Hello.

I owned (and still own) two Sony ICF-SW7600G models (purchased in 1998
and 2000) but when the ICF-SW7600GR was announced in 2001 I decided to
buy one. This new model offered more and better features than the G
model: a variable attenuator, two clocks (and it's much easier to
adjust local time to DST), and more memories - AND those memories are
non-volatile. While performance is identical to the G model, the
features are better in every way.

My first '7600GR was purchased in 2001 and has serial number 10864.

My second and third were purchased in 2002 - serial numbers 48734 and
48735.

When I saw that Amazon was offering them for $129.15 INCLUDING
shipping, I didn't wait - I bought two more; they arrived on December
16 and carry serial numbers 158702 and 158704.

All were perfect out of the box; I have never had any problem
whatsoever with any of them (G or GR models - I also own two ICF-SW35
portables which I keep in the glove compartment of my cars; they have
always operated flawlessly also).

The vinyl carrying case of the two newer samples are made of a
different material than the cases of my older ones but otherwise there
is no difference at all.

The serial numbers are interesting. This is a rather expensive and
esoteric radio that has received absolutely NO promotion of any sort
and cannot even be purchased in any "mainstream" electronics store of
which I'm familiar (certainly not in my area - Southern New
Jersey/Pennsylvania/Delaware) and yet you can see just how many
they've sold.

I hope Sony keeps producing these radios for a long time (though I'm
certain they - in their abject stupidity demonstrated of late - will
discontinue ALL their shortwave radios soon); their development costs
for the '7600GR have long since been written off and this radio is
STILL head-and-shoulders above ANY other small portable shortwave
receiver available and I don't see any other manufacturer offering (or
planning to offer) any comparable (in design, features, and
construction-quality) shortwave receiver.

The ICF-SW7600GR is still the best and far-and-away the best VALUE, in
my opinion.

I hope the above was of some interest.

Joe