{"id":40515,"date":"2019-11-10T09:59:57","date_gmt":"2019-11-10T13:59:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=40515"},"modified":"2019-11-10T10:01:08","modified_gmt":"2019-11-10T14:01:08","slug":"inbound-a-drake-sw8-hf-vhf-receiver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/11\/inbound-a-drake-sw8-hf-vhf-receiver\/","title":{"rendered":"Inbound: A Drake SW8 HF\/VHF receiver"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

I’m often accused of being a radio “enabler.” Truth be told, I wear that badge quite proudly. I’m passionate about communications equipment and I suppose it shows especially here on the Post<\/em>.<\/p>\n

But radio “enabling” is a two-way street. I can’t count the number of times that I’ve made impulse purchases based on feedback and tips from SWLing Post<\/em> readers. Yesterday was one of those days.<\/p>\n

The tip<\/h1>\n

Last week, SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, Rand (KS4L), sent me a link to an ad for a Drake SW8 on QTH.com’s classifieds<\/a> site.\u00a0 Here’s the description and original photo:<\/p>\n

Nice Drake SW8 Communications Receiver<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nice physical and working condition Drake SW8 portable communication receiver covering 100 to 30,000 kHz in AM, USB and LSB modes with backlit LCD panels. The VHF aeronautical band is also featured (118 \u2013 137 MHz). For portable or field use, can be powered from 6 D cells and use the internal pivot point 41 inch telescopic whip. Comes with original manual, CD and 120VAC power pack with cable. Has an eHam review rating of 4.7 out of 5. From a non smoking environment.<\/p>\n

Asking 250 shipped.<\/p>\n

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

Randy sent this tip mid-week and I tried to ignore it. I knew it might not be a stellar deal, but it certainly wasn’t over-priced either.<\/p>\n

The SW8<\/h1>\n

I don’t think Randy knew this, but I’ve always wanted an SW8. My buddy, David Goren<\/a>, recommended this receiver ages ago, Each time I’ve stayed at his home he magically made an SW8 available as my bedside radio in the guest room. (That’s some serious radio hospitality!)<\/p>\n

Once, many years ago, I actually agreed to purchase an SW8 from a seller in British Columbia, but the deal fell through for some reason. If memory serves, he damaged the radio in the process of packing it. I believe I agreed to pay $450 for it, but that was probably 10 years ago.<\/p>\n

I kept Randy’s tip and link in my action items list and decided that, if still available, I’d post it as a radio deal<\/a> here on the SWLing Post<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Yesterday morning, the SW8 was still showing as available so I started a post. Being the radio enabler I am, I started writing about how much I’ve always wanted to own an SW8…how I love the simple front face plate, the display, the fact it can be powered by batteries, and how I think it’s quite a capable little receiver.<\/p>\n

Then I stopped writing, mid-sentence and asked myself… “Will I regret not grabbing this SW8?”<\/em><\/p>\n

My “radio bux” fund is incredibly low at the moment, mainly due to recent travels and budgeting for no less than three radio conventions next year. Also, this is the time of year when several annual fees\/subscriptions are auto-deducted from my account–including hefty hosting fees for the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Still, I had *just* enough money to at least make an offer and knew if I “thinned the radio herd” here at SWLing Post<\/em> HQ, I could probably replenish the amount in a month or so.<\/p>\n

Since this was a classifieds ad, my next step was to go through an extensive checklist to make sure the seller was who they claimed to be and that there were no signs of this being a scam. Everything checked out. (I’ll make a note to publish a post about my process in the near future<\/em>).<\/p>\n

I contacted the seller and we agreed on a price of $220 shipped. I put his check in the mail, and he even shipped the radio same day and provided a verified FedEx tracking number.<\/p>\n

I’ll admit it: I’m stoked!<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n

I look forward to putting this Drake SW8 through the paces and especially loading it with batteries and taking it to the field. I know–in terms of performance–it won’t be my best receiver, but I know it’ll provide hours upon hours of radio fun, and that’s what it’s all about!<\/p>\n

Post<\/em> readers: What do you think?\u00a0 Have I made a mistake, or did I get a good deal? I’d love to hear from those of you who’ve been owners of the venerable Drake SW8!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Please comment!<\/strong><\/a><\/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":"

