Hello.

It is my opinion that for a first purchase (and one you will not
"outgrow"), you cannot beat the combination of the Sony ICF-SW7600GR
AND the Sony AN-LP1 Active Loop Antenna. This appears to be an almost
ideal combination and can be purchased in total for less than $260
(sometimes much less). I myself, however, would deal with one of the
established shortwave dealers, such as Universal, Grove, or AES. (I
know that AES stocks both the radio and the antenna; I'm not too sure
about the others.) You pay "top dollar" but you get excellent service
with no "surprises" and you have a good company standing behind you.
(I feel that, in this hobby, with its sophisticated and complex
equipment, that is very important.)

Note that the AN-LP1 works only on shortwave frequencies and MUST be
disconnected from the radio for proper MW reception. (Should you wish
to DX on MW, I should recommend the Select-A-Tenna, less than $60 at
various dealers.)

Also note that the AN-LP1 antenna is strictly an "indoor" antenna
(which works best when placed next to a window). For outdoor use, I
have found that a Sangean ANT-60 works fairly well with the '7600GR
but often does NOT outperform the whip.

If the combination price is too high for you at present, you can buy
the radio alone and get very good reception right off the whip.
(Outdoors, I generally use the whip only and with very good results.)
You could always buy the AN-LP1 antenna later.

The only "flaws" in this radio are (surprisingly) image rejection
which is less than excellent (cannot be corrected at this time) and
sound quality which is only good-to-very good (can be easily
"corrected" by connecting the radio through its line-output to a
stereo system).

Battery life is excellent; I use rechargeable NiMH batteries. An
AC-adapter is not really necessary.

All in all, the '7600GR is an outstanding first radio and one which
you will take on vacations as it is also a "dual alarm clock-radio!"
As I stated above, no matter what other radios you may purchase, you
will never "outgrow" this one. It does not need to be "modified" in
any way, either.

All the best,

Joe

j.d. wrote in message . ..
Read a lot of good things about the 7600GR. The thing is, I live in
the middle of Kansas, and the number and quality of the radio stations
I can receive is limited, so I'd like to get my old stations from
Kansas City/Lawrence.

Also, I am intrigued by being able to pick up stations from across the
country and around the world. Can you hook up an external antenna to
the 7600, and if so, what sort would you recommend?

Remember that I am totally new to this, so things may have to be
explained in a little more detail.

Thanks a lot.