[Boatanchors] SWL/Novice Radio,any suggestions?

[Mike Andrews W5EGO]

On Mon, Aug 18, 2008 at 04:29:01PM -0400, Olaf Madsen wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> >I am sure there are many ''Grandpa's'' in this Boatanchor Group who have 
> >been confronted with this kind of a problem.
> >
> >One of my Grandsons,9 years old,got all enthusiastic about Ham Radio on 
> >his last visit when I demonstrated some of my Boatanchors and had him by 
> >my side during a QSO using my regular station (20mtrs,TS940,SSB,working 
> >some DX )
> >
> >I certainly want to encourage him,even though all my older Grandkids run 
> >about with IPODS,Cellphones and all kinds of Digital Gadgets,it would be 
> >nice to have a Ham in the family.
> >
> >Here is the problem.----All of my Boatanchors make it very difficult to 
> >tune in SSB ,particularly for a 9 year old who still does know anything 
> >about Radio,Electronics,Shortwave,what have you.- We live 600 miles 
> >away,so Grandpa cannot take him under his wing and keep the ''fires 
> >burning''.
> >
> >I would like to find a resonably modern Receiver,that would cover the 
> >entire shortwave spectrum,including the ham-bands and be good for AM (to 
> >listen to BBC,Radio Canada and all the other foreign Broadcast),AND easily 
> >tuned SSB and CW,to listen to the Hams,(very few are using AM,these 
> >days).and have may be even a digital frequency readout.---None of my 
> >Boatanchors fit those criteria.---
> >
> >Not wanting to invest ''an arm and a leg''---Is there anything on the 
> >market that would be suitable for a 9 year old to get his feet wet.---I'll 
> >make sure he gets up an antenna and be his ''ELMER'' via E-mail---

Sounds like a good kid. 

One of the SanGean 808 (I think) or was it 909? RatShack sold 'em,
rebranded, for not much at all a few years back, and I got one for
the grandson. Nice all-band RX, from the bottom of the MWBC band up
through 30 MHz, SSB/AM, plus FM BC band. External antenna jack, good
(not great) sensitivity. It may go low enough for NDBs as well. 

Maybe one of the CCrane receivers?

Keep the fire a-burning!

-- 
Mike Andrews, W5EGO
mikea at mikea.ath.cx
Tired old sysadmin