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I've used this for something like three years now. Continue to like this radio, enough to give it a review and field questions. AM and FM reception are quite decent, with good fidelity from the speaker. I run it exclusively from rechargeable Eneloop batteries - 4 AA. I get very good runtime with the batteries. It has a big digital display and is solidly made.

Using alligator clips, I connect the radio whip antenna to a 100 foot wire strung up in trees and get great HF reception. That's what separates this from a regular radio - being able to pick up signals in the 3MHz - 30MHz range. Your $50 amazon baofeng doesn't play in this park.

I am able to listen to lower sideband Ham conversations on the 80 and 40 meter bands with great clarity. I'm in Michigan, and regularly listen to conversations of HAMs in MI, OH, WI, IN, TN, PN. Or even further. I have a whole log book of contacts I've heard, and I've gotten familiar with how HF "nets" work and how HAMs call in. I can also scan the frequencies in AM modulation and hear stations from literally around the world. I regularly listen to The Mighty KBC out of the Netherlands, or english broadcasts from Asia or Europe.

If you're interested in a decent, portable long distance HF / HAM radio, you could consider this one for your preps.

Edit: Here's an older post discussing this radio with an example of what it sounds like Here's Cuba as another example Here's China as another example

I've used this for something like three years now. Continue to like this radio, enough to give it a review and field questions. AM and FM reception are quite decent, with good fidelity from the speaker. I run it exclusively from rechargeable Eneloop batteries - 4 AA. I get very good runtime with the batteries. It has a big digital display and is solidly made. Using alligator clips, I connect the radio whip antenna to a 100 foot wire strung up in trees and get great HF reception. That's what separates this from a regular radio - being able to pick up signals in the 3MHz - 30MHz range. Your $50 amazon baofeng doesn't play in this park. I am able to listen to lower sideband Ham conversations on the 80 and 40 meter bands with great clarity. I'm in Michigan, and regularly listen to conversations of HAMs in MI, OH, WI, IN, TN, PN. Or even further. I have a whole log book of contacts I've heard, and I've gotten familiar with how HF "nets" work and how HAMs call in. I can also scan the frequencies in AM modulation and hear stations from literally around the world. I regularly listen to The Mighty KBC out of the Netherlands, or english broadcasts from Asia or Europe. If you're interested in a decent, portable long distance HF / HAM radio, you could consider this one for your preps. Edit: Here's an [older post discussing this radio with an example of what it sounds like](https://poal.co/s/Amateurradio/568558) Here's [Cuba as another example](https://poal.co/s/Amateurradio/565860) Here's [China as another example](https://poal.co/s/Amateurradio/570102)

(post is archived)

[–] • 2 pts

First, I need to say that I'm not criticizing the radio or your review. I picked up a Sangean CC Radio Plus model at a thrift store a few days ago. Took a chance for $10. AM FM TV WX. The weather band works, the others are all static and the display is all messed up. I should have plugged it in before I bought it. A waste of $10.

[–] • 1 pt

That's why it was at the thrift store.

[–] • 2 pts

And...you would be correct. I'm too white. I trust too easily.

[–] • 1 pt

Yeah you never know with a thrift store. I've had some great buys, and some not so great buys. Actually, keeping an eye out for a used shortwave radio at a thrift store is not a bad idea. If you happen to find one for $10 and it works, that would be a great deal!

[–] • 1 pt

$250 bucks...whew lad

[–] • 1 pt

In a SHTF global power outage, with 4 AA batteries I can listen to the world. But agreed, such a radio isn't for everybody.

[–] • 1 pt

Can it receive memes?

[–] • 1 pt

while this particular radio doesn't, there are indeed ways to transmit pictures over radio waves using ham frequencies. i have not explored these digital modes myself though.

[–] • 0 pt

I had a TecSUn a few years back for just such a reason. Great radio until the tuning knob broke. Fucker was 150 when I bought it. Now I'm gun shy about all SW equipment. I still have my handheld BaoFeng, but that's not very long range.

[–] • 0 pt

Yeah there are good practical reasons to have a baofeng, but listening to HF isn't one of them. You could consider a software defined radio (SDR). Especially if you have a laptop laying around you could devote to it. Something like this RSP1A (sdrplay.com) There are lots of SDRs available for pretty darn cheap. Perfect if you don't want to devote bank$$$ to the equipment.

[–] • 0 pt

Sort of related, but are there any non-directional beacons back on the air near you? For example, Don Scott OSU Airport is broadcasting "O S" in morse code again after decades - they turned it off immediately after the FCC said you don't need it anymore.

A way for friendlies to find a landing spot on home soil, perhaps?

[–] • 1 pt (edited )

Are you talking about the beacons at 5.000 and 10.000 in AM? O know I've twice heard a place...holdon let me get my log book. Volmet on 13.264 on USB. An airport station in Ireland..?. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VOLMET Here's another note of a Volmet record this time on 13.270, I jotted down Gander, Canada. But I don't listen to morse code :) I'd need a computer to decode it for me, I have no idea. Are you talking HF beacon? Or UHF/VHF? Who what friendlies are landing where?

[–] • 0 pt

This was 512KHz I believe. Just a repeating O...S...O...S...

[–] • 1 pt

If you're playing below 160 meters, you're operating above my pay grade.