Hi all, I'm looking for an inexpensive, but still descent, radio for listening to hf milair and commercial air and would like your expert opinions on the Kaito KA1103 vs the Sony ICF SW7600GR.
Kaito KA1103 vs Sony ICF SW7600GR
- Thread starter funtimeguy
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The 7600 is an excellent shortwave radio for the price and has selectable sideband tuning on AM. Sony is good at making shortwave portables.
The Kaito is kind of fun, has great dynamic range, not as easy to tune on Single side band, but is a great radio at $64 on ebay.
Check out http://radiointel.com/ for more information.
The Kaito is kind of fun, has great dynamic range, not as easy to tune on Single side band, but is a great radio at $64 on ebay.
Check out http://radiointel.com/ for more information.
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I have the kaito and I think it's a great radio. I have been into shortwave for years so of course I am comparing it to better radios.
Thanks Dave and corbin for the replies.
mrjon
Member
I bought the SW7600GR right before Hurricane Katrina hit. It has done an excellent job of following WWL-870 as well as some HF traffic from that area.
I can compare it to the Grundig YB400PE which was my first SSB-capable radio. The Sony's SSB reception is much clearer and it has excellent sensitivity for receiving the lower powered signals you'll usually find using SSB. There is an attenuator control with variable level control. Synch detection means that when tuning to broadcast stations and others using a carrier (like 'normal' AM) you can use the BFO as a reference to the carrier, which can improve reception (it's also conveniently tuned automatically to the carrier frequency in what the radio calls "sync lock").
The Sony is a solid feeling, well made machine. You can see the quality of workmanship in it, especially when compared to the China-made radios like the newer Grundig models.
I'm glad I bought it.
I haven't used the Kaito so I can't judge it.
I can compare it to the Grundig YB400PE which was my first SSB-capable radio. The Sony's SSB reception is much clearer and it has excellent sensitivity for receiving the lower powered signals you'll usually find using SSB. There is an attenuator control with variable level control. Synch detection means that when tuning to broadcast stations and others using a carrier (like 'normal' AM) you can use the BFO as a reference to the carrier, which can improve reception (it's also conveniently tuned automatically to the carrier frequency in what the radio calls "sync lock").
The Sony is a solid feeling, well made machine. You can see the quality of workmanship in it, especially when compared to the China-made radios like the newer Grundig models.
I'm glad I bought it.
I haven't used the Kaito so I can't judge it.
Kaito and Degen are made at the same factory in China. As for China-made radios, you may want to take another look. For about 1/2 to 1/3 (ebay) of the cost of the 7600 and 400 you can now get a radio that will directly compete with excellent dynamic range, image rejection, adjacent channel rejection, and Single Side Band (BFO). These Chinese models are starting to become the new contenders in world band that Sony used to own. Sony sadly looks like it is on it's way out of the World Band market. Tecsun is the main supplier to Eton and Grunding these days. The top Chinese models are only limited by their strange ergonomics, like mutli-function volume control, unorthadox numbered keypad, or hidden BFO operation. Just like Sony started out with. Who knows, Degen/Kaito may have it all figured out on the upcoming 1108 model.
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Combustion
Member
The SW7600GR is a well thought out, easy to use radio with great performance! I have several radios from an older Drake to a new Alinco; but the Sony is my favorite.
Thanks for the replies, still not sure what to get, lol, guess I'll keep looking for the time being.
How about an Eton E1?
http://www.etoncorp.com/US/products/product.aspx?catid=2&subcatid=4&prodid=9
http://www.radiointel.com/review-etone1photo.htm
http://www.etoncorp.com/US/products/product.aspx?catid=2&subcatid=4&prodid=9
http://www.radiointel.com/review-etone1photo.htm
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The E1 is a nice radio, but a little more expensive than a Kaito KA1103 or Sony ICF SW7600GR. The public services here are going digital shortly and I need to buy a digital scanner soon, so if I get a HF radio it will have to be a little on the cheap side.
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