selecting a new receiver

[N2HUN]

I've used a W6LVP loop in the past and was very pleased with the performance. Attached is a photo of it (from a few years ago) in the shack installed on a tripod with an RCA rotor. Eventually I moved the antenna outdoors for even better reception. It's an active antenna with a preamp. Don't know what the current price is but it's well within you range. You can also check antenna reviews on eham.net. Good luck on your move and choosing a new antenna.

[Andrew (grayhat)]

I've used a W6LVP loop in the past and was very pleased with the performance. Attached is a photo of it (from a few years ago) in the shack installed on a tripod with an RCA rotor. Eventually I moved the antenna outdoors for even better reception. It's an active antenna with a preamp. Don't know what the current price is but it's well within you range. You can also check antenna reviews on eham.net. Good luck on your move and choosing a new antenna.

Wideband active loops work well, but... did you ever try a tuned active loop ?

http://techlib.com/electronics/antennas.html

[Hank Michalenka]

thanks again to all who are helping!

I just read several reviews on the AirSpy HF+ and it seems to be the answer. High performance in a small package. I have a Bonito RadioJet that my daughter gave me many years ago, but could never get the thing to work? I value all your opinions and will get back when I get set up.

Thanks again!

Hank

[Blubby]

Maximum bang for the buck buy an SDR. For HF and LF use I own the Airspy HF+ Discovery and the SDRPLAY RSPDX.
Both are excellent on HF with the Airspy being better for NDB beacon band work below the broadcast band.
I use SDR Console to control both and typically use the RSPDX @ LIF showing a 2mhz wide swath. The Airspy cannot
show as big a slice, so for finding new stuff I like the RSPDX. Either is fine for SWBC listening. SDRPLAY has excellent support
as well.
I own a number of excellent SW receivers and the SDRs work very well compared to them. The filtering options, superior
syncro AM and bandscope make them a fantastic choice.
I like the BNC connector on the RSPDX too for durability as well as the big USB connection vs the micro on the Airspy.

The software wont be too hard to learn. I mastered it quickly.

[K4FBI]

Don't give up on that JRC receiver yet. If you have an attic you might be able to install a longwire with traps similar to the old Eavesdropper, made by Antenna Supermarket. Less than 43 feet in length and from the outside quite stealthy. Your roof might be ceramic tile in FL so I'm unsure how that might impact your reception but placement along the peak of an attic away from home wiring can give surprisingly good results.

[VE7ET]

How about an hybrid such as the Elad FDM-DUOr (I own the non "r" version)? I think it should be within your $1k USD budget. You can start playing with it stand alone and it's an excellent receiver. And then when you have time, you can start learning about the software side that it makes it even better. The "DUO" means that it can be a stand alone receiver and also a computer controlled SDR.

Check out Oxford SWL channel on YouTube, he has made a lot of videos about the Elad FDM-DUO (non "r" version).