Sangean SG-622 FM 12 Band Shortwave World Band Radio

by Sangean

Product Details

Product Manual [289kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 1.2 x 3.5 inches ; 12 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000228GF
• Item model number: SG-622
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,373 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #26 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Radios > Shortwave Radios
  • #58 in Electronics > Portable Audio & Video > Radios
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 15, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

For those who have a burgeoning interest in shortwave radio or who don't like to be without news and music when traveling, the Sangean SG-622 10-band portable receiver makes an ideal travel companion. Small enough to slip into a jacket pocket but powerful enough so you can stay in touch with the world, you'll barely need to glance at the operating instructions before you'll be up and running with this nifty little device.

Solid and compact, the SG-622 includes just the essentials: a retractable antenna, volume and tuning knobs, and a wide face displaying the bands and frequencies. Tuning is accomplished by clicking a switch to the appropriate band, then dialing up or down, refining the tuning by hand as you go. The all-inclusive frequency display results in imprecise indications, so it is not possible to determine exactly which frequency you are tuning in. But our reception in all bands on any strong signal was excellent.

Overall, we found this a sensitive radio with great portability that would make great introductory piece for anyone interested in shortwave radio listening. The Sangean SG-622 is powered by 3 AA batteries, but consider adding an AC adapter to reduce your battery expense.

It comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

Pros:

• Excellent reception
• Great portability
• Extremely easy to use, great for the novice

Cons:

• Does not include adapter
• Antenna does not have 360-degree rotation for improving reception
• Ambiguous frequency display

Product Description

Sangean America SG 622 Radio Tuner SG-622 FM Transmitters

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cheap, simple, good, and fun!, November 16, 2002

By 

Christopher Nieman (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sangean SG-622 FM 12 Band Shortwave World Band Radio (Electronics)

There are basically three rules for a shortwave radio to keep the interest of the beginning listener. It should be cheap, simple, and good. Cheap enough to purchase without feeling like it's a major commitment. Simple enough to operate intuitively. And good enough quality to satisfy the listener's ears. A listener with a good radio will want to repeat the listening experience again and again. But finding a radio that's inexpensive AND good has always been elusive for the beginner, and for radio makers.

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.

70 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good second/portable/emergency radio, May 13, 2000

By 

James Tedford (Bothell, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sangean SG-622 FM 12 Band Shortwave World Band Radio (Electronics)

If you're serious about shortwave, this isn't the radio you want, but this radio is great as a "do- I-want-to-pursue-this-shortwave-thing-further" radio, or as a lightweight travel rig. It'll will bring in the higher-power shortwave stations: BBC, Radio Netherlands, Radio Japan etc. Sound quality is quite good. Like most analog radios, knowing what frequency you are on is impossible, but for casual tuning, or to get a taste of what shortwave has to offer, this radio is fine. It's also small and light enough to make a decent travel portable (and cheap enough that if you lose it, it's not the end of the world.) And, its a good radio to toss into your emergency preparedness kit.

It will perform better with an external antenna "boost" - just take a 10'-30' piece of wire, attach a couple of alligator clips, and save yourself $15 by not buying a "reel in" antenna.

63 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best Buy, September 27, 2001

By 

Embry Mayes Kendrick "MazeMann" (Nevils, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sangean SG-622 FM 12 Band Shortwave World Band Radio (Electronics)

It's hard to believe that you can purchase so much performance for less than $40. This little radio has the ability to fill a large room with undistorted sound from any of its 12 bands. Moreover, it is quite easy to use. Sensitivity and voice clarity are remarkable. The automatic gain control deals nicely with weak and strong signals. Selectivity is quite good, but one could use a larger tuning knob (or I suppose in my case, smaller fingers) to make those fine adjustments easier. The size of the radio makes it easy to pack.

Although you get a lot of radio for a few dollars, it would have been nice if Sangean had included an AC adaptor. I have used this radio a lot since I purchased it, and it does have a hardy appetite for batteries when played at high volume. Accordingly, I purchased an AC adaptor for it. I tried several adaptors before I settled on the Radio Shack 4.5 volt "International" model (cat. no. 273-1759). This device accepts almost any input voltage and frequency and produces a full amp of filtered, regulated DC. Unlike other adaptors I tried, this one is relatively "quiet." It does not induce hum or electrical noise. Best of all, it folds up in a very small travel package.

If you don't want to spend a lot of cash on a multi band radio, but want to be able to listen to stations wherever you may travel, the SG622 should work well for you.