Gaaah - ratings roundup: Kenwood r-600

[perigee123]

OK, guys - here's the deal:

As most of you probably know, I've been goofing with the G3 and my ol' baby the DX440 for the last couple of weeks, The G3 makes me feel like some sort of gufus giant, and the DX isKind of comfortable, but, frankly, a bit of a pain in the butt when all I want to do is listen by the bedside: you need to wrestle the thing to get your station, than wrestle with it again, to change it.

The opportunity has come up to grab a kenwood r-600, which looks like it was made for bedside listening. The problem is the boys over at e-ham. According to them, the 440 clocks in at a rating of 4.3, and the r-600 at 4.2. Meh - the difference is negligible, I suppose, considering the convenience of bedside usage. But I'm generally curious - are the reviews over there relative? Is the 440 rated 4.3 for a portable, and the 600 4.2 for a base receiver, or is it all generally equal?

Frankly, I was kinda hoping for some improvement with a base model - lots more room in the case for useful tune-y stuff. If you have any wisdom, I'd appreciate it.

- Bob

 

[SCPD]

First off, the ratings are totally subjective and have no real value. Second, you can't translate ratings directly from one radio to another.

Generally, I would say anything over a 4 is a decent buy. Of course, that can be influenced by your own personal tastes, etc. (e.g. Some people care about looks and others don't.)

The R600 is an older Kenwood shortwave receiver but from what I can read online, it looks like a decent radio. Obviously, it's not going to have all the usual bells and whistles as a newer radio but in some ways, it may perform better. You never know until you try.

It should perform better than a shortwave portable because it's a true receiver and not designed to receive from a whip antenna. You will want to put up a quality outdoor antenna. You'll likely hear things you've never heard before.

 

[ka3jjz]

I quite agree with Nick's assessment of the eHam reviews. They are a bit more subjective but they do give a decent place to start to research receivers.

Our receiver reviews category has a great many other links to receiver reviews. Some are more objective and quantitative than others, to be sure, but the more sources you have the better your decision will be.

Category:Receiver Reviews - The RadioReference Wiki

And yes, a better antenna is always a good decision, particularly with the sunspots still in the doldrums.

73 Mike

 

[mkrubsack]

A good deal is if you can get one in good cosmetic shape for under $200. It's a nice bedside receiver.

I have a R-600 and like it, it's in this video YouTube - mkrubsack's Channel

 

[perigee123]

Whoop - there it is....

Well, it was an hour drive each way, but 150.00 later, she's home and by the bedside. In fact, I've given her a special berth; I picked up a 'laptop stand' to separate it from the interference from the computer and monitor on one side and the speakers behind the headboard. (Yes - I am the Ultimo Geekazoid.) It also puts it in line with that wire antenna slung out the window.

I'm looking forward to seeing what she's got - I just need to string the wiring together, and away we go. Thanks, guys - I'll letcha know how it goes.

- Bob

(Edit: Thanks, mkrubsack - I was actually there yesterday, watching it as I researched the unit. It really is a neat 'lil thing, with eighties charm. I have half a mind to stack my pro2006 on top of it and make it "the toys I wanted in my twenties" outpost. ~grin~ Wheee!)

 

[mkrubsack]

It does have a personality. You will really like it.