I’m often accused of being a radio “enabler.” Truth be told, I wear that badge quite proudly. I’m passionate about communications equipment and I suppose it shows especially here on the Post. But radio “enabling” is a two-way street. I can’t count the number of times that I’ve made impulse purchases based on feedback and […]<\/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":[3,26,43],"tags":[3136,8119,7492,8120],"class_list":["post-40515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-radios","category-shortwave-radio","tag-drake","tag-drake-sw8","tag-randy-ks4l","tag-sw8"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-axt","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":47286,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/01\/replacing-the-keypad-on-my-drake-sw8\/","url_meta":{"origin":40515,"position":0},"title":"Replacing the keypad on my Drake SW8","author":"Thomas","date":"January 14, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"In 2019, I made an impulse purchase: a Drake SW8 tabletop receiver. As I mentioned previously, I\u2019d always wanted an SW8. My buddy, David Goren, recommended this receiver ages ago, Each time I\u2019ve stayed at his home in Flat Bush, he magically made an SW8 available as my bedside radio\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Drake-SW8-Dial-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Drake-SW8-Dial-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Drake-SW8-Dial-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Drake-SW8-Dial-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Drake-SW8-Dial-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31867,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/05\/dan-spots-a-rare-eddystone-40a-hf-receiver-on-ebay\/","url_meta":{"origin":40515,"position":1},"title":"Dan spots a rare Eddystone 40A HF receiver on eBay","author":"Thomas","date":"May 5, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares a rare Eddystone 40A find on eBay. Dan notes: What is interesting also about this is the similarity to the Drake SW8 -- notably the carrying handle. 40A s are rarely seen on the used market, and in line with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Eddystone-40A-684x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Eddystone-40A-684x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Eddystone-40A-684x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24341,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/02\/ebay-find-r-l-drake-sw4a-shortwave-receiver-new-old-stock\/","url_meta":{"origin":40515,"position":2},"title":"eBay find: R.L. Drake SW4A Shortwave Receiver (new old stock!)","author":"Thomas","date":"February 22, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Eric McFadden (WD8RIF) and Randy Moore (KS4L) who share a link to this rare find on eBay: a New Old Stock (NOS) Drake SW4A. Click here to view on eBay. The seller provides this short description: New in original box and packing, R.L. Drake\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/NOS-Drake-SW4A.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/NOS-Drake-SW4A.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/NOS-Drake-SW4A.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/NOS-Drake-SW4A.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47069,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/what-radio-projects-and-adventures-await-you-in-2021\/","url_meta":{"origin":40515,"position":3},"title":"What radio projects and adventures await you in 2021?","author":"Thomas","date":"December 31, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"This morning, I'm catching up with email and posts as I've had less online time these past few days (not a bad thing). I'm also trying to sort out and organize some of the gear in my compact shack\/office. As I do this, I can't help but think through some\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Lake-James-mAT-705Plus-Icom-IC-705-MPAS-Lite-1-1-768x1024-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Lake-James-mAT-705Plus-Icom-IC-705-MPAS-Lite-1-1-768x1024-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Lake-James-mAT-705Plus-Icom-IC-705-MPAS-Lite-1-1-768x1024-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Lake-James-mAT-705Plus-Icom-IC-705-MPAS-Lite-1-1-768x1024-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44630,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/08\/whats-in-the-shack-here-at-swling-post-hq\/","url_meta":{"origin":40515,"position":4},"title":"What’s in the shack here at SWLing Post HQ","author":"Thomas","date":"August 7, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Pete, who writes: Thomas, I'm curious what radios you have in the shack now. I see lots of posts about various radios, but I wonder what's in your personal collection and what's being evaluated. You know what they say...\"inquiring minds\" and all that! If\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mission-RGO-One-Paddle-Mic-Transceiver-5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mission-RGO-One-Paddle-Mic-Transceiver-5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mission-RGO-One-Paddle-Mic-Transceiver-5.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Mission-RGO-One-Paddle-Mic-Transceiver-5.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24253,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/02\/eric-spots-a-drake-spr-4-shortwave-receiver-on-ebay\/","url_meta":{"origin":40515,"position":5},"title":"Eric spots a Drake SPR-4 shortwave receiver on eBay","author":"Thomas","date":"February 17, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Eric McFadden (WD8RIF), who is quite a Drake fan and recently spotted this SPR-4 on eBay. The seller has it listed as an auction currently at $400, but with a BuyItNow price of $600 US. That's a fairly\u00a0steep price considering Universal Radio has sold\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Drake-SPR-4-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Drake-SPR-4-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Drake-SPR-4-1024x768.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40515","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40515"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40515\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}