"~" wrote in message ...

Does anyone have any idea to the availability of this model of radio in
the
UK...?

At a reported 12% defect rate I would avoid it like the plague. Repairs
must be sent at your expense to Hong Kong and then wait for many weeks.

Spend a few more pounds for the Sony 7600GR and you'll be happy.



What percentage of the new production model (post Sept. 28) have
problems? I might be mistaken but I think the 12% you refer to comes
from those who bought the early run of 1103s. The poll at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kaito-de1103/ shows about 12% answering
"yes" to having a problem. I haven't seen anyone there say they had
a problem when purchasing a known post-9/28 one. But, I could
be wrong about that too. Pretty sure I'm not wrong about my 7600GR
costing 3 times as much as my 1103 though : )