On May 18, 9:38 pm, RedPenguin wrote:
On May 18, 11:47 am, Joe Analssandrini
wrote:



On May 18, 3:23 am, RedPenguin wrote:

I currently have a Sony ICF-7600GR, and was wondering, how you try to
hear activity on nets that are huge. I know on a shortwave radio that
you can basically only really hear one channel at a time and can't
scan like VHF/UHF but when I look at networks like the Mystic Star and
some other huge ones, it's like how do you see if any channel has
activity easily, when you have to basically type in each and every
frequency to the radio.

The Sony ICF-SW7600GR is not a scanner. It is a radio designed for
listening to world band broadcasts and ham transmissions. If you try
to listen to nets with this radio, you will be frustrated. That said,
the best way to check is to tune to the bottom of the frequency band
you wish to monitor and, while in the AM Mode "Norm," hold in the
inner tuning button [ + - ] and manually scan that band. There will
be no "chugging" or "muting" when scanning this way. You will then
hear any transmissions available at your location and you can then
stop and listen - only to one frequency at a time, however.

You asked how to check easily: there is no way with this radio. It is
not designed for that. For what you wish to do, you need a scanner. I
hope this is not the main reason you bought this one!

Best,

Joe

Well, I like broadcasts also, but what would you use for nets because
I heard there really are no HF scanners due to the fact of how much
noise affects it.

I do not own or use any scanning radios.However, I believe you are
incorrect when you state there are no HF scanners, but you'd have to
double-check me. There are a number out there that would seem to be
suitable for your desires. Unfortunately, of course, they are somewhat
expensive. There are several models, made by AOR, Alinco, ICOM, or
Yaesu that might be suitable. If you are seriously looking to scan the
high frequencies, I suggest telephoning AES and/or Universal Radio and
talking with someone there. (AES would probably be more helpful; they
have been so, at least in my experience.)

If you wanted a non-scanning radio suitable for utilities, there are
two ways to go: the Sangean ATS 909 with an outdoor antenna and an AC
power supply is a good one for utilities and hams because it has two
bandwidths and good dynamic range. (It is not as good for broadcast
reception as the Sony ICF-SW7600GR.) I am hesitant, however, to
recommend ANY Sangean product as I have owned/still own four of their
products, none of which is truly a good performer or constructed very
well. Thus I have a sour taste in my mouth regarding Sangean. Others,
of course, will have differing experiences. Note that I have never
owned an ATS 909 so you'd want to inquire of people who do own this
model for their opinions. The other, and better, way to go, in my
opinion, would be the ICOM IC-R75 tabletop receiver, again with a
suitable (and significant) antenna. With appropriate (optional)
filtration, this radio should almost totally satisfy your needs. It is
the least costly tabletop radio suitable for utility/ham reception
that is currently being manufactured.

The above is, of course, my opinion only, and you should get other
opinions, especially from those who do actively monitor utility
broadcasts.

I do wish you the very best of luck. Radio is indeed a great deal of
fun, isn't it?

Joe