[Lowfer] Portable receivers>need advise...

[Ed Phillips]

Steven Brooks wrote:
> 
> Mike,
> 
> I have had good results from the Sony ICF-2001 for receiving my own
> beacon, several miles from my transmitter.  It has a 1kc tuning steps
> at LW but it also has what Sony called a SSB/CW Compensator. ie. ->
> fine tuning.  It allows you to fine tune the PPL frequency between
> +10KHz and -10KHz, on a smooth turning dial.  It also has an AM antenna
> adjustment that trims the antenna for maximum signal in.  I believe
> these features were removed on the ICF-2010 model, that is still
> available in stores.  I picked mine up off of Ebay for $85.00 last
> year.  It came with everything original except the store box.
> 
> It was purchased based on Lyle's usage and recommendation in his web
> site articles.  The 2001 was originally released by Sony in 1979 but
> for how long I do not know.  It may be a few years old but it works
> great.
> 
> Steven Brooks

	I bought a 2001 when they first came out, and was disipointed  with its
VLF performance.  Two problems.  First is lots of trouble with intermod
from a lot of close BC stations and the second is sensitivity  using the
internal loop.  Can barely hear my IZJ beacon at a couple of miles.

	I've hauled the thing around the world several times, and gotten a lot
of use out of it.  The only VLF listening was in England, where I could
hear several stations including some across the channel.  It was a very
busy trip and I neglected to listen long enough to any of those to log
their ID's, but should at least have recorded the frequencies.

	On "shortwave" it works reasonably well WITH A 30 FOOT EXTERNAL ANTENNA
for both AM, SSB, and CW where the QRM isn't too bad.  Most interesting
thing we ever did with it was play the 1991 Super Bowl broadcast from a
VOA repeater while on a Caltech-alumni sponsored "photo Safari" in
Kenya.  There were several football fans in the group, and they all
gathered around to listen to the receiver and drink wine "somewhere in
Africa".  In reality, it was at the Masai Mara hotel, a pretty swish
place in the middle of a Kenyan game reserve.

	I also have a Sangean ATS-803A which I bought for the same purpose, but
it is quite a disapointment.

Ed