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Kaito KA1103 Worldband Radio | 
| Brand: Kaito
List Price: $149.99
Buy New: $82.95
as of 7/30/2010 02:27 CDT details
You Save: $67.04 (45%)
New (3) from $82.95
Seller: Emergency Disaster Systems, Inc.
Rating:  55 reviews
Color: Dark and Silver
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 6.5 x 4.1 x 1.1
Model: KA1103
EAN: 6927674211034
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Dual conversion technology, wide/narrow AM filter | | • | Four tuning methods: direct, manual, scan and preset | | • | Built-in automatic battery charger and hinged battery cover | | • | Built-in alarm clock and sleep timer, tilt back holder | | • | 30 days money back guarantee and one year limited warranty |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
This high quality world receiver receives all the stations in shortwave spectrums, plus side bands, SSB. The special designed circuit is a high sensitivity one, but no noise.This unique digital radio starts FM from 76.0MHZ, most of Campus radio station can be tuned in within this range. The KA1103 can decode SSB Single Side Band broadcasts though it's SSB circuitry, 1 kHz tuning steps and clarifier. It is much better than other radios costing much more and in a smaller size. 190 memories can store your favorite stations.Thanks to the dual conversion technology, this radio has a super sensitivity in shortwave bands.The KA1103 uses LCD to simulate the analog dial on the radio.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 55
 Best Performer on FM for Your Money December 11, 2004
M. JEFFREY MCMAHON (Torrance, CA USA)
125 out of 126 found this review helpful
I own the whole lineup of Kaitos and the 1103 beats the others for FM sensitivity. The 1101 takes second, the 1102 takes third, and the 105 takes fourth. AM is similar on all models. But the speaker is also superior on the 1103.
Here's what I like about the 1103:
1. Powerful, crystal clear FM reception that is superior to radios that cost twice as much.
2. Warm full speaker sound for a radio of this size.
3. The cool factor of a radio that has so many innovations and is changing the radio industry, causing Sangean, Grundig, and Sony to wake up and start making more competitive products at better prices.
4. PLL synthesized tuning with over 250 presets or memories.
Here's what I don't like:
1. You have to press buttons or digitally enter for volume control. There is no spin wheel for quick volume change.
2. The analog display takes up unnecessary space on the radio.
3. AM, like all PLL synthesized radios, is well above average but needs improvement.
However, AM is more than adequate and as a whole the 1103 is my favorite PLL synthesized, dual conversion small radio. If I could only own two radios, a compact and an analog medium sized radio, I'd keep the Kaito 1103 and my Tecsun BLC 2000 (sold for considerably more as the Grundig S350), which gets great AM.
If you don't mind finding an English manual on the internet, you can spend half the money on the Kaito by buying its clone, the Degen 1103. Degen radios, the original Chinese versions, are Kaitos but only come with Chinese manuals and they need AC adaptor converters. The upside is that they are half the price of the American version Kaitos.
Post Script: I enjoy my Kaito 1103 more than ever because I placed it ontop of my Sangean WR-2 and hooked up an audio cable between the two radios. So I'm feeding the sterling 1103 reception through the Sangean's premium speaker. Great bedside setup. You could do the same for cheaper by just buying a good speaker and hooking it up the 1103.
Update: I don't recommend you save money by purchasing the less expensive Chinese clone Degen. The adapter gets hot. If you must get the Degen, buy a USA-built step down 110 converter to avoid fire hazard.
Update for 8-12-206: Both my Degen and Kaito 1103 have shut down making me think that they had lost all electric power or had "fried" inside but in fact they had "shut down" and only needed to be reset by sticking a paper clip end into the reset hole. Now they both work fine. In fact, I bought the Kaito because I thought my Degen had "fried." I was wrong. Keep in mind, these radios can be a little touchy and may need to be reset from time to time.
Kaito KA1103 vs. Grundig G4000a vs. Tivoli Songbook August 18, 2006
Crane Lopes (Washington, D.C.)
56 out of 59 found this review helpful
About a year ago, I got interested in portable radios, and as a result have purchased these three radios over the last year. Each radio has it's pluses, and I suggest that those pluses drive the decision what to buy. It is fitting to relate each radio to an equivalent car. The Tivoli Songbook is a Mercedes sedan - great looking and obviously a luxury car. The sound and build quality of the Tivoli are impressive, and the radio is simply a joy to listen to and own. It is very pleasing looking, and the controls, rubber coating and rechargeable batteries make it a class act. If you are into listening to FM radio, and want something compact and discreet, well this little beauty can replace your entire stereo system. Definitely worth the price, and the sound is really incredible. The G4000a is a Chevy. It is also a pleasant looking radio, and it's strong points are appearance, the nice leatherette case and the well laid out controls and manual. The build quality, for instance the antenna and the case are OK, but a little suspect. It just does not feel like a radio that hold up to the knocks and bangs of travel or hard use. Also, the shortwave reception is merely OK. FM reception is good, and I agree with other reviewers that the best feature of the radio is speaker, which is warm toned and excellent. Overall, a solid radio, but not particularly exciting. The Kaito KA-1103, however, is exciting, much like a BMW sports car. It has tremendous build quality and clear, clear sound through the speaker. The reception of this radio is truly startling - FM and shortwave reception pretty much blow the G4000a away. AM? I tuned this radio to AM the first day I had it, in my kitchen in Washington DC, and immediately and clearley picked up a station in Boston! As for all the bad hype about the controls, for instance the volume button and the pseudo analog display, well the radio is really a snap to operate. Yeah, a little quirky, but so is any sports car worth its money. Once you read the manual and play with radio for ten or fifteen minutes, well the controls start to really make sense. For example, the much malinged volume control is actually much finer and more adjustable than a manual wheel. The pseudo analog display enables you to see all bands, and where you are on them. The more you use this radio, the more you realize that those designers and Kaito are actually ahead of everyone else in the design department. The radio also has a lot of cool very well thought out design touches, such as a nice backlit display, a truly excellent memory scan feature and terrific accessories. All for well under $100. The Kaito is my favorite radio, it really is the best small radio, dollar for dollar, I have ever come across. If I was taking one radio on a long around the world trip, the Kaito would hands down be it. So, in summary, if you are in the market for a beautiful sounding FM radio for around the house or your office, one that radiates quality and class, get the Tivoli. For a shortwave radio or travel radio, get the Kaito KA-1103. Don't even consider wasting money or more expensive portable shortwaves. The Kaito is all the portable shortwave you'll need and you will not regret buying and getting to know this hot little sports car of a radio.
