I am in the market for a relatively low cost SW radio. I was looking at a
Kaito 1102 or 1103 (or the Degen equiv) and stumbled on an 1101 at a
surplus store.

I was wondering how the 1101 compares to the 1102 or 1103 or should I be
looking elsewhere altogether?

TIA,

Joeb

jb wrote:
I am in the market for a relatively low cost SW radio. I was looking at a
Kaito 1102 or 1103 (or the Degen equiv) and stumbled on an 1101 at a
surplus store.

I was wondering how the 1101 compares to the 1102 or 1103 or should I be
looking elsewhere altogether?

TIA,

Joeb

The 1103 is better in many ways. Take a look at the reviews on
Radiointel.com for details.

"jb" wrote in message
news
I am in the market for a relatively low cost SW radio. I was looking at a
Kaito 1102 or 1103 (or the Degen equiv) and stumbled on an 1101 at a
surplus store.

I was wondering how the 1101 compares to the 1102 or 1103 or should I be
looking elsewhere altogether?

TIA,

Joeb

There have been many, many posts in rec.radio.shortwave about the virtues of the 1103.
I'd recommend it to anyone interested in a quality, low cost SW portable.
See if this helps you out... http://makeashorterlink.com/?B2D012B4C

On Sat, 10 Dec 2005 17:34:45 +0000, Sanjaya wrote:




There have been many, many posts in rec.radio.shortwave about the virtues of the 1103.
I'd recommend it to anyone interested in a quality, low cost SW portable.
See if this helps you out... http://makeashorterlink.com/?B2D012B4C


I've seen lots of comments regarding the 1103 and the 1102, not as many
for the 1101. Cost is a concern here and I am able to get the 1101 for
about $20us (shipped) less than the others.

What I am really interested in is the SW comparison between the three.

Joeb

ps thanks for the link. I didn't know you could do that!

"jb" wrote in message news
On Sat, 10 Dec 2005 17:34:45 +0000, Sanjaya wrote:




There have been many, many posts in rec.radio.shortwave about the virtues of the 1103.
I'd recommend it to anyone interested in a quality, low cost SW portable.
See if this helps you out... http://makeashorterlink.com/?B2D012B4C


I've seen lots of comments regarding the 1103 and the 1102, not as many
for the 1101. Cost is a concern here and I am able to get the 1101 for
about $20us (shipped) less than the others.

What I am really interested in is the SW comparison between the three.

Joeb


I don't have an 1101, but I do have a Degen DE1102 and DE1103. Both were cheaper
than the Kaito versions, but I gave up the US warranty of the Kaito versions. Both have
been great and have had no problems, though the 1103 was manufactured after August 2004
when they fixed a problem some radios had with the tuning knob.

There's a review of the 1101 here
http://www.radiointel.com/review-kaitoka1101.htm

Part of the review says this:
quote
Shortwave..this is where the KA1101 really shines. The 1101 breaks its shortwave coverage into two
bands. 3 - 10 MHz is called SW1. 10-26.1 MHz is the SW2 band. Up/down steps are 5 kHz and there is
no fine tuning capability. Reception is exceptional just off the whip antenna. In the late afternoon
on the east coast, I was easily receiving stations in the 16, 22, 25, 3, 41 and 49 meter bands. WWV
on 15 MHz was fairly good copy. The wide/narrow filter is effective on shortwave as does the
DX/Local attenuator control. Note that the 1101 does not receive single sideband. The 1102 model
does, however.
As you tune through the 12 defined "shortwave bands", the band is shown on the display (i.e., 19 M).
I found the 1101 to be the equal of the Sangean 606 and the Radio Shack DX-375/396. The use of the
included extended antenna wire plugged into the external antenna jack improved reception slightly.
Perhaps this is more of a benefit in weaker signal areas. I also tried a real external longwire
antenna. It created an overload situation for the 1101. end quote

The 1102 and 1103 have SSB capability, the 1101 doesn't. The 1103 has better speaker sound than the
1102 and 1101. (Though I don't have an 1101 this is easily assumed due to the size of the radios)

The 1103 has detractors who hate the ergonomics. I had no problem with them. Five minutes of using
the radio and it wasn't an issue.

