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As you may already be aware, there are a lot of different brands and models of short wave radio receivers, and they deviate greatly in price, functions, size, complexity, and other additional factors.
There’s no “correct” short wave radio receiver for everyone. The ideal short wave radio receiver for you depends mainly on your listening interests. While there are no hard and fast rules on choosing a short wave radio receiver, there are some functions and specs that you may want to consider:
(1) The Range of Frequency Coverage
Short wave frequencies are commonly regarded as those from the higher end of the AM airing band ranging from one thousand seven hundred kHz, all the way to thirty MHz. The lowest relative frequency coverage you should look to is five hundred forty kHz to thirty MHz. Most short wave radio receivers sold today also tune down towards one hundred fifty kHz, addressing the longwave band.
(2) Frequency Readout
Most short wave radio receivers sold today have a digital displays registering the relative frequency the radio receiver is tuned to. A few radio receivers, generally less costly models, have an analogue “slide rule” frequency readout which doesn’t show the exact frequency the radio receiver is receiving.
It can be rather hard and frustrating to discover a base on a particular frequency without an alphanumeric display, so a digital frequency exhibit ought to be an essential component for any short wave radio receiver you’re looking at. However, an analog readout short wave radio receiver can make a good, inexpensive “spare” radio receiver for traveling, etc.
(3) Modes
Some short wave radio receivers tune up only AM mode stations, and these can be acceptable for listening to most short wave broadcasting bases. However, SSB is practiced by a couple of broadcasting bases besides maritime, aeronautical, ham, military and maritime communications. A short wave radio receiver which can get SSB besides AM will greatly enlarge your listening options on short wave.
(4) Options for Selectivity
Selectivity is talked about in detailed below, but you need to take into consideration how many selectivity bandwidths you are able to select. Some portable radio receivers allow you to decide between “wide” and “narrow” selectivity bandwidths, while some desktop short wave radio receivers have as many as five selectivity bandwidths.
Constrictive selectivity bandwidths allow you cut down blocking from bases on adjoining frequencies, even though the audio caliber of the coveted station will be cut back as the selectivity is narrowed down.
(5) Antenna Connections
Some portable radio receivers have built-in telescoping antennas but do not provide for an external antenna. Other portable short wave radio receivers include a jack which allows you to link up to an external antenna.
Most tabletop short wave radio receivers have connectors for external antennas. Such commonly include connectors for feelers employing fifty ohm coaxial cables etc for antennas employing ordinary insulated “hook-up” wire.
External antennas typically give better reception than inbuilt aerials, even though they are generally acceptable for hearing major worldwide broadcasting bases. Even so, internal antennas give pathetic results within buildings with steel frames, such as a high-rise condo or apartment buildings. In such situations, the ability to link up to an external aerial (even it’s only a couple of feet of wire away from the window) can make a vast improvement in reception.