| G0RRL |
Rating:      |
2008-05-17 | |
| best SW portable available at this time |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
i may have commented previously about a 7600D. well ive just spent some cash & bought the newer 7600GR. its still the same as the 20yr old 7600D in my opinion .. but with some subtle changes. if anyone has a 7600D & its the same as mine they will notice FAR BETTER ssb performance with the GR version as far as selectivity. on a good aerial it is comparable to my HF transceiver.
FM is better but not ultra narrow. the 100 memories is better than ten. one other thing .. someone commented that it can be accidentally switched on in its carry case ... then try the "lock" button. my one wont turn on with the lock on. the audio on mine sounds crystal clear.why do people expect hi-fi?
i still think a lot could be done with this radio .. especially the naff tuning .. but compare it to other makes & u will soon prefer the Sony. not the ultimate but a good portable size & value.
Sony dont discontinue this SW portable completely.
bring out the mk9!
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Earlier 5-star review posted by G0RRL on 2008-03-21
this review is for a 1986 Sony 7600D.
it must have been one of the 1st batch made. the tuning at the time was revolutionary. people niggle about preferring a dial .. but i thought this tuning was quite novel. my early memory's were of a impressive multiband radio for its size. to prevent overload i used a coupled ATU .. whereby the signal was loosely coupled by moving the radio as close to the ATU coil without creating overload & birdies. a very lo value capacitor or close coupled windings were tried & gave simular good results. a direct connection to a 50ft wire was no good.
cons: NO dial lock on this model.-- today the FM band is VERY w i d e.--
pros: audio is really nice.-- rock solid tuning. small. -- AA cells.
the radio has had minor faults .. such as the AE socket conection to the PCB came loose. most of the solder joints sufered & were re-soldered. 20+ years later the radio is still going strong.
i was considering a upgrade .. but i see the latest model still has no wide/narrow filter .. & several features that some of the cheaper "copy" radios have. ???
its been a great port-radio. IMO not really been superseded since.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9502951@N07/
pictures can be seen here. |
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| KC2OYZ |
Rating:      |
2008-03-21 | |
| Buy it - big radio in little package! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I do a lot of SWL and MW dx'ing. I bought an SW7600GR in 1999 after researching it. Since then I have owned about a dozen portables and several tabletop rx's - including TenTec, Grundig Satellit 800, Eton E1, Eton E5, Eton E10, Icom R75. The only one I still have and use is the SW7600GR (getting another R75). I live in an area plagued with the worst RFI, and a steel framed building, antenna restrictions, etc - about the worst possible situation for radio listening - I have trouble pulling in WCBS, a local 50 kw station!
Over the years I have given every receiver the 'WCBS test' - take the radio 20 feet away from the window and tune in WCBS. The only portable to pass the test is the SW7600GR - it blows away all the competition, including the newly released Eton E5, which paled in comparison, so I returned it the next day. And it picks up SW DX as good as anything under $1000 (or maybe more - haven't spent that much). With an external speaker or headphones and a decent antenna you've got BIG radio in a little package.
This baby has been with me through terrorist attacks, blackouts, and drinking bouts, and never fails. The only thing I've had that outperforms it is the Icom R75. The alarm is also great - very easy to use and two independent settings. The only downside is that a lot of the controls are on the side of the radio and hard to see from the front - but it's a minor complaint. A keeper and a classic. |
|
| WA4053SWL |
Rating:      |
2008-02-26 | |
| 7600G, probably the best portable SW receiver |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I have the model ICF-7600G and Sangean 909, but the Sony is the winner, the 7600G is a very sensitive and selectivy radio, the LSB and USB to listen amateur and utilitary is amazing, and the synchronous detection helps a lot to broadcasting SW and MW, very recommended.
73 to all |
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| ELKABONG |
Rating:      |
2008-02-25 | |
| Compact radio with ultra sensitivity |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
This radio is replacing all my other radios even my AOR 7030 Plus because of it's Sync. Lock feature makes stations lock on, no fading. It's a wonderful thing. Shortwave reception is outstanding for a little radio especially just using the whip antenna, more with the reel antenna attached. Wish it came with a case with a shoulder strap so I wouldn't have to hold it when I'm listening while traveling, even though it's about the size of a paperback book.
I had second thoughs about the Sony ICF-SW7600GR vs. Super Sangean ATS909 but the Sangean is more than twice the money which isn't a factor and it's an inch larger overall which is a factor. The reviews I read it wasn't any better or worse but it did have a tuning knob and strength meter. All in all I'm a very happy customer. |
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| W4RAR |
Rating:      |
2008-01-04 | |
| For the price can't be beat |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I bought this little gem after hearing one of my friends talk about how neat it was. the first thing I ask was can you actually listen to SSB? he said yeah but I had to hear it for myself, he brought it over and I ordered one that very day. I had previously purchased a Sangean ATS 909 you couldn't hear anything on it "except commercial broadcast" and I paid twice as much for it. this is a fantastic little portable I would recommend to anyone. I might buy another one myself since the price is so reasonable HI HI |
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| WF7I |
Rating:     |
2007-12-07 | |
| Very good little radio |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I picked up this radio a few weeks ago and am generally pretty impressed.
