This is that radio. The Sangean SG-622 is unquestionably the best value in a shortwave radio, not just for beginners, but for any listener of any experience level. It offers nice performance, and it's a totally painless introduction to shortwave listening. It's very easy to tune, and with a simple longwire attached to the antenna, it's easy to find listenable stations. It practically pays for itself with just the first few hours of listening pleasure, and it leaves virtually no excuse not to enjoy it for years to come. This is an ideal gift idea for children or just about anybody you want to share this fun hobby with.

Personally, I want to have mine when I travel overseas. It's very small and packable, and shouldn't attract scrutiny in customs (it doesn't look "dangerously" hi-tech). If it gets lost, stolen, or damaged, I won't fret about it because it can be replaced easily and cheaply. I couldn't think of a more carefree way to maintain my connection to the world at large.

When I began listening to SW many years ago, I couldn't find a halfway decent radio that wouldn't make a serious dent in my wallet. I never thought I'd see a major manufacturer sell a good shortwave radio for less than a third of what I might have paid back then. For the beginner and experienced listener both, this is simply too great a bargain to pass up. The Sangean SG-622 proves the age-old concept that cheap, simple, and good equals fun! It can't be anything but five stars.


A Nice, Simple and High Performance Short-wave Radio   November 19, 2001
Fatos Adami (Charlotte, NC United States)
34 out of 36 found this review helpful

Actually, I own the clone of Sangean SG-622, the Radioshack DX-397, and I love it. It is a simple inexpensive and Spartan short-wave radio, but it does a very good job in pulling out the main short-wave stations. It does not have bells and whistles like, digital tunning and display, it does not have an auto power shut off or an alarm clock either. It is fully analog, but for me the most important is sensitivity, selectivity and the sound quality. All these are much better than in a lot of more expensive radios that I have seen. Compared side by side with a Sony ICF-2010 that I own, it pulled out almost all the main stations that the Sony could get, with a tenth of its price. It is lightweight and the sound is very good for a 3inch size speaker.
It may be some interference from nearby strong stations, but it can be reduced with the orientation of the receiver.
I could never belive that you could get such a good quality short-wave radio with such a low price.
I give it a wholeheartedly 5 stars.


Excellent Value   June 16, 2000
24 out of 25 found this review helpful

Its hard not to like this little radio. Its relatively small and light, very good sensitivity and fair selectivity. Excellent sound quality and long battery life. It can fit into a shirt pocket but is a bit heavy to carry there -- it will do better in a jacket pocket. Tuning can be a little difficult due to the small size of the unit but at Amazon's price its a great buy. The FM sounds particular good! Highly recommended. For someone who wants to listen to the more powerful shortwave or wants a small travel radio this is good choice. I use this radio more than any other that I own.


Big Bang for the Bucks   October 24, 2000
Joseph Fusco (Columbus, OH USA)
23 out of 24 found this review helpful

I have been listening to shortwave for over 40 years- since I was in elementary school. While I have had lots of radios with more "bells and whistles," I have never had a radio which gives so much value for the money. At the sale price it is a real steal. It is a great radio for the merely curious as well as the more experienced user who wants a convenient portable. It is very basic and very good. There are no sleep timers, alarm clocks or digital tuning; but there is a lot of radio in very small package at a fantastic price.


shortwave radio   August 25, 2002
mahogany09 (Morongo Valley, CA United States)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful

The first thing you notice about the radio is how small it is then you plug it in and notice how sensitive the receiver is which is exactly what a shortwave radio needs more than anything else. The advantage over a more expensive radio includes simplicity in operation and a more traditional old fashioned "turn the dial" tuning knob. I have had a couple other shortwave radios long ago but this thing blows them out of the water performance wise. Being a ham radio operator for 14 years I can tell you expensive radios do not always equate to having fun. Sometimes smaller economy radios like this one can be more fun than a complex, expensive radio. If you are interested in listening to the more popular shortwave radios and not the faint hard to find stations this radio would be ideal give it a try.