Sony ICF-SW7600GR AM/FM Shortwave World Band Receiver with Single Side Band Reception
Sony ICF-SW7600GR AM/FM Shortwave World Band Receiver with Single Side Band Reception
Manufacturer: Sony
Today's savvy traveler doesn't go anywhere without the link of a World Band Radio receiver. Sony's multi-band radios pack virtually unlimited information and entertainment in the space of a single paperback book.ICF-SW7600GR World Band receiver provides accurate reception with stereo FM capability over a wide range of frequencies from LW and MW(AM) to SW and FM. 10-key DIRECT ACCESS tuning lets you capture distant stations directly, with the ease of using a pocket calculator. LCD display provides digital frequency read-out of the selected station. Hold button prevents accidental changes to preset station settings. ICF-SW7600GR features PLL Quartz frequency-synthesized tuning - an extremely accurate method of tuning, with optimum stability that reduces drift to a minimum. Synchronous detection circuitry reduces fading and annoying "beat" frequency interference from adjacent stations, as well as distortion due to fading in AM reception. SSB (Single Side Band) reception is provided for fine tuning and optimum multi-mode reception with reduced interference on the narrow AM band, for better overall sound. 100-station memory presets lets you quickly and easily tune into up to 100 stations that you select to be saved in memory. Auto scan tuning/memory scan provides professional-type microprocessor-controlled tuning functions to scan - one at a time - all 100 memory presets and let you listen for a few seconds before deciding whether to remain on a particular station or let scanning continue. 1KHz tuning step allows fast, precise station reception. Dual Standby function lets you set the alarm for two different wake-up times or wake you to two different radio stations. ICF-SW7600GR's World Time clock/dual clock allows you to display the current time at various locations around the globe as well the time where you live.
Amazon.com Product Description:
The Sony ICF-SW7600GR world band receiver radio will keep you connected to FM, AM, shortwave and longwave stations with a PLL digital tuner. With single side band (SSB) reception, the radio will transmit with a minimal amount of interference. To further enhance listening pleasure, the synchronous detection will reduce fading and regular beats.
There are four options when tuning your selected radio station. With direct tuning, you input the desired frequency digits. Manual tuning allows you to change the frequency step by step. If you are unsure of what station you want, use the scan tuning option to have the radio stop at all hearable receptions. Finally, with preset tuning, you can recall a preset station with a single button press. You can store up to a hundred preset stations using Sony's My-memory tuning feature. To help you remember which station is which, this Sony radio allows you to label each station with up to six alphanumeric letters. There is also a ten-key direct access tuning function, letting you quickly access your top ten favorite stations.
If you plan on traveling with a radio, the ICF-SW7600GR is a good choice. Beyond the ability to tune into various radio bands, the ICF-SW7600GR also features a world clock feature. Simply select a city name and the radio will display that city's current time. With the dual clock function, it is easy to keep track of two time zones. The radio also has a useful turn-on and sleep timer. Choose two individual times and frequencies and the radio will turn on and tune to the selected station automatically. If you plan on listening to the radio as you fall asleep, use the sleep timer and the radio will turn off after approximately sixty minutes.
There are two options to power the radio. Either four AA batteries or purchase an optional AC adaptor.
What's in the Box
Sony ICF-SW7600GR World Band Radio, antenna, wave handbook and a ninety day warranty.
Lowest New Price: USD 135.23
Lowest Refurbished Price: USD 135.93
- PLL digital tuner receives FM, MW/AM, shortwave and longwave
- MY-memory tuning memorizes and scans up to 100 frequencies
- Four tuning methods: direct, manual, scan and preset
- World clock and dual clock functions; built-in timer
- Label presets with 6 alphanumeric letters
Color: Grey
Model: ICF-SW7600GR
Excellent radio, especially if you also get the accessory antenna
I have had mine for a couple of years now, so I have had ample time to play with it and sort through it's idiosyncrasies. So this review is a bit late in the offing.
I don't know how Sony managed to stuff so many features into such a small package. Well, I do know because the thing must weigh 10 pounds (not really). Seriously though, I have diving weights that are lighter than this radio, it is a real brick. If it becomes necessary to do so, you can wield the thing as a bludgeon, like the old Nikon cameras from the 60's and 70's. So be careful not to drop it on your foot unless you are wearing steel-toes.
