I plan on buying a portable shortwave receiver, and am only
considering models that I can purchase new. So far, the ones that have
caught my attention are the Kaito KA2100, Sony ICF-SW7600, Sangean ATS
909, Sangean ATS 505, and the Grundig G5.

I'd like to hear from people who own one or more of these sets.
Obviously, I'm not looking for a feature/spec comparison, as I can do
that on my own. What I want are opinions on build quality, ease of
use, real-life effectiveness, etc.

TIA.
--
A search engine that doesn't spy on you - http://clusty.com/

On Mar 26, 10:00 pm, Igor wrote:
I plan on buying a portable shortwave receiver, and am only
considering models that I can purchase new. So far, the ones that have
caught my attention are the Kaito KA2100, Sony ICF-SW7600, Sangean ATS
909, Sangean ATS 505, and the Grundig G5.

I'd like to hear from people who own one or more of these sets.
Obviously, I'm not looking for a feature/spec comparison, as I can do
that on my own. What I want are opinions on build quality, ease of
use, real-life effectiveness, etc.

TIA.
--
A search engine that doesn't spy on you -http://clusty.com/


http://www.radiointel.com/review-etone5.htm

GENERAL USE TESTS & COMPARISONS WITH OTHER RADIOS

After using the E5 for several days I am very impressed with this
little radio. It is the most sensitive radio in this size I have ever
tested (matched by the DE1103/KA1103 of course). I plugged in the
supplied SW wire antenna and my reception improved noticeably. It
gives a real boost to weak daytime SW signals...with it the E5 will pull
in most of what's available on any SW portable radio...yes it really is
that good! I tuned in AFRTS and a few Hams and can verify that SSB
performance was solid and stable. The Local /DX switch often improved
things substantially in this mode. I have other more sophisticated
radios which make tuning SSB a bit easier and allow more control over
SSB reception, but for a small travel portable the E5 acquitted itself
very nicely in SSB mode.


Comparing it with my trusty Sony 7600GR, the E5 proved slightly more
sensitive on AM & SW and noticeably more sensitive and selective on
FM. But before anyone exaggerates this comparison let me put it into
perspective.

Tuning for extremely faint daytime AM and SW signals...ones which I
could barely hear at all, there was just a SLIGHT superiority in the
E5. For example, WWV on 15 MHz was coming in weakly one afternoon...it
was just at the threshold of audibility where I could hear the tone
reliably enough to set a clock by it. As this signal faded in and out
of the noise, it remained a bit longer on the E5 than on the 7600GR.
The difference was slight, but always in favor of the E5. Listening
for the beeps which occur exactly on each minute there were several
times I heard it on the E5 while the 7600GR had only hiss. As the
signal faded in a bit more it became more equal on the two radios...so
as signal levels rise a bit the two radios become closer.

I have a 7600GR & a G-5. The 7600 is better built but the G-5 sounds
considerably better. If your primary intrest is DX, the 7600 has an
edge (although the G-5 is every bit as sensitive). The G-5 is much
better for general all around listening. I put my 7600 back in the box
to keep for later and use the G-5 bedside, and to take along in the
motor home. I also have an E-100 for a pocket radio, that works better
than you would expect.
On Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:00:48 -0700, Igor
wrotF:

I plan on buying a portable shortwave receiver, and am only
considering models that I can purchase new. So far, the ones that have
caught my attention are the Kaito KA2100, Sony ICF-SW7600, Sangean ATS
909, Sangean ATS 505, and the Grundig G5.

I'd like to hear from people who own one or more of these sets.
Obviously, I'm not looking for a feature/spec comparison, as I can do
that on my own. What I want are opinions on build quality, ease of
use, real-life effectiveness, etc.

TIA.
adder

I have had, and still have, many portable radios. I am VERY pleased with
the G5, in all respects.

