Hi Laura:
Yes, this is a very good choice for a first shortwave Radio.
Get a good pair of headphones; it'll help clarify the sound.

Also, get a copy of " Passport To Worlband radio" and / or " Monitoring Times"

to see whats on when.
Passport can be found at most Barnes & Nobles, " MT" at Huge newsstands ( or
online)
Most Shortwave comes in at night. With a 20 foot" Rand om Wire" antenna ,
you'll be able to pick up just about anything..
I routinly pick up Radio Australia & Radio New Zealand ( Propagation being good
)
off the whip of my SWR.. Here on the U.S East Coast.

Be aware that the SHortwave signal is bounced off the ionosphere; so imagine
sunlight bouncing off the ocean.
Sometimes it's mirror smooth, other times filled with Big Rolling, Swells,
other times stormy & choppy.
- SO the signal may be crystal clear, or subject to occasional fading, or
occasionally really not there for a while..

Still, it's nice to hear voices, music and opinions from Far away.
Theres something intriguing about it I haven't found anywhere else..

Dan




In article ,
(Laura M) writes:


Hi all - I'm thinking of purchasing the Sony ICF-SW7600 as my first
shortwave radio. I've been reading some comments in the newsgroup
that lead me to believe this might be a good radio to start with, to
see if I enjoy SW.

I'm curious about the whip antenna. Will this be sufficient to
receive quality AM station reception at night? If not, is there an
antenna I can purchase that is small and is easily set up and put
away? The SW radio will be in our guest room and I need something
easily removed when company comes over.

Any info would be so helpful and appreciated!

Laura

Laura, welcome to world (literally) of Shortwave Radio. Many things to
listen to, other countries, planes over the ocean, ships on the ocean, Ham
radio operators, and the list goes on. By all means, find and/or subscribe
to Monitoring Times. They have a section that is like a TV Guide to the
International Broadcast Bands (plus lots of other info). Quite helpful. Ask
questions here or in Yahoo groups. You'll find most of us willing to help.

Dan, I *loved* your explanation of the ionosphere. I've never seen it
explained quite that way before, but you made it so eloquent and simple.
I'll have to remember it.

Eric KA6USJ

Dan, I'm gonna plagerize your propogation description!(;{) It's truely
succinct! ... Laura, welcome to this wonderful yet sometimes wacky world of
shortwave! Enjoy!!! WA6020SWL

Why Thank You Eric !

In Ionospheric terms, It's been an Odd Winter; with The Music Shows on WBCQ on
weekends being blanked out; New York, and even Pittsburgh being in the " Skip
Zone"

but VOA from Botswana on the same frequency ( 7.415) coming in quite clearly.

A Very High Tide in the Ionosphere, slowly creeping up from the sandy Shoreline
and Flooding redwood sun decks well above normal high water .
One can free dive down to look at electronically Submerged Mercedes in the car
Port, I suppose.

Rush Hour Traffic / Weather reports from Aukland
(Mostly fair, Gales in the Southern Isle) and Hearing about the Latest in
Fiji enlighten my day.

Once, in the spring, Radio New Zealand was as clear as a local A.M Station;
- calm Flat seas, I suppose.

Dan



In article , "Eric Ferguson"
writes:

Subject: First Radio
From: "Eric Ferguson"
Date: Thu, 05 Feb 2004 16:00:02 GMT

Laura, welcome to world (literally) of Shortwave Radio. Many things to
listen to, other countries, planes over the ocean, ships on the ocean, Ham
radio operators, and the list goes on. By all means, find and/or subscribe
to Monitoring Times. They have a section that is like a TV Guide to the
International Broadcast Bands (plus lots of other info). Quite helpful. Ask
questions here or in Yahoo groups. You'll find most of us willing to help.

Dan, I *loved* your explanation of the ionosphere. I've never seen it
explained quite that way before, but you made it so eloquent and simple.
I'll have to remember it.

Eric KA6USJ