Steve wrote:

If you're just getting started, I wouldn't recommend either the 800 or
the R-75. I would recommend the SW7600GR. You can get one for under
$200 and it's a fine little readio. Use it with 20 or 30 feet of wire
out the window and you'll be off and running. It also has SSB
capabilitites, which you should familiarize yourself with even if
you're primarily interested in broadcast listening.

If you've had the SW7600GR for a while and find that your enthusiasm
for shortwave listening continues to grow, then consider moving up. I
personally wouldn't recommend the Eton Satellit 800, though (unless
you can get a really good deal on a used one). My experience with it
(which is contradicted by the experience of many others) has been
disappointing. Besides, it's not really a portable and there are
vastly superior units (like the R-75) in essentially the same price
range.

If you want to mess around remotely with an R-75 just to see what you
can see, go he http://www.ralabs.com/webradio/.

Best,

Steve


If his budget is $600, he might be one of those folks who wants to make sure any problems he has can't be blamed on the radio.

Having started in the hobby several times before figuring out my problem was the radios I was buying weren't good enough for my expectations, I don't blame him.

The Sony gets good reviews for a portable, but it doesn't have features the other radios he's looking at have.

Radios I'd look at in that range include a used Drake R8 or R8a.

Personally, I'd avoid the Sat 800 because of build quality concerns, and because I figure it's too large for what it is.

I would go with the R-75 because it has more tools to help dig out
signals.
The ICOM will be more difficult for a newbie to learn but things like
RF gain, pass band, and noise blankers can be very helpful.
If you need good audio get an external speaker or a garage sale
boom box with a few short wave bands on it. Some of them sound better
than the S-800 on strong signals and usually cost under $10.00.
People get rid of them because the tape player no longer works.
Bob