The synchronous selectable sideband feature is GREAT. It actually works and locks on to "iffy" signals very solidly, something radios costing 10x+ as much as the Sony still cannot get right. And the single sideband also works fairly well, even if the trimmer pot is a bit touchy, at least on my radio. And 100 presets are nice, although I can never remember what they are since you cannot put any kind of alphanumeric information along with the preset frequency.
OK, things to complain about. MW frequencies stop at 1620 kHz (oops). And it is not possible to do a full-spectrum scan without switching bands. And even then you miss the stuff between the bands unless you know the "trick" to make it scan between bands. Compared to my other radios it EATS batteries at a pretty good rate. And there is no really good AC power supply available for the thing which is guaranteed not to hum. There should be some sort of indication on the display that the antenna attenuator is "On", that has caused me grief on occasion. And the controls on the sides are damned crowded, but that is only because there are so many features crammed into such a small package. And to get REALLY good SW reception you need to get one of the accessory AN-LP1 active antennas, which are no longer available in the US (oops again). I got mine from a fellow in Japan off of EBay for a very reasonable price (
Excellent performance but beware of costly spare parts!
I've had the Sony ICS-SW7600GR shortwave radio for almost a year, and it has performed flawlessly. My only hesitation is that the speaker sound is somewhat thin, but it does sound much, much better with headphones.
The radio cabinet is very compact and almost too thin. In fact, it is so thin that it fell off my counter with the FM/SW whip antenna fully extended and the antenna got bent and eventually broke. From this I learned that the radio is more stable when it is resting at an angle on its built-in fold-out back support.
I called Sony Parts and they wanted plus tax and shipping for the whip antenna! (About a third the price of the radio!). I found an identical Sony antenna on the Internet for . I bought this one and it fits perfectly.
Top Notch Portable Shortwave Radio
This one replaced an older version that I had. It is everything that I want for travel and around the house: a carrying case, antenna adapter for better reception(when needed)and it's built very solidly. In Houston, when we were out of power for two weeks due to Hurricane Ike, this little gem fit the bill with great reception and sound, bringing me joy in the dark nights. I just wish that we still got the BBC World Service in North America!!
what happened Sony?
Despite high ratings in Passport I received two duds in a row which had to be returned. I've been buying Sony products for many years and it's pretty disappointing. Seems like Japanese manufactured goods are going the way of U.S. manufactured good. I hear Sony has decided to get out of the short wave radio business. Can't imagine why. Guess I'll buy a Kaito from China.
A major disappointment.
I did a great deal of research before choosing the Sony ICF- SW7600GR to replace a still working, but held together with tape, Realistic DX-370. The vast majority of the reviews I have read at Amazon and elsewhere are quite positive for this radio. The annual publication, Passport to World Band Radio, describes it as "One of the great values in a meaningful world band radio.", and gives the Sony ICF-SW7600GR it's, "Passport's Choice" designation, indicating they believe it to be, "La creme de la creme".
My personal experience with the Sony ICF-SW7600GR does not substantiate this opinion. With the Sony, I can receive AM and FM commercial local broadcast stations quite well, better than my Realistic DX-370, but intelligible shortwave or SSB reception is non existent. Addition of the accessory AN-71 antenna only increases the sound of the unintelligible noisy, (signals/broadcasts?), punctuations heard at scanning stops while maneuvering through the various meter bands. Even my old Realistic DX-370 picks up some SW broadcasts with just it's whip antenna at the same locations within the concrete confines of my condominium.
A call to the local Sony facility here in Honolulu lead to the suggestion from a technician that I should perhaps read the manual more carefully. I wouldn't discount the possibility that I am missing some important step or function in the operation of this radio, but I have indeed read, re-read and studied the manual like no other manual before.
This is very frustrating. I had such high hopes for the Sony. Any suggestions as to what I may be missing or doing wrong?
Yesterday, a friend of mine brought over his Eton E1 XM radio to show me, which exhibited truly amazing SW performance on the patio of my condominium. If I can't resolve the performance problems I'm having with this Sony ICF-SW7600GR, I'm going to spring for the Eton E1 XM.
- On Apr 16, 2008
- Posted by admin.
- It is filed under: Radios and More
Recent Posts
Best Of Technology Gadget Electronic Review & Store Online
- None found
Leave a reply