Superb radio! March 3, 2005
inframan (the lower depths)
30 out of 30 found this review helpful
Incredible sensitivity & reception. Long life on rechargeable batteries which recharge with supplied adaptor. 268 presets! Much more more I can't get into not being a true SW techie but look up on countless SW websites & read the reviews.
To answer the previous reviewers concern, the Kaito KA1103 (USA) has a 110 adaptor. The Degen version from China is the 220 model.
Another "best for the buck" from Kaito April 2, 2006
jr_Tech (Portland OR. area)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful
The Kaito 1103 clearly outperforms my Kaito 1102, especially on FM, where it is OUTSTANDING! SSB (used by Hams) seems to be easier to tune in on the 1103 than on the 1102...both are "best for the buck" in my opinion.(see my review of the cheaper 1102).
I have mixed feelings about the "digital simulation of an analog dial" it is fun to use, but I tend to agree with other reviewers that the space could be better used.
The 1103, like the 1102 is not easy to operate, and the manual is sometimes less than helpful. The volume control operation is terrible! But for this level of performance for such a low price, some compromises can be expected.
For a similar radio (but more expensive) with several improvments over the Kaito 1103, see my review of the newer Eton E5.
Consider buying a "Passport to World Band Radio" along with this set... this book is almost like having a "TV guide" for shortwave!
A BMW With A Hemi Under The Hood! October 10, 2007
Apollos
19 out of 19 found this review helpful
For several weeks I gathered a LOT of info. from the web about many of the portable shortwave/SSB radios, including Kaito, Eton, Grundig, Sony, Sangean, Radio Shack, and a few others.
What weighed most heavily for me in choosing the KA1103 were the reviews that came from some * ham radio operators * that I found on a prominent ham website. There were almost 25 reviews of the 1103. But it wasn't just the fact that all but one gave it a 5-star rating, it was the way they went on and on, raving about what a great radio it is in terms of sheer POWER and PERFORMANCE (NOT convenience). And I figured if that many ham operators are that impressed with it, then that's good enough for me. Because for me, performance was the determinant factor in making my choice... not ease-of-use or convenience.
I've had my 1103 for only a month, and it is everything I had read about it. The power of this little radio is ASTONISHING! On the shortwave bands, broadcasts from China, Taiwan, Japan, Cuba, and the Netherlands have sounded as clear and strong as a typical FM station sounds right here in my area (Ft. Worth-Dallas). And speaking of FM, as others have said, the FM reception of this radio is incredible, especially for one of this size.
On the SSB, I've picked up some great ham operator chats.
The fine-tuning function does a GREAT job. It makes all the difference in tuning OUT the high-pitch sound and tuning IN the speaker's voice clearly.
Regarding the complaints about the radio having just one knob to do both the tuning and volume functions... in my opinion, this is way overblown. I know this is a subjective thing, but using the one knob for both functions is not only not awkward for me, I like it very much. And I got used to it almost immediately after I began using the radio. It is very easy, not inconvenient, for me to use this design/function. But again, this goes back to "performance" being about 95% of the whole thing for me, not convenience.
The only negative things I can think of, which are of little significance to me, are:
* It would be nice if the tuning knob was a little bigger
* The buttons to change from one band to another are very small
* The background "dial" light for nighttime use is a bit too dim for me
The KA1103 takes some time to learn to use it fully. But then so do a lot of other electronic devices and gadgets out on the market these days. But if you are basing your choice of a portable shortwave radio on performance, rather than convenience... I highly recommend the Kaito KA1103. It's a SOLID performer, and at a very reasonable price!
** UPDATE **
It's been 5 months since my initial review (above) of the KA1103 and it has performed flawlessly (no malfunctioning at all). It continues to amaze me with its power to pick up not only shortwave radio stations around the globe, but also ham radio operators' conversations, using the Single Sideband (SSB) function. I've listened to hams in many states: Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Alabama. And I've picked up the special signal that indicates "floating beacons used to mark fishing and offshore oil exploration locations" (the signal sounds like a cricket with the sound amplified).
One thing that might be worth mentioning, though... A couple of people who have recently posted on the KA 1103 e-group, who have recently purchased the radio, say they have had some problems that none of the rest of us in the group have had who purchased ours months ago. One person said that the power button did not work a time or two and he had to use the "reset" button to turn the radio on. And it seems there were one or two other problems mentioned that I don't recall specifically what they were. Accordingly, others in the e-group have suggested that maybe the manufacturer in China has made some alterations to the radio's design or its manufacturing, but this is only speculation.
I only know that I LOVE my little 1103 and the more I hear others who have bought it and then rave about it, the more I know that I made the right choice! A GREAT little radio at a GREAT price!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 55
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