my dad took me to Radio Shack in 1977 on a Saturday morning and bought me a Patrolman 9 and I was glued to that thing...I heard HCJB in Ecuador and so many others and my whole world changed, then came a DX-!60 with a KRS digital readout I bought off a ad in SPEEDX ..and then on and on and on...till this day..73,s gud dx
I love reading stories like this of how other people got into radio. Thanks for sharing your story, and yeah, radios are kind of like potato chips you can't just have one. :)
How exciting! You have all the radios I once had. Started DX'ing in the summer of 1975 until 1990 when I no longer could. I still have my SQL folder that has among others QSL from Radio Rhodesia, Radio DDR and others
I am a scout troop leader in California I wanted to say great job on sharing your little ham shack and equipment it was impressive for such a young man having such a big collection already. I am going to be introducing ham radio to my troop of boys starting with the radio merit badge and working HT on 70cm and 2 meters and maybe have them build their first 2 meter antennas and tune them. I like your Yaesu analog radio very retro 1972! Cheers and a 73!
Thanks. That would be great I thought you had your license already. The license is pretty easy to take for a Tech and its only 15.00 bucks. In the 3rd week of October they have what is known as a JOTA or radio jamboree for the scouts. Look into it if you can and maybe you can be a big help to some local scouts on that date and allow them to use your radios to do some QSO's on the date. The troop leaders will be more then happy to help you keep the kids in line and protect your radios and also give you a meal or patches for helping out. I am sure there has been some adult that helped you out with radios so remember to give back to the next guys in line. The radios are expensive and many scout troops don't have access to base station radios and you would be a big asset to help a group of local boys learn about the life of Radio Hams. I can not express the gains or feeling when you do this its very rewarding for donating a couple of hours of your time once a year.
That sounds really cool. I don't know if I'll have my license my this October, but I would that should have it for next year's JOTA. Like I said that sounds really cool, and I wouldn't mind hopefully getting some more people into the hobby.
Nice collection. One of the joys of a drifty vintage radio is the opportunity to twist the dials...that's all part of the fun. These new radios with PLL circuits are fairly solid so not much tuning is necessary. :)
Tube equipment will normally "drift" until the temperature stabilizes inside the case. That is the nature of all tube equipment. I have an all tube Amateur Radio station plus a modern solid state Yaesu station plus a plethora of collectible tube receivers. Any radio is as good as the antenna and ground it is connected to. Yes, you do need a ground connection no matter what anyone else says.
I agree about tube type radio drift. However, while in the US Army I had the opportunity to work in a mobile Rtty unit and that was what motivated me to get my Ham license. A good friend of mine gave me a Collins R390A receiver, which was identical to the receiver in my Rtty unit. I say all this because it DID NOT DRIFT. In fact I never experienced drift during my stint as a Novice Ham. Yes indeed, rigs that are designed for Military specs are quite different. Thanks for your input here, as I also thought it was a great presentation, and without lots of technical jargon. 73, Don wb1o
The Yeasu FRG-7 was my dream receiver growing up. By the time I was ready to invest more than $100 in a radio the Sony ICF-2010 was out so I never did get a Frog 7. The DX-160 brought back some memories. I had one that I added a frequency counter to. It made for a good digital display as long as you could add 455 to the readout in your head.
The Yaesu FRG-7 and Realistic DX-160 are both really great radios in my opinion. If you would happen to come across a used FRG-7, I recommend picking it up.
@@Sparkyzilla85 I had both of them in the 70s. The Frog 7 was better for tuning and I was in heaven when I bought it. Unfortunately it got zapped by lightening later and with the insurance settlement I bought a FRG7700. It got mothballed after I got married, but after retiring I unpacked it and I'm using it today.
That Yaesu FRG-7 looks like a good copy of a Collins! Love your accent. Reminds me of the movie "Fargo." Yaaah! Update: The Hammarlund design reveals their early start in making radios for the US Navy. A used one was my first receiver when I was a novice in 1963. I like the R75 a lot, but I don't think it covers the aircraft band. I live near an airport and an Air Force base, so I really want that coverage. Maybe 6m, 2m and 440mH too. Dan N5ZXX
@@Sparkyzilla85: My Elmer in the 60s had an older crackle-black finish Collins receiver, a 75-series XMTR and a Collins linear. He had a telephone pole in the back with a huge, rotatable beam array. Had some fun QSOs there while getting my novice (WN0FRS). RIP Ferris Cramer.
The old Kenwoods are enjoying a resurgence of popularity, especially the R-1000 and R-2000. It's hard to beat the 1000 for top performance in a radio that is solid and basic. The R-2000 speaker has to be one of the best ever put on a SW radio.
+Dan Robinson I've noticed that. I saw an article the other day about how the R-1000 has been seen selling for at least $400 on eBay. The speaker on the Yaesu FRG-7 is also pretty good in my opinion.
I had an HQ 100A for many years in the 60s and 70s. My favorite receiver of all time. I wish I had another one now. Bought it at Harrison Radio on Radio Row (Cortlandt Street).
Great shack Dennis - like the integration with the Godzilla's. I too like the PL-880 and the R75. Looks like a fun place to chase signals in. Nice collection!
+D Raff Thank you! I am quite pleased with my how my shack and my collections have progressed. I just need a better desk though for the radios. The two boat anchors are putting too much weight on the desk and it is bowing in the middle a bit.
Nice collection !!! I had a Realistic years ago. And I can see you have the same problem as I have with the Frog 7, the red switch !!! Regards. Ruben , VK3PRA.
Thanks. Yeah, when I bought my FRG-7 off of eBay it came without the red power switch. The whole switch itself is shot, so I have to either unplug it when I'm not using it, or use one of those outlits with an on off switch on it.
Your Hammarlund is well worth fixing. I have a Hammarlund HQ-160 and spent the time to realign it and it sprung to life and is really solid, no drift. I love using it, very sensitive, it can hear "Peanut Whistle" stations with no problems. Check out "Mr. Carlsons Lab" and "D-Lab" TH-cam channels to find out how to align your Hammarlund. Once aligned you'll fall in love with it, it may even be your new #1 receiver.
If I had the knowledge, time and patience to work on it, I would've kept it. Sadly I got rid of it, but one day I wouldn't mind owning tube equipment again.
