Customer Reviews
Good as allways 
2008-08-19
I buyed this product to replace a ~25 years old Sony ICF7600D. A good product does not need too much changes, as this 7600 series did.
Great little radio 
2008-08-09
Pros:
Solid Construction
Good Selectivity
Good Sensitivity
Easy to use controls
Cons:
Slightly wobbly whip antenna mount
No memory labeling
Scan is only in band, not continuous
GREAT BUT HAS SOME FLAWS 2008-08-04
This Sony portable has excellent sensitivity and selectivity. With about a 7 foot long wire at ground level, sitting on a patio, it picks up a lot of hams. The other basic specs are probably just as good. Well built, with good controls layout and feel. It's nice listenig to AM in the SSB mode, probably better then the sync detector. BUT----IT HAS FLAWS. 100 memories are provided, but you can only scan 10 at a time!! (it has ten banks), and after it scans the 10 channels, IT STOPS SCANNING! (I may be wrong, but when I hit scan it cycles once only.) They designed it so you can enter the frequencies of ten world broadcast stations, each in its own memory bank, and then scan it to see what channel is stronger. But then you can only enter 10 stations, right? If you listen to utility, you can do the same, as well as maybe hams on different bands. Being able to scan ALL 100 channels is best! However, moving the frequencies around, like from VFO to memory, scanning up and down from each memory, or entering a memory, or VFO setting, into the two very clever holding channels, is very good. Another flaw is that the SSB pitch control is on the side of the radio, like most radios. (I have an old Sangean that has the pitch control on the front.) Also, you can't plug in an external antenna in the jack because it supplies a DC current. It was designed for some Sony products. You are forced to clip the supplied roll up wire to the radio's whip. The audio quality on SSB is outstanding, almost as good as the old high fidelity McKay Dymek receivers. But the audio warbles-a little unstable. I hear that the older model 7600G was more stable. Of course you should get this set, especially if you like single sideband like me. A budget model would be the Kaito 1102, a little smaller, with decent sideband. The Eton 1 is the best, but it's very large and expensive.
Not quite everything - but good! 
2008-07-06
Plusses:
Great little receiver - not heavy, but light, thin and easy to pack.
The AA batteries do last a long time.
The timers work fine.
WAY more memories than you will ever need. Same with controls (see below.) Can put ANY station (once you find it) in any memory in 10 banks (see scanning.)
Picks up stations without needing the included extended antenna.
The LOCK slider prevents changes (and shuts off the wake-up timers.)
Minuses:
Display could be lots bigger. Night light should stay on all the time if plugged in.
Speaker/sound quality - not so hot - use headphones for short wave.
Be sure to get the 6vDC adapter for day-to-day desktop use.
Digital tuner is ultra-fine - means lots of button pushing to move through the bands.
Scanning function ONLY works in one bank (of 10 banks of 10 memories) saved memories - NOT just looking for stations in any band.
Actually, it only has two bands:
AM - tunes continuously from 150KHz to 30MHz (including SSB.)
FM - 88-108MHz only.
Could use NOAA weather (162-165MHz,) and Air (108-135MHz) might be nice.
EASY (too easy) to switch between AM & FM.
On/Off button right where you grab it to pick it up.
More tuning functions on both edges of unit.
Unfortunately, volume is jus another black dial along there somewhere.
Just wonder if the engineers tried to actually use this thing, or added controls where they would fit.
KEEP THE MANUAL HANDY! Build your own index when you find what you actually want in there - think 1970's Datsun manuals - NOT actually written in Engish - mostly translated, I think. Make a short cut checklist in how to save stations to memory.
Speaking of which, the included SW guide is pretty much totally useless. Get a White's radio log, if they still make them.
Bill in Milton-Freewater
Works great, even late. 2008-07-06
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R26QDB3PH9GAGR A review of the Sony sw-7800 shortwave
Simply the best Portable SW on the Market today + MADE IN JAPAN! 2008-07-05
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.
Buy ASAP - Last of Sony's Shortwave Offerings 2008-06-27
This is a stellar product and appears to be Sony's swansong in the shortwave radio arena. I just checked their website and this is the ONLY SWL radio model they have left on offer. This is sad since they have always been known as one of the power players in this arena and used to have many models - all of them raved about in their respective size and price categories.
This unit is near perfect. The body is built like a tank and should last many years if you treat the whip antenna with respect (all whips on all radios need this respect). Radio experts call this the most bang for your buck radio in its category.
If you want a shortwave/AM/FM portable radio built by a manufacturer who truly knows how to make 'em, this is your last chance. Seriously. This is still Made in Japan (not China!!!!)
If you don't like it, many many people will buy it on eBay.
I also recommend you purchase rechargable batteries/charger. I got Sony's own quick battery charger (comes with 4 AA batteries) and one extra set of 4 AA batteries.
Then go to eBay and purchase a Sony AN-LP1 from buyfromjapan - this light weight active antenna is virtually made for this radio and is no longer obtainable here in the USA. This eBay seller sells them brand new. I bought mine from him and it is shipped almost immediately. You'll have it in days.
Add your own choice of earbuds/headphones if you want to enjoy stereo FM.
You will then have the perfect little radio obtainable with all the most perfect added components in my opinion. With care, all this should last you at least a decade or more of high quality useage.
If you are still in doubt, I suggest you join the Yahoo group for this radio as they are very friendly and have many many knowledgable members who have a wide background and experience in all the other possible choices so can give you a balanced opinion. Many prefer other radios for different usages and use various radios for this reason.
I like the radio very much 2008-06-27
I bought this radio to be used as an alarm clock, to listen at night in my bed and take it with me to other locations in house.
It has a great sound, it wakes me in the morning to the morning news and I can go to sleep while listning. It has also sterio earphone plug.
I don't need and don't use all the waves besides FM so I can't tell how it works. All those waves caused this radio to cost $150. But there is no "simple" Sony with all the features I need, So, I had to spend a little more to buy some features I don't need.
After all I am satisfied.
Synchronous AM Detection and other Shortwave Stuff 2008-06-15
There are many reviews already on this radio, so mine will be short.
I like Sony, I've liked all there shortwave radios. Some are better than others, some are bigger, heavier and less portable. I have 3 of them now.
I have several SWL radios, from the Drake R8B, to a little Kaito KA1102.
I like the size of the SW7600, I like the control layout somewhat. Sony always sounds good too. The most impressive technical function for a radios of this size and price, is the Synchronous AM Detector. This is the smallest radio I know of with this function. It's a very good feature to have, and Sony was wise to put it on this radio. I've also read where it comes from! The bottom line is I would highly recommend this radio for entry level SHORT WAVE LISTENING(SWL) the price is right, and quality is there!
I don't like the tiny display screen. I'm not saying it should be like the monstrous Eton E1XM which I have and love, but 1/2 inch over and down would have been wonderful. A tuning KNOB is also nice but no. Switches in front is best, but Sony alway has afew on the side along with volume and attenuation adjustment wheels. They don't seem to be putting handles on portable radios any more. Planned obsolescents? You drop it, break it, and buy another, maybe? This is a small, but not tiny radio, that can bring in lots of radio stations clearly, especially with an external antenna. That's the other side of the shortwave radio equation, and also a fun project. 73's
a quality item 2008-06-13
I grew up with analog, so I had to read the manual before I could figure out how to use this thing, but once I figured it out, I was impressed. The sound quality is excellent for a small unit, and I've heard sw stations I never new existed. This radio would beat the pants off of my old one, if radios wore pants.
