Hello.

If money is no object, may I strongly suggest that you buy a new AOR
AR7030 Plus from one of the English shops which will, in conjunction
with AOR UK, customize it to your requirements. You can telephone
Richard Hillier at AOR UK and discuss the purchase with him and he
will make suggestions to you. (I purchased mine from THE SHORTWAVE
SHOP in the UK whose owner, Rob Burrows, and several technicians were
also extremely helpful.)

In my opinion, and in the opinion of several of my friends who have
seen/worked with it, the AOR AR7030 Plus is the "Rolls-Royce" of
short-wave radio.

Then buy a Wellbrook ALA 330S Active Loop Antenna (either from THE
SHORTWAVE SHOP or the factory). This antenna (the very best in my
experience) can be mounted outdoors, in an attic (where I have mine),
or even in your room (if no one in your family objects to a 1-meter
loop as a "decoration"). A rotator (I use an nexpensive Radio Shack
one) is very helpful, especially on frequencies below 6 Mhz. Even if
you have the space to put up a first class outdoor wire antenna, you
will probably find, as I have, that this antenna is the best one
currently available for summertime listening when atmospheric noise
and thunderstorm activity are at their peak.

Finally (you DID say money was no object), buy a Sony ICF-SW7600GR
portable along with a Sony AN-LP1 Active Loop Antenna and an AOR WL500
Active Loop Antenna. The AOR can be used on the Sony when you are at
home; the AN-LP1, though somewhat inferior to the AOR, is very
suitable for travel.

I have all of the above radios and antennas and I am very satisfied
with them.

Joe

(aristotle) wrote in message . com...
I am new to short wave radio and would like to know what is the
difference in buying a Sony 2010 radio for around $500 as compared to
an AOR AR-7030+ for $1600. Money is not the object, listening ability
is. I am hooked on listening to talk radio and thoroughly enjoy
learning about world events.