I just got an 880 this year, I like it for tuning in the house to find active frequencies using a reel. My bedroom one though for when I'm laying down is a Grundig Satellit 800, I've always loved how that radio looks since I was in high school and it was just a picture in passport to the world band radio... wouldn't have any idea how big it was until I actually got it though. For when I'm out hiking or other stuff got the county com gp5, really fully featured for a radio the size of a large candy bar
I have a Tecsun just like yours. It is used as a portable home am/fm. I started off in 1963 with a Hallicrafters SX-110 purchased for my 13th birthday from Henry Radio in West Los Angeles. Radio Moscow beamed propaganda each night. It drifted a lot and I learned all about SSB. I was licensed as Advanced Class Ham in 1989. I now operate on the 20 and 40 meter bands using the newest, very popular ham mode of FT8. Radio hobby has been quite a ride and I still enjoy it. Hope you are also hooked on radio.
Hi Carl! I am very much indeed hooked on radio, and I too have been playing with FT8 alot lately. What is your call sign? Hopefully we can make contact sometime on 20 or 40 meters.
Hi My call is KN6SB. I use a Icom 7610 with a Maldol HVU-8 multi-band trap array. It is a very primitive small antenna mostly for limited areas. However I did make a FT8 contact to Japan last week. Do you have a call sign?Carl
@@carlwest1913 Cool! My call sign is KD9LVR, and I run an Icom IC-7300 for regular HF phone communications, and a Kenwood TS-590 SG for mixed modes. I use a home made inverted L and a Radiowavz double bazooka for 40 meters.
Great video. I like your fresh unscripted approach, it's like visiting with you in person. By the way... As an old ham, I enjoyed the addition of the cw. Nice Touch. You have a new subscriber.
+Roy Row Thanks! Some people like it when I go unscripted and some people say my videos would be better if I did script them. I'll have to try a little of both to see what works. I'm glad that you liked the cw. I wanted to do something a little bit unique with this video and thought that using cw for the intro cards was a great idea.
Just keep it up. What comes through is your passion for your hobby. I started short wave listening in high school during the Viet Nam war. Plenty of exciting broadcasts. I still enjoy it today.
Nice crib and rigs.. especially like all the Zillas- just like my room.... really wish you had included info on noise blocking/ limiting feature of these. My first Ham receiver in 1960 was a HQ-129x.. it would pick up Mars! Your 100R is sweet. Blast us with some new waves Daddio...
paxwallacejazz. Love the jazz bit! You could not have spoken a truer word.. When the public water supply collapses, the man with a hole called a WELL will be out upfront!
..Also, the Hallicrafter has one side of the AC power input grounded to the chasis. You MUST GROUND the chasis. ..unless you like to be shocked with 60V AC. It also generates noise.
Like the "Frog 7", my Grandfather owned one. (I acquired his National radio HRO "Boat Anchor"). After 25 years, I left the hobby in 2000, my last desktop was a Kenwood R-5000, I also owned a Sangen portable (I forget which) for my travels overseas. I looked at perhaps returning to the hobby, but so much has changed in those 17 years. So many stations are now gone from Shortwave, some of my favs (R Australia, RCI, RNW.....how many others have left SW?). I see that The Passport To Worldband Radio is no longer published. I never understood why there was a movement by those guys to dump the word "Shortwave", the world just sounds cooler and "techy".
Alot of stations have left the airwaves, but luckily, there are still plenty of stations to listen to. WBCQ always has alot of interesting programs to listen to. China is all over the dial, Radio Romania comes in strong almost every night and so on and so forth. The FRG-7 is really nice, although I wish it had a bandwidth option for SSB.
The communications receiver (general coverage) is the best shortwave radio receiver ever made. They say...The Realistic DX-302 is the best of the best.
The FRG-7 is a very nice one! - and Oscar Hammarlund was a Swedish immigrant! - the country where i live - i mysel f have a Tecsun handheld PL-368 which i use in bed!! - then i have the predecessor to your Icom, the IC-R72, just got it a couple of days ago, so still new to me, seems very nice, - i was an avid DXer when i was young, and had many different radios in my schack, that was in the 80ies - but still fun though! - i also have a Uniwa B8000 pocradio, to communicate with, greetings, Levi in Sweden (but Finnish origin)
Oh, the venerable, FRG 7. I used to have one, but got rid of it because I had to move. It's a "boat anchor" as far as the weight but I'd give anything to have a Frog 7 again. Nice shack you have, good DX and 73's from Radio 645.
@@Sparkyzilla85 I just bought FRG7 from a friend, I got it hooked up enjoying the heck out of it! Good review you have here, a very nice collection of radios.
Nice video Dennis, much better videography but just a little too much "CW ambience" for my tastes. I have never asked but do you have an issue with a higher noise floor on the R2000 from the integrated processor? Additionally have you tried desensitising the FRG7 with the pre selector when experiencing adjacent frequency interference?
+SpectreOZ Yeah, even I thought I went overboard with the CW, but it made me chuckle so I kept it. :) No, the noise floor on the R2000 seems just fine. A bit higher than the R75, but not too bad. Actually, I haven't tried that with the FRG7. I'll have to give it a try the next time I use it.
Very good video. It motivates me to do a video on my rigs myself. I like Hammarlund tube radios too. I used to have an HQ-129-x (made circa 1949), an HQ-One-Seventy (triple conversion) that looks very much like yours. Nowadays, I have an HQ-140-X with a very good S-Meter. I also have an Icom IC-718, though it is a transceiver it has a very decent reception. I'm also a fan of loop antennas. Thanks for posting it!
