A small and beautiful receiver. Easy to handle, fits in your pocket (without a telescopic antenna, so you don't look weird). He is very sensitive to the reception. I tried it in the field with a telescopic antenna and I can say that it is excellent for a shortwave listener and for monitoring amateur radio bands. And in the house, together with the G5RV antenna, it does a wonderful job.
This radio is Amazing! I have been enjoying mine for a month now. It has a true CW filter almost impossible to find on a tiny reciver like this. I use it to listen to CW when I walk the dog.
Great little receiver. It can also serve as a device that you can record your radio contacts by plugin your camera mic input or a separate recorder directly into the receiver while you operate from another radio. Pretty useful for HamTubers. There seem to have an upgraded chasis for the external speaker and a USB-C for charging. Another option they can add is a lock button so you can have your reciever locked to a frequency without the fear that you can bump the freq dial button by accident.
Here is something you didnt comment on. WWV has two stations. You were picking up BOTH! WWVH is located in Hawaii and WWV is located in Boulder Clorado.
Another nice video. I think it's cool that you are letting your kids participate in the videos. It's funny that I heard that guy on 40m trying to finish that contact.
One of the members brought one of these to the club breakfast this morning. Didn't get a chance to use it, but the thing that impressed me was that it felt SOLID! If I can find a transmitter to go along with it, I'll buy on for Field Day use. WA2WMR
Ok, that intro caused the Walter Mitty in me to have goose bumps. My cloak and dagger needs dry cleaning and sharpening. Was just thinking today I need another SW reciever. And here is a micro sized one...
It's the only portable 1.5-31 mhz. communications receiver that 'i'm aware of' that can receive the 10 mtr amateur fm band. Very enjoyable audio when there is a band opening. This receiver is made by a ham specifically for the ham radio operator in mind. No vlf or mw.
Good quick review. Nice little radio. I am holding out for someone to put all the features together similar to the Malachite but without the RF screen noise, built-in IQ recording of wider spectrum, and digital (receive) modes like DRM, HD, DAB, etc. I don't want to have to carry a laptop around anymore just to do spectrum recording.
Hi Josh really enjoy shortwave listening and that would be perfect if you go on somewhere and nothings on TV I definitely like the size of it I may have to check it out at a later date thanks for doing the review on the radio. WD5ENH Steve
Belka DX radio looks ideal for use in our Motorhome. I cannot listen to SW in our home as too much interference from neighbours. But parked up in our motorhome in the wild ideal. Great product but just cannot afford the price as shipping cost high. Hoping prices come down Cheers from old pensionets George and Jane motorhome Adventures. 👫👍🇬🇧
For around that price you could get a full SDR with a touch screen and a larger frequency range, which is about the same sized unit, and more features.
No more SWRs for me without waterfalls. If I'd have known about this, wouldn't have bought the last one. Tecsun, Sangean etc need to take note in my opinion. This one at least has i/q output for a panadapter on your computer or phone.
Do you recommand it for a listener starter pack? I want to begin with something good. I'm not Licence am radio. I just want to get in the hobby. From Québec Canada thanks!
This is very cool, thanks! Just wondering if you've tried it with higher gain antennas and, if so, whether you noticed a considerable difference in reception? Cheers!
i have to say that for someone with so many radios in the background, to say something like the difference between the belka and the malachite is 'features' tells me you likely haven't tried a malachite which is nearly universally panned for dreadful reception and extreme susceptibility to random noise. btw, i was demo'ing my ic-705 for a ham friend the other day and had the belka out (he also has one based on my praise of it) and for every signal we monitored on the 705 we started turning the belka (with the whip--the 705 was on an end-fed outside) to that signal and for every frequency we sampled the belka received it just as good as the 705 although the audio (using the new mobimax external speaker) wasn't near as good. the belka (little squirrel) is a marvel of engineering. /guy (73 de kg5gt | wqpz784)
Hello , just got mine 12/27 and after using it for 5 minutes I could not turn it back on after shuting it off . There has been some talk of bad batteries , any ideas I bought the radio from the designer . thanks John kb2huk
Hello! Can you tell me about CW-U mode in Belka receiver - is the frequency the same as in DX cluster? In my case always Belka frequency lower -500Hz than DX cluster
Great video! I haven't had time to watch the WHOLE thing. Does the audio momentarily cut as you tune about (I think it's called 'chuffing') or is there no such effect? Thanks 🙂
So that radio receiver is continuously tunable across each band , correct ? I can tune continuously through 10meters , and 11 meters if I wanted to listen to CB ? And can I also get the marine bands on that little receiver ?
