Subject: How good/bad are commercial cheap radios like Tecsun or XHData to receive CW, compared to an entry-level transceiver?

Hi,


I've had my M-zero ticket for 8 years, but I have yet to go onto real
life on-air CW, partially because my Morse skills are not there yet,
partially because I live in a high rise building and I am not allowed to install antennas (well, I haven't enquired yet but I don't expect
much).

My plan would be to buy a decent receiver within the œ100 mark (could
stretch it to œ150) and then maybe self-build some standalone TXs
later (like the Tuna Can TX or similar).

The alternatives for the same price would something either something
like any of the QRP Labs kits or maybe one the Kanga Kits (Rooster or
Rock Rose).

I was thinking of the XHDATA D808 or the Tecsun PL330 or the Tecsun
PL368. All of these are at or below the œ100 mark, they have dedicated bandwidth filters for CW and they cover a wide range of frequencies.
Plus they are portable.

I don't expect the performance of a vintage Drake or Collins dedicated receiver, but how would they perform against the above mentioned
alternatives?

Thanks.

--
Ottavio Caruso




--- PyGate Linux v1.5.10
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Subject: Re: How good/bad are commercial cheap radios like Tecsun or XHData to receive CW, compared to an entry-level transceiver?

Ottavio Caruso <ottavio2006-usenet2012@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi,

I've had my M-zero ticket for 8 years, but I have yet to go onto real
life on-air CW, partially because my Morse skills are not there yet, partially because I live in a high rise building and I am not allowed to install antennas (well, I haven't enquired yet but I don't expect
much).

My plan would be to buy a decent receiver within the œ100 mark (could
stretch it to œ150) and then maybe self-build some standalone TXs
later (like the Tuna Can TX or similar).

The alternatives for the same price would something either something
like any of the QRP Labs kits or maybe one the Kanga Kits (Rooster or
Rock Rose).

I was thinking of the XHDATA D808 or the Tecsun PL330 or the Tecsun
PL368. All of these are at or below the œ100 mark, they have dedicated bandwidth filters for CW and they cover a wide range of frequencies.
Plus they are portable.

I don't expect the performance of a vintage Drake or Collins dedicated receiver, but how would they perform against the above mentioned alternatives?

Thanks.

I confess I?ve not looked at the Tecsun etc but I would be surprised if
they have ?true? ( ie narrow) CW filters rather than simply a CW mode with, perhaps, a slightly narrower filter than on ( say SSB).

I?ve always regarded them as being ?travellers? radios - to use for when travelling to receive the World Service and a bit of SWLing.

I could be wrong but I suggest you check.

I appreciate you seem to have a budget and wish to do some building but
perhaps a secondhand transceiver - an old Icom etc. You could still build a transmitter.


--- PyGate Linux v1.5.10
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Subject: Re: How good/bad are commercial cheap radios like Tecsun or XHData to receive CW, compared to an entry-level transceiver?

On 01/02/2026 14:26, Ottavio Caruso wrote:

Hi,

I've had my M-zero ticket for 8 years, but I have yet to go onto real
life on-air CW, partially because my Morse skills are not there yet, partially because I live in a high rise building and I am not allowed to install antennas (well, I haven't enquired yet but I don't expect
much).

My plan would be to buy a decent receiver within the œ100 mark (could
stretch it to œ150) and then maybe self-build some standalone TXs
later (like the Tuna Can TX or similar).

The alternatives for the same price would something either something
like any of the QRP Labs kits or maybe one the Kanga Kits (Rooster or
Rock Rose).

I was thinking of the XHDATA D808 or the Tecsunÿ PL330 or the Tecsun
PL368. All of these are at or below the œ100 mark, they have dedicated bandwidth filters for CW and they cover a wide range of frequencies.
Plus they are portable.

I don't expect the performance of a vintage Drake or Collins dedicated receiver, but how would they perform against the above mentioned alternatives?

Thanks.

What about an SDR?
All the filters and notches you could wish for in software.
You seem to have some kind of computer.
But the good ones do cost a bit more than your budget, but some people
seem to be able to get good results with cheap hardware.
Decide what kind of aerial you can use and read lots of reviews and
watch lots of YouTube before choosing a cheap SDR. Some cheap ones that
claim coverage down to HF but are mainly VHF/UHF are rubbish on HF.

--
Brian Gregory (in England).

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.10
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)