"Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM receiver recommendations?
 

I currently own a Radio Shack DX-399 (same model as the Sangean
ATS-606), which is a quite solid, portable LW-MW-SW-FM receiver with
quite good sound quality when delivered to ear buds (FM stereo to
earbuds.)

I mostly use this radio for local MW and FM listening, but will
occasionally listen to SW broadcasts, and DX-MW using a Radio Shack
loop.

I love this radio for its portability, but am looking for another to
put one of them away in a Faraday box for use in case of a major
emergency.

So, what other makes/models should I consider? Repeating some of the
above, here's my criteria:

1) The size of the DX-399 or smaller.

2) General coverage MW-SW (up to 30 kHz), and with stereo FM (when fed
to earbuds). Don't need LW.

3) Good sound quality (especially of FM) when fed to earbuds.

4) As good or better sensitivity than the DX-399 for MW dxing and SW.

5) Don't need SSB, but would be nice.

6) Don't care too much about speaker quality, since I would use it
exclusively with earbuds.

7) Don't care about the other bells and whistles (e.g. alarm), but
some station memory would be nice.

So what are my other options? New and/or used (buyable through eBay)
will be considered.

Thanks!

Roger

"Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM receiver recommendations?
 

Buy a second DX-399 if you can find one. Either that or a Sangean
ATS-606. It's clear that you like the radio a great deal, so why mess
with a good thing?

I own a DX-399. I bought it when Radio Shack lost its mind and dumped
the Radio Shack brand SWRs. I think it is a terrific little radio. Its
oddest likable attribute has to be the multiple voltage wall wart. With
the included adapter, you can use it in Europe on 220 Vac.

"Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM receiver recommendations?
 

Check out the Degen DE1105..

http://www.radiointel.com/review-degende1105.htm

2 1/2 stars by passport.

Excellent little portable



Roger wrote:
I currently own a Radio Shack DX-399 (same model as the Sangean
ATS-606), which is a quite solid, portable LW-MW-SW-FM receiver with
quite good sound quality when delivered to ear buds (FM stereo to
earbuds.)

I mostly use this radio for local MW and FM listening, but will
occasionally listen to SW broadcasts, and DX-MW using a Radio Shack
loop.

I love this radio for its portability, but am looking for another to
put one of them away in a Faraday box for use in case of a major
emergency.

So, what other makes/models should I consider? Repeating some of the
above, here's my criteria:

1) The size of the DX-399 or smaller.

2) General coverage MW-SW (up to 30 kHz), and with stereo FM (when fed
to earbuds). Don't need LW.

3) Good sound quality (especially of FM) when fed to earbuds.

4) As good or better sensitivity than the DX-399 for MW dxing and SW.

5) Don't need SSB, but would be nice.

6) Don't care too much about speaker quality, since I would use it
exclusively with earbuds.

7) Don't care about the other bells and whistles (e.g. alarm), but
some station memory would be nice.

So what are my other options? New and/or used (buyable through eBay)
will be considered.

Thanks!

Roger

"Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM receiver recommendations?
 

Seems like the Grundig/Eton YB-400 would fit the bill for you as well.
Might be slightly bigger than your Radio Shack model, but has the
features you mentioned, and then some.

"Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM receiver recommendations?
 

On Sat, 04 Feb 2006 02:57:56 GMT, Roger
wrote:

I currently own a Radio Shack DX-399 (same model as the Sangean
ATS-606), which is a quite solid, portable LW-MW-SW-FM receiver with
quite good sound quality when delivered to ear buds (FM stereo to
earbuds.)

I mostly use this radio for local MW and FM listening, but will
occasionally listen to SW broadcasts, and DX-MW using a Radio Shack
loop.

I love this radio for its portability, but am looking for another to
put one of them away in a Faraday box for use in case of a major
emergency.

So, what other makes/models should I consider? Repeating some of the
above, here's my criteria:

1) The size of the DX-399 or smaller.

2) General coverage MW-SW (up to 30 kHz), and with stereo FM (when fed
to earbuds). Don't need LW.

3) Good sound quality (especially of FM) when fed to earbuds.

