Battery Operated Tabletops

Does anyone have experience and an opinion (good and bad points) about
any of these receivers:

AOR AR-3030
Bearcat DX-1000
Magnavox D-2999
Panasonic RF-3100
RF-4800/4900
RF-600
Realistic DX-300/302
Sony ICF-6700W/6800W
Yaesu Musen FRG-7

I'm looking for a backup radio that can handle a decent outdoor
antenna, and take internal batteries.
If I missed any, please add it to the list with any comments on it you

Roadie...

If you are looking for a battery powered oldie that will perform very
well as a tabletop, then consider the Sony 2010. It has keyboard
entry, excellent synch detector, selectable filters and yes it will
work well off an external antenna. To be honest it does a fine job on
the built-in whip.

willismat...

Thanks to all who have given me input, you have helped me quite a bit!

I had forgotten about the HF-150, despite the fact that I have an RDI
White Paper on it from several years ago that I've read a dozen times
(DUH!!!)
But as has been said here, bidding gets quite high. I need a backup
radio and can't justify the cost. That also goes for the AR3030 (I
shouldn't have even considered it, really).
Never considered the 2010, as I didn't know that it could take an
antenna better than its whip. Performance sure gets high
regard...plus it has synch.
The E1 is a good idea, that would also be a way to go, but then its
back to price for a backup.
I was thinking that I could get one of the Panasonics for a good
price, same for the DX1000, yet I know performance won't be as good as
some others.
Also, I didn't know that the Drake SW8 could take batteries. Can the
SW2?

Sounds like a Sony or a Frog (if it has the battery holder) if I find
one at a good price makes the most sense for my needs. One of the
Drakes would be great but probably would be costly.
I had a 7600GR before and didn't like the ergonomics of it, though it
was a good performer with the tennis racket. The 2010 looks much

Steve...

Don't count out the HF-150. While I suspect the one currently on ebay
will go for an excessive amount of money, they often go for around
$400. IMO this makes it a fine value, especially considering that

junius...

That would be a decent price for an HF-150. And that's a sturdy
little set, too.

Hey Steve, have you ever found any need for the optional PR-150? Just
wondering about the HF-150's front end... I never really had a chance
to play with one of these for any great length of time.

willismat...

You're right, I probably will have to put out more than I had
expected. Even for a backup its a good idea to have a good performer,
so in the end I guess it would be a good value.
The D2999 has been suggested a few times to be avoided (when the eBay
cost is considered). Same with the Bearcat and aparently all the
Panasonics.
I have noticed a few Sony ICF-6700Ws on eBay have sold in the $150-200
range. The 6800WA (Orange) is the one that gets attention but how is
this receiver, a decent value at $150?
Probably a good idea to save a bit more and figure on looking for a
good deal around $350 for a Sat 800, Sony 2010 or HF-150, if I can
find one at the right time.

you'd pay close to $400 for many new or used portables.

junius...

To my knowledge, the SW2 did not accept batteries. The SW8 can run on

RHF...

- The SW8 can run on 6 D batteries...for about 8 to 10 hours
- or so...a rather clumsy but functional compartment accessible
- through the set's bottom panel.

The Drake SW8 Receiver is a beauty to change the
Batteries in. * Physical: 11.5x5.25x13" 10 Lbs.

However the Panasonic RF-4900 Receiver is a Beast
to change the Batteries in. * Physical: 19x7.8x14" 20 Lbs.
-ps- The Handles Help.

6 D batteries...for about 8 to 10 hours or so...a rather clumsy but
functional compartment accessible through the set's bottom panel. If
the HF-150 is a bit out of the range you're wanting to pay, however,
it is likely that the SW8 will be, as well, particularly if it's a
unit from 1996 or later.

As for the '2010, it can handle about 20' of wire or so. Hook it up
to a 100' wire antenna, though, and you'll be experiencing some
overload most likely (I guess you could fit in one of those little MFJ
preselectors, though).

Regarding the price of the E1, it can be found at discount prices at
times. Joining the Yahoo E1 group is a good way to check up on the
latest price deals... evidently, Ham Radio Outlet had some sale on
these recently, with new E1s going for $350, I believe (or so it was
posted in a few messages). I don't know if this was nationwide or just
at the Oakland location where evidently someone had found this deal.
One thing about the E1, though, is that, if you're wanting to ensure
that there's a valid warranty, make sure you're buying from an
authorized Eton retailer. Some folks who've steeply discounted E1s on
eBay have found themselves in the lurch with regard to warranty
issues. I'd be hesitant to go for a used E1, however, without first

junius...

That is to say, some folks who've bought steeply discounted presumably
"new in box" E1s on eBay have found themselves without warranty
coverage when these vendors were not authorized Eton retailers.
Something to think about, given that there have been some issues with

ensuring that the unit doesn't fall within the recall numbers for some
battery issues and secondly ensuring (through the Yahoo group) that
it's not within the serial number range that has seen display failures
(presumably resolved in the newer units on the shelves).

As RHF has noted, collector demand has inflated the prices of many of
the receivers on the list provided in your first email. Certainly a
lot of the Panasonics are fetching a price that is beyond any
performance-based justification. That would also hold true for the
D2999, which benefits from both collector demand and some undeserved
lore with regard to its performance.

better in this regard.

Unless you are into radios that require extra knob twisting I would
avoid the FRG7.

David...

Huh?! That's the 2nd best radio on the list.

Roadie...

It's a good receiver only IF you want to engage in a lot of knob
twisting for it's own sake. The FRG7 serves mostly as a benchmark
from which to measure how far radio technology progressed in 30 years.

The 2010 will deliver a lot of stations and it's 20 year old design is
stilll reasonably up to date.

I could never get used to the display and controls on the AOR
receivers. Cramped and things just didn't seem well organized.

The DX-302 is the knob twister. The Uniden doesn't suck, but just

Roadie...

The 302 is Radio Shack's answer to the FGR7 with tuning that now seems
as painfully fiddly as that used on the frog.

barely.

might have, thanks!

Steve...

Don't forget the Lowe HF-150. It not only takes batteries, but if you
use rechargeables it will recharge them when you return it to AC

junius...

Agreed, the Lowe HF-150 is worth consideration...As are the Drake SW8
(particularly models from 1996 onward, featuring the synchronous
selectable sideband) and the Eton E1 (a lap-sized portable, like the
Sony ICF-2010 & Sony ICFSW77, but much more selective than the Sonys
and much more capable of handling an outdoor antenna). Oh, and the
Palstar R30CC is supposed to be a very nice performer, too, although
I've not used one firsthand.

The Magnavox D2999 is, in my opinion, fairly overrated. Good audio,
sure. But aside from that, you'd be better off going with a Sony
'2010. If good audio is what you're after, you're better off finding a
decent (preferably Drake-serviced) Grundig Satellite 800, which is a
much more capable and better sounding receiver than the D2999.

power.