Hello Gary, Tim and Rob,

 

     The Sony SRF-T615 is a Japanese-market AM-DX portable with stunning sensitivity and nulling ability for its very compact size.  Unfortunately, it has always had a pretty stunning price, especially now, after a stampede of North American orders following the January 2008 Shootout review (partly my fault).

 

     Ordered by me from Audio Cubes 2 in December ($89 plus shipping) in a search for excellent digital Ultralight portables, the tiny model has always seemed ultra-sensitive for its size.  Full details are contained in the January 2008 Shootout posted on dxer.ca, in which is was declared the top digital Ultralight model (despite the fact that it was one of the smallest).  The review prompted a run of SRF-T615 orders from Audio Cubes 2, causing shipping delays of up to a month.  Those Ultralight DXers with some pocket money couldn't resist it. An eBay vendor, "joynetcafe,"  apparently saw the stampede in SRF-T615 orders to Audio Cubes 2 and started offering it themselves, at a similar price ($95 plus shipping).  Around March and April, both suppliers were shipping tremendous numbers of SRF-T615's to our enthusiast group, including 12 units that I personally know of.

 

     The compact size and ultra-sensitivity of the SRF-T615 made it ideal as my DXpedition stock Ultralight, and it never disappointed, receiving 8 TP's (and 1 UnID DU) during one morning in Grayland, WA (April 20th). I have never heard anyone say a negative word about it, and every purchaser has apparently been completely satisfied, despite the high price.

 

     Until the testing of the new Sangean DT-400W, no digital Ultralight could match its wide-band sensitivity. Audio Cubes 2 raised up the price to an astonishing $165, before lowering it to the current $149 (plus shipping). The eBay vendor "joynetcafe" also raised its price, but only to a current $115 (plus $20 shipping).  I have ordered units from both exporters, and the service is comparable (both very good).

 

     So now that the new Sangean DT-400W can slightly exceed the SRF-T615 in wide-band sensitivity (at least my three review units), what are the superior points of the SRF-T615?  Quite a few, actually.  The nulling ability is phenomenal, every bit as good as an SRF-59.  The DT-400W cannot match it.  The AGC and audio quality are unsurpassed.  The compact size is unbelievable for such sensitive performance.  And although I have heard reports from Richard that his DT-400W is not as sensitive as my review units, I have never heard from anyone that was disappointed in the SRF-T615 sensitivity.  This is after about 25 estimated orders by our enthusiast group! 

 

     In summary, if you can afford one, the Sony SRF-T615 will almost certainly thrill you.  It is a unique combination of extreme performance in an extremely tiny package, and that's really the essence of Ultralight Radio DXing.

 

     73,  Gary  

 

    

 

    

Hi Gary & everyone...Thanks for the feedback on my comments re: the
Sony SRF-T615.

I wasn't at all saying the 615 isn't a great radio. From everything
I've heard and read...it is.

It isn't a question of being able to afford a $150 radio (I'm a
ham...that equipment isn't cheap...believe me!).

To me it's a question of 2 very similar radios with one feature
difference (digital readout)....one costs $14.99 the other costs
$150.

It's a shame radio hobbyists are being so over-charged by radio
dealers and Sony.

73's,

Tim, KD8GZ
Norton, Ohio

At 09:05 PM 9/18/2008, you wrote:

Hi Gary & everyone...Thanks for the feedback on my comments re: the

To me it's a question of 2 very similar radios with one feature
difference (digital readout)....one costs $14.99 the other costs
$150.

Tim....The T615 also has 7 Memories...which are quite useful!! The 615 is
much smaller/easier to handle.....and is 100 Times easier to tune, you can
move around the band in a flash...and always know where you are. Audio
Quality is Amazingly Good too!! The Digital Readout is the main selling
point for the T615...but it is just a Beautiful Radio to use!! I have 10
Ultralights now (2 of them are SRF-59's.......tuned up by "Gary the Guru"
4 of my ULRs are Digital Readouts and I think the T615 kills all the
others....in spite of what Gary says!! HIHI!! Maybe mine is just a real hot
T615...I don't know!! I'm hoping to get my hands on a Souped up E-100 soon
that will make me eat my words!! HAHAHA..
But as it stands....the T615 is the King in my ULR stable. Is it worth 10
times as much as an SRF-59.????...To me it is!! I could live without the
59's....in spite of all the Great DX I have heard with them...but I
wouldn't want to get rid of the T615!!

It's a shame radio hobbyists are being so over-charged by radio
dealers and Sony.

Yup....you're right...but it's the free market at work.....you pay your
money and take your chance. The $89 Bucks I spent for my T615 was money
well spent!!

And after all this Praise of the T615...I had to USE an SRF-59 the other
night to Null out WLS on 890 to hear WAGM from Dedham, MASS. The other Rigs
...T615 and DT-400 Sangean and E-100...just couldn't completely null out
WLS!!!!! The SRF-59 Could!!! Glad I have 2 of em!!

73..ROB.


Robert S. Ross VA3SW
Box 1003, Stn. B.
London, Ontario
CANADA N6A5K1

Antique/Vintage Radio Enthusiast
Amateur Radio Stations VA3SW/VE3JFC

Defy Physics.....Play Table Tennis!! (Ping Pong with an Attitude)
«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«

Regarding the DT-400W, I simply feel mine is a less than perfect
example. I've noticed no two of any ULR model are equal. I blame it
on uneven quality control. But I'm planning to buy another one. I've
found it the easiest to use of all my ultralights. I'm sure the
experimenters will soon discover its secrets and may turn it into a DX
animal.

