Dear TMT,

I assume the child would be mature enough to operate and appreciate a
short wave receiver. If so, I would strongly recommend the Sony
ICF-SW7600GR. While it is somewhat more expensive ($130.00 or
thereabout) than other radios that some other people replying to your
post will recommend, it is better-built (and more rugged) than most
Chinese-made short wave radios (this Sony model is still made in Japan)
and is far more sophisticated than any of them.

It offers advanced reception circuitry not available at all on any
other new radio currently being sold at under $500.00 and this
circuitry allows broadcasts (as well as Hams on SSB) to be heard with a
great deal more pleasantness than most other receivers. It is also, in
fact, a fine MW and FM radio, as well as even being a dual-alarm clock!

Therefore, as it is very versatile and, at least in my opinion, far
better designed (and priced) than most other portables, it is one radio
that no one, child or adult, will ever "outgrow," at least as long as
there are "analog" broadcasts.

Should you buy this radio for a child, I really envy him/her! What I
wouldn't have given to have had such a radio as this when I was a
child!

Best,

Joe

P.S. If you were interested in REALLY getting this child involved and
you wanted to actually BUILD a short wave receiver with him/her, there
is the Ten-tec 1254 Kit ($195.00), which has gotten good reviews in
PASSPORT TO WORLD BAND RADIOS. It is not a toy regenerative receiver,
but, rather, a sophisticated superheterodyne model. Frankly, the Sony
will outperform it, but, for a child, building something and have it
actually work is a thrill that just cannot be duplicated. You would
definitely have to supervise and help a child with this project and
please take note of the fact that I personally have never even seen one
of these Ten-tecs, nor do I personally know any owners.

Too_Many_Tools wrote:
As Christmas draws near, I remember the thrill of getting my first
shortwave radio for Christmas.

If you were going to buy a shortwave radio for a kid today, which one
and why?

Thanks

TMT