Radios for good reception in northeastern Ontario

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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Radios for good reception in northeastern Ontario


Author	Message
getoutdoors Member	# Posted: 30 Oct 2012 10:33 Reply Hi: I have a cabin 100 km south of Chapleau and we are trying to find out what radio might be good. We did take an inexpensive Eton one up but it just doesn't seem to pickup or hold stations for longer than a couple of minutes. Are there any models people have had success with?

toyota_mdt_tech Member	# Posted: 30 Oct 2012 13:00 Reply Grundig short wave radio, with the optional remote dipole antenna. Hang it from a tree., Rolls up in a handy little wind up spool.

bobrok Member	# Posted: 30 Oct 2012 14:32 Reply I'll second the Grundig, but if you are looking for std broadcast (AM/FM) go to C Crane Company. I just bought a used one from a friend and I have quadrupled the number of standard broadcast stations I am able to receive, and I haven't even done the external antenna yet.

getoutdoors Member	# Posted: 30 Oct 2012 16:03 Reply Thanks so much for your responses. Was there a particular model of Grundig or CCrane that you recommend? Also re the dipole antenna, where would I find that? I'm very new to the remote stuff, so appreciate the help. Also I would like to get a good pair of two-way radios - recommendations?

toyota_mdt_tech Member	# Posted: 31 Oct 2012 10:50 Reply The dipole was listed as the options. Go to the grundig site, find a model. They have the optiosn also. They will do sts AM and FM also, but also 160, 80 40 and 20 meter ham radio, so it doubles as a nice bug out radio also for the zombie apocolypse. I'm a licensed extra class ham operator and like this little unit. I have found the best prices to be on Amazon.com I have thsi unit: http://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=916030 I can not fid the dipole wind up antenna, but I have one and its made by Grundig. Maybe discontinued???

getoutdoors Member	# Posted: 31 Oct 2012 12:51 Reply Thankyou. I have an opportunity to get an GS350DL and the on-line manual says it takes an F connection antenna. Would you recommend an antenna that uses that kind of connection? I checked and the wind up is not available anymore.

Anonymous	# Posted: 31 Oct 2012 17:17 Reply http://www.ccrane.com/radios/am-fm-radios/ccradio-ep.aspx#.UJGQCiRZ5Iw This is the CCrane model I have; bought it from a camp friend when he copped a super deal on a Grundig at a flea market and couldn't pass it up. For such a small radio I am very impressed with its reception ability both on AM and FM. There are external antenna inputs for both AM & FM. I experimented on the FM band by connecting my VHF rooftop TV antenna which is highly directional and I was able to receive signals that just "weren't there" with the antenna disconnected. I plan to attach an omni-directional FM antenna on my TV mast and run a separate cable to the radio. I think the F connector is pretty common for higher end radios. Now for the Grundig, its much more expensive than the CCrane radio, but you certainly get what you pay for: http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/largeImagePopup.jsp?productId=718711 This is his radio and he couldn't pass it up for $200US. This radio is awesome but I don't know what your budget is. With just a wire for an FM antenna he is getting reception on almost every digital FM frequency. I am very impressed with this unit.

bobrok Member	# Posted: 31 Oct 2012 17:21 Reply Sorry, that was me above. I'm traveling and my phone refuses to log me in on occassion.

getoutdoors Member	# Posted: 31 Oct 2012 17:49 Reply THanks - this is very helpful. Really appreciate all of the information. I'm going to check them both out.

toyota_mdt_tech Member	# Posted: 10 Nov 2012 18:10 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech Reply I found a dipole or wind up antenna, made by Sangean. https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/ANT-60-p1843.htm They sell the Sangean radio too.

Cooks Dock Member	# Posted: 10 Nov 2012 19:55 Reply You in by Aubrey Falls?

getoutdoors Member	# Posted: 11 Nov 2012 19:58 Reply Yes, very near. Off of Hwy 129 just a few kilometers further north. How did you know that?

getoutdoors Member	# Posted: 11 Nov 2012 20:01 Reply That looks exactly like what I need. I did get the CCrane radio. It seems to work pretty well here at home - I'll see how it does up north at Christmas time.

SE Ohio Member	# Posted: 12 Nov 2012 11:41 Reply Another option is an older radio, a GE Superradio I or II has excellent reception. Superradio III's are not quite as well made. Many car radios offer better-than-average long distance or "DX" reception. Consumer reports may still rate car radios on this performance? Kenwood was rated high at one point (have not looked recently). If you will run off battery-only, make sure the unit does not use power in the "off" mode. Reprogramming presets due to power off could quickly be annoying, too. AM or FM radios that have an external antenna connection should also be considered, as previously mentioned, an antenna can make a good difference. Google "longwire antenna" for AM reception. An old TV VHF antenna mounted up high helps for FM reception. Aim antenna towards desired signal. (I've opted not to use an external FM antenna since burglars may think I have a desireable TV)

bobrok Member	# Posted: 12 Nov 2012 16:54 Reply Quoting: getoutdoors That looks exactly like what I need. I did get the CCrane radio. It seems to work pretty well here at home - I'll see how it does up north at Christmas time. I think you will like this radio. I just looked up 100km south of Chapleau...jeez! you're practically in the US!! At any rate you will NOT have any problems with reception unless you're hiding in a metal box or underground or something I'm in the ADK mountains in upstate NY and I can get nighttime AM reception from all over the east coast: NYC, Phila, WVa, Chicago, etc. and in the daytime I'm pulling in clear AM from 100+ miles away. FM should present no problem either. One of our favorite FM stations broadcasts from New Hampshire and another from Maine! I receive signals out of Canada. I enjoy trolling around the airwaves to see how far I can pull from. You should be very pleased with your new radio.

getoutdoors Member	# Posted: 12 Nov 2012 17:28 Reply Thanks. Yes, very close to Sault, Michigan. A beautiful, remote area - just wish I could spend more time there. Some day. Well, you are in my very favourite place. I spend lots of time hiking in the ADK's - just came back two weeks ago from another visit, trying to get the 46er's in.

bobrok Member	# Posted: 13 Nov 2012 12:50 Reply Quoting: getoutdoors trying to get the 46er's in Now there's a challenge!! Good luck! I'm too old for that . I'd rather play with my radio!