Roger wrote:

running dogg wrote:
Roger wrote:

Anyway, I'm considering using the Degen as my daily listener, and
relegating the DX-399 to storage. So I am interested in the here
and now ("pre-Cheney bomb".)

So, let's get back on track and compare. Let's compare the relative
sensitivity (MW-SW), and audio quality using earbuds between the
following "ultra" portable models:

Sangean PT-80
Sangean ATS-606 (essentially same as Radio Shack DX-399)
Degen/Kaito 1103
Sony ICF-SW7600GR
Sony ICF-SW100

(Of course, there's a great variation in price, and in features. The
ATS-606/DX-399 does not have SSB, which to me is not important, but to
others is important. When I bought my DX-399, I paid ~$35, so it was a
no-brainer to get -- I should have bought two.)

Well, you won't find as good of a deal as Radio Shack had. The PT-80
is cheap and is a better clock than a radio, according to Passport.
If you like the 606, get another one, but you won't get it for
anywhere near $35. If you want a Degen (either the 1103 or the
sister rx the 1102) then you can find new ones for $50 on Ebay. If
you want a Sony, you'll pay through the nose ($150 for the 7600-IF
you can find one). When there are better, cheaper portables out
there, why bother? Bottom line: if you want an identical twin to
what you've got, buy the Sangean. If price is a concern, buy the
Degen. Oh, and ignore David, he's a weirdo.

Well, price is a consideration, but so is performance.

When it comes to receiver performance (sensitivity/selectivity/etc.)
how does the Degen/Kaito 1103 compare with the Sangean ATS-606?

From what I've read, the 1103 is a better performer in this regard. It
is supposedly at least as good in audio quality (to earbuds.) And
throw in SSB to boot.

The one downside to the 1103 compared to the 606 is that it is
slightly larger in size and weight (but not much.)

Anyone here done a side-by-side comparison between the 1103 and 606
(or the equivalent RS DX-399) with respect to MW-SW reception?


And where can I get a Degen 1103 for $50? I checked on eBay, but
haven't found a seller yet at this price. The best price I've found
for any 1103 is $89 (and a Kaito which is for the American market.)

Try an ebay seller named Liypn, his store is V Com Collections. His
radios are labeled Degen and are for the Chinese market (but mostly
labeled in English) and run around $45 or so. He doesn't use the name
Degen at all in his posts, just the model "1103". Search for "1103" or
some other radios he carries like "Tecsun" (called Grundig or Eton in
the US) and some ads from him should pop up. Whenever I need to find his
site I search for "Tecsun" and then look in the results for V Com
Collections (be careful not to click the wrong store-two or three show
up). I don't have either radio, so I can't give you a side by side test.
Ask someone who has 100 radios (there are several here) for an opinion.