The 1103 is the most sensitive SW off the whip antenna I've ever used.

Speaking for myself, as owner of a 1103, 1102, Sony 7600GR (great radio, but 3 times the cost of the
Degens), YB400 and other portables, and knowing what I know now about all of them, I'd not hesitate
to purchase or recommend an 1103. No contest. Performance per $$$ spent is hands down the best with
the DE1103.

If you can't raise the extra $20 get the 1101. If you can find a way to buy an 1103 that is what you
should do.
Note the above comment about the manufacture date though. There was a small piece of paper included
with NIB models showing the date, and the DE1103s after August 2004 had an additional round sticker
on the front.

Note also that these are my opinions. Some other people who contribute to this group share the same
opinions. Still others will disagree strongly. In fact, you will be judged as unpatriotic for
spending any amount on a radio made in China. Get what you can afford and enjoy it : )

I have the 1101 and the 1103. The 1103 has much richer audio, SSB
and the ability to off tune a frequency to get away from interference.
The 1101 tune SW in 5kHz steps.
The only thing I can think of that the 1101 is better at is in
battery consumption. It is very easy on batteries while the 1103 chews
thru them in short order.
Bob

wrote:
I have the 1101 and the 1103. The 1103 has much richer audio, SSB
and the ability to off tune a frequency to get away from interference.
The 1101 tune SW in 5kHz steps.
The only thing I can think of that the 1101 is better at is in
battery consumption. It is very easy on batteries while the 1103 chews
thru them in short order.
Bob

Does the 1101 use 3 batteries or 4?

I solved - or at least minimized the impact of the 1103 tending to go
through batteries.

I've found a wallwart charger and two sets of NIMH batteries to be a
flexible solution. I can get about 2.5 weeks of listening about 1-2
hours a day from a charge.

I see some sales on eBay now offering the Kaito KA-1102 for $64.95 +
$9.95 shipping. This is the one I have, it fits in my shirt pockets &
seems well made as it has been dropped a few times with no damage.
George S., MN

To all who offered comments, both public and private. Thanks. After
reading everything I could on the three Kaito's I was looking at
(1101,2,3) and the Tecsun PL-230. I opted to go with the 1101.

I would like to say that there was some feature that I was really after
(and it's SW sensitivity is one of those), but truth be told, it was
price. I was able to get it for $32us new plus $7 shipping. At the price
difference between it and the others, I just couldn't justify going any
other way (hopefully, once it arrives, I won't regret it).

I can say that from what I've learned, all three of the Kaitos are similar
and yet different. SSB wasn't an issue for me, so even though the 1102
and 1103 have it, it didn't figure in. For the most part, SW and then FM
reception is what I was after. And depending on who you talk to, the
1101, 2 and 3 all excel. Portability and battery life was another issue.
I did like the controls a little better than the 1103. I didn't like
that SW isn't as fine tuneable as the others. But the fact that I got it
less than $40, was the major deciding factor.

As for the PL-230, I really considered it, but then found out it isn't a
dual conversion and I really wanted that. Plus, it was a little larger
than I would like.

Just to make the story complete, I looked at a number of portable radios,
but none of the ones in my price range (sub $70) really had the features I
wanted (like digital radio vs digital tuning of an analog radio or
continuous coverage vs various gaps, etc.)

So again, I'd like to thank everyone who helped.

Joeb

Joeb: The 1101 is a fine radio. It is more portable than the 1103
and is much easier to use. I didn't mention that scanning on my 1103
works poorly. The scan skates by most signals that are quite
listenable.
When I go for long walks along the beach I often carry the 1101.
With its push buttons and very good scanning circuit it is very easy
to retune. The 1103 would be a pain in that department as well as
not fitting so well in the hand.
Bob