Jeff


"Igor" wrote in message
...
I plan on buying a portable shortwave receiver, and am only
considering models that I can purchase new. So far, the ones that have
caught my attention are the Kaito KA2100, Sony ICF-SW7600, Sangean ATS
909, Sangean ATS 505, and the Grundig G5.

I'd like to hear from people who own one or more of these sets.
Obviously, I'm not looking for a feature/spec comparison, as I can do
that on my own. What I want are opinions on build quality, ease of
use, real-life effectiveness, etc.

TIA.
--
A search engine that doesn't spy on you - http://clusty.com/

On Wed, 26 Mar 2008 22:28:16 -0400, "Unrevealed Source"
wrote:

I have had, and still have, many portable radios. I am VERY pleased with
the G5, in all respects.

Jeff


A few of the reviewers at eHam
(http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6815) have reported
quality-control issues with the G5. One guy even says he got 3 bad
G5's in a row! Have you had any such experiences with your G5? (This
question also goes for the other Jeff who responded.)
--
A search engine that doesn't spy on you - http://clusty.com/

On Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:00:48 -0700, Igor
wrote:

I plan on buying a portable shortwave receiver, and am only
considering models that I can purchase new. So far, the ones that have
caught my attention are the Kaito KA2100, Sony ICF-SW7600, Sangean ATS
909, Sangean ATS 505, and the Grundig G5.

I'd like to hear from people who own one or more of these sets.
Obviously, I'm not looking for a feature/spec comparison, as I can do
that on my own. What I want are opinions on build quality, ease of
use, real-life effectiveness, etc.

TIA.

UPDATE: I'd also like to hear comments from anyone who has used the
Kaito KA1103.
--
A search engine that doesn't spy on you - http://clusty.com/

Dear Sir,

I am an SWL with fifty years experience. I have owned several portable
shortwave portables over the years and the best one is the Sony ICF-
SW7600GR. I now own five (5) of them; the other shortwave portables I
own which are currently in use are two (2) Sony ICF-SW35s (which I
keep in the glove compartments of our cars for use "whenever").

The quality of construction of the '7600 is the best of any shortwave
portable I have seen and this is borne out by the fact that my oldest
'7600GR was purchased in 2001 and still functions as new, as do my
other, newer, ones. (So do my older Sony ICF-SW7600Gs - purchased in
1998 and 2000 but which are now put away, as the 'GR is superior.)

The disadvantages of this model are well-known: no tuning knob (but,
frankly, I have little patience with most tuning knobs on portable SW
radios with their raised "pips" as opposed to speed dimples), mediocre
sound quality with music (perfectly fine sound quality with voice,
however), and no AC power supply in the package.

With the exception of the tuning knob "problem," the others can be
easily resolved. You can buy external amplified computer speakers for
about $20.00 which will render music sound quality just fine (or you
can buy a $10.00 audio cable and run the sound from the radio's line
output to your audio system; the sound through headphones is
excellent) and you can buy an external AC power supply at any Radio
Shack (their model 273-025 along with the free Adapt-a-Plug model
"B").

With regard to that power supply I should like to comment on a
question posted he

"If the power to the "wall wart" goes out do the batteries
automatically take over in the Sony?"

Yes they do. The reverse is not the case, however. If the AC power is
restored, you must manually turn on the radio again.

You should pay no more than $150.00 for a new Sony ICF-SW7600GR.
Overall, I feel it is the very best compact shortwave portable radio
available new.

Best,

Joe

On Mar 26, 10:00 pm, Igor wrote:
I plan on buying a portable shortwave receiver, and am only
considering models that I can purchase new. So far, the ones that have
caught my attention are the Kaito KA2100, Sony ICF-SW7600, Sangean ATS
909, Sangean ATS 505, and the Grundig G5.

I'd like to hear from people who own one or more of these sets.
Obviously, I'm not looking for a feature/spec comparison, as I can do
that on my own. What I want are opinions on build quality, ease of
use, real-life effectiveness, etc.

TIA".