Grundig Satellit 500

My own receiver is a Grundig Satellit 500, which was produced from 1989-1991. Though it was improved upon by later models I find it more than adequate for listening to shortwave broadcasts.

There are a few variants to the model. If you buy one then make sure it is the international version with full coverage from 1612-30000 KHz. The radio also covers LW, MW and FM. There is also an SSB mode for listening to those broadcasts using it.

The radio comes with a continuous digital tuner so that all amateur and utility bands are covered. Frequencies can either be entered on a keypad or an analogue style knob can be rotated for rapidly scanning through a band. An LCD readout tells you exactly which frequency you are tuned to. There is a memory function for storing up to 42 frequencies.

There is a switch to chose between the telescoping aerial inside the radio or an external antenna. I made my own antenna, which is permanently connected to the radio.

Though the radio is no longer manufactured, fine examples are often sold on eBay. Expect to pay about £80 ($160), which will give you a cheaper and better radio than many of the new shortwave radios that have lesser capabilities.