 "Excellent on AM,FM and Shortwave" | 2008-06-29 |
| - Reviewed By aix23 |
I've used most of the great radios, such as the Sony 2010, and other portables, including the Sony 7600GR. The KA1103 truly surprised me, in that it's performance on all bands was excellent, and the audio easy to listen to via speaker or earphones. It's AM,FM,Shortwave sensitivity is very good, and if it had a synch detector, it would beat most all portables I've used. Others have mentioned 'usability' issues, and while these might take time to get used to, what you are getting with this radio is a super receiving platform, technically speaking. The human interface might be a tad different, but its worth it if you want a radio with great technical performance for a low price. I especially like that the dial light will come on if you touch any of the radio's buttons, including the tuning knob---makes for easy nightime tuning around. I cannot comment on its internal charger, since I use lithium batteries. Back when I was a ham radio hobbyist, we used to say about certain great receivers, 'if you tune it to a frequency and find no station, its becasue its not there,' and I can say the same of the 1103. For historians, this radio seems to me to be similar in case design as the Sony ICF 7700, a similarly sized portable made in the 90's, that used a digital display to simulate an analog tuning needle, with digital readout at the top of the screen.
I'd say: get this, you won't be disappointed in its performance once you figure out how to use it's controls. |
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| "Kaito KA-1103 excellent little radio -- and not difficult to use" | 2008-05-19 |
| - Reviewed By hhammerling2 |
This is the best radio I ever had! Very good value too.
I bought the radio in spite of the negative reviews that it would be difficult to use. There are many intelligent reviews here. No need to repeat what others have said.
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Sensitivity and Selectivity "Excellent" (I have compared to the Grundig/ Eton E-5 and Sangean's ATS-909. Found no meaningful differences. Sound Quality "Very Good". The radio is NOT difficult to use. (I am 68 and had everything running, right out of the package in 10 minutes, using only the "Short 1-page Guide".)
This is what I did NOT like.
1. Memory Storage.
First, some help (maybe): This is what you do, when you have tuned in to a station and wish to store its frequency, you press "STORE" and turn the "jog dial", until you see "---" (i.e. an empty slot). At that moment you press STORE again. Done. (Do not be confused that when you turn the jog dial the display shows one by one the already stored frequencies.)
You and I are probably not used to the hexadecimal numbering system. Question, when you have stored ten stations already in memory slots "00" through "09", what shows up next on the display? Answer: "0A", "0B", "0C", "0D", and then finally (your and my expectation) "10". To make things worse, using the number keys you CANNOT directly enter those stored memory locations ("0A", "0B", "0C", "0D"). The manual calls them "hidden". The only way to find "hidden", but previously stored radio stations, is by using the jog dial. This approach was neither necessary, nor exactly "intuitive".
2. Volume Control.
This is indeed annoying. (I understand the reason, they wanted the volume to be programmable for the "Alarm" function.) Right out of the box the radio is set for default "Volume = 40". I normally use "14". The "40" is so loud that it may damage the speaker. But worst, every time you wish to reset the volume you must first press "VOLUME" and then within 3 seconds reset the jog dial to the desired new volume level. The least they should do, is provide a "mute" button so that you do not have to switch the radio off when the phone rings.
3. Analog Scales. I actually like the "quasi analog tuning" of the KA-1103. I wish to see where on the printed analog scale is my radio station: lower end, the middle or on the upper end. There are no printed scales for the Japanese FM-Band (>76MHz through 87MHz), and similarly if you live in Europe, there is also no printed scale for the LW-Band. But since the digital frequency readout is always indicated, I can live with this "shortcoming". Also, the "old' Russian FM frequencies are not covered at all.
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 "Radio was good; Amazon service wasn't" | 2008-05-13 |
| - Reviewed By leitec |
I bought this radio on April 29th. It shipped on May 5th, and I received it on May 9th. That's not too bad. However, the radio was scratched and dented and looks used. The packaging looked "new" but the radio did not. Functionally it seemed OK, though as I don't have another of this radio to compare to I can't judge whether it was otherwise defective.
Amazon cannot accept an exchange because "Kaito Electronics, Inc. inventory is constantly changing, we can't replace any items sold by Kaito Electronics, Inc. that are Fulfilled by Amazon." If that actually makes any sense to anyone, please let me know, because I don't know what kind of inventory isn't changing.
In short, I'm returning the radio and ordering another one from somewhere else. Buyer beware. |
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 "Typical Chinese Product" | 2008-04-29 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1KVBR09Z65K1T |
First of all, I loved this radio more than any other radio that I have owned. To avoid redundancy, read the five star reviews.
Now the bad news. I lost all AM and Shortwave reception after 7 months. The reset button reset the clock and the default volume but did nothing to restore reception (so it's not an antenna overload problem). So end the end, I got ripped off by the Chinese once again while my 30 year old GE radio (which was made in America back then) keeps on playing like it was brand new.
