Kaito KA321 Pocket-Size 10-Band AM/FM Shortwave Radio with DSP (Digital Signal Processing), Black

The Kaito KA321 is a new radio offering from Kaito USA it is a small pocket size radio with DSP . This radio is very small it is about the size of a cell phone with a 4" screen in a leather case . SW seems to be its strong point with good sensitivity and selectivity all across it SW bands . FM reception is good and works off the same antenna as the SW band . Using ear buds can make listening to the SW an FM bands a lot more enjoyable . AM sensitivity is very weak and this is not a radio for the AM dxer as it has a very small internal AM antenna . This radio has tuning steps of 5khz and does not tune like a regular analog radio So tuning around on the AM and SW bands has to be done with care . The FM bands have good selectivity also because of the digital signal processor . The only problem with this radio is the AM band's low sensitivity if Degen could improve on that , this would be a very good radio . Would I buy another one , yes I would . Update at 6:00am in the morning I was tuning across the lower end of the FM dial and heard a college station in Ft Myers Fl 150 miles in a straight line from me , I live in Homestead Fl . I was very surprised to hear this college station as most college station are low powered and they are not received very far . Also I received some other FM stations that only a very expensive receiver can snag . Taking it with you in your car to listen to shortwave broadcast this receiver is excellent it does not pick up electrical sounds from the motor that regular radios pick up . So with this radio you can tune in a shortwave station with no sounds to stop you from being able to hear and enjoy what ever station yo want to listen too on shortwave . The best part is a set of double AA alkaline battery's will last about 200 hours . I have just put this little receiver side by side against Radio Shack newly introduced $79.99 dollar version , catalog number 2000629 this is Radio Shack new version that has LW AM FM SW with Single Side Band . What I have found out is that the Kaito KA321 out does the Radio Shack version on FM and Shortwave bands better sensitivity and selectivity . The Radio Shack radio is way way better then the Kaito KA321 on AM . But as far as sound output being able to understand what people are saying the Kaito KA321 is a clear winner because of a more of a treble sound while the Radio Shack $79.99 dollar model has a deep base sound and it is very hard to hear anything but on local channels and powerful distant stations . The only reason I have bought the Radio Shack radio is for the AM band which it receives as good as the best car radio . Super Sensitive....This Kaito KA321 tuning processor works to change frequency through voltage changes through the band switch which has 1% resistors hooked to each band selection of a certain value and a tuning thumb wheel hooked to a potentiometer thumb wheel tuning control to adjust the tuning of each band . The only other IC is a audio amplifier for sound output . There is no tuning adjustment inside the radio RF or IF or Audio it is all done with the digital signal processor and different voltages applied to it no cans what so ever . The audio output is controlled by a standard potentiometer thumb wheel design like on older transistor radios of the past .

These days, a $20 bill usually doesn't get you very much, but in the case of the Kaito KA321, it gets you a decent pocket radio. Right out of the box, I was amazed at just how small this receiver is (no bigger than a pack of cigarettes). What's even more amazing is just what all you get for your $20.With the new Digital Signal Processing (DSP) receivers, tuning in stations take a bit more effort than the analog versions, but you will be rewarded with a rock-solid lock on the station that lasts until you turn the knob again. The KA321 has a thumbwheel tuning control that's a little stiff to turn, and I find once you get it in the "neighborhood" of the station you want, it's easier to use your fingernail to move the thumbwheel so I don't tune past the station. Tuning this radio takes some getting used to, but be patient and you'll get the hang of it. The dial itself if relatively easy to read, but as you would expect on a radio in this price range, the accuracy leaves a little to be desired. Some thoughtful features include a headphone jack (FM stereo, AM/SW mono), a pull-out antenna that swivels, a collapsible tabletop stand, a tuning indicator light, and carry strap. It even has a jack to plug in an AC adapter for power, but since two AA batteries last forever in this radio the jack is of little value to me.Performance wise, this is where the little Kaito really stands out. The FM band picks up stations the average radio leaves out, on AM it works better than many radios costing twice the price, and it also brings in the stronger shortwave broadcasts with ease. The tiny size of this radio means it was necessary to use a tiny speaker, so it's not going to have the deep tone and loudness of a larger radio, but it's quite nice for what it is.For those not familiar with shortwave broadcasting, don't be surprised if you find very little on the air during daylight hours. Shortwave is best after dark, and is much harder to tune in than an AM or FM station. Static and fading are common issues no matter what kind of radio you're using, and the number of foreign stations broadcasting in English to North America has dwindled in recent years. But there's still lots of stuff out there that the little KA321 brings in for me. RHC (Radio Habana Cuba) broadcasts every evening in English at 6.00 MHz, and comes in loud and clear on this radio, along with several other foreign broadcasters and stations here in the states.Is this radio a good choice for somebody wanting to get into some serious shortwave listening? Probably not, but it is great for anyone who wants to start exploring shortwave on a budget. The Kaito KA321 is an ideal choice for somebody who just wants a low cost, pocket-sized radio that really performs on the FM/AM bands. It's tiny size, light weight, and low cost make this the ultimate bargain in shirt pocket sized worldwide receivers.My bottom line: The Kaito KA 321 is the best low cost pocket radio you'll find anywhere near this price. I highly recommend it.