4) As good or better sensitivity than the DX-399 for MW dxing and SW.

5) Don't need SSB, but would be nice.

6) Don't care too much about speaker quality, since I would use it
exclusively with earbuds.

7) Don't care about the other bells and whistles (e.g. alarm), but
some station memory would be nice.

So what are my other options? New and/or used (buyable through eBay)
will be considered.

Thanks!

Roger

http://rffun.com/catalog/portable/1080.html

"Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM receiver recommendations?
 

Roger wrote in
:

I currently own a Radio Shack DX-399 (same model as the Sangean
ATS-606), which is a quite solid, portable LW-MW-SW-FM receiver with
quite good sound quality when delivered to ear buds (FM stereo to
earbuds.)

Don't know what size your Radio Shack DZ 399 is but I have had the Sangean
909 for years and it works great and it is a good travel radio or
emergency one too. It may have more bells and stuff than you what but in an
emergency they may be handy to have as well!

"Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM receiver recommendations?
 

Beloved Leader wrote:
Buy a second DX-399 if you can find one. Either that or a Sangean
ATS-606. It's clear that you like the radio a great deal, so why mess
with a good thing?

I own a DX-399. I bought it when Radio Shack lost its mind and dumped
the Radio Shack brand SWRs. I think it is a terrific little radio. Its
oddest likable attribute has to be the multiple voltage wall wart. With
the included adapter, you can use it in Europe on 220 Vac.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...able/0247.html
I carry mine in shirt pocket daily. excellent AM and FM and 2 SW bands
which receive the stronger stations

price ~20.00

yodar

Yodar

"Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM receiver recommendations?
 

Roger wrote:
I currently own a Radio Shack DX-399 (same model as the Sangean
ATS-606), which is a quite solid, portable LW-MW-SW-FM receiver with
quite good sound quality when delivered to ear buds (FM stereo to
earbuds.)

I mostly use this radio for local MW and FM listening, but will
occasionally listen to SW broadcasts, and DX-MW using a Radio Shack
loop.

I love this radio for its portability, but am looking for another to
put one of them away in a Faraday box for use in case of a major
emergency.

Tell us more about your emergency scenario?
Although it's possible to come up with a situation where there's an EMP
that doesn't get thru your faraday box and doesn't kill you, either
directly or indirectly...
I think you're much more likely to succumb to a dirty bomb or car bomb
or bird flu or be hit by a bus or killed by a jealous spouse or your HMO.
What are the other parts of your survival strategy? Radio doesn't
do much good if you don't have food/water/shelter.

Hmmm, wonder if the radio transmitters are in Faraday Boxes?

So, what other makes/models should I consider? Repeating some of the
above, here's my criteria:

1) The size of the DX-399 or smaller.

2) General coverage MW-SW (up to 30 kHz), and with stereo FM (when fed
to earbuds). Don't need LW.

30kHz is about as long wave as it gets.

3) Good sound quality (especially of FM) when fed to earbuds.

4) As good or better sensitivity than the DX-399 for MW dxing and SW.

5) Don't need SSB, but would be nice.

6) Don't care too much about speaker quality, since I would use it
exclusively with earbuds.

7) Don't care about the other bells and whistles (e.g. alarm), but
some station memory would be nice.

So what are my other options? New and/or used (buyable through eBay)
will be considered.

I kinda like the Sony ICF-SW-100.
Sound quality is awesome for it's size.
Make me an offer.

mike

Thanks!

Roger

"Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM receiver recommendations?
 

mike wrote:

Roger wrote:
I currently own a Radio Shack DX-399 (same model as the Sangean
ATS-606), which is a quite solid, portable LW-MW-SW-FM receiver with
quite good sound quality when delivered to ear buds (FM stereo to
earbuds.)

I mostly use this radio for local MW and FM listening, but will
occasionally listen to SW broadcasts, and DX-MW using a Radio Shack
loop.

I love this radio for its portability, but am looking for another to
put one of them away in a Faraday box for use in case of a major
emergency.