Hammarlunds are wonderful receivers. Once you get more versed in refurbishing old electronics, get your hands on a Hammarlund HQ-145. The HQ-100 is single conversion, the HQ-145 is dual conversion which gives better selectivity. If you are willing to spend even more, you could get an HQ-180 or HQ-180A, the top of the line TRIPLE conversion Hammarlund, which was the best general coverage communications receiver you could get FOR YEARS. I wouldn't start with these for refurbishing though. You might begin with a National SW-54. It is a general coverage, 4 band version of the All American 5, but, when refurbished, and properly aligned, is an amazing little performer, considering what it is.
keep it up. See if you can build and install more wire antennas. Consider a cheap antenna tuner,( very easy to make with junk parts) as it can really improve your reception over a wide range of frequencies with a non-resonant antenna. I like the R-2000 and FRG-7 very much. Consider getting ham license.. I notice the pretty fast cw.. so you must be on your way. Consider ditching the S-40 which is pretty awful, and getting a Drake 2B. It is the very best of the tube type recievers made for ham use..and it can be used as a general coverage/swl rx with short wave xtals..which can be found easily enough. The HQ-110 ham band version is far superior to the HQ-100 but not gen coverage. Do find a 2b. If you get a used Yaseu FT-450... you will find it can do all the gen coverage RX duties in all modes incl FM..and interface with a computer for all that kind of visual stuff... and its a great ham rig too ! now under $400 used a hell of a deal.. with DSP too ! tecsun looks interesting.
@@Sparkyzilla85 Nice to see people still using the R2000. I bought mine new back in the early 80's and it has been a workhorse. And in those decades, I've never had one issue. The tuning is now about 100 kc's off and I'm sure it could use an alignment, but after all this time, it has just been an outstanding radio. My-go to receiver is my Drake R8, which in terms of sensitivity and selectivity is a couple steps above the Kenwood. Also the front end of the Kenwood is more prone to overloading than the Drake. Check out a used Drake R8, R8A or R8B one of these days. 73, N7BWB
Nicely done video. You might hav e less trouble with drifting on SSB if you have a cooling fan running nearby the set. not sure but seems logical. Keep making videos you have a talent for it .
The FRG7 uses a barlow wadley circuit and thus more accurate its designed for SWL, compared to the HAmmerlands and other Radios they are designed more for ham use and thus the fine tuners for SSB. They are apples and oranges.
Have you ever thought about doing a video review of vintage analog shortwave portables such as the Zenith Transoceanic series, the pre-digital Grundig Satellit series, the Nordmende Globetrotter series, and the top shelf offerings from Japan, such as Panasonic, Sony, etc.?
I'm an old pirate. However I have a Uniden 2510 with a chip. I wanted to go for a no-code license but got discouraged. I want to just run my Antron99 on a pine tree and maybe talk some skip sometimes. Am I wrong to still roll without a license? And yes I run a helper. FCC needs to change the rules. 4 watts is stupid.
I saw a couple of times on Ebay an advertisement for a Kenwood R-600 with switchable memory channels instead of a volume control. It looks like it was a marine version of the receiver. All the inscriptions were in German. Have you seen one? What are its advantages?
Ah the FRG-7, I remember it well! Mine had feet, though. Something to do with allowing air flow through from under the set and out through the top. Sitting flat on a surface, there's a risk of it overheating without them. So, you might consider buying some feet for it, if you're not the one who removed them and put them in a drawer somewhere....
Yeah, I removed the feet. I still have them, somewhere. LOL. Luckily, as of lately, I don't use the FRG-7 as much as my other receivers and transceivers.
This Realistic DX-160 radio has a dissimilar metal problem on the tuning printed circuit board with the rivets that connect the top side printed circuit to the printed circuit on the bottom side of the PC board. Resoldering is not sufficient, the fix is to solder jumper wires on the top side of the board to replace the connection made by the printed circuit on the bottom side. Shining a bright light through the bottom of the board shows clearly where to solder the jumper wires on the top side. This is the RF amp and Local Oscillator circuit so it will require alignment. Operation without repair may be intermittent.
Well done, you got rid of the DX394! But you haven't included an AR88D! every SWL has to have owned an AR88 in their lives that is just a fact here in the UK. Its a real shame they are not as available in their home land, we got them all ha ha! The drift problem with the FRG7 is the BFO. The FRG7000 is very similar to the FRG7 but has a crystal controlled BFO. I really enjoyed that video and it is good to see there are young people who see the value of short wave. We will need it soon. Oh have you tried the Drake SW2? That has the best sync detector I have ever used. 73s De GW4PJQ N. Wales United Kingdom.
I've heard of that receiver, but I think that I may have seen one once on eBay and the seller was asking for over $1000 if I remember correctly. That's too rich for my blood, or at least it is at the moment. I haven't tried the Drake SW2. The only Drakes that I have used is the PRN-1000, which I still own, and the SSR-1, which I'm going to try to sell.
PRN1000 and SSR1 were junk, well to be fair the PRN1000 / SW1 was made for a purpose but the SSR1 really was crap. The SW2 although similar looking to the SW1 was a truly superb receiver and nothing more can be said about it. The AOR7030 is a serious contender for best RX ever. But you know, what are you listening to? All the broadcasters have all but gone, back before the F&$%ing internet short wave was fan bloody tastic and I'm sooooo glad I remember it then. Mind you people have complained like hell about Radio Australia shutting down. But really what are you listening to on SW.
If you want to talk receivers try the ICOM IC R-9500 international version, (illegal in the US). The US version is crap. This is the radio that the FCC uses to listen to all illegal radios it will even track and receive cell phone. Get it with the digital board UT122 P25 Digital unit. It runs about $15,000 with another $1,000 for the digital board. ICOM Canada will sell you one but you will have to smuggle it across the border.
I am a ham. Mostly listen to other hams and broadcast SW. I agree the speaker sounds great. Great for AM MW and FM but problem for MW is you cant add an external ANT. It forces you to use the internal. My kick stand broke and so did the battery cover. Gonna get a SDR soon. 73.
Hi John Jensen, I have a letter from Radio Berlin Int confirming my report on their very last broadcast, it is written on recycled paper and personally signed.
Hi @sparkyzilla85 - which SWR would you recommend simply for someone trying to fine-tune shortwave oddities (in reception)? I'm looking for a SWR that has filtering, EQ... something that allows me to manually tune between stations and get all that abstract noise and odd signals.....Thanks so much!!!!
Thanks! I have to buy a better camcorder to record my radios, since my webcam can't reach to where they are located right now. I'm hoping that when we move again, that the radios and my computer will be in the same room so I can do some more radio videos.
Most modern Ham Gear has general coverage now that is better or at least as good as these old venerable rigs. My choice back in the day was my HQ180a (perfectly aligned with strong tubes) and the Drake SPR-4, Hands down. If you ever get your hands on a Drake SPR-4 Give it a chance. The selectivity is incredible. Peace , De NI3I
Hello, really beautiful work. I like Kenwood R2000 very much.. But what about kenwood r5000 or, in tecsun radios, tecsun s2000 (also nice when going on hollidays) ?