Just one more question . I guess that I need something , a receiver with a fully filtered front end for optimal DX listening . Something that can pull in weak stations , especially if connected to say , a dipole that is cut for 11 meters , or 10 meters . Does that recover have ' good ears ' in your opinion ?
Great video could you please recomend a very good sw ssb receiver or radio i was looking at the xhdata 808 or a tescun pl680 but i dont know anything about radios or receivers thanks buddy
Ps my steel box is 8"x10"by 1.3/4 " and when opened. It displays the rig and power supply w/ key. And couplings for the antenna and ground. That /Mir frund ist/ a spy radio as Qrp is hard to DF. .
"Shortwave" is considered to cover 3 MHz to 30 MHz. Since CB is 26.965 MHz - 27.405 MHz and can use AM or SSB, You have IN FACT have been into Shortwave for years!
What do you consider to be your best hand held sw listener? Not sure if hand held is the correct term… something to carry around in the car or camping? I’m using your site to learn my Ham info.. thanks
Seems to work fine with your house antenna, but how does it work with the included antenna? Can you do another video in the field? Hopefully it has the same performance.
The stock antenna works well to a point. When you want to pull in the lower frequencies, you're still going to want to do with a much longer antenna to be effective.
@Steven H the Lab599 is exactly what I want, if it was $400 as originally advertised. Soldering sounds like fun until I botch the radio. I just don’t have time right now to solder small parts. The qcx mini does sound like a great deal though and once I succeed with soldering, I’ll probably love the device that much more. $55 for an HF is amazing
Hello, i have already accomplished the purchase prossess by the website you have adviced, but they did, t mentioned the delivery date !! Is some thing went wrong😕
How are you guys? I really appreciate your information thank you so much and also I enjoy your introduce new equipment In my mind it’s amazing for me I think recent year and the year The radios are getting smaller and smaller well I can’t believe this but for me it’s nice because I have no more space for my hobby life I am from Japan about 15 miles away north of Tokyo thank you so much I really appreciate you goodbye٩( 'ω' )و
The secret code is always "Be sure to drink your Ovaltine!"
Timeless ...
Lol
"The Chair Is Against The Wall, The Chair Is Against The Wall. John Has A Long Mustache, John Has A Long Mustache."
@@seaningram3285 what I herd was There's no window in the toilet door
@@seaningram3285 Wolverines‼️
A small and beautiful receiver. Easy to handle, fits in your pocket (without a telescopic antenna, so you don't look weird). He is very sensitive to the reception. I tried it in the field with a telescopic antenna and I can say that it is excellent for a shortwave listener and for monitoring amateur radio bands. And in the house, together with the G5RV antenna, it does a wonderful job.
This radio is Amazing! I have been enjoying mine for a month now. It has a true CW filter almost impossible to find on a tiny reciver like this. I use it to listen to CW when I walk the dog.
That’s cool. Now I need a tux and a Walther PPK.
Rent a tux; buy a Keltec.
As I recall, he preferred the Beretta.
Fantastic intro, Josh! Great review, too. 73!
I've had mine a few weeks now and for its size it is very powerful, great little rig.
Looking forward to getting one!! Great little rig with good reviews coming from everyone.
It seems very well loved.
Cool review, and I like the narrative style!
Thank you!
I think the Belka-DX is Amazing! Going to get one. Thanks for sharing. 73, Ron
Yes its Amazing. I Have One an I Love IT
Great little receiver. It can also serve as a device that you can record your radio contacts by plugin your camera mic input or a separate recorder directly into the receiver while you operate from another radio. Pretty useful for HamTubers. There seem to have an upgraded chasis for the external speaker and a USB-C for charging. Another option they can add is a lock button so you can have your reciever locked to a frequency without the fear that you can bump the freq dial button by accident.
