sheerfire96 OP t1_jefr7k1 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 6:07 PM

Reply to comment by psimian in [Request] Portable Transistor Radio by sheerfire96

You’re right that I mostly mean small and portable. Another user rec’d the SONY ICF P26. Sony makes this and one with a P27 chip the difference being (as far as I’m able to research) is the P26 model is all analog and the P27 is digital.

On the SONY website the P26 was a little cheaper and I know that digital tuners can sometimes have issues so I went with the P26.

What you recommended though? That looks fantastic. I’m not about to spend that kind of money but at some point I plan on building out a bugout kit and that looks like a nice one to have for when shit hits the fan.

For other folks on here if you have the money I’d tell you to check that one out.

psimian t1_jefzbre wrote on March 31, 2023 at 7:01 PM

This is probably beyond what you want to do, but if you have a soldering pencil and some very basic knowledge of electronics it is pretty easy to add external antenna connections to a portable radio. There's lots of info on amateur radio sites about this, but it is usually just a matter of identifying the antenna connections on the circuit board, disconnecting the stock antenna, and soldering in the new one.

Antenna length is a function of wavelength. TL;DR, an ideal antenna is half the wavelength of whatever frequency you're listening to, which works out to about 1.5m for FM, and 100m for AM. Most inexpensive portable radios use 1/4 wavelength for FM (or less), and some clever stuff with wire coils for AM.

Most chip based receivers (even the cheap ones) are pretty reliable these days. If you're not getting good reception, take a look at the antenna.

sheerfire96 OP t1_jeg0jmz wrote on March 31, 2023 at 7:09 PM

I’m comfortable enough soldering and tinkering unfortunately I just don’t have the equipment right now in life.

I have my ham license but was just utterly overwhelmed when trying to mess around with it. It’s something I’d like to try and return to at some point for the sake of being prepared for emergencies (and just science/engineering fun).

psimian t1_jeg418n wrote on March 31, 2023 at 7:32 PM

Well in that case, grab a Baofeng UV-5R for $25 off amazon, and start calling in to your local nets. You can also pick up a copy of The Guerrillas Guide to the Baofeng Radio. (AKA how to have a lot of fun with a cheap radio)

sheerfire96 OP t1_jeg5v8r wrote on March 31, 2023 at 7:44 PM

That’s an interesting looking book.

I had one of those UV-5Rs somewhere but it’s gotten lost in several moves. I should see if I can find it again. That book looks like it could be more useful than the user guide that came with the radio

psimian t1_jegfquf wrote on March 31, 2023 at 8:50 PM

Totally. Maybe 2/3 of the book is useless unless you're really into prepping or something, but the other 1/3 is worth the price by itself. It walks you through all the programming options, gives you a list of all the standard walkie talkie and general communications frequencies, explains how to build an antenna, and how to make a repeater out of 2 radios.