I had both R2000 and R5000..and the 5000 blows the R2000 away...because it has the crystals installed which 100% changes the radio..I loved it..and WISHED I NEVER SOLD IT...if you get one..get one complety loaded with all the crystals...you wont regret it..
Can you help me by suggesting a good radio that can pick up on different types of radio stations and police band. I'm just getting into the hobby and im confused. Something affordable.
R-2000 is a sweet radio. Mine, the tuning is a little off. On ham or SW , not a big issue but on utility listening can be a problem. Example 11.175 MHz have to tune to 11.174.7. = .0005 Hz off freq. Not a big issue but can a problem.
Not only our their international stations to listen to you can also listen ham radio operators, which in times of an emergency, will greatly come in handy. Plus, it's just a fun hobby to get into.
Hello subbed to ur channel ,, trying to get into sw listening can you do a clear diagramme on paper how ur arieal is wired outside and centre brade were they connect to either end many thanks Shane uk
I have a pristine Drake R8-B with Drake VHF card and Drake MS-8 speaker in storage. I liked to work the utes with it as well as some ham band digital modes (all vie sound card interface and free or reasonably priced software). I also have a DIN plug cable for remote on/off as well as RS232 serial comms null modem cable for radio control by PC. I am not actively looking to sell it, but if someone were really interested in it I might consider. My dream is to get more into longwave and satellite instead. I enjoy making my own Az/El rotators and yagi arrays. I have put up a 400 ft. square longwire loop on ladder line. The Drake R8-b doesn't have appropriate bandwidth for FM wide for LEOS APT WeFax. I have built my own reciever for that 'since. It also isn't as good of a performer at the bottom end for those longwave signals I am so interested in when compared to specialized purpose-built gear. So it is a perfect Drake R8-B in A or A+ condition. Just sitting there for twelve years already now...
nice video :) trying to get started with this world, new stuff for me. is there any known nice/cheap (good quality/price ratio) transceivers for beginners ? (i would need to buy 2 in order to communicate of course). looking for something really basic, but that has a good reputation.. any advices ?
my dad took me to Radio Shack in 1977 on a Saturday morning and bought me a Patrolman 9
and I was glued to that thing...I heard HCJB in Ecuador and so many others and my whole world
changed, then came a DX-!60 with a KRS digital readout I bought off a ad in SPEEDX ..and then
on and on and on...till this day..73,s gud dx
I love reading stories like this of how other people got into radio. Thanks for sharing your story, and yeah, radios are kind of like potato chips you can't just have one. :)
Nice to see more younger people into SWLing and radios .
Nice radios too.
Thank you! :)
Agree but as an 80+ old dxing since 1952, ive had some of the above receivers
Jeff King,
Couldn't agree more, Jeff! Pity that they aren't interested in building the same simple radios of the time!
How exciting! You have all the radios I once had. Started DX'ing in the summer of 1975 until 1990 when I no longer could. I still have my SQL folder that has among others QSL from Radio Rhodesia, Radio DDR and others
I am a scout troop leader in California I wanted to say great job on sharing your little ham shack and equipment it was impressive for such a young man having such a big collection already. I am going to be introducing ham radio to my troop of boys starting with the radio merit badge and working HT on 70cm and 2 meters and maybe have them build their first 2 meter antennas and tune them. I like your Yaesu analog radio very retro 1972! Cheers and a 73!
That's really cool that you are able to get kids into ham/shortwave radio. I hope to get my license as soon as we're done moving around.
Thanks. That would be great I thought you had your license already. The license is pretty easy to take for a Tech and its only 15.00 bucks. In the 3rd week of October they have what is known as a JOTA or radio jamboree for the scouts. Look into it if you can and maybe you can be a big help to some local scouts on that date and allow them to use your radios to do some QSO's on the date. The troop leaders will be more then happy to help you keep the kids in line and protect your radios and also give you a meal or patches for helping out. I am sure there has been some adult that helped you out with radios so remember to give back to the next guys in line. The radios are expensive and many scout troops don't have access to base station radios and you would be a big asset to help a group of local boys learn about the life of Radio Hams. I can not express the gains or feeling when you do this its very rewarding for donating a couple of hours of your time once a year.
That sounds really cool. I don't know if I'll have my license my this October, but I would that should have it for next year's JOTA. Like I said that sounds really cool, and I wouldn't mind hopefully getting some more people into the hobby.
+Sparkyzilla85 get your license its not to hard to study and it's easy to pass the tech license. 15 bucks for the test.
Nice collection. One of the joys of a drifty vintage radio is the opportunity to twist the dials...that's all part of the fun. These new radios with PLL circuits are fairly solid so not much tuning is necessary. :)
Tube equipment will normally "drift" until the temperature stabilizes inside the case. That is the nature of all tube equipment. I have an all tube Amateur Radio station plus a modern solid state Yaesu station plus a plethora of collectible tube receivers. Any radio is as good as the antenna and ground it is connected to. Yes, you do need a ground connection no matter what anyone else says.
I agree about tube type radio drift. However, while in the US Army I had the opportunity to work in a mobile Rtty unit and that was what motivated me to get my Ham license. A good friend of mine gave me a Collins R390A receiver, which was identical to the receiver in my Rtty unit. I say all this because it DID NOT DRIFT. In fact I never experienced drift during my stint as a Novice Ham. Yes indeed, rigs that are designed for Military specs are quite different. Thanks for your input here, as I also thought it was a great presentation, and without lots of technical jargon. 73, Don wb1o
The Yeasu FRG-7 was my dream receiver growing up. By the time I was ready to invest more than $100 in a radio the Sony ICF-2010 was out so I never did get a Frog 7. The DX-160 brought back some memories. I had one that I added a frequency counter to. It made for a good digital display as long as you could add 455 to the readout in your head.
The Yaesu FRG-7 and Realistic DX-160 are both really great radios in my opinion. If you would happen to come across a used FRG-7, I recommend picking it up.