It is very tiny for what is in the package. It also seems fairly sensitive to weak signals, although it could have been better. Still for the price I think it does a great job.
It does a good job on SSB/CW reception although I have to say I'm not thrilled with having a BFO-style knob (would like to just hit "LSB/USB" and then be done with it, engage a real fine tuner, etc). It has a plethora of memories in it.
The biggest cons for me are mostly ergonomics or personal preference. No plug-in power supply, no tuning knob, audio kind of poor from speaker (but good through headset). Other than that, I'm thrilled with it. It doesn't replace my old ICF-2010, but then, nothing really does, especially at this price level. |
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| 4X1PD |
Rating:    |
2007-11-07 | |
| Was My favorite before DE1103 appears |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Here I am commenting only about radios in portables category
Pros: Sensitivity with whip same as on DE1103, Reliability like a SONY brand should be.
Cons: To expensive, To big, Lack of a tuning knob, Sound in SSB mode is "dumby and muted", Poor dark, display only, illumination, No signal strength meter.
I have both the DE1103 and the ICF-SW7600GR.
I gave it a "3"-OK rating because I believe that only DE1103 truly deserve a "5" (again in portables category).
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/4288
http://www.qrz.com/4z5nu |
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| KB0LPI |
Rating:    |
2007-07-15 | |
| I think there are better choices |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I own 2 other SW units, the Eton E5 and the Kaito 1103. If you told me I had to give up one of them, I'd give up the Sony.
Sony Cons:
- No tuning knob. (For me this is a BIG factor)
- Sound is "Muddy" compared to the others. (The Sony has a bit better bass response for music, but the mid-highs just aren't there.)
- No ability to recharge batteries on board.
- No AC adapter included. (The Kaito even included batteries)
- No battery condition meter (other than "really low" and "dead")
- "Light" must be pressed every time to illuminate the display (E5 and 1103 can activate whenever a button is pushed or tuning knob moves)
- Buttons not illuminated
- Display on E5 shows time, frequency, battery condition, wide/narrow, and signal strength all at the same time. The Sony will only show time OR frequency.
Sony Pros:
- SSB Sync holds stations without fading slightly better
- Analog volume control allows better control (I find that when going to bed that 4 is too soft and 5 is too loud on the E5)
- Adjustable attenuator (1103 and E5 are just 10db)
- External antenna comes with reel.
- Sensitivity with whip better than the E5. (about equal to the 1103)
The 7600GR isn't bad, but of the 3 radios I have, I think I like the Sony the least. |
|
| K4PDM |
Rating:     |
2007-05-24 | |
| Not as good as I expected... |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
Mine has the "warble" on very strong SSB/CW signals, but is OK with lower signal strengths.
I do not like the up/down pushbutton frequency control and would much prefer a tuning knob. I know many portables are made this way, but if you are used to using a VFO knob, you may not like this method of changing frequencies. It means that I never manually tune through the bands, which I enjoy doing with my $50 analog Sony portable (which I emailed Sony and praised,) and my ham rigs.
It receives well and generally sounds good. If you are happy with letting the radio scan or simply enter stations into memories, you'll probably love it. I have no major beefs--These are not deal-breakers for me, but they may be for you.
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|
| JOEANALSSANDRINI |
Rating:     |
2007-05-22 | |
| The Best Compact Portable Shortwave Receiver |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have read all of the reviews here with a great deal of interest, especially the "negative" ones, which do not correspond with my personal experiences at all.
I own five of these radios (as well as two of the predecessor "G" model), all bought at various times (GRs from 2001 to 2005, Gs in 1998 and 2000), and I must say their consistency of performance and, especially, consistency of construction quality is exemplary, especially considering the fact that this is a "plastic portable" and that its price is less than $150.00.
In terms of SSB reception, the negative comments I have noted here are not at all consistent with my own experiences. I hear no SSB "warble" at all, whether listening to hams, pirate broadcasts, or AFRTS. My sets are very stable.
Its synchronous detection circuit is so good and so useful on shortwave (as well as MW - when MW stations are not interfered with by IBOC), and as this circuit is available on this radio which costs so little, I have decided to never again buy ANY radio that does not feature this circuit (unless someone invents something even better!).
Overall sound quality through the speaker is very good for "talk," mediocre for "music." This is a well-known failing with the various models of this radio. For those who are "sound-conscious," an easy "fix" is a $10.00 cable from Radio Shack which will allow you to attach the radio, via its line output, to your stereo system and thus enjoy high-quality sound. Of course, as its speaker is optimized for voice, and as its sync circuit eliminates selective fading distortion, this makes IDing a station far easier than it is on many other radios.
Shortwave reception via this set, especially with a good external antenna, is quite impressive, again considering the size and price of this radio.
Frankly, I cannot imagine any knowledgeable shortwave hobbyist being anything less than impressed with this receiver.
I gave it a "4" rating only because I believe that only good tabletop receivers truly deserve a "5." However, if I were rating only portables, this one would definitely deserve a "5." |
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