Tell us more about your emergency scenario?
Although it's possible to come up with a situation where there's an EMP
that doesn't get thru your faraday box and doesn't kill you, either
directly or indirectly...
I think you're much more likely to succumb to a dirty bomb or car bomb
or bird flu or be hit by a bus or killed by a jealous spouse or your HMO.
What are the other parts of your survival strategy? Radio doesn't
do much good if you don't have food/water/shelter.

Hmmm, wonder if the radio transmitters are in Faraday Boxes?

I was wondering why he needs to put the radio in a faraday cage myself.
I've read that a typical EMP pulse bomb like Al Qaeda would most likely
use would mostly work on anything *that was on the same frequency*. That
means that if you're not in the immediate area, and your radio antenna
isn't harmonic with the wavelength of the pulse, you have nothing to
worry about. Dark Angel type scenarios where the whole country is wiped
out by an EMP pulse apparently aren't very realistic, but they make for
good TV. I think a dirty bomb is more likely. But the real threat is
bioweapons-if Iran could weaponize bird flu or smallpox and make it into
a super killer then the **** would hit the fan. Smallpox has the
potential to kill 9 out of 10 people, that's what it did to the Indians.
I'm more worried about a flood since I live in a part of California that
has frequent major floods. I just worry that I wouldn't have the
presence of mind to take my Degen, since I'd have 15 minutes to
evacuate. A lot of the New Orleans refugees didn't have radios, and the
lack of info caused by that and govt bungling caused much of the panic.

"Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM receiver recommendations?
 

On Sat, 04 Feb 2006 16:11:54 -0800, mike wrote:


I think you're much more likely to succumb to a dirty bomb or car bomb
or bird flu or be hit by a bus or killed by a jealous spouse or your HMO.
All bombs are dirty.

"Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM receiver recommendations?
 

On Sat, 04 Feb 2006 19:49:37 -0800, running dogg wrote:

mike wrote:


I was wondering why he needs to put the radio in a faraday cage myself.
I've read that a typical EMP pulse bomb like Al Qaeda would most likely
use would mostly work on anything *that was on the same frequency*.

Al Qaeda has no bombs. They don't need them. The destroyed the USA
with $20 worth of box cutters (and the help of an incredibly
incompetent [or worse] administration).

"Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM receiver recommendations?
 

"Ultra" portable inherently means a very small ferrite bar antenna for LW-MW
reception. Which will preclude any strong stand alone performance on LW-MW
without an external LW-MW antenna like the Terk Advantage AM loop or
something else for LW.

My picks for the ultimate "Ultra" portable are the Sony ICF-SW100 or
ICF-SW07. Both have Synch Detectors.

"Roger" wrote in message
...
I currently own a Radio Shack DX-399 (same model as the Sangean
ATS-606), which is a quite solid, portable LW-MW-SW-FM receiver with
quite good sound quality when delivered to ear buds (FM stereo to
earbuds.)

I mostly use this radio for local MW and FM listening, but will
occasionally listen to SW broadcasts, and DX-MW using a Radio Shack
loop.

I love this radio for its portability, but am looking for another to
put one of them away in a Faraday box for use in case of a major
emergency.

So, what other makes/models should I consider? Repeating some of the
above, here's my criteria:

1) The size of the DX-399 or smaller.

2) General coverage MW-SW (up to 30 kHz), and with stereo FM (when fed
to earbuds). Don't need LW.

3) Good sound quality (especially of FM) when fed to earbuds.

4) As good or better sensitivity than the DX-399 for MW dxing and SW.

5) Don't need SSB, but would be nice.

6) Don't care too much about speaker quality, since I would use it
exclusively with earbuds.

7) Don't care about the other bells and whistles (e.g. alarm), but
some station memory would be nice.

So what are my other options? New and/or used (buyable through eBay)
will be considered.

Thanks!

Roger

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

I thank everyone for replying to my inquiry about the best small
portable MW-SW-FM radio meeting my list of specs.

With regards to the various "Faraday Cage" comments, I'll not reply to
them in any substantive way since that is off-topic here (want to
focus on "radios"), but for those interested, just do a Google search
on "EMP Faraday," and several informative articles will result.

