David,

Sorry to hear about your experience with the 7600.  I'd have to assume you 
got a defective one as I have one and it's one of the better receivers I 
have, especially on the AM broadcast band.  i also frequently take it with 
me when I'm away from home so I can get my cw fix, even if I can't transmit. 
lou  WA3MIX
Lou Kolb
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www.loukolb.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David thurmond" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2012 2:04 PM
Subject: Sony ICF SW7600GR Receiver


> Hello,
>
> Awhile back, someone had posted an inquiry regarding the Grundig G3
> shortwave receiver.  Well, I had read a bunch of reviews, and decided
> to go with the Sony ICF-SW7600GR, which is a direct competitor to the
> Grundig, so that I could at least enjoy some shortwave listening until
> I could save up for that Kenwood dream rig by sometime next year.  I
> got one, and if that individual is still on the fence regarding which
> receiver to buy for some not-too-expensive shortwave listening, keep
> on reading.
>
> There is a huge following for the Sony ICF 7600 and its prior
> generations, so evidently someone is having some luck with them, but
> not me.  I packed mine up and returned it to Amazon today.  About the
> only listening I could do was to WWV on a few bands.  This radio
> didn't even pick up NewsTalk 750 AM, a high-power Atlanta AM station
> that can easily be heard 80 to 100 miles outside of the city on a
> regular old AM radio.  On other shortwave frequencies, I had virtually
> no luck at all.
>
> I did thoroughly read through the manual to learn how to use the
> receiver's features to help bring in those weaker signals, and I also
> used the external antenna as recommended.  I had absolutely zero luck
> with this radio, and after a week of frustration, I packed it up and
> sent it back.
>
> Granted, I might have gotten a dud from the manufacturer.  Perhaps it
> was also operator error, although I brought the receiver into work and
> had an experienced fellow ham check it out, with equally frustrating
> results.  So, to sum up, if the glowing reviews are any indication of
> how this product is supposed to perform, mine was about as far from
> what others have experienced as it is possible to get.  Either forget
> the Sony ICF SW7600GR, or else perhaps try it out if you can buy it at
> a retail outlet where it is more convenient to return it if you get
> poor results.
>
> Time to keep putting those pennies in the change jar til I can afford
> that Kenwood 590.  If anyone has any recommendations on entry level
> transceivers or even decent receivers that don't break the bank, I'd
> love to hear them.
>
> 73,
>
> David Thurmond, KK4ADV