Excellent video. I received my Belka today. It took three weeks and it’s well worth the wait.
Here is something you didnt comment on. WWV has two stations. You were picking up BOTH! WWVH is located in Hawaii and WWV is located in Boulder Clorado.
He also used an external antenna which we know nothing about. I need to know if it hears anything at all on the built-in whip.
Another nice video. I think it's cool that you are letting your kids participate in the videos.
It's funny that I heard that guy on 40m trying to finish that contact.
Get a pigtail adapter, having an adapter + another on top puts stress on the connector -and can pretty soon after damage the solder connection.
One of the members brought one of these to the club breakfast this morning. Didn't get a chance to use it, but the thing that impressed me was that it felt SOLID! If I can find a transmitter to go along with it, I'll buy on for Field Day use.
WA2WMR
Ok, that intro caused the Walter Mitty in me to have goose bumps. My cloak and dagger needs dry cleaning and sharpening. Was just thinking today I need another SW reciever. And here is a micro sized one...
So awesome you are making new engineers and ham operators
Great video review, BTW Belka means Squirrel in Russian -:)
Fitting name.
What's a squirrel ?
@@begbieyabass A belka.
The speaker model reduces the battery from 2200 mah to 1250. Something to take note of.
and yet, it _still_ lasts a week!
@@gteague Amazing isn't it.
It is a nice receiver, and probably worth the price, but I like to have medium wave and perhaps FM in a portable receiver.
As long as it’s got an aux port you can use it to output from this receiver as it doesn’t have a built in speaker
It's the only portable 1.5-31 mhz. communications receiver that 'i'm aware of' that can receive the 10 mtr amateur fm band. Very enjoyable audio when there is a band opening. This receiver is made by a ham specifically for the ham radio operator in mind. No vlf or mw.
Sounds like something I might buy I'm going to go check around
The Bellka Spy Radio,I Just Love It,I Going To Purchase Two Them,I Really Love This Spy Radio !!!!
Very interested to see your thoughts on this one Josh!
I love the photo!
Be sure your drink your Ovaltine...
I just found (and subscribed) your channel today. Very cool little toy. That just got out to the top of my "to buy" list.
Hello, I ask for your opinions. What do you think about the latest version of the receiver ''Belka-DX-max set with LSP3W speaker kit '' from Mobimax ?
Heard Radio Rebelde and Radio Marti. Thanks for the great review.
Good quick review. Nice little radio. I am holding out for someone to put all the features together similar to the Malachite but without the RF screen noise, built-in IQ recording of wider spectrum, and digital (receive) modes like DRM, HD, DAB, etc. I don't want to have to carry a laptop around anymore just to do spectrum recording.
Good call!
Love the T-Shirt!
Great little radio. Excellent review. Thanks.
I love my Sangean radios. I think Id lile to get one of these.... you know for my super secret operations
Thank you for a very good easily u der stood review on this Radio.
Thanks!
SW stands for Stair radio, cause brother stair is the only thing I pick up on anymore listening to shortwave radio broadcasts.
Lol!
You’re napkin or towel looks like the striker on Strike Anywhere Matchboxes.
Hi Josh really enjoy shortwave listening and that would be perfect if you go on somewhere and nothings on TV I definitely like the size of it I may have to check it out at a later date thanks for doing the review on the radio.
WD5ENH
Steve
Awesome, thank you!
Thats really nifty. Very nice. So tiny!😮👍
This piqued my interest into tiny receivers, but ended up ordering a Tecsun PL-330 instead. Just seemed a lot more usable, albeit not as tiny.
Good call! Finally a smaller Tecsun with SSB!
The latest version (including speaker) just cost me $180. It's an amazing little radio. I've suggested that DX Engineering should sell it.
Thank you, great review
Ok. That's cool. I'm a sucker for nifty stuff like that!
Belka DX radio looks ideal for use in our Motorhome. I cannot listen to SW in our home as too much interference from neighbours. But parked up in our motorhome in the wild ideal. Great product but just cannot afford the price as shipping cost high. Hoping prices come down Cheers from old pensionets George and Jane motorhome Adventures. 👫👍🇬🇧
How does this radio compare to the Malachite SDR's in terms of receive quality?
