On Jul 25, 5:13*pm, mpd wrote:
I've listened to shortwave on and off for awhile but it seems to me
that some of the build quality these days isn't that long.

I had a grundig s350...lasted until I donated it but it had drift...

I tried a redsun 2100...the thing died after the first month...so I
bought the USA equivalent of the kaito ka2100...that just died the
other day (lasted a year and a half)

I had a kaito 1103 worked fantastic until I bumped something and a
chunk of the antenna snapped off and the job dial didn't fully
correspond.

Don't get me wrong when this stuff worked it was great...but there's
some newer models I'm interested in.

I don't need stuff like wefax or rtty etc. I like SSB as I can listen
to ham's...I'd like to start recording too. I know there's a Degen but
the operations of that thing look so complicated and it's degen...if
it breaks...

I'm thinking maybe a grundig g6...adding the aircraft band is
interesting...the G4 looks interesting but I didn't see anything of
SSB so it looks like $100 more just to record.

Anyone use those portible recorders that could work on the line in? I
definatly don't want to use tapes...

Well, you might have to buy an older model, well built perhaps. Or buy
a newer one but get a good protective case for it and take really good
care of it.
I own a Sony ICF-2002, (the same as the ICF-7600D, only difference
is one was for Euope, the other for North America). I purchased the
radio new in the early '80s when it came out. I've taken good care of
it and it still has nothing wrong with it and runs like brand new. Was
I just lucky? Perhaps. But it is a great radio and I've certainly
gotten my money's worth from it. Sorry, not for sale.
Try to find a good used one and buy it perhaps.
Here is some info.. http://stephan.win31.de/sony7600.htm
I also own a Panasonic RF2200. The volume adjustment started
souinding scratchy and I had to open it up and use canned air and
contact cleaner, and it fell and the whip antenna connection broke.
But it still works. Great radio.

My Kaito KA1102 I bought when they first came out, how many years
ago? Five? Not sure. I went to Wal-Mart here in Canada and found a
perfect protective case for it. It's a Nintendo DS case that zips
closed and fits it like it was made for it. Like a glove. With some
room for an extra set of recharegeable batteries and it's manual and a
Degen active loop.
he case has just the right amount of padding for protection, and is
really well made.
My Kaito KA1102 still works like brand new. I love that little
radio. I also own a Kaito KA11 that I bought a well fitting cell phone
case for. Padded protection and room for an extra set of rechargeables
and its fold up wire antenna..

My case for my KA11 is made by Lowepro. I also bought one that fits
my handheld GPSr. They make cases in various sizes, and they are well
made to take a beating and hold up just fine. All I added was a dome
fastener to the outside pocket flap in addition to the velcro already
there. I found a dome fastener kit, and it easy to add one and it
looks like that is the way it was made.
www.lowepro.com
No.. I don't work for them. I just think they make a great product.
I hate the flimsy cheap fabric bags that they give you for these
radios.
So.. I don't know if I am just lucky, or if it is the great care I
take with my good radios. I have other radios, and I'm happy with my
Eton E100 and a couple others..
But I really think that extra care and protection, and cleanliness
goes a long way to making things last.

Good luck.