<\/a>)\u00a0I finally found one for an acceptable price on eBay<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I’ve been incredibly pleased with the RF-B65’s performance and feel like I got a decent deal snagging one in great shape for less than $200. Only a few months prior to my purchase, it was hard to find good units under $300. Click here to check current prices, if interested<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For Morning News and Music<\/h2>\n

Since my staple morning news source, Radio Australia, went off the air, I spend a lot more time in the mornings listening to Internet radio mainly because I like listening to news sources that no longer, or never have, broadcast on the shortwaves.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Without a doubt, my favorite WiFi radio is the\u00a0Como Audio Solo<\/strong><\/a>. I use it to listen to the CBC in St. John’s Newfoundland<\/a>, The UK 1940s Radio Station<\/a>, RFI Musique<\/a>,\u00a0ABC Radio Sydney<\/a>, and a number of other news and music outlets.<\/p>\n

The Como Audio Solo also serves as an audio feed for my SSTran AM Transmitter<\/a> which then allows me to listen to all of this excellent content on 1570 kHz with vintage tube radios such as my\u00a0Scott Marine SLR-M<\/a>, my\u00a0BC-348-Q<\/a>, and my\u00a0Minerva Tropicmaster<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For Mediumwave DXing<\/h2>\n

Without a doubt, my favorite radio for mediumwave\/AM broadcast band DXing is the Panasonic RF-2200<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I mentioned in a previous post<\/a> that my buddy Vlado (N3CZ) recently repaired, cleaned, and calibrated one of my RF-2200s.<\/p>\n

Let’s just say that Vlado worked his magic and my RF-2200 now operates and performs like a brand new unit. Seriously. It’s simply unbelievable.<\/p>\n

Not only does the Panny ‘2200 provide benchmark MW performance, it’s simply a pleasure to operate. It also produces some of the richest AM audio you’ll ever hear from a portable radio.<\/p>\n

Of course, the ‘2200 hasn’t been produced in decades, so you’ll have to search for used ones on eBay<\/a>, at hamfests<\/a>, or through your favorite radio classifieds.<\/p>\n

And, yes, I still need to finish a Part 2 blog-post about the ‘2200 repair–once I get a few details and photos from Vlado, I’ll post it!<\/p>\n

Your Daily Drivers? Please comment!<\/h1>\n

Keep in mind that my “daily drivers” change quite a bit–the ones listed above are my current favorites and have been for a year or more.<\/p>\n

So now that I’ve shared my daily drivers, I hope you will, too! <\/strong><\/p>\n

Is there a particular radio you reach for more than any other?\u00a0 Please comment and tell us why it’s your favorite!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