Love the intro
Wow! fantastic intro, Thanks for the video. Stop in sometime. OLd Radio Night 21
Interesting little radio and nice video! Damn, now I want one of these, and I haven't been on hf in years.
Ordered one. Thanks.
It is starting to go the way of East Berlin here. This might be handy.
It being really small, I like it! Pretty cool radio. Thanks for sharing it Josh! 73
For around that price you could get a full SDR with a touch screen and a larger frequency range, which is about the same sized unit, and more features.
But then you have to bring another device to run it. Kind of misses the point.
It does AM?
Yes. but read the fine print.
It only gets the last twenty AM BC channels in the U.S., only the last ten channels elsewhere.
#TeamReplay for the win!
Great looking little receiver there
Great opening, great review as always
Thanks Evan!
No more SWRs for me without waterfalls. If I'd have known about this, wouldn't have bought the last one. Tecsun, Sangean etc need to take note in my opinion. This one at least has i/q output for a panadapter on your computer or phone.
4:55 The spec sheet says it has an IQ output for waterfall viewing on an external screen or computer
I remember when you would call pop corn on the telephone for the exact time.
Great review. Nice and fun intro!!!
Cool little radio
Do you recommand it for a listener starter pack? I want to begin with something good. I'm not Licence am radio. I just want to get in the hobby.
From Québec Canada thanks!
I put the unit in envelope detector mode and it led me straight to the post office.
very nice unit
I don't recommend external speakers for SW radios. They are pretty hit or miss, at least on the Tecsun PL-660, noise wise.
This is very cool, thanks! Just wondering if you've tried it with higher gain antennas and, if so, whether you noticed a considerable difference in reception? Cheers!
i have to say that for someone with so many radios in the background, to say something like the difference between the belka and the malachite is 'features' tells me you likely haven't tried a malachite which is nearly universally panned for dreadful reception and extreme susceptibility to random noise.
btw, i was demo'ing my ic-705 for a ham friend the other day and had the belka out (he also has one based on my praise of it) and for every signal we monitored on the 705 we started turning the belka (with the whip--the 705 was on an end-fed outside) to that signal and for every frequency we sampled the belka received it just as good as the 705 although the audio (using the new mobimax external speaker) wasn't near as good.
the belka (little squirrel) is a marvel of engineering.
/guy (73 de kg5gt | wqpz784)
Wasn't the message "Don't forget to drink your Ovaltine 🙂. Remember when Ralphie gets his decoder in Christmas Story.
i am in if next iteration has mw bcb, otherwise the tecsun pl-368 is the current winner for me
I would be interested in the important tests like image rejection and so on. Thank you for the review.
Hello , just got mine 12/27 and after using it for 5 minutes I could not turn it back on after shuting it off . There has been some talk of bad batteries , any ideas I bought the radio from the designer . thanks John kb2huk
Hello! Can you tell me about CW-U mode in Belka receiver - is the frequency the same as in DX cluster? In my case always Belka frequency lower -500Hz than DX cluster
It is amazing to me, that the first test had audio from cuban radio stations. Talking about spy radio, hahahahaha
The boys getting big
I've an XHDATA D-808, will I pull in anything extra with this? Using it with an MLA-30 antenna
Me quedé con ganas de escuchar la banda de MW en el modo synchro
Great video! I haven't had time to watch the WHOLE thing. Does the audio momentarily cut as you tune about (I think it's called 'chuffing') or is there no such effect? Thanks 🙂
No chuffing, totally smooth VFO tunning.
@@kamilsp7fll Thanks!
So that radio receiver is continuously tunable across each band , correct ? I can tune continuously through 10meters , and 11 meters if I wanted to listen to CB ? And can I also get the marine bands on that little receiver ?
Yes, but it's maximum frequency is 31MHz.
