The audio/touch combined feeling that you get while tuning across short wave in the evening on a true analog radio is much more usable than the chop/chop/chop effect experienced on low cost digital radios - until now.
The benefits of a digital radio, accurate frequency read out, full band coverage, and memories are great, but if it's painful to tune around it's just not worth it.
I picked up a Degen DE1103 for AU$159 from the very friendly AV-Comm here in Sydney. Significantly more expensive than I've seen them on eBay, but it came with a local power adapter and a smile on a Saturday morning.
The good:
- Very sensitive, in fact it overloads on the AM broadcast band (there's a switch for local which must be used).
- Comes with re-chargeable AA batteries which can be charged in the unit with the supplied power adapter. It has a timed charge system built in.
- Includes a generous long wire antenna and cloth pouch.
- Tuning up and down the dial is really smooth, you would think it was an analog system.
- Direct input of frequencies using the row of number buttons.
- Remarkably good on single side band.
- 0xFF memories (255)
- Short wave broadcast bands for easy finding of the big broadcasters.
- Audio volume is adjusted by pushing a button and then using the tuning knob.
- Mine doesn't sit flat, there is a pop out stand, otherwise it rocks when laying flat
- The big digital simulation of a short wave band dial is pretty funny really, tuning is actually continuous.
- A little cryptic to operate, eg: memories are recalled by pushing a button and spinning the dial. I'd like to store frequencies in those buttons on the front but they just seem to do direct frequency input.
I wish we had an iPod short wave radio.