It would be interesting to see a survey of all these people who gave great reviews shortly after getting their Kaito and ask them if their radio is still working after one year. Given China's history of lack of quality, I suspect that you would see a lot more 1 star reviews.
If you want to gamble, go ahead but I've got better things to do than spend $90 every 7 months on a Chinese piece of trash.
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| "Amazing Small Radio" | 2008-04-27 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2Y8J8ZQY37Z94 |
Small general coverage radios all have shortcomings.
There are just so many things which can be squeezed into
that small, easilly portable box.
The KA1103 is however a surprising notch above the rest.
AM and FM broadcast are a bit above typical for a small
radio. Actually, FM is quite surprising, sound-wise.
I live in a generally poor HF signal area, but I consistantly
receive, with very useable copy, European amateurs when
conditions are favorable with just the built-in telescoping
rod antenna. Likewise international broadcast stations.
Sideband requires a little bit of extra knob-twisting, but the
result is good.
The small control for the BFO is a bit hard to finely
adjust for SSB, but not irritatingly so.
One reviewer states that there's no audio (volume) knob
and that volume has to be set by pushing the numerical
buttons.
That's not true. By pressing the "VOL" button first,
the tuning knob becomes a rotary volume control.
Three seconds after setting the desired volume, the knob
reverts to the tuning function.
It was annoying at first, but not a big thing to overcome.
Sensitivity is great. I often receive distant SW broadcasts so
strongly, even in my poor signal area, that I can set the
DX/LOCAL switch to local, which also cuts down background noise.
Sound quality is good, better than some, but still small-speakerish.
I think Kaito put the best it could find in the available space.
I seem to get about 12 hours use out of the included 1300 mA/hr
batteries that were included with the radio, but I upgraded to
2500 mA/hr cells.
I don't use the included battery charging system, but prefer to
use an external "smart" charger. NiMH's are too fussy.
Some folks complain about the big LCD display. I like it for one
reason: I know where I am in the commonly used bands.
The radio will tune ouside these bands by simply keying in an off
the screen frequency and knob-tuning from there; the cursor line
disappears. When you return to the limits of an 'on screen' band,
the cursor line reappears.
Lastly, I have to admit that my favorite feature of the KA1103 IS
the continuous tuning knob. "Knobs rule". I ***canned one small
SW rcvr 'cuz I got tired of punching buttons to tune.
So. Would I tell someone else to go buy a KA1103? Absolutely.
Great bang for the buck.
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 "I expect more of a product or to pay less" | 2008-04-23 |
| - Reviewed By User: AGF53SILYY7ZD |
I own a number of portable worldband radios some still working some not. After reading the reviews for this one I decided to give it a try.
Reception ,discrimination and sound is good to very good; i.e. the electronics seem to work fine.
Battery life, ergonomics, and "feel" for anything mechanical is mediocre to very poor. I found battery life (of the rechargeable batteries supplied with the radio) surprisingly short. The ergonomics remind me my early days in computers where one button would do everything provided you pressed another one before. The huge LCD that simulates the old style tuning is useless. Anything mechanical from the actual case, deploying the antenna, turning a knob, pushing a button or inserting a mini jack gives the impression that this will be the last time you do this and it would break or not work again. I'm sorry, but that's how I felt.
My wife's verdict (she has used radios before both in the boat and out): unusable.
My verdict: I would buy it if it was selling less than half the price.
I did not return it because it uses 4 AA instead of the 6 AA that my other portables use (I can recharge 4 batteries at a time). Poor excuse but I'm lazy to return it. |
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| "Stunning FM!" | 2008-02-27 |
| - Reviewed By User: AHOJEEMOIKMCR |
I've been living with my Kaito 1103 for almost a year now. I work for an LPFM station, and reception is a problem in a lot of areas...for example, where I live. This 1103 beats every other portable I have (and I have dozens of them) by a wide margin.
I only wish now that this same level of FM performance would be available in a smaller, AM/FM only pocket radio. I'd buy a bunch of them as gifts.
Oh ya, the AM and SW work quite well also.
David |
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| "Super receiver in a small package. Wow...one of the best!" | 2008-02-02 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1P81BJXS62M6W |
I have been a amateur radio operator as well as a shortwave listener for well over twenty years now!
During that long course of time I have owned and used many different types of portable as well as table top radios. I would rank the Kaito 1103 as one of the best that I have ever used!
Great sensitivity and excellent selectivity as well! Keep in mind that a radio's "sensitivity" is the ability to hear the faintist of signals and a radio's "selectivity" is it's ability to focus in on the desired signal and to "block out" other signals that might be interfering with that particular signal you have tuned into.
Unlike so many portable receivers out on the market now, this one feels solid! Great "metal" feel to the cabinet and a beautiful silver finish as well!
This radio also comes with a whole bunch of "goodies" that add to the radio's value. Inside the box I found an additional "clip on" wire antenna. (This is an excellent way to even improve this radio's already outstanding reception capabilities!) The radio also came with an AC adaptor. Also included was a beautiful carrying case and four re-chargable batteries! Oh, and by the way...the radio has a built in charger so you can charge the batteries even while you listen to the radio!
