"Jenni_is_a_Whore" wrote in message
news:PKlIb.2423$zf.1216@okepread05...
Subjective opinion to follow:

The 909 was the first SW radio I ever purchased back in the summer
of 2000.
I bought it from Amazon after doing little/no research on the
receiver; I
simply bought it because, at the time, it was the most expensive
receiver
they carried (a very bad logical rule to follow, I know). I found
it to be
a disappointing receiver, especially considering its price class. I
live in
the USA midwest so a sensitive receiver is essential even for
brodcast
listening, let alone DX. After having owned several other portables
in
various price classes, I have to say that the 909 is rather
insensitive for
its' price, even with an external or amplified antenna. I even used
a Sony
AN-LP1 with it and it didn't seem to help very much. Again, at its'
price
it is shocking to find that it lacks SSB reception modes, as well as
a synch
detector. I own a Sony ICF-SW77, SW100, with the SW07 on the way.
All of
these models have a synch detector (with selectable sideband) and
ssb
capability. If the SW07 uses the same synch detector that the
SW77/SW100
uses, then it's a sure bet that it will be a much better unit than
the 909
for SW broadcast listening & DXing. Also the SW07 comes with an
amplified
antenna similar to the LP1, but without an active preselector (that
function
is performed by the radio itself, a nice feature). IMHO, if I were
you, I
would cancel the order for the 909 and go for the SW07. You will
get so
much more for your money. I do have to say that the 909 is
excellent at FM
Dxing. I don't own another rig that is as good on FM as it is.
Right now,
the 909 is my bathroom radio. It only gets use while I'm taking a
shower in
the morning or brushing my teeth at night.

Plese note that my opinion has been tanted by years of heavy beer
drinking
and clouded judgement. Others will have more informed and better
justified
opinions on the 909 then I do. Your mileage may vary.

JIAW

Nah. I've always found that heavy beer drinking enhances one's
credibility. However, I think the assessment of the 909 (DX-398) is a
bit gloomy, especially given a pretty nice selection of features
(e.g., lots of memories, the signal strength indicator). I'll grant
that it's not the most sensitive radio out there, but I've had no
problem with the major broadcasters and many of the second level ones.
It clearly could use a synch detector, but I've had no problem with
the way it handles SSB (and the Liberty Net!). I do not own the
SW-07 (yet) but, based on word of mouth, it seems like the importance
of good sound needs to be factored in here--I'm pretty sure that the
909 will be the better sounding radio given the size of the Sony's
speaker. That said, the price of the SW-07 makes it the better deal
if a -small- portable is not an issue. The 909 is a considerably more
"substantial" unit.