@@Sparkyzilla85 I had both of them in the 70s. The Frog 7 was better for tuning and I was in heaven when I bought it. Unfortunately it got zapped by lightening later and with the insurance settlement I bought a FRG7700. It got mothballed after I got married, but after retiring I unpacked it and I'm using it today.
"This thing is just a monster" as the radio is covered with monsters.
Hi there, my advice would be: get rifd of the R75 And the R2000 and get a second hand Kenwood R5000. You'll be very satisfied.
Listening in Lemoore CA - I listened to the Berlin Wall Fall Down - on Radio Berlin International ( Radio East Berlin)
Awesome collection of radios! You remind me of a friend of mine who was a ham and had a multitude of radios and other electronics.
That's funny, I am now a ham and I have added a couple transceivers to my collection.
Excellent presentation! Seen in March of 2023!
That Yaesu FRG-7 looks like a good copy of a Collins!
Love your accent. Reminds me of the movie "Fargo." Yaaah!
Update: The Hammarlund design reveals their early start in making radios for the US Navy. A used one was my first receiver when I was a novice in 1963.
I like the R75 a lot, but I don't think it covers the aircraft band. I live near an airport and an Air Force base, so I really want that coverage. Maybe 6m, 2m and 440mH too.
Dan N5ZXX
I would love to own, or at least use a Collins radio.
I get that a lot. It must just be a midwestern accent.
@@Sparkyzilla85: My Elmer in the 60s had an older crackle-black finish Collins receiver, a 75-series XMTR and a Collins linear. He had a telephone pole in the back with a huge, rotatable beam array. Had some fun QSOs there while getting my novice (WN0FRS).
RIP Ferris Cramer.
Very nice collection. I just bought a Tecsun S2000. Received it last week.
Thank you. Tecsun makes some really nice radios, it's nice to see a company making great radios for a decent price.
Hey Crabby, how you liking the S2000?
I wish it could tune like PL 880 and have the bfo.
The old Kenwoods are enjoying a resurgence of popularity, especially the R-1000 and R-2000. It's hard to beat the 1000 for top performance in a radio that is solid and basic. The R-2000 speaker has to be one of the best ever put on a SW radio.
+Dan Robinson I've noticed that. I saw an article the other day about how the R-1000 has been seen selling for at least $400 on eBay.
The speaker on the Yaesu FRG-7 is also pretty good in my opinion.
I still have my old Kenwood r600
I enjoyed the video of your top 5 shortwave radios from 2016.
73 Paul AA1SU
Thank you for watching, and thank you for noticing that this is from 2016! It drives me crazy people who think this is a newer video.
I had an HQ 100A for many years in the 60s and 70s. My favorite receiver of all time. I wish I had another one now. Bought it at Harrison Radio on Radio Row (Cortlandt Street).
Nice to see your video quality getting much better with new cam and tripod. Makes all the difference. Enjoyed the vid.
+The Radio Hobbyist I'm so glad that I picked up this webcam. Next I'll be picking up a camcorder and a more flexible tripod for mobile videos.
Great video, and equipment. Working on getting a Xiegu G90 soon. Subscribed, and look forward to watching more. The morse code is great also :)
Awesome, thank you!
Great shack Dennis - like the integration with the Godzilla's. I too like the PL-880 and the R75. Looks like a fun place to chase signals in. Nice collection!
+D Raff Thank you! I am quite pleased with my how my shack and my collections have progressed. I just need a better desk though for the radios. The two boat anchors are putting too much weight on the desk and it is bowing in the middle a bit.
Sparkyzilla85 How about the Austalian Digitech AR 1945? Is it available in your country? I'am from Philippines
Cool stuff. Nice rigs. All I gotta do is replace some dry caps in my 1957 Lafayette unit. N2ZNN. 73’s
Amazing collection you have there. you are very fortunate to have such a nice collection.
much respect and 73,kb3aum
Thank you! :)
Interesting. informative. Funny.
You are a cool dude :-)
Happy New year
Nice collection !!! I had a Realistic years ago. And I can see you have the same problem as I have with the Frog 7, the red switch !!! Regards. Ruben , VK3PRA.
Thanks. Yeah, when I bought my FRG-7 off of eBay it came without the red power switch. The whole switch itself is shot, so I have to either unplug it when I'm not using it, or use one of those outlits with an on off switch on it.
@@Sparkyzilla85 ah, I see. No, my is working ,only the level is broken. Regards.
Very nice video there, Dennis. You have a great collection! Enjoyed it. Thanks and 73 from Australia, Rob VK3BVW
+Rob Wagner Thanks. I'm glad you liked the video.
+Rob Wagner Thank you! :)
I love my Tecsun PL-880 too and just bought me a Commradio CR-1a and getting used to using it as it's complicated for me :)
I was thinking about getting the CR-1a, but I went with the Icom IC-R75 instead.
Your Hammarlund is well worth fixing. I have a Hammarlund HQ-160 and spent the time to realign it and it sprung to life and is really solid, no drift. I love using it, very sensitive, it can hear "Peanut Whistle" stations with no problems. Check out "Mr. Carlsons Lab" and "D-Lab" TH-cam channels to find out how to align your Hammarlund. Once aligned you'll fall in love with it, it may even be your new #1 receiver.
If I had the knowledge, time and patience to work on it, I would've kept it. Sadly I got rid of it, but one day I wouldn't mind owning tube equipment again.
I just got an 880 this year, I like it for tuning in the house to find active frequencies using a reel. My bedroom one though for when I'm laying down is a Grundig Satellit 800, I've always loved how that radio looks since I was in high school and it was just a picture in passport to the world band radio... wouldn't have any idea how big it was until I actually got it though. For when I'm out hiking or other stuff got the county com gp5, really fully featured for a radio the size of a large candy bar
I've always wanted a Satellit 800. The thing is a modern boat anchor radio. LOL :)
I have a Tecsun just like yours. It is used as a portable home am/fm. I started off in 1963 with a Hallicrafters SX-110 purchased for my 13th birthday from Henry Radio in West Los Angeles. Radio Moscow beamed propaganda each night. It drifted a lot and I learned all about SSB. I was licensed as Advanced Class Ham in 1989. I now operate on the 20 and 40 meter bands using the newest, very popular ham mode of FT8. Radio hobby has been quite a ride and I still enjoy it. Hope you are also hooked on radio.
