On Jul 7, 12:28 am, Sky Captain wrote:
On Jul 6, 2:44 pm, Joe Analssandrini wrote:

Hi Joe,

First, let me say I've read your posts for a long time and have
tremendous respect for your contributions to the shortwave hobby, as
well as your technical knowledge, civility, and politeness--qualities
that seem to be in short supply on this board.

That said, I notice you don't own one of the newer Freeplay models.
While the the Lifeline may be hard to find, the Plus can be purchased
from both Universal and CCrane. Although both sets were designed as
emergency radios, they deliver great audio with pretty decent
sensitivity to weak SW signals. Of course, neither has direct digital
frequency readout or PLL, but the Plus does have a SW fine tuning
knob. I recommend you buy the Plus and use it with an ac adapter;
you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Regarding my Sony 7600GR, it's just a mediocre radio with a number a
bells and whistles built in. To answer Telamon's concern, I do have
the DX (news) switch on. I've checked and rechecked all the controls
and everything seems to be working correctly, but SW signal
sensitivity is weak. Also, there is an annoying background hum,
especially when I listen to a strong station, like EWTN. Actually my
G version performed much better but was plagued with a major problem:
it kept turning itself on and off on its own. I bought the G from EEB
in Vienna, Va in 1996 and the GR from Universal in 2005. I've never
had any problems with either company. I don't doubt your experiences
with Sony have been much more positive; I can only share my own story.

Thanks again for all you do, Joe.

Dear "Sky Captain,"

Thank you for your kind comments. I considered buying a Freeplay" Plus
model when I received the latest C. Crane catalog but, frankly, I just
cannot justify the purchase. I already own three crank-only (all made
in South Africa) Freeplays (no internal batteries at all) and, while
they perform well for what they are, they by no means equal the
performance on MW or FM of my GE Superadios, my Sonys, or my Grundig
Satellit 800. (On SW, my Freeplays are mediocre at best.)

Being that the Sonys are the quickest and most convenient radios in my
house, they are the ones I turn to first for casual listening.
Obviously, for more serious listening to MW or SW, I turn to either
the Satellit 800 or, far more often, to my AOR AR7030 Plus. But, most
of the time, the Sonys perform perfectly well for that which I wish to
hear at most times (and that includes moderately-distant MW stations
once in a while).

I am quite surprised at your mention of hum with the ICF-SW7600GR. I
use NiMH rechargeable batteries with these radios and have never heard
any hum on any band. I own a Radio Shack AC Adapter (#273-1758 with
#273-1705 adapt-a-plug) and have never heard hum with that either. (I
DID hear hum - and a great deal of it - when using Universal Radio's
MW 41-680 adapter with this radio.)

I am also surprised at your mention of weak shortwave sensitivity.
While there are a number of compact shortwave radios that are more
sensitive off the whip than is the '7600GR, this radio is generally
not bad. It has a superior dynamic range than most other compact
portables - that is why it can handle a more significant antenna
without overloading better than most other comparable radios - but,
with portables, that means it cannot have "maximum" sensitivity off
its own whip. Nonetheless, even without an auxiliary antenna, I have
been able to hear major European stations, which are transmitting
primarily to the East Coast of NA, from Southern California when I
have vacationed there in late August and early September.

I bought two '7600GRs in 2005 from Amazon. I found their construction
quality and performance to be identical with that of my previous
'7600s (3 GRs and 2 Gs). So, at least from my point of view, their
quality has not slipped. And as you already have owned a 'G model for
quite a long time, it is obvious that you are familiar with the radio
and are not operating it in an incorrect manner.

I can only conclude that you have been the victim of some very bad
luck - and that is a shame. I find the Sony ICF-SW7600GR (as well as
the G) to be excellent performers on all frequencies to which they
tune, especially in view of their low price. And I have found their
mechanical construction to be absolutely first-rate. The only major
"fly in the ointment" is musical sound quality through the internal
speaker. That, of course, is a shame as it has been shown, especially
by Eton, that good sound can be obtained from compact portable radios.
The Sony has a couple of other design flaws but these are more
acceptable, again in view of the radio's low price.

I can understand that you have had problems with your early sample
'7600G. This was quite common and very regrettable, especially in view
of the fact that Sony did nothing at all for those purchasers who
bought poorly-made units.

It is most unfortunate that you appear to have gotten a "bad example"
of a Sony ICF-SW7600GR as well!

What can I say? At least you have one radio (and hopefully more) that
allows you to hear the stations you desire. It's too bad you've had
these bad experiences with your Sonys. I can certainly understand how
even one bad experience can put a sour taste in your mouth regarding
the products of a particular company (it has happened to me!).

I do not know if Universal Radio will do anything for you at this late
date - but it might be worth a telephone call by you, especially since
their number is toll-free. They are a good outfit and just might be
willing and able to help you as it is my belief that your radio is
definitely not operating the way it should. Believe me, the design of
this radio (and its construction, at least in my experience with seven
different units) is excellent and you should be getting much better
performance than you are.

That said, of course I would not expect you to run out and buy another
one "just to compare." A bad taste is a bad taste. Two times $150.00
(actually in 1996 the 'G model cost considerably more!) and not
getting your money's worth is pretty upsetting! And third time for you
might just possibly NOT be the charm!

I really wish there were something I could say that would make you
feel better or that would offer something better than "call Universal
Radio" as a solution, but I'm afraid there is not.

I do wish you the very best of luck and I hope that somehow you can
have your ICF-SW7600GR put into proper working order. If you are able
to do so, I'll bet you'll be pleased and amazed with this radio.

Please keep us all informed of your experiences.

Best,

Joe