Now, as I look things over, I'm getting more and more intrigued with
purchasing a Degen/Kaito 1103 portable.

So, where can I find this model at the lowest price? Also, should I
stick with a Kaito (for the American market), or can I consider a
Degen? (I heard the walwart with the Degen is not for U.S. voltages.)

Thoughts? Recommendations?

Thanks!

Roger

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

On Sun, 05 Feb 2006 17:13:03 GMT, Roger
wrote:

I thank everyone for replying to my inquiry about the best small
portable MW-SW-FM radio meeting my list of specs.

With regards to the various "Faraday Cage" comments, I'll not reply to
them in any substantive way since that is off-topic here (want to
focus on "radios"), but for those interested, just do a Google search
on "EMP Faraday," and several informative articles will result.

Now, as I look things over, I'm getting more and more intrigued with
purchasing a Degen/Kaito 1103 portable.

So, where can I find this model at the lowest price? Also, should I
stick with a Kaito (for the American market), or can I consider a
Degen? (I heard the walwart with the Degen is not for U.S. voltages.)

Thoughts? Recommendations?

Thanks!

Roger

I think your money would be better spent on some psychotherapy.

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

David wrote:
Roger wrote:

Now, as I look things over, I'm getting more and more intrigued
with purchasing a Degen/Kaito 1103 portable.

So, where can I find this model at the lowest price? Also, should I
stick with a Kaito (for the American market), or can I consider a
Degen? (I heard the walwart with the Degen is not for U.S.
voltages.)

I think your money would be better spent on some psychotherapy.

*laugh*

Well, David recommended I look at the Sangean PT-80 ProTravel, so I
assume his comment about me needing psychotherapy is because I did not
take his recommendation.

David (and others), how does the PT-80 compare to the Degen/Kaito 1103
with respect to MW and SW reception performance?

I save quite a chunk of change going with the 1103, plus the 1103 is
a little smaller and lighter. Also, my research indicates the 1103's
performance in several important categories appears to be better than
the PT-80. To me, it seems like a no-brainer.

Comments?

Thanks.

Roger

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

On Sun, 05 Feb 2006 19:19:28 GMT, Roger
wrote:

David wrote:
Roger wrote:

Now, as I look things over, I'm getting more and more intrigued
with purchasing a Degen/Kaito 1103 portable.

So, where can I find this model at the lowest price? Also, should I
stick with a Kaito (for the American market), or can I consider a
Degen? (I heard the walwart with the Degen is not for U.S.
voltages.)

I think your money would be better spent on some psychotherapy.

*laugh*

Well, David recommended I look at the Sangean PT-80 ProTravel, so I
assume his comment about me needing psychotherapy is because I did not
take his recommendation.

David (and others), how does the PT-80 compare to the Degen/Kaito 1103
with respect to MW and SW reception performance?

I save quite a chunk of change going with the 1103, plus the 1103 is
a little smaller and lighter. Also, my research indicates the 1103's
performance in several important categories appears to be better than
the PT-80. To me, it seems like a no-brainer.

Comments?

Thanks.

Roger

What do you plan on listening to after Cheney detonates his bomb?
Anything left on the air will most likely be disinformation.

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

David wrote:
Roger wrote:

Well, David recommended I look at the Sangean PT-80 ProTravel, so I
assume his comment about me needing psychotherapy is because I did
not take his recommendation.

David (and others), how does the PT-80 compare to the Degen/Kaito
1103 with respect to MW and SW reception performance?

I save quite a chunk of change going with the 1103, plus the 1103
is a little smaller and lighter. Also, my research indicates the
1103's performance in several important categories appears to be
better than the PT-80. To me, it seems like a no-brainer.

What do you plan on listening to after Cheney detonates his bomb?
Anything left on the air will most likely be disinformation.

Er, ok.

Anyway, I'm considering using the Degen as my daily listener, and
relegating the DX-399 to storage. So I am interested in the here and
now ("pre-Cheney bomb".)