Hi Carl! I am very much indeed hooked on radio, and I too have been playing with FT8 alot lately. What is your call sign? Hopefully we can make contact sometime on 20 or 40 meters.
Hi My call is KN6SB. I use a Icom 7610 with a Maldol HVU-8 multi-band trap array. It is a very primitive small antenna mostly for limited areas. However I did make a FT8 contact to Japan last week. Do you have a call sign?Carl
@@carlwest1913 Cool! My call sign is KD9LVR, and I run an Icom IC-7300 for regular HF phone communications, and a Kenwood TS-590 SG for mixed modes. I use a home made inverted L and a Radiowavz double bazooka for 40 meters.
Sorry about your dad. I enjoy your videos on your sw radios. Keep making them.
+Larrys LeatherWork Thank you. I still plan on making videos, it's just things are going to slow down until after we move.
Just have to watch this again...love it..
+Gene Paradis I'm glad you liked the video.
Very nice enjoyable video 👍😊
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.
Oooooh, the Realistic. I had one of those. Loved it!
Realistic made some really nice radios. I have owned a couple over the years.
Enjoyed your video, nice collection.
Thanks!
Great video. I like your fresh unscripted approach, it's like visiting with you in person. By the way... As an old ham, I enjoyed the addition of the cw. Nice Touch. You have a new subscriber.
+Roy Row Thanks! Some people like it when I go unscripted and some people say my videos would be better if I did script them. I'll have to try a little of both to see what works.
I'm glad that you liked the cw. I wanted to do something a little bit unique with this video and thought that using cw for the intro cards was a great idea.
Just keep it up. What comes through is your passion for your hobby. I started short wave listening in high school during the Viet Nam war. Plenty of exciting broadcasts. I still enjoy it today.
Good Job. Right to the point!!!!
Thanks!
Nice crib and rigs.. especially like all the Zillas- just like my room.... really wish you had included info on noise blocking/ limiting feature of these. My first Ham receiver in 1960 was a HQ-129x.. it would pick up Mars! Your 100R is sweet. Blast us with some new waves Daddio...
When the internet goes down that's how we'll have to try to get some recovery going.
paxwallacejazz.
Love the jazz bit!
You could not have spoken a truer word.. When the public water supply collapses, the man with a hole called a WELL will be out upfront!
thank you for sharing ! PL 880 reviewed in ham radio QST magazine
+Eric Higbie You're welcome, and thank you for watching! I'll have to see if that review for the PL-880 is available online.
..Also, the Hallicrafter has one side of the AC power input grounded to the chasis. You MUST GROUND the chasis. ..unless you like to be shocked with 60V AC. It also generates noise.
Great video😀 Great radios too. Many thanks
Thanks! :)
Like the "Frog 7", my Grandfather owned one. (I acquired his National radio HRO "Boat Anchor"). After 25 years, I left the hobby in 2000, my last desktop was a Kenwood R-5000, I also owned a Sangen portable (I forget which) for my travels overseas.
I looked at perhaps returning to the hobby, but so much has changed in those 17 years. So many stations are now gone from Shortwave, some of my favs (R Australia, RCI, RNW.....how many others have left SW?). I see that The Passport To Worldband Radio is no longer published. I never understood why there was a movement by those guys to dump the word "Shortwave", the world just sounds cooler and "techy".
Alot of stations have left the airwaves, but luckily, there are still plenty of stations to listen to. WBCQ always has alot of interesting programs to listen to. China is all over the dial, Radio Romania comes in strong almost every night and so on and so forth.
The FRG-7 is really nice, although I wish it had a bandwidth option for SSB.
The communications receiver (general coverage) is the best shortwave radio receiver ever made. They say...The Realistic DX-302 is the best of the best.
Pretty nice radios
Thank you!
The FRG-7 is a very nice one! - and Oscar Hammarlund was a Swedish immigrant! - the country where i live - i mysel f have a Tecsun handheld PL-368 which i use in bed!! - then i have the predecessor to your Icom, the IC-R72, just got it a couple of days ago, so still new to me, seems very nice, - i was an avid DXer when i was young, and had many different radios in my schack, that was in the 80ies - but still fun though! - i also have a Uniwa B8000 pocradio, to communicate with, greetings, Levi in Sweden (but Finnish origin)
Nice collection of Godzilla figures and popcorn salt :)
LOL, Thanks!
Oh, the venerable, FRG 7. I used to have one, but got rid of it because I had to move. It's a "boat anchor" as far as the weight but I'd give anything to have a Frog 7 again. Nice shack you have, good DX and 73's from Radio 645.
Thank you. I hope that you are able to own a Frog 7 again, they are very nice radios.
@@Sparkyzilla85 I just bought FRG7 from a friend, I got it hooked up enjoying the heck out of it! Good review you have here, a very nice collection of radios.
Thanks for posting.
Nice radios you have there.
Thank you! :)
Pity you never found a Kenwood R-5000. That has brilliant audio and has direct input from the keypad. It also had a VHF module for FM and AM and SSB.
Maybe sometime down the radio I'll own one, but as of right now, I have plenty of radios.
Nice video Dennis, much better videography but just a little too much "CW ambience" for my tastes.
I have never asked but do you have an issue with a higher noise floor on the R2000 from the integrated processor?
Additionally have you tried desensitising the FRG7 with the pre selector when experiencing adjacent frequency interference?
+SpectreOZ Yeah, even I thought I went overboard with the CW, but it made me chuckle so I kept it. :)
No, the noise floor on the R2000 seems just fine. A bit higher than the R75, but not too bad.
Actually, I haven't tried that with the FRG7. I'll have to give it a try the next time I use it.
Very good video. It motivates me to do a video on my rigs myself. I like Hammarlund tube radios too. I used to have an HQ-129-x (made circa 1949), an HQ-One-Seventy (triple conversion) that looks very much like yours. Nowadays, I have an HQ-140-X with a very good S-Meter. I also have an Icom IC-718, though it is a transceiver it has a very decent reception. I'm also a fan of loop antennas. Thanks for posting it!
I'm glad that you liked this video. If you do make a video of your radios please send me a link to it so I can watch it.
Excellent presentation.
