Kaito KA1103 Worldband Radio

by Kaito

Product Details

Product Manual [6.22mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0006OCEFY
• Item model number: KA1103
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,170 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #61 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Radios > Shortwave Radios
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 19, 2004

Product Description

The newly released Kaito KA1103 is an improved and more advanced version of widely praised KA1102. This digital PLL dual conversion world band receiver will keep you connected to a very comprehensive frequency range including FM, AM, short wave and long wave stations with both a digital readout and a simulation of the old-fashioned analog dial. The KA 1103 has a very effective wide-narrow filter. It does a really good job of whacking back adjacent channel interference. Listeners will be impressed with both selectivity and sensitivity. With single side band (SSB) reception, the radio will transmit with a minimal amount of interference. There are four options when tuning your radio stations. With direct tuning, you input the desired frequency digits. Manual tuning allows you to change the frequency using the tuning knob. 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 256 preset stations using memory tuning feature, and there is a ten-key direct access tuning function, offering you quickly access to your top ten favorite stations. If you plan on traveling with a radio, the KA1103 is a very good choice. You can either listen to the KA1103 via the built-in 3" speaker or with the included earphones. Beyond the ability to tune into various radio bands, the KA1103 also features a built-in automatic battery charger, plugs it into any wall outlet with the included AC adpator when the battery indicator shows that battery is low. Frequency Coverage: FM:76.0-108.0MHz;MW:520-1710 MHz; SW:1.71-29.99 MHz;LW 100 - 519 kHz. Package includes Stereo earphones, 120 V/AC adaptor, external antenna, carrying pouch, 3 pcs of AA rechargeable batterties and a copy of user manual.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

146 of 147 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Performer on FM for Your Money, December 11, 2004

By 

M. JEFFREY MCMAHON "herculodge" (Torrance, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kaito KA1103 Worldband Radio (Electronics)

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.

69 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kaito KA1103 vs. Grundig G4000a vs. Tivoli Songbook, August 18, 2006

By 

Crane Lopes (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kaito KA1103 Worldband Radio (Electronics)

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.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another "best for the buck" from Kaito, April 2, 2006

By 

jr_Tech (Portland OR. area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kaito KA1103 Worldband Radio (Electronics)

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!