G'day, Off the shelf I doubt there is anything satisfactory much smaller than the Sony SW7600GR. Its slightly smaller than the Sangean 505 and is probably the best performing radio in its class, mainly due to a feature called synchronous detection, which means it has slightly better sensitivity and selectivity and less tendency for signals to fade than the Sangean, which is also an excellent radio. I wrote a review of short wave radios for kayaking some years ago describing the function and use of SW radios: http://www.nswseakayaker.asn.au/magazine/58/radios.htm It might be helpful but is more relevant to Australia where reception of weather stations can be quite difficult and where SSB capability is highly desirable. It's worth mentioning the ICOM ICR10. Its a very small handheld, all mode, HF receiver. The impressive specifications have seduced some into thinking it might be suitable for Australian kayaking. Its a good radio but probably not sensitive or selective enough for sea kayakers over here unless you are willing to set up a really good aerial and preselector. I'm keeping an eye open hoping ICOM will bring out a next generation unit. But I think this kind of radio is becoming harder to find. A vision for the distant future is Peter Rattenbury's dream, "an Australian 'weather radio' with the coastal radio transmit frequencies 'hard wired' in; as water-resistant as any electrical device we carry at the moment, and of a quality better than any SW radio you can buy. It would be the size of a cigarette pack and with a wire antenna rather than a telescoping whip, saving even more space and expense. These sorts of device exist in the USA" Such radios could be purpose built but are likely to require an extremely high level of skill and workshop facilities to design and construct as well as a great deal of money. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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