On Jul 26, 12:01*am, Joe Analssandrini
wrote:
Dear Sir,

The best constructed compact portable communications receiver
currently being manufactured is the Sony ICF-SW7600GR. This is my
opinion.

But I must state that if you are going to bang your radios around,
none of them will last. All of these instruments are complex and
relatively delicate; they are also relatively expensive and, thus,
deserve special care. That's not to say that you can't take them
outdoors or on trips but you must treat them with care. You did not
say why your KA-2100 "died," but, from what I have read, this model is
well-made and certainly should last longer than a year and a half. (I
do NOT own one.) Did you cause any physical damage to it?

Only you know how you have and will treat your radios. If you have
just had bad luck, then I apologize (and I mean it!) for this
"lecture." If not, well, you may have to change your ways.

Do investigate the Sony ICF-SW7600GR (and take note that its "weak
point" is its whip antenna; I myself have purchased several spares and
I have had to replace one of them - the whole process takes about 45
seconds! However, for the most part nowadays, I use a Sony AN-LP1
external shortwave antenna rather than the whip). I own five of them
(and two of its predecessor model the ICF-SW7600G) and, other than
that whip on my oldest 'GR sample, all have held up just fine (my
oldest 'GR is seven years old; I have owned my oldest 'G for ten
years).

This Sony model has an excellent line output to which you can connect
the recorder of your choice.

Best,

Joe

Nice reply Joe - I still have a Sony ICF7600D but many things are
wrong with it and many of the keys on the keypad have stuck. The
longest lasting radio I have is a Sangean ATS803A which is still
performing fine after 23 years.

Pity mpd has two failed 2100's - my Redsun RP2100 is now two years old
and I love it. It's been on several field trips and has a very robust
whip antenna. It's a superb performer on long distance MW reception
and is great on FM and SW too.

I agree with Joe that the hobby portables are fragile - built down to
a price bracket. You can't expect them to perform like an army field
radio built to milspec, they cost big bucks to produce.

John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
South 33 d 47 m 32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s
Icom IC-7700, Icom IC-756 PRO III with MW mods
ERGO software
Drake SW8. Sangean 803A
Sony 7600D, GE SRIII, Redsun RP2100
Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro Mk II, Datong AD-270
Kiwa MW Loop.
http://www.dxing.info/about/dxers/plimmer.dx