Hi! What is the best rated portable short-wave radio AND antenna in
terms of carity, station tuning sensitivity, power supplies,
amenities, (such as side-band) signal strength, reliability, AND dare
I say it, price? Then, where could it be found. Best Buy, Circuit
City, Burger King, etc.?
Thank You very much in advance.  Steve Bartus   PS: say hi to umiat-ga
if you know who that is and wouldn't mind. Thanks again

bartman53-ga,

Thanks for the opportunity to answer this question!

There are a number of sources for ratings on shortwave radios and
antennas.  Passport to World Band Radio 2003 is the most current
source; there is also a World Radio and TV handbook.  (Sources for
these listed below).

A number of radio shops carry the receivers I mention.  I've found
that generally, with the exception of the Grundig Satellit 800, most
electronics stores don't carry shortwave radios.  I've had the best
luck at Circuit City, but I order most of my equipment through
Universal Radio, at http://www.universal-radio.com/.  Many ham radio
outlets can also order these receivers for you.

One thing you don't mention is the price you're looking to spend.  I'm
focusing on receivers affordable by the serious hobbyist, that is, the
$200-$400 range.  You can pay a lot more and get a dramatically better
receiver, but for the individual doing general monitoring of news and
international programming, radios in this range will do fine.  The
Grundig Yacht Boy, Grundig Satellit 800, Sangean ATS-909, and Sony
ICF-SW7600GR are all great receivers.  With the exception of the
Satellit 800, they are all portable.  The Satellit 800 has won a
number of awards for design and selectivity, but is a little more
pricey.  In my opinion, you'd do just as well purchasing one of the
other receivers mentioned.

As far as antennas, this will be highly dependent on the band you wish
to listen in to most readily and the type of antenna you're looking
for.  An active antenna may offer you the best performance, and your
geographic location and interference in that location may weigh
heavily on antenna selection.   Many shortwave listeners do well with
the AOR LW500, (http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/sw_ant/0238.html),
or the Radiomaster P-30,
(http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/sw_ant/1331.html).   I use
something similar to the Sangean ANT-60,
(http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/sw_ant/3184.html).   Serious
people who are comfortable with a wire antenna strung over some trees
in their yard (and properly grounded!) have been extremely happy with
the Alpha Delta DX-EE.  (http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1745)

bartman53-ga, thanks again for using Google Answers!  I hope i've been
a help to you.  If I can do anything else, please feel free to post a
clarification.

Best regards,
arimathea-ga
Researcher

Search strategy:  Google searches "WRTH", "DX antenna review",
"shortwave antenna review", "shortwave radio review", "best rated
shortwave", "best rated DX", similar combinations, personal knowledge,
eHam.net searches

Radio review sites:
	http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/rx_current.html - Radio Netherlands
	http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/8 - eHam.net

Antenna review sites:
	http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/13 - Vertical and wire antenna
(HF)
	http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/75 - Portable antennae

Books:
	http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0914941844 - Passport
to World Band Radio
	http://www.wrth.com/ - World Radio/TV Handbook

Sources for equipment:
	http://www.universal-radio.com/
	http://www.radios4you.com/
	http://usa.shortwavestore.com/index.html?aw

Good job, good answers.