Dear Sir,

May I quickly add my two cents worth? Before you buy anything, try
using your Sony ICF-SW7600GR and your Sony AN-LP1 Active Antenna as
you normally do. If that is not satisfactory in receiving the signals
you desire, try moving the AN-LP1 to another window, preferably one
which is at a 90° angle to your original window placement.

Also try moving to another room. Sometimes the above is all that is
necessary for better reception. Please also note that, while signal
strength has been improving of late, we are still only at the
beginning of Sunspot Cycle 24 and reception is mediocre in general,
especially in the afternoons.

I have been finding 21470 at about 1600 UTC pretty fair at receiving
the BBC; also 17830 and, later the afternoons, 15400. Deutsche Welle
comes in fairly well on 11690 at 2100 UTC. Note that sometimes that
11690 frequency is interfered with by RTTY; the Sony's sync circuit
eliminates this interference. If you do choose to buy another
receiver, make certain that it has a synchronous detection circuit AND
features selectable-sideband sync.

But those signals have not been consistent. On some days they can come
in like gangbusters and on other days it is difficult to hear them at
all. This is unfortunately the nature of shortwave reception,
especially when we are at the bottom of a sunspot cycle.

If all else fails over the next couple of months, then you may
consider upgrading your antenna. The antenna (which MUST be matched to
the receiver) is of prime importance in receiving faint radio signals.

I have found, over the years, that the Sony ICF-SW7600GR used with a
Sony AN-LP1 is a really a fine receiving setup.

Best,

Joe

On Nov 19, 11:34*am, wrote:
I live in Ontario, Canada. *My goal is to listen to daytime SW
broadcasts beamed to Africa by the likes of BBC, DW, VOA, RNW, etc.

Right now I have a Sony 7600GR with a few indoor antennas (reel
antenna, ANLP1, etc.). *With this equipment it's difficult to get good
reception of these daytime signals.

I plan to install a wire antenna (around 30 feet long), either
outdoors along my 5.5' high wooden fence (I live in the suburbs) or in
my attic.

Will a Sony portable and an outdoor/attic wire be enough to get
consistently good reception of these stations? *Or should I get a
better receiver?

If so, what receiver should I buy?

Portable choices:
Sangean ATS-909 (I hear it can handle long antennas)
Eton E1XM

Tabletop choices:
Icom R75
Icom R1500
used Kenwood, Yaesu, etc. (ebay)

PC-controlled choices
Ten Tec Rx-320D

The Icom R75 is a little pricy for me ($700 here in Canada). But if it
is that much better than say, the Eton E1 at fishing out these
broadcast signals then I will seriously consider it.

I'm also a little afraid of buying a PC receiver because I live in a
noisy RF environment. *(I like the thought of receiving DRM, though!)

Thanks!