I have been an avid SWL hobbyist for 40 years. Though I wouldn't recommend that radio for a casual listener, its the clear choice for tech literate SWLer. I own many great radios, and this radio to me is the best for any radio under $1,000. Yes the RSPDX is just as good, but its costlier. It hands down beats any Sangean Chinese made portable radio cost about 2x the $115 price tag I paid.

I have an RSP2 and I got very disappointed when I starded tuning images and spurous. I tried to change from zero to low IF to no avail in many occasions. So I acquired an Airspy HF+ Discovery and later an SDRplay RSPdx. Both are far better on this issue than the RSP2. Not to mention, better dynamic range on lower bands such as VLF, LW and MW.

What antenna, or antennas are you using? Would a discone be a good “General purpose” antenna? What about a chameleon?

how do both of them perform against a PL-330 or other portables in the $50-$300 range on HF (shortwave) ?

Thank you !

Thankyou for the review Now the new SDR Play DUO is available, what will be your recommendation

Thank you for the excellent review. How do the rsp1a compare to say the airspy discovery. I have one of them

I have the RSP1A and different antennas. I am a SWL learning the ropes. I built an antenna switching box with 4 inputs and a good rotary switch. Would that be more or less the same as buying a RSPDX with twin antenna inputs.

For VHF band (144 MHz) - what better?

Check out the airspy hf+ discovery, i am blown away with mine. My Elad FDM Duo was my previous best rig for shortwave but the airspy is about 5db better signal to noise. On long wave the airspy is the best i’ve ever seen, it beats every other radio and sdr i have by a huge margin.

will the rspa1 tune the entire AM, MW band?

Okay