+hamrad88 Thank you, Tom. :)
Hammarlunds are wonderful receivers. Once you get more versed in refurbishing old electronics, get your hands on a Hammarlund HQ-145. The HQ-100 is single conversion, the HQ-145 is dual conversion which gives better selectivity. If you are willing to spend even more, you could get an HQ-180 or HQ-180A, the top of the line TRIPLE conversion Hammarlund, which was the best general coverage communications receiver you could get FOR YEARS. I wouldn't start with these for refurbishing though. You might begin with a National SW-54. It is a general coverage, 4 band version of the All American 5, but, when refurbished, and properly aligned, is an amazing little performer, considering what it is.
keep it up. See if you can build and install more wire antennas. Consider a cheap antenna tuner,( very easy to make with junk parts) as it can really improve your reception over a wide range of frequencies with a non-resonant antenna. I like the R-2000 and FRG-7 very much. Consider getting ham license.. I notice the pretty fast cw.. so you must be on your way. Consider ditching the S-40 which is pretty awful, and getting a Drake 2B. It is the very best of the tube type recievers made for ham use..and it can be used as a general coverage/swl rx with short wave xtals..which can be found easily enough. The HQ-110 ham band version is far superior to the HQ-100 but not gen coverage. Do find a 2b. If you get a used Yaseu FT-450... you will find it can do all the gen coverage RX duties in all modes incl FM..and interface with a computer for all that kind of visual stuff... and its a great ham rig too ! now under $400 used a hell of a deal.. with DSP too ! tecsun looks interesting.
Great video thank you! I will definitely check out the kenwood.
It's a great radio that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a really good communication receiver.
@@Sparkyzilla85 Nice to see people still using the R2000. I bought mine new back in the early 80's and it has been a workhorse. And in those decades, I've never had one issue. The tuning is now about 100 kc's off and I'm sure it could use an alignment, but after all this time, it has just been an outstanding radio. My-go to receiver is my Drake R8, which in terms of sensitivity and selectivity is a couple steps above the Kenwood. Also the front end of the Kenwood is more prone to overloading than the Drake. Check out a used Drake R8, R8A or R8B one of these days. 73, N7BWB
cool shack man, great collection of radios!
+Jimmy Jim Thank you.
Sparkyzilla85
Great video, nice radios !
Thank you!
Nicely done video. You might hav e less trouble with drifting on SSB if you have a cooling fan running nearby the set. not sure but seems logical. Keep making videos you have a talent for it .
Thank you! I'll have to give that a try and see how it works.
The FRG7 uses a barlow wadley circuit and thus more accurate its designed for SWL, compared to the HAmmerlands and other Radios they are designed more for ham use and thus the fine tuners for SSB. They are apples and oranges.
Have you ever thought about doing a video review of vintage analog shortwave portables such as the Zenith Transoceanic series, the pre-digital Grundig Satellit series, the Nordmende Globetrotter series, and the top shelf offerings from Japan, such as Panasonic, Sony, etc.?
I'm an old pirate. However I have a Uniden 2510 with a chip. I wanted to go for a no-code license but got discouraged. I want to just run my Antron99 on a pine tree and maybe talk some skip sometimes. Am I wrong to still roll without a license? And yes I run a helper. FCC needs to change the rules. 4 watts is stupid.
I saw a couple of times on Ebay an advertisement for a Kenwood R-600 with switchable memory channels instead of a volume control. It looks like it was a marine version of the receiver. All the inscriptions were in German. Have you seen one? What are its advantages?
To tell you the truth, I'm not familiar with that receiver. I would have to do some research on it.
Ah the FRG-7, I remember it well!
Mine had feet, though. Something to do with allowing air flow through from under the set and out through the top. Sitting flat on a surface, there's a risk of it overheating without them. So, you might consider buying some feet for it, if you're not the one who removed them and put them in a drawer somewhere....
Yeah, I removed the feet. I still have them, somewhere. LOL. Luckily, as of lately, I don't use the FRG-7 as much as my other receivers and transceivers.
Nice choices old man!
LOL, thanks!
This Realistic DX-160 radio has a dissimilar metal problem on the tuning printed circuit board with the rivets that connect the top side printed circuit to the printed circuit on the bottom side of the PC board. Resoldering is not sufficient, the fix is to solder jumper wires on the top side of the board to replace the connection made by the printed circuit on the bottom side. Shining a bright light through the bottom of the board shows clearly where to solder the jumper wires on the top side. This is the RF amp and Local Oscillator circuit so it will require alignment. Operation without repair may be intermittent.
Interesting little Godzilla collection too.
Thanks!
I'd much rather have a receiver with a vernier dial than the modern digital push button receiver that can't be manipulated in KC's 👍
Well done, you got rid of the DX394! But you haven't included an AR88D! every SWL has to have owned an AR88 in their lives that is just a fact here in the UK. Its a real shame they are not as available in their home land, we got them all ha ha! The drift problem with the FRG7 is the BFO. The FRG7000 is very similar to the FRG7 but has a crystal controlled BFO. I really enjoyed that video and it is good to see there are young people who see the value of short wave. We will need it soon. Oh have you tried the Drake SW2? That has the best sync detector I have ever used. 73s De GW4PJQ N. Wales United Kingdom.
I've heard of that receiver, but I think that I may have seen one once on eBay and the seller was asking for over $1000 if I remember correctly. That's too rich for my blood, or at least it is at the moment.
I haven't tried the Drake SW2. The only Drakes that I have used is the PRN-1000, which I still own, and the SSR-1, which I'm going to try to sell.
PRN1000 and SSR1 were junk, well to be fair the PRN1000 / SW1 was made for a purpose but the SSR1 really was crap. The SW2 although similar looking to the SW1 was a truly superb receiver and nothing more can be said about it. The AOR7030 is a serious contender for best RX ever. But you know, what are you listening to? All the broadcasters have all but gone, back before the F&$%ing internet short wave was fan bloody tastic and I'm sooooo glad I remember it then. Mind you people have complained like hell about Radio Australia shutting down. But really what are you listening to on SW.
If you want to talk receivers try the ICOM IC R-9500 international version, (illegal in the US). The US version is crap. This is the radio that the FCC uses to listen to all illegal radios it will even track and receive cell phone. Get it with the digital board UT122 P25 Digital unit. It runs about $15,000 with another $1,000 for the digital board. ICOM Canada will sell you one but you will have to smuggle it across the border.
