On Jun 27, 6:01 am, "Unrevealed Source"
wrote:
I really wish people would stop referring to the DE1103 as the "same radio"
as the E5/G5. It is not.

It may use the same basic circuitry, but the build quality and ergonomics
are vastly different. The DE1103 performs well, but is cheaply built and a
pain to use. The E5/G5 is a completely different radio; well built with a
very nice feel, and much much more user-friendly.

wrote in message

oups.com...



On Jun 26, 1:40?am, "R Jamieson" wrote:
Being new to shortwave listening and looking for a good portable around
$100... what's available.
Are these as good as they say in the ads?
The E 5 looks like it's got all that I could use but not having a chance
to
try it outside the store, how well does it really work? Any problems
with
it?
I look forward to your expert commentary and thanks.

Get the Degen 1103 - it is basically the same radio and only $65
including S&H.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


The review in Passport Mag. said the E5 and G5 are actually the Degen
manufactured circuits
arranged in the E5 and G5 cases. Whatever that's worth.
I just bought my first SW too. After a bit a research I went for the
Kaito 1103 which is said to be
the English version of the Degen 1103.
Based on my beginners experience I like the KA 1103.
At first I had some trouble using the SSB feature but with help from
people in this group
it is now working well (operator err/inexperience). I don't have
another radio to compare it with so I don't know what I may be
missing,
but I'm happy with the reception and have been pulling in clear
signals worldwide. The controls are a bit funky but now that I've
used it a while it's just second nature to use it, I don't even think
about it.
It sounds great with headphones and I hooked up a set of PC speakers
with a sub woofer to it and that sounds good too.
The built in speaker is about as good as you would expect for a little
radio.
I looked at a G5 at Radio Shack and It does seem designed better but I
ordered the Kaito from Amazon for under $90.00.
I actually like the way the display area shows all the frequencies and
the meter bands because being new to SW it helps me visualize how the
meter bands and frequencies relate to each other.
I'm happy with what I bought. Good luck.