themtx's Full Review: Sony ICF-SW7600 AM/FM/SW Radio
I'm fairly new to SWL (shortwave listening) but I have to give this Sony very high marks. Radio Netherlands reviewers agree (see http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/icf-sw7600gr.html for their review) and compared to other portable shortwave radios in this price range, this one is tops. Primarily, this is because it has Sync detection circuitry, which allows the radio to lock on to either the Upper or Lower sideband signal of a station (USB or LSB) in the event a nearby signal (close in frequency) is bleeding through and causing interference with the desired signal. This makes for much more pleasant listening to faint(er) stations, and is the main reason I purchased this model. I also have a Radio Shack DX-398, which is being discontinued and can be purchased for $99 in some stores, and though it originally cost ~$100 more than the Sony, it lacks Sync detection. Secondly, the Sony's memory system is pretty slick - pages of memories can be set up with sets of frequencies for specific stations, then scanned automatically so that the best station frequency can be found quickly. Thirdly, it can tune in SSB for listening to ham radio operators and other utility broadcasts (same as the Radio Shack - which sounds better on SSB, in my opinion). Finally, it's small, sturdy feeling, and easily packable. On the downside, the audio is kind of annoying to listen to for long periods through the speaker, but headphones or a set of powered computer speakers fix that. One other con, in my opinion, is the lack of a rotary tuning knob, though I've gotten used to the Sony's push buttons.
UPDATE:
After several months of using this as my primary SWL radio, I have a few observations. 1) the lack of a tuning knob is much less problematic than I initially thought. By holding down the inside scan button (the 7600 has two sets of scan buttons - one set scans in 5 khz increments, the other 1khz), one can rapidly and easily bandscan, stopping on frequencies of interest. There is about 1 second of silence as the tuner seems to "ramp up" for its rapid scan function, but once it starts roaming, it works really well. Also, and more significantly, SSB on this unit is really quite nice. The DX-398 I reference above is still great, but the infinitely variable BFO (beat frequency oscillator) on the 7600 is superior, once you get the hang of tuning it. An excellent radio, great buy for the sync detector alone, but it takes some practice to learn when and how to best utilize the sync to its maximum effect. Overall, a best buy, considering Sony's next lowest cost offering with sync detection is around $300. (sw-100?)
Two gripes that remain, however, are the lack of a dx/local switch, and the speaker's weak audio. A simple dx/local switch (though I have no idea how complicated or not that would be to include) would potentially really help out with local powerhouse MW and FM stations, and that dang mini-speaker just does not cut it. I still only use the 7600 with headphones. Overall, my 5 star rating stil stands, and has only been re-enforced with extended use of the radio.
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