Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I was actually thinking about the
DE/KA1101 vs. the '7600GR. I know from a technical standpoint there is
no comparison, but I was thinking that perhaps the 1101 feature set was
good enough for my purposes. I never really considered the 1103,
primarily because of the volume control (honestly, it sounds like a
poor design), and the fake analog scale/LCD seems kind of gimmicky to
me. I'm somewhat of a "purist." I'm sure many people will disagree with
me, but I need to be happy with my purchase.

Anyway, in the end, I decided to keep the '7600GR and I purchases an
AN-LP1. Everything looks good so far. I do think I could get a
reasonable fraction of my money back, if I were to decide to sell
everything off, while the Degen/Kaito is really a throw away radio
(from the sound of it).

Thanks for the input.

--Gus




Gus wrote:
Hi everyone,

I'm new to this list and shortwave (SWL). I have an interesting twist
to the age old question, "what's a good first radio" (Yes, I did search
the group before deciding to post).

Okay, I decided I wanted to get into shortwave listening (after hearing
an NPR report on numbers stations). I'm primarily interested in
listening to major broadcasts (BBC, VOA, VOR, VOK, Radio Netherlands,
etc.) and maybe the occasional numbers station, if I can find one.

In terms of electronics, I tend to subscribe to two schools: buy the
absolute best OR buy the cheapest thing that will get the job done
(middle of the road stuff tends to be over priced given the feature
set). Well, after a little reading, I opted to buy the Sony
ICF-SW7600GR. I received the '7600GR a few days ago, and the radio
appears to work well.

The '7600GR was relatively expensive, and I'm not sure if I'll use it
enough to really reap the benefits of having a top-quality portable.
The Kaito KA1101 (Degen DE1101) got a favorable review in the 2006
_Passport to World Band..._ and at other SWL sites online, and I'm
beginning to wonder if I should have went the "cheapest thing that will
get the job done" route, especially since I'm so new to SWL.
Furthermore, I'm thinking of getting an antenna, and the Sony AN-LP1
(which apparently pairs well with the '7600GR) is about $105 delivered
from Japan (on eBay). I can order a KA1101 with the KA31 antenna for
about $100 delivered, which will save me well over $100 (more like
$160) when compared to the '7600GR + AN-LP1 combo.

On to my question, should I return the '7600GR? Will I notice a big
(unfavorable) difference in performance in the KA1101? Is SSB and sync
lock really necessary for my interests. I'm having a hard time with
this decision, so any input or recommendations are welcome---$160 is a
lot of money for me, especially if the KA1101 will work well enough for
my purposes.

Thanks,

Gus

Dear Gus,

Regarding small shortwave portables: you now own the Sony ICF-SW7600GR
receiver and the Sony AN-LP1 antenna. Thus, you own the best. In my
opinion, everything else in this class is "second-rate" in overall
convenience, in overall construction quality, and in overall
performance.

Yes, some are "almost as good," perhaps even somewhat "better" in one
aspect of performance or another, and maybe even "more value for the
money," but NONE offer the total overall usefulness, the build-quality,
or the advanced performance-quality of this radio set. I repeat my
opinion that it is the best.

I own five of this combination (plus two of the older ICF-SW7600G
models). The oldest is from 1998. All work as they did when new. I have
absolutely no intention of ever selling any of them and I'm certain
that, after you've grown familiar with your receiver/antenna
combination, you won't want to sell it either. You may even want to buy
another one!

Best of luck to you,

Joe

Gus wrote:
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I was actually thinking about the
DE/KA1101 vs. the '7600GR. I know from a technical standpoint there is
no comparison, but I was thinking that perhaps the 1101 feature set was
good enough for my purposes. I never really considered the 1103,
primarily because of the volume control (honestly, it sounds like a
poor design), and the fake analog scale/LCD seems kind of gimmicky to
me. I'm somewhat of a "purist." I'm sure many people will disagree with
me, but I need to be happy with my purchase.

Anyway, in the end, I decided to keep the '7600GR and I purchases an
AN-LP1. Everything looks good so far. I do think I could get a
reasonable fraction of my money back, if I were to decide to sell
everything off, while the Degen/Kaito is really a throw away radio
(from the sound of it).

Thanks for the input.

--Gus