As Mike points out, a $150 The 7600 GR , with an external antenna may be the
cheapest way to get back into the hobby.

I owned a 7600 G, Sold it, now miss its superior sound on headphones.
It's Sensitivity & selectivity are also quite good.

Dan ( R-75, Sangean 606A, Jwin Jx M-14 )




In article ,
ojunk (Michael Bryant) writes:


From: "BMC"


I am planning to get back to SWL after being away from it since the Radio
Shack DX300 was the new thing. Don't know a thing about whats good and whats
not good in radios any more. I'm looking to spend $200-300 or thereabouts
for a radio, new or used

Unlike others, I'm not a real big fan of the SAT800. It's great for program
listening of major broadcasters, but is kind of a disappointment for DXing.
Display hash, high noise floor, and just not that sensitive.

From someone more interested in chasing weaker-powered signals not beamed at
the US, I might make the following suggestions:

1. Look for a used Drake R8. Lacks selectable sideband sync, but great radio.
I hear of people snagging them for $350.
2. Icom R75. I've seen used ones going for a little over $400. New ones for a
little over $500.
3. Sony 2010. Used going for between $250-300. Incredible, will be a market
for
some time to come. Fragile, however.
4 NRD-525. Radio went for over $1200 new, but used ones starting to slip
below
$400. Built to withstand Armageddon.
5. Ten Tec RX-320. Fascinating radio. Cheap new at around $300. Requires a
computer, so if you can deal with compuer-generated RFI you will go bonkers
over the bells and whistles available in free 3rd party software. 32
bandwidths, pass-band tuning, and database interface is overwhelming.
6. Palstar R30. Sensitive, low noise floor. Barebones, with few bells and
whistles, not even a keypad. Hard to find used.
7. A Sony SW-77. Very sensitive off just the antenna rod for those without
the
chance for an external antenna. More sensitive than the SAT800, with less
quality audio and much less weight and size.

But, hey, compared to the DX300 a $150 Sony 7600GR will be a great way to get
back into the hobby.


Michael Bryant, WA4009SWL
Louisville, KY
R75, S800, RX320, SW77, ICF2010K,
DX398, 7600G, 6800W, RF2200, 7600A
GE SRll, Pro-2006, Pro-2010, Pro-76
(remove "nojunk" to reply)