So, let's get back on track and compare. Let's compare the relative
sensitivity (MW-SW), and audio quality using earbuds between the
following "ultra" portable models:

Sangean PT-80
Sangean ATS-606 (essentially same as Radio Shack DX-399)
Degen/Kaito 1103
Sony ICF-SW7600GR
Sony ICF-SW100

(Of course, there's a great variation in price, and in features. The
ATS-606/DX-399 does not have SSB, which to me is not important, but to
others is important. When I bought my DX-399, I paid ~$35, so it was a
no-brainer to get -- I should have bought two.)

I'm sure a couple others could be added to the above list, but they
should not be any larger than the largest already there.

Roger

"Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM receiver recommendations?
 

The Sangean 909 is aka the Radio Shack DX-398, which I also acquired at
the same time that I acquired the DX-399. The DX-399 is about the half
the size. It is really a terrific choice for a backpacking tour of
Europe, Australia, Asia, etc. What a gem.

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

David wrote:


What do you plan on listening to after Cheney detonates his bomb?
Anything left on the air will most likely be disinformation.


Broadcsats of Miss Nude Islam, with our host Osama from the Iranian
Capital ??

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

"When I bought my DX-399, I paid ~$35, so it was a no-brainer to get --
I should have bought two.)"

No, I bought the other one.

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

On Sun, 05 Feb 2006 20:03:10 GMT, Roger
wrote:

David wrote:
Roger wrote:

Well, David recommended I look at the Sangean PT-80 ProTravel, so I
assume his comment about me needing psychotherapy is because I did
not take his recommendation.

David (and others), how does the PT-80 compare to the Degen/Kaito
1103 with respect to MW and SW reception performance?

I save quite a chunk of change going with the 1103, plus the 1103
is a little smaller and lighter. Also, my research indicates the
1103's performance in several important categories appears to be
better than the PT-80. To me, it seems like a no-brainer.

What do you plan on listening to after Cheney detonates his bomb?
Anything left on the air will most likely be disinformation.

Er, ok.

Anyway, I'm considering using the Degen as my daily listener, and
relegating the DX-399 to storage. So I am interested in the here and
now ("pre-Cheney bomb".)

So, let's get back on track and compare. Let's compare the relative
sensitivity (MW-SW), and audio quality using earbuds between the
following "ultra" portable models:

Sangean PT-80
Sangean ATS-606 (essentially same as Radio Shack DX-399)
Degen/Kaito 1103
Sony ICF-SW7600GR
Sony ICF-SW100

(Of course, there's a great variation in price, and in features. The
ATS-606/DX-399 does not have SSB, which to me is not important, but to
others is important. When I bought my DX-399, I paid ~$35, so it was a
no-brainer to get -- I should have bought two.)

I'm sure a couple others could be added to the above list, but they
should not be any larger than the largest already there.

Roger

I'm not a big fan of Sony. They break.

I have an ATS-606A (it has 1 KHz fine tuning). I enjoy it. The PT-80
intrigues me.

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

David wrote:

On Sun, 05 Feb 2006 19:19:28 GMT, Roger
wrote:

David wrote:
Roger wrote:

Now, as I look things over, I'm getting more and more intrigued
with purchasing a Degen/Kaito 1103 portable.

So, where can I find this model at the lowest price? Also, should I
stick with a Kaito (for the American market), or can I consider a
Degen? (I heard the walwart with the Degen is not for U.S.
voltages.)

I think your money would be better spent on some psychotherapy.

*laugh*

Well, David recommended I look at the Sangean PT-80 ProTravel, so I
assume his comment about me needing psychotherapy is because I did not
take his recommendation.

David (and others), how does the PT-80 compare to the Degen/Kaito 1103
with respect to MW and SW reception performance?

I save quite a chunk of change going with the 1103, plus the 1103 is
a little smaller and lighter. Also, my research indicates the 1103's
performance in several important categories appears to be better than
the PT-80. To me, it seems like a no-brainer.

Comments?

Thanks.

Roger

What do you plan on listening to after Cheney detonates his bomb?
Anything left on the air will most likely be disinformation.