Do you enjoy the SWLing Post?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Please consider supporting us via\u00a0Patreon<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or our\u00a0Coffee<\/span>\u00a0Fund<\/span><\/a>! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Your support makes articles like this one possible. Thank you!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John C., who writes: “Hi Thomas, I love [the SWLing Post] and have been meaning to thank you for all of the amazing reviews. Truly a treasure trove. But as I contemplate my next radio purchase I would like to know what radio you use more than any other. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[373,3781,433,3,3196,26,129,43,154,1154],"tags":[6398,6397,5158,7590,7591,2639,4407,155,2643,5341,4086],"class_list":["post-35947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-am","category-fm","category-mediumwave","category-news","category-portable-radio","category-radios","category-reviews","category-shortwave-radio","category-shortwave-radio-reviews","category-travel","tag-c-crane-cc-skywave-ssb","tag-cc-skywave-ssb","tag-como-audio-solo","tag-daily-drivers","tag-john-c","tag-panasonic-rf-2200","tag-panasonic-rf-b65","tag-radio-reviews","tag-rf-2200","tag-rf-b65","tag-shortwave-radio-reviews"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-9lN","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":34003,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/radio-in-the-field-swling-on-the-coast-of-the-st-lawrence-river\/","url_meta":{"origin":35947,"position":0},"title":"Radio in the field: SWLing on the coast of the St. Lawrence river","author":"Thomas","date":"September 7, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Yesterday, the weather was gorgeous here in Qu\u00e9bec, thus a prime opportunity to find a beach, start a new book and, of course, play radio! I found a fantastic spot on the north bank of the St. Lawrence river near Baie-St-Paul, Qu\u00e9bec. There were only a few folks at the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DX"","block_context":{"text":"DX","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/dx\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Panasonic-RF-B65-Field-Radio-Quebec-Log.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":48473,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/04\/starting-to-compare-the-tecsun-h-501x-and-sangean-ats-909x2\/","url_meta":{"origin":35947,"position":1},"title":"Starting to compare the Tecsun H-501x and Sangean ATS-909X2","author":"Thomas","date":"April 9, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"I took delivery of the Tecsun H-501x yesterday morning and the Sangean ATS-909X2 last week. I've been waiting for these portable receivers for what seems like ages, and both arrive within one week of each other. My initial impressions are positive for both radios, but I know it's time to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Products"","block_context":{"text":"New Products","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/new-products\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Tecsun-H-501x-e1617972137810.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Tecsun-H-501x-e1617972137810.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Tecsun-H-501x-e1617972137810.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Tecsun-H-501x-e1617972137810.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25107,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/04\/the-panasonic-rf-b65-the-legendary-portable-with-a-cult-following-amongst-dxers\/","url_meta":{"origin":35947,"position":2},"title":"The Panasonic RF-B65: the legendary portable with a cult following amongst DXers","author":"Clint Gouveia","date":"April 10, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Hi there, back in 1990 I was given a Panasonic RF-B40 for my birthday (I think it was my birthday...1990 was a long time ago!). I found that radio to be very sensitive on shortwave, more so perhaps than my Sangean ATS-803A, but ultimately it didn't really add much value\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/RF-B654-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/RF-B654-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/RF-B654-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":27762,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/video-daytime-mediumwave-shootout-with-the-tecsun-s-8800\/","url_meta":{"origin":35947,"position":3},"title":"Video: Daytime mediumwave shootout with the Tecsun S-8800","author":"Thomas","date":"August 28, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"About a week ago, I received a re-engineered version of the Tecsun S-8800 from Anna at the excellent online retailer, Anon-Co. If you recall, I evaluated an early production unit of the S-8800 in February and while putting it through the paces, I discovered loud, warbling DSP birdies throughout the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Tecsun S-8800","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/IMG_20170823_191416757_HDR-1024x690.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/IMG_20170823_191416757_HDR-1024x690.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/IMG_20170823_191416757_HDR-1024x690.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":54376,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/10\/julian-reviews-the-panasonic-rf-b45-and-shares-comments-regarding-shortwave-broadcasting-and-portable-radios\/","url_meta":{"origin":35947,"position":4},"title":"Julian reviews the Panasonic RF-B45 and shares comments regarding shortwave broadcasting and portable radios","author":"Thomas","date":"October 21, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Julian S, who shares the following guest post and review: Panasonic RF-B45 \u2013 A Comparative Review by Julian S 18 and 19 October, 2022 I was raised on valve \/ tube radios. From my pre-teens in the 1960s, I enjoyed tuning through the frequencies\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Guest Posts"","block_context":{"text":"Guest Posts","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/guest-posts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Panasonic-RF-B45-Julian-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Panasonic-RF-B45-Julian-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Panasonic-RF-B45-Julian-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Panasonic-RF-B45-Julian-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Panasonic-RF-B45-Julian-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":33379,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/panasonic-rf-b65s-abound-on-ebay\/","url_meta":{"origin":35947,"position":5},"title":"Panasonic RF-B65s abound on eBay","author":"Thomas","date":"August 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who notes that Panasonic RF-B65s are, \"Abound [...] all over eBay--most I have seen in years.\" As I've mentioned in the past, the Panasonic RF-B65 is one of the few \"vintage\" benchmark portables I'd happily add to my collection. 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