Cheap SW radio

[Bill, KD0HG]

A few days ago I did an impulse purchase and picked up a pocket shortwave radio from Radio Shack.
The price, a whopping $19.95.

What a *fun* little toy. It ain't an R-390, but on its 1' whip it does a credible job on the shortwave bands.
You need a steady hand to tune with the 1" thumbwheel, but it's actually fairly stable and has adequate selectivity. Doesn't drift much, for an analog set. Does a good job on WWV, WBCQ and the other popular stations. (Jeez, I can carry Timtron around with me wherever I go)
Overall, it's performs as well as my old Knight-Kit Star Roamer.

Here's the specs- AM BCB, FM BCB, 48M band, 5.7-6.2 MHz, 41M band, 7.0- 7.7 MHz, 31M 9.4-10 MHz, 25M 11.5-12.2 MHz, 19M 15-16MHz, and 16M 17.45-18.15 MHz.

Might make a fun grab-bag gift for the holidays.

[k4kyv]

It would also work as an  el cheapo line noise sniffer.  16m band reception would be a lot more sensitive to location relative to the noise source than would the standard AM broadcast band.  A few years ago I spent $30 at RadioShack for a VHF receiver that includes the AM aircraft band just above the FM broadcast band, and it makes an excellent sniffer.  Not sure if they still sell those or not.

[Tom WA3KLR]

Too bad it doesn't cover 160 and 75 meters.

[Tom WA3KLR]

I was trying to remember a cheap radio people were recommending a few months ago.  I can't remember if it was mentioned on the AM Forum or not, but I believe this is it:

KAITO KA1101 AM FM SHORTWAVE RADIO  $60 - 75.  The SW covers 3 - 26 MHz.

Kaito has many radios cheaper and more expensive than the KA1101.

http://www.kaitousa.com/radios.htm

[Ed-VA3ES]

I was trying to remember a cheap radio people were recommending a few months ago.  I can't remember if it was mentioned on the AM Forum or not, but I believe this is it:
KAITO KA1101 AM FM SHORTWAVE RADIO  $60 - 75.  The SW covers 3 - 26 MHz.

Actually, it was the KA1103 AM FM SSB SHORTWAVE RADIO
http://radios4you.com/kaito-ka1103-LG.html

The KA1103 SSB world band radio, receives FM in stereo from 76 to 108 mHz, LW Long Wave from 100 kHz to 519 kHz, AM Medium Wave from 520 to 1710 kHz and Shortwave from 1.711 to 30 mHz    $79.95 + $9.95 S/H/I in the USA

My order is in!   

[Carl WA1KPD]

I love mine

[k4kyv]

I love mine

Looks like synthesised tuning, with analogue knob or direct digital entry.  What is the frequency resolution between steps?

[Carl WA1KPD]

It has a faux analog dial. All LCD with an LCD pointer. The direct readout is to the KC, with a fine tuning for SSB on the side.
I had a Sony 7600GR and prefer the Degan. There aree several side by side comparisons at  http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1534

[W1UX]

arrrRRRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!! Capitalist American profiteers take fine Chinese radio and re-market it for higher price to unsuspecting fat rich USA hams! BAH!
This radio is actually made by the DEGEN factory in glorious motherland of China, and the REAL model number is "DEGEN 1103" - it can be purchased directly from Honorable Person in Hong Kong for $49.95. Just do a search on Ebay stores for "Degen 1103"
Carl KPD introduced me to this fine business glorious apparatus and only today Carl and I were checking the 1103 out in a local restaurant.
Don't be fooled by Capitalist Pig American entrenoouers! Buy the real thing and save money!
Vlad