Hey,I just want peoples opinion about what shortwave radio I should
get that is in the price range of $500.
That depends on what you want to do with it.
Good quality you can get with the so-called world receivers.
Try google to find a source local to you.
Also a second hand one could be better than the current new ones.
So your equivalent of ebay might be nice.
Personally I own a JRC NDR 525, very stable, frequency's accurate
within 5 hz, rtty/cw/lower and upper SB/narrow FM/AM.
You dont want to know the price new....
So it depends on intended use, and the size of your bank account.