While scanning a new Johnson Smith catalog, I noticed two SW radios at $19.95
each. I had to have them to see what they could do. This is a report on the
jWIN.

jWIN 9-Band Digital, Model JX-M14:

This is an attractive little package with very good sensitivity and sound.
Along with AM (MF) and FM, it has 7 shortwave bands. All buttons are raised.

The display is digital, but it has knob tuning, thus it has a variable
capacitor. A big surprise was that the frequency readout is accurate, according
to several known stations I'd checked. Apparently the display is that of a true
frequency counter.

Judging by the context of the comments in the paperwork, the FM is mono. It has
an earphone jack. Its telescopic antenna pivots.

It has a 12-hour a.m./p.m. clock with an alarm. Its three LEDs are for Tune,
AM, and FM. On its back is a flip out easel and -- a serial number. G

Power is two AA cells. A jack is provided for an external 3 volt source.

The only downer is that, although there is enough extension past each end of
the advertised SW bands to cover the daytime and some nighttime U.S.
frequencies, there is no coverage at all for some of the nighttime ones. Actual
band stop-to-stop coverage:

SW1 5.84 --- 6.47
SW2 6.86 --- 7.56
SW3 9.29 - 10.30
SW4 11.38 - 12.50
SW5 13.34 - 14.35
SW6 14.78 - 15.84
SW7 17.11 - 18.33
AM 518 - 1723
FM 87.9 - 107.9

The one thing that bugs me is that it defaults to FM at turn on. No matter,
because it remembers the last FM, AM, and SW frequencies selected.

This would make a fine, inexpensive gift for anyone who is really interested in
knowing what's going on in the world, or to enlighten those who should -- or
think they do. G They should, though, also be given some introduction to SWL
as well as help in identifying, even finding, major SW stations (guides,
schedules, Web links, etc.)

Anyhow, when not in use, I keep mine and its paperwork in a ZipLoc sandwich
bag.

73,
Bill, K5BY