STEELE.HENR@XEROX.ARPA (08/31/84)
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WMartin@SIMTEL20.ARPA (08/31/84)
From: William G. Martin <WMartin@SIMTEL20.ARPA> I've used a Sony ICF-2001 for many years now; I wrote the review of it that appeared in Review of International Broadcasting. (I had that archived but retrievable until we changed hosts earlier this year; sorry I can't just send out a copy now.) I plan on doing a direct comparison between the two Sony models (ICF-2001 and ICF-7600D [same as the 2002]) and the Uniden when I get the latter. I'll send that info out on the list. It's sad that it is just about impossible to do any comparisons or evaluations of shortwave portables in stores. They always seem to be in steel-framed buildings and loaded with fluorescent lights, and they never have an external longwire you can attach to for testing. I can point anybody interested in these receivers to the latest (1984) issue of the World Radio TV Handbook -- if you can't find that in a radio store, your local public library may well have a copy. The back section includes some extensive receiver reviews by Larry Magne, and that issue covers the field which includes the Uniden, Radio Shack, and Sony (with a pointer to the preceeding issue with the 2001 review). I can give a subjective impression of comparing some of these with my "big" radio -- a Galaxy R-530 (this was made by Hy-Gain and was one of the better non-digital direct-frequency-readout solid-state models, using accurate dial calibration instead of a digital display; it does suffer from excessive cross-modulation, so it's not wonderful, but it was fairly well regarded when it came out). With the same external antenna connected, everything is sensitive enough that it is hard to tell the difference. Without external antennae, using just the whip (of course the Galaxy doesn't have one), the two Sonys have definite differences. The 2001 is MUCH more sensitive than the 2002/7600D. A lot of this is simply due to the newer model's smaller size -- they can only install a whip half the length of the one on the bigger version; there is only so much room for the telescoped whip to fit into. The Uniden's whip is about as long as the 2001's, and reviews indicate that it has similar sensitivity. As far as selectivity goes, it is sort of meaningless to compare a communications receiver with switchable filter banks with an entertainment portable. I never did get all the possible filters installed in the Galaxy anyway; at $65 each or so, it wasn't worth it. The 2002/7600D has much better selectivity than the 2001. The 2001 has a single, rather wide bandwidth for AM, and the narrow bandwidth filter only operates while in SSB/CW mode. In the 2002/7600D, the main filter is much improved, with better shape factor, and the narrow filter can be switched in without turning on the BFO (or product detector or whatever it is). However, most models of the 2002/7600D exhibit a "pulling" characteristic when receiving SSB or CW, which means the receiver tends to tune toward strong signals nearby, which can make reception of a weaker SSB signal close to a stronger one just about impossible. The Uniden, though modelled after the 2001's circuitry, has improved filter characteristics, and has bandwidth switchable independent of the SSB/CW mode choice. None of the reviews have mentioned any "pulling" problems with it similar to the 2002/7600D in SSB, so therefore I think it may be the best choice for a ham backup, in addition to the price factor. Hope all this is of help in making your decision. Regards, Will Martin -------