"snow" wrote in message
news:BCZjh.16745$sz5.3423@trndny03...
I have tried out several SW radios over my 15 years in the hobby. I was
thinking about this recently. I have owned the Radio Shack DX-440, Sony
SW100,
Grundig YB 400 and 305, Degen 1103 and also a Ham Radio Icom 735. The best
portable by far for sound, quality of contruction and sensitivity was the
DX-440. The Degen 1103 is a fine small portable, but it still is not in
the
same league as the DX-440.
The Grundig YB 400 is also an ok radio, though the
YB 305 (no SSB) beat it out for sensitivity. The Sony SW100 was VERY
small......still no DX machine. Finally, the Icom 735 though a ham radio
was
EXCELLANT as a receiver, but it was a $1000 radio new back in the 80's and
early 90's, so one would expect good performance. I come to conclusion
that
though today's SW radios do have some great buys like the Degen
1103......the older radios I have owned like the DX-440 and Icom 735
easily outperformed the newer stuff. Actually I can't think of a radio
under
$200 that I would want now.....would consider a used 440 or Sangean 803a
first. Though I never owned one, I have heard the discontinued Sony 2010
was
also superb. Is the newer stuff not as good as far as quality of
construction and DX ability goes? Interesting to hear what others think.



I owned a 440 a few years ago, and I did love that receiver. I still collect
portables, but my choice for number 1 is still the DX-398. I have owned mine
for longer than I can remember, and it still performs and looks like new.
The only problem I ever had with it, was when the stand on the back broke
off, but that was my fault. I was in the process of dropping it, and saved
it by grabbing the stand. I was able to keep the radio off the floor, but
sacrificed the stand in doing so.

I like the YB-400 and the 7600 GR, but the lack of tuning knobs keeps them
off the number 1 spot for me. That little 1103 isn't half bad either. I was
pleasantly surprised with it.
The Tecsun PL-230 is a very cool and convenient receiver to have around.
Considering it cost next to nothing, I thought it was a great buy.
For an analog portable, I use the Tecsun R-9700DX a lot, but I still like
the little old Radio Shack DX-397 overall. I've had it about as long as the
398, and it's still is in mint condition.

I love collecting the portables as much as listening to SW anymore.
The low prices give another dimension to the SWL Hobby.