Will everything everywhere be wiped out by the bomb? Will all
transmitters be wiped out? I figure that Europe will be spared, and thus
I can listen to the BBC. EMP covers a narrowly defined area. You can't
get it to cover whole continents unless you send it REALLY high up in
the atmosphere. The only rogue state with ICBMs is North Korea, and if
Kim would launch anything, he'd launch an actual bomb instead of an EMP
device. Of course, the USA could send up an EMP device over Iraq, but
they already have ways to counter cell phone triggered IEDs (now the
insurgents run wires).

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

Roger wrote:

David wrote:
Roger wrote:

Well, David recommended I look at the Sangean PT-80 ProTravel, so I
assume his comment about me needing psychotherapy is because I did
not take his recommendation.

David (and others), how does the PT-80 compare to the Degen/Kaito
1103 with respect to MW and SW reception performance?

I save quite a chunk of change going with the 1103, plus the 1103
is a little smaller and lighter. Also, my research indicates the
1103's performance in several important categories appears to be
better than the PT-80. To me, it seems like a no-brainer.

What do you plan on listening to after Cheney detonates his bomb?
Anything left on the air will most likely be disinformation.

Er, ok.

Anyway, I'm considering using the Degen as my daily listener, and
relegating the DX-399 to storage. So I am interested in the here and
now ("pre-Cheney bomb".)

So, let's get back on track and compare. Let's compare the relative
sensitivity (MW-SW), and audio quality using earbuds between the
following "ultra" portable models:

Sangean PT-80
Sangean ATS-606 (essentially same as Radio Shack DX-399)
Degen/Kaito 1103
Sony ICF-SW7600GR
Sony ICF-SW100

(Of course, there's a great variation in price, and in features. The
ATS-606/DX-399 does not have SSB, which to me is not important, but to
others is important. When I bought my DX-399, I paid ~$35, so it was a
no-brainer to get -- I should have bought two.)

I'm sure a couple others could be added to the above list, but they
should not be any larger than the largest already there.

Roger


Well, you won't find as good of a deal as Radio Shack had. The PT-80 is
cheap and is a better clock than a radio, according to Passport. If you
like the 606, get another one, but you won't get it for anywhere near
$35. If you want a Degen (either the 1103 or the sister rx the 1102)
then you can find new ones for $50 on Ebay. If you want a Sony, you'll
pay through the nose ($150 for the 7600-IF you can find one). When there
are better, cheaper portables out there, why bother? Bottom line: if you
want an identical twin to what you've got, buy the Sangean. If price is
a concern, buy the Degen. Oh, and ignore David, he's a weirdo.

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

running dogg wrote:
Roger wrote:

Anyway, I'm considering using the Degen as my daily listener, and
relegating the DX-399 to storage. So I am interested in the here
and now ("pre-Cheney bomb".)

So, let's get back on track and compare. Let's compare the relative
sensitivity (MW-SW), and audio quality using earbuds between the
following "ultra" portable models:

Sangean PT-80
Sangean ATS-606 (essentially same as Radio Shack DX-399)
Degen/Kaito 1103
Sony ICF-SW7600GR
Sony ICF-SW100

(Of course, there's a great variation in price, and in features. The
ATS-606/DX-399 does not have SSB, which to me is not important, but to
others is important. When I bought my DX-399, I paid ~$35, so it was a
no-brainer to get -- I should have bought two.)

Well, you won't find as good of a deal as Radio Shack had. The PT-80
is cheap and is a better clock than a radio, according to Passport.
If you like the 606, get another one, but you won't get it for
anywhere near $35. If you want a Degen (either the 1103 or the
sister rx the 1102) then you can find new ones for $50 on Ebay. If
you want a Sony, you'll pay through the nose ($150 for the 7600-IF
you can find one). When there are better, cheaper portables out
there, why bother? Bottom line: if you want an identical twin to
what you've got, buy the Sangean. If price is a concern, buy the
Degen. Oh, and ignore David, he's a weirdo.

Well, price is a consideration, but so is performance.

When it comes to receiver performance (sensitivity/selectivity/etc.)
how does the Degen/Kaito 1103 compare with the Sangean ATS-606?

