What's a decent LW/MW[/SW] RXer with 'predictable' antenna input?

[cpldc]

Hi,

I've been experimenting with loop antennas the past few days and have gotten some interesting results. No real DX yet, but at least I'm figuring things out. In any case, I think I need a better receiver in addition to a better antenna. While I can handle the latter (I think) I'd like to find something better than my Degen DE-1103 that I'm using right now. Something has recently changed in my neighborhood that has rendered that receiver almost unusable--buzz on every band, almost without exception. I also have no idea what the external antenna input impedance is, which leaves me guessing on what I can do to try to lower the interference.

I can't seem to find anything besides the R-75 or something like the SDR-IQ, and given that my chance at DX is somewhat slim due to tons of QRM, I'd perhaps like to start with something in between what I have and receivers in the $500+ range. That much money is too much of a gamble given my conditions.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Something I could look for used is fine; I just can't seem to find anything that people can agree on based on reviews. I've been Googling this for a while now! I just want something with a Lo-Z coax input and decent sensitivity/selectivity. I'm using tuned loops so I suppose overload resistance isn't that important. My targets right now are NDB's (hence the LW) and North American/Caribbean MW. I'd like to try for TA broadcast MW and (especially) LW but I think the odds are stacked against me on that due to geography (too far south, I believe).

Thanks for your time.
-Claudio

[Russ-PA]

You aren't too far South for TA's on either MW or LW. They can be heard in Florida !

I don't have much experience with a lot of the receivers in that pricerange used although if you can find a good condition Sony ICF2010 in the $200-350 range, that would fill your needs very nicely.

[cpldc]

Thanks, Russ. That's good news as far as the possibility of TA's go!

I looked up the ICF2010 and while it looks to be much better than the DE1103 I'm currently using, it doesn't have the one feature I need that doesn't seem to be present on any of the lower-cost radios, namely the 50-ohm input. While I've had some fun "ultralight DX'ing" in the past few days with my new SRF-59 (much better than the DE1103), it seems that I have too many close and strong skywave signals that'd need phasing out--and all phasers, amplifiers, pre-selectors, etc. I've found so far are intended to be used inline in a 50-ohm receiving system. Add to that the need for heavily shielded cables to combat in-house and general urban interference and, well, if I weren't so dead-set on hearing some TA's I'd just give up.

Of course I could try putting together some baluns to feed coax into one of these smaller radios. Or I could just buy an SDR-IQ with a good return policy, or drive out to a beach with no nearby BCB transmitters...

[John Wilke K9RZZ]

I'm still a firm believer in the old Icom R-71a ... built like a tank and a real workhorse. :D There's currently one on ebay for $200. Willco still makes the replacement memory boards if needed.

http://www.willcoele.com/radio_repair/index.html#MEMORYREPAIR

I have TWO R-71a's. :p

[George S., MN]

This will likely be a problem with any radio. If this buzz is 24/7, your power co. equipment is likely at fault & you should call them & ask for their radio frequency interference expert. Often a constant buzz indicates valuable electricity is escaping, perhaps a bad insulator.

You should try walking around your neighborhood with a portable, or driving using car radio, & make note of which directions it got weaker or stronger. If you can pinpoint the general area of the source, it will make it easy for your power company to fix. 73, George S., MN

[cpldc]

Hi George. Yes, it's a problem with every radio and 24/7. I later bought a decent HF transceiver and a Wellbrook receiving loop but have the same problem regardless of where I place the loop. The noise blanker is minimally useful. I took a radio up and down my alley and it's difficult to tell exactly where it's coming from, and the power company did nothing after I filed a complaint. I'll have to try to speak to a human, rather than filing a ticket, to see if I can get someone interested in fixing it. I hadn't thought about the fact that it's probably wasting their own power.

Fortunately for me, I'm moving later in the year.