Noobie thinking about a Sagean ATS 909?

[safetyobc]

I have been using public safety type scanners for several years now. I am now interested in getting into SWL. I don't won't to spend big bucks just to get started. I have been doing some research and I like the looks of the ATS-909. Is this a good radio to get started? It has the 40 Hz fine tuning in SSB, is that good? I mainly am after the broadcast SW like BBC and others. I also want to hear FEMA and military type transmissions as well. I know the antenna means a lot as it does in scanning. But I just want a good starter reciever. Don't really want to buy used or spend over $230 to $250. The ATS-909 seems like a good radio. Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated.

Here is the radio ATS-909 Shortwave Radio

[WX9T]

For broadcast listening, the 909 is a decent set. Even for some mid-grade DX work, it's not that bad. However, you might want to think about one of Radiolabs' modified "Super 909s" if you're wanting to listen in on utility traffic and so on. The "Super 909" has some improvements to the front end, IF and audio filtering, that you'll probably find beneficial for that use. Have a look here: http://www.radiolabs.com/products/receivers/super909.php

However, as nice as the "Super 909" is, it really can't beat a lot of the proper 'desktop' sets that have been produced over the past 20 (or more) years. I would put its performance maybe alongside a mid-grade set such as the Yaesu 7700 or Kenwood 1000. To really dig into utility traffic like you want, you're going to need something 'beefier', and that's just going to cost more. Still, the "Super 909" should suffice to give you more than enough of a taste so you can decide if you want to go with a bigger receiver investment later on.

One other suggestion, which might not work out if what you want here is portability, would be the Ten-Tec RX-320D. This is a 'black-box' radio designed to be used with a PC as a controller and 'front-end'. The performance of this set is MUCH improved over the Sangean...it's a serious little receiver...but the price is in the same range as the "Super 909". It can also handle DRM transmissions, and has the potential of using a number of different controller software options so there's a certain degree of 'customizability' that one has with this set. See here: http://radio.tentec.com/Amateur/Receivers/TT320. This set would be much more capable where utility traffic is concerned, plus you would get the hi-fi DRM transmissions in addition to regular AM shortwave broadcasting.

[safetyobc]

I appreciate your post. However, those two are about $100 over my price range at this point. I am selling my BC246T for $200 so that is about my price range. Christmas coming and all with 3 kids kinda limits my budget. I like the Ten Tec but that would tie me down. The Super 909 is a little bit too expensive for me at this point.

I have also heard lots of good stuff about the Sony 7600GR. The reviews I have read say that the Sony is superior to the Sangean in sensitivity and SSB reception. Anyone care to comment on that?