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Old December 3rd 05, 01:16 AM posted to rec.radio.shortwave
Sanjaya
 
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Default Pick my next portable SW radio


"Al Dykes" wrote in message ...

My Tecsun PL-200 has taken a beating and is due for a replacement.
Should I buy another one or look at another model. I've not been
looking for a year and don't know what portables hae come to market
i n the past year.

The only fault I can find with the PL-200 is lack of a connector for
an external wire antenna (and ground, I guess) and the night light
should stay on as long as I'm playing with the buttons.

The size is fine. A little larger wouldn't be a problem if it gets
me something.

Suggestions ?

Thanks.



The Degen 1103 is, in my opinion, the best value for amount of money spent.
Dual conversion. Extremely sensitive off the whip, SSB cabable. External antenna jack. Alarms,
sleep timer, tuning knob. GREAT reception (I can't emphasize that enough)

The Kaito version (KA1103) is more expensive but comes with US warranty.

Non-ergonomic keypad layout (it took me all of 5 minutes to adapt to it)

The pre-set memory system leaves a lot to be desired.

Basically useless, but cool looking, fake analog dial.

Chinese manual, but vendor should supply English version in .pdf or MS Word format.

Charges batteries in the radio if you have a 110 to 220 volt step up transformer for
North American electrical mains. I use good NIMH batteries and my own charger.
Never used the batteries that came with it.

Regardless of shortcomings in the above categories the 1103 is a fantastic portable.

Note:
Direct from China shipping of the Degen model means you have a headache if you need
warranty repair. However, I've never had a problem with anything I bought from eBay
seller Liypn.