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.

Product Description
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.

I went in for the sony 7600GR and have been very happy. The synchronous detection helps a lot. You can select between LSB and USB when doing synchronous detection. This helps you with those pesky neighbouring stations.If it is on the Lower freq. choose USB and vice versa.

The audio quality is a little inferior to the YB400. It also does not have a handy snooze button. But I am yet to meet a person who buys SW radios for audio quality or as an alarm clock.
The YB400 comes with a AC mains power adapter but the sony does not. The Reel antenna is included in both.

If you are looking for a radio that can tune into weak signals ,provide SSB functionality , synchronous detection , variable attenuation to drown out noisy interference then this is the adio for you. A keeper.


Best shortwave radio under $200.00   June 19, 2003
 179 out of 182 found this review helpful

I bought this radio after trying out several Grundig portables including the YB400. The Grundigs were all cheaply made and have less than desirable reception.

Furthermore, I bought the AN-LP1 loop antenna made by Sony. This must be the perfect set up for someone that does not want to pay loads of money but still wants a "very" satisfying SWL experience. I love mine and would recommend it to anyone. Especially if you travel alot like me for you business. Portable and Powerful!

Finally, you will be suprised how easy it is to learn and operate. Most of the buttons I figured out without the user manual. However, there are a few nifty items I found in the user manual so don't forget to read it.


Best Value -- Get one while you can   December 10, 2004
 112 out of 113 found this review helpful

For many reasons this is absolutely the best valued shortwave receiver on the market.

1. Synchronous detector! It enables the radio to lock
onto signals with tenacity. It reduces fading and noise and
enables you to eliminate interference by selecting a sideband
on the other side of the interfering signal. On the SW7600GR
it works very well. No other radio at this price has sync
detector.

2. Build quality. Made in Japan. The radio even feels
robust. It is.

3. Sensitivity.

4. Great portability.

Of course there are also some liabilities.

Sound through the little speaker is not as good as some
competing products. But given that this little Sony blows
the competitors away in almost all other respects,
this is a minor quibble. The sound isn't bad; it just
isn't room filling. As a personal radio this isn't such
a liability. Plus, you can always use earphones or connect
to auxiliary speakers (Cambridge Soundworks?).

The memory system is simple, without alphabetic labels.
There is no tuning dial, just jog buttons for scanning
the bands. Simplicity makes for easy operation, though.

FM reception is respectable (much better than the very
expensive big brother the Sony ICF-SW77). Standard AM
reception is good, possibly very good. But if you are
interested in DXing the AM bands, you already have a
GE Super Radio.

It doesn't have an AC adaptor (and you should AVOID buying
the horrible--and horribly expensive--official Sony adaptor).
If you want to power from AC, get an inexpensive one. I power
mine with rechargeable NiMH batteries which work better than
alkalines and can be reused hundreds of times. Buy two
sets of batteries and you'll always have a set charged and
ready to go. Battery drain is respectively low and the unit
functions perfectly on the slightly lower voltage NiMHs.

As a travel radio, or as an introduction to shortwave, I can't
think of a better unit. Probably the best recommendation for
the 7600GR is that in spite of all the laudable reviews, using
one for the first time still surprises. Originally priced
at just under $200 US, current street prices make this an
incredible value.

Now for the bad news. Sony is getting out of the world band
radio business. These little gems may soon be unavailable.
So if you're interested in the 7600GR, now is the time.


AC Adapter Not Necessary   December 4, 2004
 57 out of 59 found this review helpful

I have noted a number of reviews mentioning that the Sony ICF-SW7600GR, in my opinion the finest small portable short wave receiver available at the present time, does not come with an AC adapter.

I own three (3) of these receivers (as well as two of its predecessor receiver the ICF-SW7600G).

Believe me, you do not need (or even want) an AC adapter. This radio is extremely easy on batteries and, if you use NiMH rechargeables, as I do, your battery costs in the long run will be very, very low.

With portable radios, AC adapters, in general, cause more problems than they are worth. They often add noise which is what you DON'T want with weak short wave signals.

In my opinion, with this, or any other small portable short wave radio, rechargeable batteries are the way to go.

Amazon's current price ($128.84), if that includes shipping, is a bargain.

This radio is a wonderful "starter" short wave radio, yet it is one that the purchaser will never outgrow.

It is also the best small portable for MW (AM broadcast) DXing. It even has a line output to feed its signal to a stereo system.

Do not ignore this radio just because of the lack of an AC adapter!


AWESOME   November 13, 2003
 54 out of 56 found this review helpful

In "Passport to World Band Radio" it is one of their top choices in portables along with the Grundig YB400PE. The price difference is small (YB 129 SONY 149) but the Grundig comes with an AC adapter included, which is important if you do a lot of listening. When comparing both side by side ( I own both ) I feel that the Grundif has the best sound. But The reason I bought the SONY is because it has great reception and SSB. SO what that the Grundig has better sound if you can't listen to the stations that the SONY can pickup and weed out the bad costations. Only more expensive models comes with SSB, and this SONY is well priced. If sound is a concern I use good headphones which makes all the difference. I would recommend the AN-LP1 antenna to go with it, it is the best loop for portables out there, but it definetly puts the 7600 at a different level when you can pick up a lot more stations. The Grundig is cheaply made in China. My YB 300 broke down within months of use to the point that is was more expensive to fix it than to buy a new one. SONY is a brand one can trust. THe only drawbacks is that the sony buttons on the side (SSB , VOLUME, ...) are hard to get to and it can be at first a bit dificult to use advanced features. Other than that it is definetly the best bang for your buck.