Hi there,

You might want to pick up a copy of the Passport to World Band Radio. The
2006 edition is out now, I think (someone correct me if I'm wrong here). You
can find it at Barnes & Noble or Amazon. It lists all kinds of shortwave
radio shows, many of which contain programs of special interest and music
from all over the world. There are a lot of news programs on shortwave, but
there is a lot of other interesting stuff too.

As far as cheapo shortwave radios that perform decently, check out the Degen
DE-1103 or Degen DE-1102 (a/k/a Kaito KA-1103 and Kaito KA-1102). You can
find these on eBay, and the seller with the best service and prices is
Liypn. Do an advanced search and check out his store, V-COM Collections.
These radios go for less than $50 each and Liypn is an excellent seller.

Of course, you could pay a lot more and get a lot better radio that would
allow you to hook up an outdoor antenna and pull in really exotic, faint
signals, but since you indicate you were looking for something cheap, I
recommend both of these radios for their price/performance ratio.

Good luck,

Jackie

"Buzzygirl" wrote in message
...
Hi there,

You might want to pick up a copy of the Passport to World Band
Radio. The
2006 edition is out now, I think (someone correct me if I'm wrong
here). You
can find it at Barnes & Noble or Amazon. It lists all kinds of
shortwave
radio shows, many of which contain programs of special interest and
music
from all over the world. There are a lot of news programs on
shortwave, but
there is a lot of other interesting stuff too.

It usually comes out in October, unless they changed
their schedule this year.

As far as cheapo shortwave radios that perform decently, check out
the Degen
DE-1103 or Degen DE-1102 (a/k/a Kaito KA-1103 and Kaito KA-1102).
You can
find these on eBay, and the seller with the best service and prices
is
Liypn. Do an advanced search and check out his store, V-COM
Collections.
These radios go for less than $50 each and Liypn is an excellent
seller.

Of course, you could pay a lot more and get a lot better radio that
would
allow you to hook up an outdoor antenna and pull in really exotic,
faint
signals, but since you indicate you were looking for something
cheap, I
recommend both of these radios for their price/performance ratio.

Personally, I'd advice an inexpensive radio that's not
something for the junk pile (like the Coby model).
If you like it, you can spring for something better. If
you don't, you're only out $50 bucks or so.

Beware, however; you can get bitten pretty hard by
the bug and you'll end up spending copious time
and money on it if not careful. I suppose that it's
money better spent than hanging out at the bars, tho.

--Mike L.

for less than $100, if you don't mind buying used, I would suggest a
gently used Sony ICF-SW7600G. Be careful, Sony has made a variety of
radios in the 7600 line (some very good, some not so good). The newest
in the line is the 7600GS, but that'll set you back around $160, if
memory serves. It's predecessor, the 7600G, had fewer memories but has
nice features like single sideband reception and sync detection
(advantages of sync detection is a matter of some debate; some think it
helps, some don't). I had one for several years before trading up to a
ICF-2010 (on which I can say the sync detection *definitely* helps) and
haven't looked back. But for $100 the 7600G is a lot of radio.

I also see the Sangean ATS-909 (and it's rebranded brother, the Radio
Shack DX-398) selling for $50 to $150 used. If you are into FM, it has
RDS built in. It has continuous SW coverage like the 7600G. I can't
attest to the dx qualities of this radio though.

gently used Sony ICF-SW7600G. Be careful, Sony has made a variety of

I assume (being unliterate in the SW stuff) the Sony ICF-SW7600G will be the
one to look for (used).

Up to now I found some (not on the inexpensive side though...) Sony
ICF-SW7600G and Sony ICF-SW7600GR for sale.

Is there any special requirement for an antena (if I need one)?

gently used Sony ICF-SW7600G. Be careful, Sony has made a variety of

Just one more beginner question, it is a GRUNDIG S350 model any comparable
to that Sony ICF-SW7600G?

"Teddy Bear" wrote in message
...
gently used Sony ICF-SW7600G. Be careful, Sony has made a variety of

Just one more beginner question, it is a GRUNDIG S350 model any comparable
to that Sony ICF-SW7600G?



No.
I use my BCL 2000 (Tecsun OEM S350) only for MW. If you are interested
in Shortwave go with the Sony 7600 or a Degen/Kaito 1103.

in Shortwave go with the Sony 7600 or a Degen/Kaito 1103.

Is the Sony 7600 comparable "feature by feature" to the Degen / Kaito 1103
(or 1102)? The Degen / Kaito seems to be better priced, maybe I could even
afford it new in the box.

"Michael Lawson" wrote in message
...

It usually comes out in October, unless they changed
their schedule this year.

You're right -- I noticed an ad for it in the most recent issue of
Monitoring Times, but didn't notice a release date. I thought August would
probably be too early to release the 2006 edition.

Jackie

"Buzzygirl" wrote in message
...

[snip]

As far as cheapo shortwave radios that perform decently, check out the Degen
DE-1103 or Degen DE-1102 (a/k/a Kaito KA-1103 and Kaito KA-1102). You can
find these on eBay, and the seller with the best service and prices is
Liypn. Do an advanced search and check out his store, V-COM Collections.
These radios go for less than $50 each and Liypn is an excellent seller.

Of course, you could pay a lot more and get a lot better radio that would
allow you to hook up an outdoor antenna and pull in really exotic, faint
signals, but since you indicate you were looking for something cheap, I
recommend both of these radios for their price/performance ratio.

Ditto. The DE1103 is my choice (I have the 1102 as well). They both have
SSB capability and performance vs. cost can't be beat. The 1103 is sensitive enough
off the built in telescoping antenna that you won't need to add much, if any, wire.
Liypn has sold me 3 radios, 2 arrived in seven days and 1 took only 6 days from date of shipping.
Here's his eBay store address:
http://stores.ebay.com/V-COM-COLLECTIONS By the way, I don't know why the 1102 is more
expensive than the 1103, but it is. Maybe buzzygirl, or another person who owns both can tell me?
The Sony 7600GR is excellent as well, but around 3 times the cost. Shop around online
for the best deal and low cost, or free, shipping if you decide on that one.

"Sanjaya" wrote in message
nk.net...

By the way, I don't know why the 1102 is more
expensive than the 1103, but it is. Maybe buzzygirl, or another person who
owns both can tell me?

Y'know, I've wondered that myself, and I really am not sure why the 1102 is
the more expensive of the two radios. Beats me!

Jackie