Agree totally. I tend to collect portables and have most of the major ones
available. Even though some reviewers have hated the volume arrangement (and
I find it a problem when using the radio on my nightstand, it doesn't take
away from the fact that this is by far the best performing, small portable I
have. It's sensitivity is just outstanding on all bands, the sound is
pleasant for the size of the radio and I find battery life to be reasonable.
(I don't mess around with rechargeables...I use so many radios that keeping
track of charging them would be impossible...modern alkalines seem to last a
long time for me). From what I've read, the charging circuit is "dumb"...you
have to manually set a charge time and guess how long is needed. Many users
report that an outboard charger, such as the new crop of fast chargers, do a
more thorough job, and take the guesswork out of it.

The real excitement of this radio is that Degen obviously knows how to make
a fantastic rf front end for very low cost...the rf performance of this
radio rivals the very best portables I have and beats my Sony SW77 on am by
far.


Jay
"David" wrote in message
news:Mprsd.218$pe.2@trndny04...
I just got the Degen 1103 from China. It took about 10 days for delivery.
First off,
the package had over 10 China stamps on it for my son's stamp collection,
so
that was a bonus. My first day impressions are this is a GREAT radio! It
definitely outperforms
past portables I owned including the Grundig YB 400, Radio Shack DX-440,
and
Sony SW 100. It's top strength is excellent sensitivity on all bands.
Actually superior sensitivity. I checked for fringe stations for my area
and
it digged them out with the whip not used. On FM bands it is superb. I
also
got two TV channels on it on the lower FM band. One TV station is 90 miles
away and it gets it. Only my GE SuperRadio III could get that TV channel,
and the Degen does it slightly better. AM band is also just as good. I am
just starting to check the shortwave bands. So this is a great radio thus
far. Though under $100, a radio like this would easily be above $200 five
years ago.

Haven't got my 1103 yet. It's only been 3 days since I ordered it and
got confirmation of shipping date of yesterday, but I did pick up a
package of 4 Energizer NIMH 2200mah AA batterys and 15 minute charger
for $27.00. I feel better about using the batterys than a questionable
110/220 conversion scheme and a more or less manual charger system in
the radio. Also, if you have ever compared battery operation vs
el-cheapo wart plug operation, many times it can be much quieter
depending on your location. Super quiet location, batterys win out.
Been there, done that.

I did see a neat charger battery combo kit for about $25.00 that worked
either on 12VDC or 120VAC, but it had a 220V to 110V converter plug
with it, so I passed on that one.