"Frank Dresser" wrote in message
...

"Honus" wrote in message
news:e0zLe.4788$1b5.2694@trnddc05...
Actually, I don't have any...but I'm looking for some.

[snip]

I have a SW-500, which is the same radio as the S-120, in different
colors.
I'm not particularly fond of that radio. These radios are reputed to
perform similiarly to the S-38s, but I like my S-38s better. My SW-500 is
a
bit more noisy and a bit less sensitive than my S-38s. The SW-500 has a
little more tuning drag and backlash than the S-38s, although either tunes
quite a bit better than nearly any of the inexpensive solid state radios.

Like any radio, it's a good radio as long as you don't try to force it
into
doing something it doesn't do well. The selectivity is wide, and it can't
split a powerhouse broadcaster from a DX catch 20 kHz away. However, it
works just fine if you want to hear that powerhouse broadcaster.
Listening
to SSB is an excercise in frustration on these radios. It's possible to
demodulate bits of SSB once in a while, but it's not worth the trouble.
There's plenty of images, especially on the top two bands, which is
typical
of single conversion radios in which the antenna stage is connected right
to
the converter. Needless to say, single conversion radios with a tuned RF
amp, such as the S-40, have far fewer images.

On the plus side, the S-120 is a general coverage receiver, 540 kHz to 30
MHz, which tunes nicely, especially once you get used to the bandspread.
The audio is OK. It's good for listening to local broadcasts, SW
broadcasters beamed to your area, or some of the clear channel stations at
night.

But this radio is a lousy DX radio. It's no good for listening to hams.
It
doesn't have much sensitivity, selectivity or image rejection. The tuning
is smooth enough, but the dial indications are imprecise.

Just what I was looking for. Thanks, Frank...and everyone else as well.