Just one more question . I guess that I need something , a receiver with a fully filtered front end for optimal DX listening . Something that can pull in weak stations , especially if connected to say , a dipole that is cut for 11 meters , or 10 meters . Does that recover have ' good ears ' in your opinion ?
great video and info on the Belka! Josh how do you think it would perform with a 40 ft wire antenna clipped to its telescope antenna? thanks.
I like it ☘️
The Malachite is half the price and covers 2GHz with CW decode, a speaker and a much better display.
They look to be the same price. 🤷🏼♀️
Also, the Belka is what 1/3 the size?
I’m sure the Malahit is great, but they seem to fit different roles.
The Malachite has a significant noise problem! The Belka Dx is made for the ham radio operator in mind.
Great video could you please recomend a very good sw ssb receiver or radio i was looking at the xhdata 808 or a tescun pl680 but i dont know anything about radios or receivers thanks buddy
Ps my steel box is 8"x10"by 1.3/4 " and when opened. It displays the rig and power supply w/ key. And couplings for the antenna and ground. That /Mir frund ist/ a spy radio as Qrp is hard to DF. .
Very interesting! I'm more into CB and have been for years. Also interesting is I have that same NAA .22 Magnum revolver!
"Shortwave" is considered to cover 3 MHz to 30 MHz. Since CB is 26.965 MHz - 27.405 MHz and can use AM or SSB, You have IN FACT have been into Shortwave for years!
Is it a .22 magnum or hornet? Do you guys feel you need one when out in the wild?
What do you consider to be your best hand held sw listener? Not sure if hand held is the correct term… something to carry around in the car or camping? I’m using your site to learn my Ham info.. thanks
Do you want very broad banded or hf primarily?
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I'm about as much as a newbie As It Gets. I'd like to learn both. If it requires buying two different kinds, I'll buy both
Pity you only ran it via an external aerial.......would have been useful to hear what the signal was like with the telescopic aerial.
Seems to work fine with your house antenna, but how does it work with the included antenna? Can you do another video in the field? Hopefully it has the same performance.
The stock antenna works well to a point. When you want to pull in the lower frequencies, you're still going to want to do with a much longer antenna to be effective.
Cool gadget
what is that black box you put next to radio?
Hello very cool radio and your nearby gear What is that R0DE ? I can assume a mini BT microphone?
Is there anything to be heard on long wave?
already have the GP-5 SSB from County Comm, which do you think is better ?
Idk there is one that is arguably better. They each have features the other does not.
I just want an affordable, portable HF transceiver for CW on 40m that doesn’t require soldering.
@Steven H the Lab599 is exactly what I want, if it was $400 as originally advertised.
Soldering sounds like fun until I botch the radio. I just don’t have time right now to solder small parts.
The qcx mini does sound like a great deal though and once I succeed with soldering, I’ll probably love the device that much more. $55 for an HF is amazing
The Belka will do 40 meters without issue and has CW filtering.
Hello, i have already accomplished the purchase prossess by the website you have adviced, but they did, t mentioned the delivery date !! Is some thing went wrong😕
Email them?
How does this compare to something like CC sky wave or Tecsun 680?
The Belka doesn’t cover as many bands. It’s good on shortwave though.
Do you recommend it Mark swl Ireland
I'm surprised. Usually Belkan technology is more... airborne in nature
I like it, but wanted to use something like it for MW DX. I guess it is out for that.
AWESOME LITTLE RADIO! KE7LGD
Would be better if it contained AM broadcast band. Other than that it looks very interesting. K9RJ
How long did it take to arrive after you ordered it?
Belka is cool, I agree.
But a spy needs to communicate two way.
HB1B trx plus T1 atu and a piece of wire you can receive and send.
Keep the radio, I like the pistol. 🙂
How are you guys?
I really appreciate your information thank you so much and also I enjoy your introduce new equipment
In my mind it’s amazing for me
I think recent year and the year The radios are getting smaller and smaller well I can’t believe this but for me it’s nice because I have no more space for my hobby life
I am from Japan about 15 miles away north of Tokyo thank you so much I really appreciate you goodbye٩( 'ω' )و
Thank you for watching!
What about airband?
Can you me Write down the Differace from AM1 and AM2 ? My English is not so good.
AM1 - "classic" AM, AM2 - synchro AM.