Portable Shortwave Receivers?

[capecodphyllis]

Does anyone have any experience with portable shortwave radios?

I'm looking for a shortwave receiver to listen in on local cruise nets and to pick up National Weather Service Offshore Waters Forecasts (Eastern carib). Is this possible with a portable unit, that comes with an attached antenna, such as the Sangean ATS-818ACS ? --

http://www.shortwavestore.com/sws/pr...&cat=17&page=1

It comes with a "BFO clarifier control for smooth SSB" and a cassette recorder for recording the weather forecast.

Can reception be improved by attaching a straight wire to the rigging, or some other cheap and easily removable item, like an 8' HF whip? Would there be a danger of shock?

If I understand correctly, these portables have a built-in antenna tuner of some sorts?

I'm also considering a table-top model, but only if I cannot get what I need from the portable (I like the idea of portability, and being able to use it with rechargable Nicads.)

[camaraderie]

Here's some tips on portables and antennas for them:
http://www.dxing.com/tips.htm
Here's a comparison chart of portable receiver features:
http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...le/chartp.html

You might wanna tune into Chris Parkers forecasts once you get that radio. He is MUCH more accurate than the NWS for the caribe as the NWS is a GROSS forecast and doesn't begin to tell you what you need in a specific location. His broadcast schedule is here:

• 8137 USB 7:00am AST / 6:00am EST / 1100 UTC (most reliable for much of Caribbean)
• 4045 USB 7:30am AST / 6:30am EST / 1130 UTC
• 8104 USB 8:30am AST / 7:30am EST / 1230 UTC
• 12350 USB 9:30am AST / 8:30am EST / 1330 UTC
• 16525 USB 9:45am AST / 8:45am EST / 1345 UTC
• 6221 USB 10:00am AST / 9:00am EST / 1400 UTC (for vessels too close to Central Florida to hear me earlier)

For ALL....If you're just listening...Chris is for free...but if you want to be able to interact and ask questions specific to YOUR passages and get region specific e-mails every morning he charges a most reasonable $295 per year...or $95 for three months. He will save you far more than that just in sea-sick suppositories!!!

I have no affiliation...but hightly recommend him for anything in the Bahamas or Easter/Western Caribe. He will also work with folks on offshore passages south. Contact is Chris@mwxc.com

[Vasco]

I have a Sony ICF SW7600GR and it works fine for SSB and SW reception. Can get all the nets and weather. Comes with additional antenna (wire) but most times not needed. These small portables work fine. Having the built in recorder is great. Then you can transcribe and study the weather reports. Sangean is a good brand too.

[capecodphyllis]

Thanks for the info! good links. Very Informative.