From what I've read, the 1103 is a better performer in this regard. It
is supposedly at least as good in audio quality (to earbuds.) And
throw in SSB to boot.

The one downside to the 1103 compared to the 606 is that it is
slightly larger in size and weight (but not much.)

Anyone here done a side-by-side comparison between the 1103 and 606
(or the equivalent RS DX-399) with respect to MW-SW reception?


And where can I get a Degen 1103 for $50? I checked on eBay, but
haven't found a seller yet at this price. The best price I've found
for any 1103 is $89 (and a Kaito which is for the American market.)

Anyone?

Roger

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

Roger wrote:

running dogg wrote:
Roger wrote:

Anyway, I'm considering using the Degen as my daily listener, and
relegating the DX-399 to storage. So I am interested in the here
and now ("pre-Cheney bomb".)

So, let's get back on track and compare. Let's compare the relative
sensitivity (MW-SW), and audio quality using earbuds between the
following "ultra" portable models:

Sangean PT-80
Sangean ATS-606 (essentially same as Radio Shack DX-399)
Degen/Kaito 1103
Sony ICF-SW7600GR
Sony ICF-SW100

(Of course, there's a great variation in price, and in features. The
ATS-606/DX-399 does not have SSB, which to me is not important, but to
others is important. When I bought my DX-399, I paid ~$35, so it was a
no-brainer to get -- I should have bought two.)

Well, you won't find as good of a deal as Radio Shack had. The PT-80
is cheap and is a better clock than a radio, according to Passport.
If you like the 606, get another one, but you won't get it for
anywhere near $35. If you want a Degen (either the 1103 or the
sister rx the 1102) then you can find new ones for $50 on Ebay. If
you want a Sony, you'll pay through the nose ($150 for the 7600-IF
you can find one). When there are better, cheaper portables out
there, why bother? Bottom line: if you want an identical twin to
what you've got, buy the Sangean. If price is a concern, buy the
Degen. Oh, and ignore David, he's a weirdo.

Well, price is a consideration, but so is performance.

When it comes to receiver performance (sensitivity/selectivity/etc.)
how does the Degen/Kaito 1103 compare with the Sangean ATS-606?

From what I've read, the 1103 is a better performer in this regard. It
is supposedly at least as good in audio quality (to earbuds.) And
throw in SSB to boot.

The one downside to the 1103 compared to the 606 is that it is
slightly larger in size and weight (but not much.)

Anyone here done a side-by-side comparison between the 1103 and 606
(or the equivalent RS DX-399) with respect to MW-SW reception?


And where can I get a Degen 1103 for $50? I checked on eBay, but
haven't found a seller yet at this price. The best price I've found
for any 1103 is $89 (and a Kaito which is for the American market.)

Try an ebay seller named Liypn, his store is V Com Collections. His
radios are labeled Degen and are for the Chinese market (but mostly
labeled in English) and run around $45 or so. He doesn't use the name
Degen at all in his posts, just the model "1103". Search for "1103" or
some other radios he carries like "Tecsun" (called Grundig or Eton in
the US) and some ads from him should pop up. Whenever I need to find his
site I search for "Tecsun" and then look in the results for V Com
Collections (be careful not to click the wrong store-two or three show
up). I don't have either radio, so I can't give you a side by side test.
Ask someone who has 100 radios (there are several here) for an opinion.

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

"Roger" wrote in message ...

And where can I get a Degen 1103 for $50? I checked on eBay, but
haven't found a seller yet at this price. The best price I've found
for any 1103 is $89 (and a Kaito which is for the American market.)

Anyone?

Roger


http://stores.ebay.com/RADIO-AND-COMPONENT

http://stores.ebay.com/V-COM-COLLECTIONS

The 1103 beats all other SW portables price to performance wise.

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

"Roger" wrote in message
...

Anyone here done a side-by-side comparison between the 1103 and 606
(or the equivalent RS DX-399) with respect to MW-SW reception?

Yes. The 1103 wins in sensitivity and sound over the 606. MW reception on
the 1103 is excellent too.

