Looking for a possible tabletop receiver

[Matthew Lawson]

Hi, I'm fairly new to shortwave listening, having a CCrane Skywave SSB radio only and I'm thinking about purchasing an Alinco DX-R8T.

A few questions.

First of all, what is your experience with its performance? Does it perform well? Would it perform well in a electrically noisy room with a good antenna outside?

What type of connector connects to the antenna jack? What is it called?

What type/brand of antenna would you recommend for it and for easy install? Would it require power or grounding?

What if a high vertical antenna is not an option?

Could you use the MLA-38 loop antenna with it?

Thank you for your help! I'm fairly new to this, so I have alot of questions! Take care.


- Matthew Lawson

 

[sp5it]

As antenna for listening HF I would recommend Miniwhip, but antenna must be properly mounted and grounded. Otherwise will perform poorly.
Connector is just typical SO239.
Mike

 

[BJ radionut]

https://swling.com/blog/tag/alinco-dx-r8t-as-sdr/

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/alo-dx-r8t

http://www.palstar.com/en/r30a/

https://swling.com/QuickStart.htm

https://kv5r.com/ham-radio/shortwave-antennas/

Many here to Help
All the Best
Gary

 

[Justme]

Adding to that to put the miniwhip out of the house as far away from build up area's and minimal 2 meter s or more up.

 

[Matthew Lawson]

https://swling.com/blog/tag/alinco-dx-r8t-as-sdr/

https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/alo-dx-r8t

http://www.palstar.com/en/r30a/

https://swling.com/QuickStart.htm

https://kv5r.com/ham-radio/shortwave-antennas/

Many here to Help
All the Best
Gary

Thank you, Gary!

I looked through your links. Could you explain the links to me? Is dxengineering.com where you would buy one?

What about the palstar? I like the price of the Alinco.

What about the quickstart and kv5r links?

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Hi, I'm fairly new to shortwave listening, having a CCrane Skywave SSB radio only and I'm thinking about purchasing an Alinco DX-R8T.

A few questions.

First of all, what is your experience with its performance? Does it perform well? Would it perform well in a electrically noisy room with a good antenna outside?

What type of connector connects to the antenna jack? What is it called?

What type/brand of antenna would you recommend for it and for easy install? Would it require power or grounding?

What if a high vertical antenna is not an option?

Could you use the MLA-38 loop antenna with it?

Thank you for your help! I'm fairly new to this, so I have alot of questions! Take care.


- Matthew Lawson

Welcome! You found the right place. Lots of smart people here who are willing to share their knowledge. I have learned a lot in my short time here.
Chris

 

[Matthew Lawson]

Thank you. A few more questions. Does the Alinco DX-R8T I mentioned have FM Broadcast band in the Receiver model? I'd like to listen to FM too. Or is it just the DX-SR8T that has FM.

Also, would you recommend me buy it from Universial Radio or DXEngineering? How about Ham Radio outlet?

Thanks!

 

[Slowmover]

Thank you. A few more questions. Does the Alinco DX-R8T I mentioned have FM Broadcast band in the Receiver model? I'd like to listen to FM too. Or is it just the DX-SR8T that has FM.

Also, would you recommend me buy it from Universial Radio or DXEngineering? How about Ham Radio outlet?

Thanks!

I can’t answer the first part. But the second I’d base on likelihood of future purchases.

.

 

[Bow]

Just a thought, but if you are going to spend the money for the Alinco DX-R8T receiver only version....

I'd spend a little more and get the Alinco DX-SR8T... same Receiver (covers 135KHz to 30MHz in all modes), but with Transmit capability... if required.... and can be modified open for TX from 1.8Mhz-30Mhz

 

[J.G.]

Matthew's question is pretty much mine. Since the Alinco is not available, what else would be a good beginner SW receiver? What about the Eton Elite 750?

I'm looking for world news and entertainment, mostly.

As to antenna, I'd prefer to keep it in the attic; partly a privacy issue, but I do have an HOA, of sorts. I have a 5/8ths wave CB antenna with ground radials in the attic already. How would that work for SW reception? I believe I how an SWR under 1.3 across the CB band.

 

[Beetle]

Matthew's question is pretty much mine. Since the Alinco is not available, what else would be a good beginner SW receiver? What about the Eton Elite 750?

I'm looking for world news and entertainment, mostly.

As to antenna, I'd prefer to keep it in the attic; partly a privacy issue, but I do have an HOA, of sorts. I have a 5/8ths wave CB antenna with ground radials in the attic already. How would that work for SW reception? I believe I how an SWR under 1.3 across the CB band.

A receive antenna doesn't care what the SWR is. You're compromised with that antenna for CB, but connect a good receiver to it and you might be surprised. Remember, if Marconi had worried about whether his antennas would "work", we probably wouldn't have radio as we do today. Experiment!