Portable radios for bad reception areas

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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Portable radios for bad reception areas


Author	Message
Grizzlyman Member	# Posted: 30 Nov 2024 02:04pm - Edited by: Grizzlyman Reply Our place is pretty well out of reception. We have a cheap Amazon radio that can MAYBE pick up 2 channels on a good day. Anyone have a recommendation for a better portable radio that does well for reception? Not looking to spend a ton… just a better version of an under $50 portable radio. We have this: Byron Statics Portable Radio AM... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RVCT1FK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

gcrank1 Member	# Posted: 30 Nov 2024 03:56pm Reply Ive pretty much given up, if I can't get anything when I want to listen I just don't have anything unless we put a dvd in the portable player. In most ways that forces me to go cold turkey from my listening habits and have the cabin be a retreat from the world.

ICC Member	# Posted: 30 Nov 2024 05:18pm Reply I am so used to not having decent reception for any radio that I want to listen to I don't even bother any more. Fortunately, I do have good cell reception and can listen to many radio stations via my phone. Or I can choose to stream music from Pandora (been a customer of theirs for about 10 years now). Or if all else fails I can listen to music on my old old mp3 player which I leave at the cabin.

Brettny Member	# Posted: 30 Nov 2024 06:42pm Reply https://www.amazon.com/Tecsun-Digital-PL330-Worldband-Receiver/dp/B0921HN6QM/ref=mp_s _a_1_3_vs_ar?adgrpid=113807272218&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oPa6VYj8lgG7yQsFwiZAfuyI2LkNe4qXv9 Yw7VA46q7lhFsQHfhjF45D51dl_wWambMS4fAo6R4UCGLXxpd0qibMbZKus5nNZTEKii1DBMAVwU8uydfUbNa yHMUV64HhGdxXeApq9v3WRzAY1JIdVO9ej-wqHVJiIVJgyfOopOdi2fweGj1nh8Jlj3XDxy8rzW0Q6gV0hOz7 P3NZfwUXtw.HPdLg1XfT1BvlGgFOjt5bMzZiBC-ajtvkczI1FNd9bs&dib_tag=smacab-20&hvadid=651161241331 &hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9004848&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=4922178863869341715&hvtargid=kwd-51 2274640&hydadcr=19256_13507986&keywords=tecsun+radio&qid=1733009968&sr=8-3 I have one of these. Picks up way more FM stations than the "boom box" I also have. SW is mostly just gesus or foreign.

gcrank1 Member	# Posted: 30 Nov 2024 08:08pm Reply Hmmm, tempting Brett No NOAA though?

Brettny Member	# Posted: 1 Dec 2024 07:01am Reply Ops that's the wrong one. I dont remember if is has weather. Do you get weather in such a bad area? https://www.amazon.com/Tecsun-Radio-PL-380-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B0035X1EC2/ref=asc_df_B 0035X1EC2?mcid=723565afc85536bab0aba2cc7a8fad27&tag=smacab-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693 308325721&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=214194622094388228&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hv dvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004848&hvtargid=pla-427074296612&psc=1

gcrank1 Member	# Posted: 1 Dec 2024 08:39am Reply Oh, we get weather alright! I keep the radio protected inside Jokes aside, it seems having a metal roof does nothing for reception. I wonder if its worth throwing more money at a losing cause.

Grizzlyman Member	# Posted: 1 Dec 2024 09:24am Reply Brettny Thanks. I’ll check it out. Maybe I don’t know what I don’t know… but is there some sort of measurement of the sensitivity or ability to pick up channels? Or What to look for? Many say things like “ultra good reception” or something similar to that but who knows if that means anything or just marketing gibberish. Anyone know is there some sort of measurement?

gcrank1 Member	# Posted: 1 Dec 2024 01:25pm Reply Ive been messing about off and on with antenna stuff trying to improve my reception at home and at the cabin. To that end Ive been online looking at how the radio signals 'move' and what to do to catch them. Its worth the look up.

Brettny Member	# Posted: 1 Dec 2024 06:09pm Reply Quoting: Grizzlyman Maybe I don’t know what I don’t know… but is there some sort of measurement of the sensitivity or ability to pick up channels I'm not totally sure but I have had better luck with digitally tuned radios in my minimal service area. Maybe because this one does other waves like SW they make things like the reciever a bit better. My knowledge and experience with ham radio equipment and there antenna..antenna turning I'm sure helps but it's all about antenna height to a point. With my low ham radio licence it wont shoot through terrain like lots of trees and hills.

toyota_mdt_tech Member	# Posted: 8 Dec 2024 07:08pm Reply I have a Grundig short wave radio with SSB (single side band) and it pulls in stations nicely. Does have a portable small dipole antenna.

Fanman Member	# Posted: 8 Dec 2024 08:00pm Reply When I go to the cabin the last thing I want is to hear somebody babbling at me telling me what to think or sell me something for 5 minutes between each 3 minute song. I can't remember the last time I listened to the radio. There was a college station intermittently playing good music that I could marginally pick up, but we gave the stereo with radio to my brother in law. Like @ICC, now that there's a cell tower serving the area I mostly just listen to music on Pandora, if I'm listening to anything but the sounds of the woods.

mj1angier Member	# Posted: 13 Dec 2024 11:25am Reply Might be worth a try for $8 https://www.amazon.com/XHDATA-Shortwave-Antenna-External-Reception/dp/B08VD6T4YK/ref= sr_1_1?crid=CRFKAK6YM5QZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.otTWgIT3AKCabjh9ktY5la17XB9KbeZyT-3PzNg9BHd 8q4SekgONcndJlltjgZZ6HYaC-PiLhnai_8NX-icArR0Hi97tQDc7k3wnzvSPFAgL8T6gih_ZSrLbEVj2T2rk QPFJ-BIwrvr6fMn4Fjy5C26qmE0DzOUqTDGtL580rw1ZN94ypTSpaCWeKVdwV4Mip_WJlMDGYC8-Ko12j-Y5l L7IRTksWm2VEzcIxLL8s0I2uvVO60hNAcyYy6f2oZI3iqYPtpVTVyo2wyMP_SRxEIlDY6_Q_g1qOnqemZtXki XUuiQOWv_Uxy-khJ5hXSsr_6Vo-9xqnOV17XdU9davDICeDi9fBf8NKF4dM_O24W8.B2_CDKImivCEcSLULFp QhElZYwzyyQOqZFJyPWal2W4&dib_tag=smacab-20&keywords=fm%2Bradio%2Bwith%2Bantenna%2Bhook%2Bup& qid=1734107087&s=electronics&sprefix=fm%2Bradio%2Bwith%2Bantenna%2Bhook%2Bup%2Celectr onics%2C90&sr=1-1&th=1

Grizzlyman Member	# Posted: 16 Dec 2024 12:17am Reply mj1angier Nice find! Just ordered it!

gcrank1 Member	# Posted: 16 Dec 2024 10:06am Reply I eagerly await your report!

Grizzlyman Member	# Posted: 16 Dec 2024 05:40pm Reply Well it’ll be awhile! Even if went up now there’s too little tree cover to tell if it works!

gcrank1 Member	# Posted: 16 Dec 2024 08:06pm Reply Gives me another reason to stick around