My Realistic DX-200 Communications Receiver, Found At Goodwill For 19 Dollars!

[@raycimbalnik5159]

Just found my dad's out in the garage. He passed several years ago but as a kid I remember him spending hours in front of this radio. I don't know anything about it but I plan on trying to fire it up. Thanks for the video !

[@mikelee9149]

Just seen your video, and got mine out from under the cupboard, gave it a clean, and away it goes. Antenna is 44ft long wire 20 from the ground, earth is a 6ft copper tube driven into the ground. I cant remember the last time i used my DX-200?????? So glad I seen your video now. It is not the best in the world, but it gave me plenty of hourse of good listening.

[@ArthurJS123]

The pet name for this set is “High Plains Drifter”!

[@nancygrabow7781]

This is Larry, I was limited to the Radio Shack Astronaut 8 as a kid, later on and many years later, my wife's friend from college had a DX 200 and I just thought, wow what a cool looking radio, I liked the drum dial approach, sorta like I like the hallicrafters and hammarlund dials

[@ArthurJS123]

Nancy Grabow It is a very cool system. I also love the look of the Kenwood R-300, which this radio clearly borrowed (stole) the drum dial concept from.

[@stationvictormike3415]

The antenna ferrite bar inside is the same as the radio shack SW radio kit. Apart from that, it worked awesomely.

[@ArthurJS123]

Station Victor Mike it has terrible stability and selectivity. But is sensitive as anything, and a blast to tune.

[@lukekearns2363]

Hi Arthur, thanks for the video. I've just purchased one of these - it's my first analogue shortwave. I have a magnetic loop antenna I use for SWL with an SMA hardwired into it; I've never had to connect anything other than one of those little indoor AM loop antennas to a screw terminal before; how would you recommend I connect an antenna with SMA connection to a screw terminal? Additionally, what should I ground it to? Thanks

[@ArthurJS123]

You could try an SMA to PL connector. I’m not that well versed on SMA’s. Take a look at this article, it may be helpful- webdevsys.com/realistic-DX-200.htm

[@ricks8473]

Next you'll need a DX-160 to add to the Radio Shack receiver collection!

[@ArthurJS123]

Rick S This was true luck- I’ve had so much success at this one Goodwill. Christmas came early this year!

[@BillboardPenguin]

The DX-200 was not as different from the Kenwood R-300 as many would think. The R-300 is only dual conversion above 18 mHz. The DX-200 was essentially a re-styled DX-160.

[@ArthurJS123]

BillboardPenguin Ironic that my least capable tabletop radio is also quickly becoming my favorite. Sometimes, less is more! Any idea who built this radio for them?

[@BillboardPenguin]

It was made by GRE (General Research in Electronics), a now-defunct company from Japan. They made a number of receivers for Radio Shack, begining with the DX-150 in 1967. I think the last one they made was the DX-394. GRE faired better with the scanners they made for Radio Shack, many of which were favorably reviewed.

[@ArthurJS123]

BillboardPenguin Thank you!

[@handsomeclem208]

The one advantage the DX-200 had over the DX-160 was the bandspread on the 200 was also calibrated for the then-authorized International Shortwave Broadcasting Bands while the 160 was only calibrated for the Ham Bands.......

[@ArthurJS123]

When you have never owned a DX-160, and already own much more capable receivers, the point is moot. But thanks.

[@jago5300]

I just picked up a working DX 200 for $40. I hope that was a good price I think so. Just headphones and antenna. Any suggestions could be helpful

[@nancygrabow7781]

This is Larry, heck ya that's a good price

[@rb3166]

A good longwire antenna and an antenna tuner would help.

[@richardmillican7733]

A fantastic and easy to use radio.

[@ArthurJS123]

Fantastic? No. It is single conversion with poor stability. Fun? Yes.

[@richardmillican7733]

@@ArthurJS123 haha! Indeed, can't argue with that.. But isn't it better to have to "work" at it, than simply punch in a frequency and hit the execute button? My first SW receiver was a Trio 9r59d when I was 10. I'm 54 now, and that old valve set was the greatest fun, even though I didn't really know what I was doing!!

[@ArthurJS123]

@@richardmillican7733 Depends on the kind of listening you do. If you want to identify the station, analog tuning is of very little use.

[@coctailer]

I need to hit up my local Goodwill!

[@ArthurJS123]

You’re not going to find these lying around everywhere. But, keep looking, and eventually you’ll get lucky.

[@coctailer]

@@ArthurJS123 For sure. I never looked for shortwave radios in Goodwill before. I would be happy with a small portable score. :-)

[@ArthurJS123]

Check out my video on the Kenwood R-2000 I found at the same Goodwill!

[@stationvictormike3415]

I had one a couple of yrs ago.

[@eddiekulp1241]

Bought one in 82 gave to friend later after I got a R2000

[@ArthurJS123]

Eddie Kulp Funny you mention the R-2000. I had mine on last night. Clearly an infinitely better receiver. Nonetheless there is a fun, and a charm, tuning an analog set.

[@hudsonriverlee]

What do you need with another shortwave radio? Is there any such thing in a wood working shop as too many clamps? Nonsense !!

[@ArthurJS123]

Lee Fuller Tom Stiles I am not. But, for 19 bucks? Impossible to resist.

[@rb3166]

"You just BOUGHT a motorcycle. Why are you looking at motorcycles on the net?"

[@lacemi]

How do you Connecting antennas?

[@ArthurJS123]

To the terminals on the back of the radio.

[@rb3166]

This was a few hundred bucks new back in the day!

[@ArthurJS123]

R B Which was certainly overpriced for what the radio was. But this was more what it is worth. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fun. But I would never take it seriously as a performer.

[@rb3166]

@@ArthurJS123 Darn, I was hoping it was a performer, I was considering buying one because I fell in love with it (visually) when I was a kid. Now I've got my eye on a Panasonic 2200! Now THAT is a performer!

[@ArthurJS123]

R B My RF2200 is about to be restored. My parents gave it to me for Christmas when I was 15. It is a great set, amazing on the broadcast band.

[@rb3166]

@@ArthurJS123 VERY sensitive on SW for a "consumer" radio!

[@ArthurJS123]

R B Certainly there is more to these sets than sensitivity.

[@daveleitz9107]

"Mint Condition" ... I'm sorry but I get very tired of seeing items described on Ebay, for example, as "mint condition" when the pictures show dirt and minor scratches. Your Goodwill find was "very good" or perhaps "excellent" but hardly "mint" by what I saw in your video. The term "mint" comes from how coins were described as they came out of the mint (factory) all perfect and shiny.

[@ArthurJS123]

If you were right, I’d agree with you. Look at the absolute junk on eBay incorrectly described as “minty fresh”.

[@snakebite8925]

It is a ripp of from the Kenwood QR666/ r300. The DX300/302 is a ripp of from the Yaesu FRG7. The DX200 is certainly not the same as the DX 160. Not in circuit, nor in looks. I have the serie DX 100, DX 160, DX200 and the DX300. These are all the transistor analog machines from Realistic. There was a DX150 but almost the same as the DX160. The most rare is the DX 100 because his scale looks. Very nice. The DX 394 and higher are all PLL digital receivers. Not so interesting.

[@ArthurJS123]

Not really. But thanks.