My only caution (and it is only a small caution at that) is to be aware that this particular radio has some ergonomics that some folks might find a bit less than "user friendly". For example there is no simple volume knob. You adjust the volume through a pressing of buttons or a turning of the "jog wheel" combined with pressing of the "volume" button. It really is simple once you learn how to do it so no one should really have a problem with this after they read the owner's manual.
Did I mention that this little gem also has "single sideband" capability? Single Side band reception allows the listener to tune into the whole range of ham band activities as well as to monitor utility stations, some unclassified military radio activities, etc. Normally this feature is only found on much more expensive communication receivers!
I highly recommend this little radio to anyone interested in listening to shortwave broadcasts or to anyone else who is interested in obtaing a well priced, feature laden, well constructed little wonder of a radio!
Great radio...great price...great value for your money!
I highly recommend this gem to anyone interested in a wonderful little radio!!
Enjoy!
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 "when I think I need a clock AM/FM radio" | 2008-01-15 |
| - Reviewed By deantran2 |
This radio has quirks in user interface, the retro analog bands are simulated and occupies a large part of real estate that makes it hard to grab with one hand if I don't want to grab by the clear plastic. The radio is not flimsy nor sturdy. Beside its good look and portability, it performs admiringly in locking on a frequency and in audio department.
The radio is very sensitive on FM band, able to separate strong adjacent signals and produces clean, undistorted and lively audio with gusto, it excels on both selectivity and sensitivity. On AM band, I am able to gets stations from 500 miles away, some are further, a lot of Mexican music across the border if I put it in DX mode, the quality of reception are good or better with adequate audio quality. On 31M band, radio of China, Israel, Japan and many foreign language stations that I don't understand come in loud and clear at night, it is a surprise since California is a tough place to get oversea radio reception; while on other bands, reception are less successful.
Degen omits the Volume wheel which is a serious omission, to change the volume, you need two hands: one pushes the VOL button and the other turns the jog dial. The other way to do it is the enter volume directly from the keypad (eg, 1 and 5 and VOL for volume set at 15,) either way, you need two hands. Upon turning on, the radio goes to last station and volume level, serious flaw is you can't set the volume before turning on the radio, so if your teenager set the volume at very high volume, upon turned on again in early morning, your ears will get a full blast of noise and find yourself waked up in panic and you don't remember what was your sweet dream. I don't know any way to go around this problem.
This radio has two audio modes: Music and News, for the latter, its audio frequency is cut off around 5K Hz, around human voice frequency; put it in Music mode, it broadens audio spectrum, you can hear more details of FM music. Volume set at 25 can fill a large room.
Another flaw: If You use the direct keypad entry, you must enter it exactly, (in FM) 1 0 6 5 for 106.5 FM, if entering the station number incorrectly, you will find yourself at different band such as AM.
I have owned few SW radios before, they costed from $300 - $650 in today money, the wisdom for SW radio is for voice reproduction, not for music listening and audios are an afterthought, few offers undistorted sound like this little Kaito (Degen de1103,) I can leave the radio runs in the background for hours and don't feel tired or detect audio harshness if you don't put the radio directly in front.
Many owner of this radio consider it an exceptional sensitive shortwave radio, equal to a much more expensive table top, but if you concern mostly on AM/FM and audio quality, for its small price you get a high quality AM/FM/SW clock and alarm radio with rechargeable batteries, ear buds and a pouch. You can have a whole nine yards after you study the manual. The Grundig G5 is the same radio for twice the price.
Beside its shortcomings in software interface, the rest - very commendable. |
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| "Amazingly rich audio; Good for its intended purpose (portability) but NOT good for serious Dx" | 2007-12-25 |
| - Reviewed By User: A11OY6PZ76NQWK |
The ads for this SW radio are a bit exaggerated and, in my opinion, misleading. This is a very, very, very small radio. No bigger than my hand. Look at the photo in this ad -- it appears like it could double as a legitimate desktop receiver. I ordered this from Amazon some months back, after a long absence from the SW hobby. When this tiny box came in the post, my heart sunk: 'THIS is it?!'
One good thing that stood-out, though, was the KA1103's deep, rich audio sound. In fact, it sounds more lifelike than the heavy $700 SW receiver I currently own. But the cute little KA1103 could not pull-in SW stations other than the usual powerhouse broadcasters: Radio China International, Radio Nederlands and WWCR.
I couldn't even get WWV on it -- now that's bad! Was unable to get anything in SSB mode. (On my current receiver USB and LSB Txs come through loud and clear, even as far away as the UK). The 'free bonus' reel antenna that came with it was useless also. And I normally use short-ish random wires.
So I found-out the hard way that this cute little handsome radio is really meant for portable fun. Like taking out on your fishing boat or something. But from the ads and reviews, you might think its something more.
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