And where can I get a Degen 1103 for $50? I checked on eBay, but
haven't found a seller yet at this price. The best price I've found
for any 1103 is $89 (and a Kaito which is for the American market.)

Look for Liypn on eBay. His eBay store is called V-COMM COLLECTIONS.

Jackie

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

On Sun, 05 Feb 2006 19:31:02 -0800, running dogg wrote:

Roger wrote:


a concern, buy the Degen. Oh, and ignore David, he's a weirdo.

We are a nation of weirdos. The USA was started by weirdos Europe
didn't want any more. Lots of long haired pot farmers as I recall.

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

On Sun, 05 Feb 2006 19:11:00 -0800, running dogg wrote:


Will everything everywhere be wiped out by the bomb? Will all
transmitters be wiped out? I figure that Europe will be spared, and thus
I can listen to the BBC. EMP covers a narrowly defined area. You can't
get it to cover whole continents unless you send it REALLY high up in
the atmosphere. The only rogue state with ICBMs is North Korea, and if
Kim would launch anything, he'd launch an actual bomb instead of an EMP
device. Of course, the USA could send up an EMP device over Iraq, but
they already have ways to counter cell phone triggered IEDs (now the
insurgents run wires).


It's absurd to think that you'll have time to relax by the fire while
your generator humms along keeping your minute steaks frozen after
such an event.

This threat of war is fake. The pigs want to scare you into
submission. Bin Laden works for Bush (or vice versa).

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

Roger wrote:
I thank everyone for replying to my inquiry about the best small
portable MW-SW-FM radio meeting my list of specs.

With regards to the various "Faraday Cage" comments, I'll not reply to
them in any substantive way since that is off-topic here (want to
focus on "radios"), but for those interested, just do a Google search
on "EMP Faraday," and several informative articles will result.

Now, as I look things over, I'm getting more and more intrigued with
purchasing a Degen/Kaito 1103 portable.

So, where can I find this model at the lowest price? Also, should I
stick with a Kaito (for the American market), or can I consider a
Degen? (I heard the walwart with the Degen is not for U.S. voltages.)

Thoughts? Recommendations?

Thanks!

Roger

On Ebay you will get the best price for a Degen DE 1103. The Kaito
badged DE 1103 can be had in the U.S. for about $30.00 more.

Rather than trying to use the built-in wall wart charger I opted to
rotate two sets of NIMH batteries and a separate charger. The
built-in set-up for charging was not well designed because you have to
set the number of hours for charging - no auto sensing circuit on
either model. Leaving a portable hooked up for 12 hours seemed to
defeat it's purpose as a portable.

Degen/Kaito 1103 (where to get?) (was: "Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM...)
 

I've got the review in another browser right now.

http://www.radiointel.com/review-degende1103.htm

"Ultra" portable MW-SW-FM receiver recommendations?
 

I dumped my 399 when I bought a Tecsun RED PL-200 !!!!!

the PL-200 is AWESOME




"Roger" wrote in message
...
I currently own a Radio Shack DX-399 (same model as the Sangean
ATS-606), which is a quite solid, portable LW-MW-SW-FM receiver with
quite good sound quality when delivered to ear buds (FM stereo to
earbuds.)

I mostly use this radio for local MW and FM listening, but will
occasionally listen to SW broadcasts, and DX-MW using a Radio Shack
loop.

I love this radio for its portability, but am looking for another to
put one of them away in a Faraday box for use in case of a major
emergency.

So, what other makes/models should I consider? Repeating some of the
above, here's my criteria:

1) The size of the DX-399 or smaller.

2) General coverage MW-SW (up to 30 kHz), and with stereo FM (when fed
to earbuds). Don't need LW.

3) Good sound quality (especially of FM) when fed to earbuds.

4) As good or better sensitivity than the DX-399 for MW dxing and SW.

5) Don't need SSB, but would be nice.

6) Don't care too much about speaker quality, since I would use it
exclusively with earbuds.

7) Don't care about the other bells and whistles (e.g. alarm), but
some station memory would be nice.

So what are my other options? New and/or used (buyable through eBay)
will be considered.

Thanks!

Roger