Howdy Nyimbo:

I have the Sangean 606A Also; It is my Favorite Travel Radio.
Doesn't look glamorous, so it's still with me.

I also noticed that it doesn't pick up all I want just off the whip.

- So . . .

I bought a SONY AN-LP-1 Portable Amplified antenna / Pre selector.
This takes care of all my SW needs whilst travelling.

For FM, well,
Consider just hooking a long ( 20-30 feet??) peice of wire to the whip for FM
reception.

As for Broadcast AM, well, you need a small " Loop Antenna".. I have the " rat
Shack" loop;
but I think the Terk or the Kiwa Foldable might be what you need.

http://kiwa.com/pktloop.html

In closing, whilst outside the U.S, I took the 606A.

On the whip I could Not pick up BBC from Ascension Island ( 12.095)
BUT using the SONY AN-LP-1 it came in quite clear..

In short, I Think its an antenna related problem; ..

Hope this helps

Dan





In article m, Nyimbo
writes:

Subject: Another buying advice question - concerning a portable
From: Nyimbo
Date: Thu, 01 Apr 2004 08:42:51 GMT

Hello All,

A long time lurker, I have only posted a few times in the past years.

I have a very varied need in a radio so would appreciate a comment or
two.

I live near Nairobi, I travel around east Africa a couple months a
year, and a month a year in the US mostly CA.

In Nairobi, I listen to FM mostly as they have 24 hour VOA and BBC as
well as local music etc. I always use my Grundig SAT 700 as I live
only 2kilometers (clear view) from a tower I can't get a good signal
with my basic radios and stereo-tuner and boom-boxes around the house.

As I travel around East Africa I listen mostly to SW major
broadcasters for the news every morning and evening. I use the
Sangean606 paperback size portable as I travel It does fine with the
SW on strong signals only, not great but ok. The FM on the Sangean
will not pick up the strong signals at home or the weak signals in
Western Kenya were I spend a month each year.

In California I usually listen to the AM side. I love to listen to all
of the Sports and News stations that I miss during most of the year
while living in Kenya. On the last 2 trips I took the Sangean but the
AM was so-so at best.

So to summarize my long question I love the Sat 700 and it has worked
perfectly in all settings except I just refuse to travel with it
anymore as it is to big. So what portable can I use to replace my
little portable.

It needs to do well at FM both in strong and weak areas, good AM for
my California and USA traveling, the SW is not my least important area
it is just the area I haven't had as much trouble with as the other, I
want to get a portable that is quite acceptable in all 3 areas, like
my SAT 700 but smaller in a travel size radio. What are the radios
with the best balance of the 3.

When I visit Amsterdam next month I'd like to buy something, or
perhaps a month later in California, but if I get something and come
back to Nairobi and find out it won't pick up the local BBC on FM
because it can't handle the extra strong signal I'll be disappointed.
BTW even tho I travel a bit, I am not a wealthy person, budget is a
consideration for me.

By the way I have googled and read all the old post on the individual
portables. But my question is specifically looking for the best all
around I guess.

Thanks,
Nyimbo