Dear Michael,

I own two of them. I have owned them both for three-plus years now. I
think this model is one of short wave radio's best "under-rated"
models. It is often not considered because it does not have a keypad
for direct frequency entry, so tuning is considered to be less
convenient than on other models.

Its sensitivity, while adequate, is also not the best. (This can be
rectified with the roll-up wire antenna packed with the radio.)
However, its dual-conversion circuitry, which affords excellent image
rejection, and its many memories (plus the auxiliary antenna) make up
for most of its "shortcomings." It has fifty memories (WRTH says five;
this is an error) plus two more if you count the "a" and "b" standby
memories, which are used for the alarms (you can put two extra
frequencies there), plus twelve (I think) more for the bottoms of the
short wave "bands." And don't forget LW, MW, and FM.

There is no tuning knob, but, contrary to what PASSPORT says, the 1 kHz
slewing is quite good (no muting or chugging) as is the "signal-seek
scan-stop-continue" feature.

There are only two features I miss: an input jack for an external
antenna (as it is you "clip" the external antenna to the whip) and a
button to let the time replace frequency (the time shows only when the
radio is off; you must set the time by using an external clock).

There is no synchronous-selectable sideband circuitry, but one wouldn't
expect that at its price. (And remember: you can pay twice the price
and still not get it!)

It does have a feature which was formerly rare, but is now becoming
somewhat more common: its memories are non-volatile. In other words, no
matter how long you leave out the batteries, your memories are
retained.

I leave one in each of my cars. I never know when I'll want to listen
to short wave radio! When I wish to use the radios, I just insert the
batteries and set the clock. Everything else that I have programmed is
still there.

For listening to the major broadcasters, this radio is excellent and
features fine MW and FM performance as well. The sound quality is quite
good for a radio its size; I do not find it "fatiguing."

The radios are lightweight but quite rugged and have excellent
construction-quality even though they are built in China. (They'd have
to be rugged to "survive" being left in a car winter and summer!) They
are also very easy on batteries so no AC-adapter is necessary.

The price is right, too. You can often find them for $75.00 or
sometimes even less from reputable dealers.

This radio would not be my first choice as an "only" short wave radio,
but as an "adjunct" radio (for keeping in the car, for casual listening
when travelling, etc.) you would be hard-pressed to find better, in my
judgment. If cash-strapped, it would make an adequate short wave
receiver until you could afford, say, an ICF-SW7600GR.

I don't know the purpose for which you are considering this radio, but,
if it falls within similar guidelines to those I have mentioned above,
it is my opinion that you would be very pleased with this receiver.

I like mine!

Best,

Joe