Nice vid! You know your equipment!
Thank you.
Thank you.
Boat anchors are the best. If you get your ham ticket, you’ll have the best of both worlds.
I am a ham. Mostly listen to other hams and broadcast SW. I agree the speaker sounds great. Great for AM MW and FM but problem for MW is you cant add an external ANT. It forces you to use the internal. My kick stand broke and so did the battery cover. Gonna get a SDR soon. 73.
Of all the receivers that you own , what receiver do you think is the most sensitive, pulling in the weakest signal ?
I would say it's a tie between the Kenwood and the Icom R75. Those are the two radios that I rely on the most for dxing.
If portable no.1 is SONY ICF-SW77 , If home base receiver no.1 is KENWOOD R-5000 , If Main receiver no.1 is JRC-NRD-93 (old one is JRC-NRD-1EL)
Those are some nice radios. I wouldn't mind owning a Kenwood R-5000.
What is the difference between the Eton Elite NELITE750 Classic and the Eton Elite 750?
Hi John Jensen, I have a letter from Radio Berlin Int confirming my report on their very last broadcast, it is written on recycled paper and personally signed.
How about the DX-440?
Old, but still good radio?
I haven't used one, so I really can't comment on it.
Good detailed analysis.
Thank you! :)
Hi @sparkyzilla85 - which SWR would you recommend simply for someone trying to fine-tune shortwave oddities (in reception)? I'm looking for a SWR that has filtering, EQ... something that allows me to manually tune between stations and get all that abstract noise and odd signals.....Thanks so much!!!!
Great video! Maybe some evening when the propagation is good you can give us a comparison of each radio on the same signal. 73!
Thanks! I have to buy a better camcorder to record my radios, since my webcam can't reach to where they are located right now. I'm hoping that when we move again, that the radios and my computer will be in the same room so I can do some more radio videos.
I like the military and industrial lock on radios
Most modern Ham Gear has general coverage now that is better or at least as good as these old venerable rigs. My choice back in the day was my HQ180a (perfectly aligned with strong tubes) and the Drake SPR-4, Hands down. If you ever get your hands on a Drake SPR-4 Give it a chance. The selectivity is incredible. Peace , De NI3I
Hello, really beautiful work. I like Kenwood R2000 very much.. But what about kenwood r5000 or, in tecsun radios, tecsun s2000 (also nice when going on hollidays) ?
Tecsun s2000 is not a good radio, specially if you consider its high price.
+jtownshend
thanks a lot. ☺
I had both R2000 and R5000..and the 5000 blows the R2000 away...because it has the crystals installed which 100% changes the radio..I loved it..and WISHED I NEVER SOLD IT...if you get one..get one complety loaded with all the crystals...you wont regret it..
Kennynva T.
Ok, thanks a lot... I'm french and I would be sure by what you mean by "crystals"....
I meant to say filters..instead of crystals...
nice radio!
Thank you!
I have owned a number of SW radios and my favorite is the Grundig Satellit 800. Have you ever had one of those?
+Richard2003 Not yet. I might replace my Grundig Satellit 750 with the Satellit 800.
Its cool but not good for ssb, i have it
Can you help me by suggesting a good radio that can pick up on different types of radio stations and police band. I'm just getting into the hobby and im confused. Something affordable.
I would suggest a SDR. You can listen to LW, AM, SW, FM, and the police bands. Either SDRPlay or Airspy are the brands that I would suggest.
PERFECT FIRST RADIO. SILVERTONE.8 TRANSISTORS. INCLUDING A FEW CHINESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. MODEL 54. SEARS STORE. CHICAGO. BIOMARKERS.
R-2000 is a sweet radio. Mine, the tuning is a little off. On ham or SW , not a big issue but on utility listening can be a problem. Example 11.175 MHz have to tune to 11.174.7. = .0005 Hz off freq. Not a big issue but can a problem.
Funny, mine is the same way.
@@Sparkyzilla85 HHHHMMMMMMM.......That's interesting.
Does your model of the Icom IC-R75 have the synchronous detector?
No, it does not. I would have to buy that separately if I wanted it for this radio.
The Sony 2010 is great!
Why would you listen to hf frequencies?
Where is the point ?
I'm trying justify a purchase like that but cant .
Can you help me?
Not only our their international stations to listen to you can also listen ham radio operators, which in times of an emergency, will greatly come in handy. Plus, it's just a fun hobby to get into.
Search for Pirate stations, numbers stations, drug cartel stations, scientist posted in the Antarctic.
Great video. What state are you in?
Thanks! I live in Wisconsin.
Hello subbed to ur channel ,, trying to get into sw listening can you do a clear diagramme on paper how ur arieal is wired outside and centre brade were they connect to either end many thanks Shane uk
I have a pristine Drake R8-B with Drake VHF card and Drake MS-8 speaker in storage. I liked to work the utes with it as well as some ham band digital modes (all vie sound card interface and free or reasonably priced software). I also have a DIN plug cable for remote on/off as well as RS232 serial comms null modem cable for radio control by PC. I am not actively looking to sell it, but if someone were really interested in it I might consider. My dream is to get more into longwave and satellite instead. I enjoy making my own Az/El rotators and yagi arrays. I have put up a 400 ft. square longwire loop on ladder line. The Drake R8-b doesn't have appropriate bandwidth for FM wide for LEOS APT WeFax. I have built my own reciever for that 'since. It also isn't as good of a performer at the bottom end for those longwave signals I am so interested in when compared to specialized purpose-built gear. So it is a perfect Drake R8-B in A or A+ condition. Just sitting there for twelve years already now...
nicegodzilla collection
Thanks! :)
The Drake R8B is the King of SW receivers.
Back in the 50s and 60s I had a Hallicrafters S-38 to listen to shortwave. Shortwave is not like it use to be. I miss the printed shortwave magazines.
It may not be the same, but there is still enough out there to keep me entertained.
nice video :) trying to get started with this world, new stuff for me. is there any known nice/cheap (good quality/price ratio) transceivers for beginners ? (i would need to buy 2 in order to communicate of course). looking for something really basic, but that has a good reputation.. any advices ?
Good job, thanks. :-)
+jims1942 Thank you! :)
I like the sw-8 the best cause it has fm also, cause I need my local news !