Good DX everyone,

Richard Allen

Gary,
Hopefully the 400 in the Sangean series allows tuning away from preset
frequencies when using the memory recalls. The Sony T615 does. With
the Sangean DT200VX, if one uses the memory button to lock into a
station, one can't go up or down without exiting the memory feature--
once that is done, one ends up with the previous station tuned in
before the memory button was used.
With the Sony, one can use the presets to move from one end of the
band to the other and tune from the preset station. Does the 400 allow
one to do the same as the T615? Another great feature of the Sony is
tiny size. Nothing does better per cubic inch.
73 Gil

Gary, Tim, Rob & all who chimed in about the Sony SRF-T615:

I just wanted to thank everyone for their comments and thoughts. I
agree that the price of the Sony T-615 is steep, but considering what
I've spent on Ham gear over the years, feel its a bargin - even at the
$149 price tag.

I'm anxiously awaiting to receive it & will post my comparison review
here on the group. It'll be compared against my two Sony SRF-59s and my
Sangean DT-200VX, which I feel is slightly less sensitive than the 2
Sonys.

73-
Gary
W2GJW

--- On Fri, 9/19/08, nn4cw <gilstacy@...> wrote:

Gary,
Hopefully the 400 in the Sangean series allows tuning away from preset
frequencies when using the memory recalls. The Sony T615 does. With
the Sangean DT200VX, if one uses the memory button to lock into a
station, one can't go up or down without exiting the memory feature--
once that is done, one ends up with the previous station tuned in
before the memory button was used.
With the Sony, one can use the presets to move from one end of the
band to the other and tune from the preset station. Does the 400 allow
one to do the same as the T615? Another great feature of the Sony is
tiny size. Nothing does better per cubic inch.
73 Gil



One of the annoying features on the DT-200vx is that the memory erases itself when you change band or khz offset. I suspect it may do the same when you power off although having discovered the erasures on band and offset. Does the 400 do that also ?


Russ Edmunds
Blue Bell, PA ( 360' ASL )
[15 mi NNW of Philadelphia]
40:08:45N; 75:16:04W, Grid FN20id
<wb2bjh@...>
FM: Yamaha T-80 & Onkyo T-450RDS w/ APS9B @15'
AM: Modified Sony ICF 2010 barefoot

--- On Fri, 9/19/08, w2gjw <w2gjw@...> wrote:


Gary, Tim, Rob & all who chimed in about the Sony SRF-T615:

I just wanted to thank everyone for their comments and thoughts. I
agree that the price of the Sony T-615 is steep, but considering what
I've spent on Ham gear over the years, feel its a bargin - even at the
$149 price tag.

I'm anxiously awaiting to receive it & will post my comparison review
here on the group. It'll be compared against my two Sony SRF-59s and my
Sangean DT-200VX, which I feel is slightly less sensitive than the 2
Sonys.



_______________________


I certainly agree as to comparing the performance of the Sangean 200 to the SRF59. I had initially had high hopes for the Sangean because it had the ability to swicth to the European bandplan, but I strongly doubt I'll be able to hear a TA on it, and therefore it'll be of little use as a spotter for the SRF 59 in that regard.



Russ Edmunds
Blue Bell, PA ( 360' ASL )
[15 mi NNW of Philadelphia]
40:08:45N; 75:16:04W, Grid FN20id
<wb2bjh@...>
FM: Yamaha T-80 & Onkyo T-450RDS w/ APS9B @15'
AM: Modified Sony ICF 2010 barefoot; SOny SRF-59; Sangean DT-200vx

Either my Sony's aren't up to snuff or my DT200VX is exceptionally
good on MW. The large numerals with back light is superior to the
Sony's (none) and Eton E100 (too short of duration, and doesn't
illuminate when tuning). FM sensitivity and selectivity is superior
to the Sony's; the Eton 100 is better, but not sound quality. Each
have shortcomings and strengths.
Gil

One thing that wasn't mentioned about the SRF-T615 receiver is its
sometimes useful noise reduction feature. I normally don't switch it
one, but on occasion have found it useful.

I'm lucky enough to have two T615's and use one most of the time. One
is set to 10 kHz steps and the other to 9 kHz. As I live in Oklahoma,
I may have to travel to Newfoundland use the 9 kHz steps. But I
continue to hope.

While I don't know the exact battery life, the T615 give a good amount
of DX on two AAA batteries.

Richard Allen

--- On Fri, 9/19/08, nn4cw <gilstacy@...> wrote:

Either my Sony's aren't up to snuff or my DT200VX is exceptionally
good on MW. The large numerals with back light is superior to the
Sony's (none) and Eton E100 (too short of duration, and doesn't
illuminate when tuning). FM sensitivity and selectivity is superior
to the Sony's; the Eton 100 is better, but not sound quality. Each
have shortcomings and strengths.
Gil

_________________


Once again, I suspect uneven QC is the issue. My SRF-59 was one of the first batch Gary aligned and distributed. I may be the first or second non-Canadian to get one of those. My DT-200vx is stock. As has been noted, the Sony has better nulls, and is more selective on AM. I have never seriously compared the two on FM, but I think that the Sangean will prove similarly less selective when I do.



Russ Edmunds
Blue Bell, PA ( 360' ASL )
[15 mi NNW of Philadelphia]
40:08:45N; 75:16:04W, Grid FN20id
<wb2bjh@...>
FM: Yamaha T-80 & Onkyo T-450RDS w/ APS9B @15'
AM: Modified Sony ICF 2010 barefoot