Realistic DX-160 AM Broadcast Band/Shortwave General Coverage Receiver.

The latest new/old toy to hit the bench.

[@douglasthompson9482]

I just bought my third one….great memories. My first one was brand new in 1973. Bought it in Portland Oregon.

[@lawnking168]

hi john! glad to see your new radio! i got a dx160 for birthday present in 1980.it was a closeout from the rs store where i lived. floor model. i sold it years ago. but, i did get another one here about 8 years ago. it is in great cond. but, last year at a car swap meet, i got a dx150b! for 10 bucks!! it was very dirty. i said would you take 5?? yes!! got it home and cleaned it and bam!! like new playing!! the diffrence is the 150b has no longwave but mirror copy of the 160. thanks john!! ed

[@ctscantechnologist]

I have a IC-7300 to listen to any shortwave station, but this realistic DX-160 has me enamored so much i bought one on Ebay too.

[@spresc2180]

I have been thinking of getting another from Ebay, but wanting a beauty like yours. Patience is a virtue, they say. I will find that DX-160 gem eventually. You are very fortunate.

[@Davidjb37721]

good to see you get one john Realistic DX-150 have a speaker built inside.i like both. dx-160.hope to see you on 10 meter(28.335 usb)or on 2mm 145.230.knox, Tn

[@spresc2180]

Ohhh the memories. Like Geo, my 1st SWR was a DX-160 bought when it first came out, and I loved it. Worked beautifully. I travelled the world for several years with that radio, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning. Big map on the wall with pins all over it. International Reply Coupons going our globally for the coveted QSLs. Sold it after a few years, took a SWL hiatus then jumped back in with both feet when RS DX-302 came out and also have thier DX-440. Shower that baby with TLC.

[@gsnfan]

Man, Radio Shack made the coolest receivers, and yours is no exception. Have fun with it.

[@gbowne1]

I think I should put up a response video to this one and show you my DX-160. I love this rig. Hope you wouldn't mind seeing some quick vids on this one.

[@joestokesbary7343]

Nice video. Th anks

[@ernestomarquez1036]

Nice to see a video on the DX-160. This past week I re-capped one for a friend of mine. In addition I cleaned all the controls and switches and also changed a few out of value resistor. I was impressed with the sound of this puppy. 73, Ernie

[@joernone]

Ernie, The DX-160 is such a flexible little rig...light-weight, practically portable, easy to use, quick speaker hookup, good sensitivity, decent sound, fairly easy to repair and they're generally inexpensive. In my mind, a good deal all around. Regards, John

[@AllAmericanFiveRadio]

Hey John, “It's deja vu all over again” I had one of those in the mid 70s. I thought it worked great. I gave it to a friend just before I moved to Chicago. Regards Rick

[@glk001]

What a nice radio, good purchase, The 160 was my first purchase when I began to collect the DX series of radios. Does drift, but I plugged it in the day I got it and it's never been off the long wire since. I should open it up, but it works so well. I've went on to get a Dx-100, 150B, 200, 300, and 302. Love the 302 and it shares time with the 160 and both the 100 and 200 our bedside with me. The 150B is waiting for a recappin', but does work. Great inexpensive analog radios made by GRE in Japan

[@AllAmericanFiveRadio]

It would be nice to have one again.

[@KalingaAthulathmudali]

Oh, Jim Reeves playing! this bring back memories!

[@GeoN0JRJ]

My first sw radio was a 160. Drifted like a drunk in a dingy but I love it anyways.good catch OM!

[@anselb2000]

I mentioned on one of your videos about this radio that I had picked up a really clean one at a yard sale for just a few dollars. It also came with a Radio Shack external speaker, but I discovered it had two internal speakers, one on each end of the case. It looks all original, but may have been a modification. It has excellent audio quality and great sensitivity on all bands. I was glad it worked so well I have not even pulled the back. Great find.

[@joernone]

I really like my DX-160. I'm a tube man, but credit must be given where credit is due. It's a solid rig. It seems to me the DX-150 had an internal speaker. But if your DX-160 has internal speakers, then yes, it's been modified. I'd bet that if you compare the setup to the DX-150 speaker you'll find them to be pretty much the same.Regards,John

[@anselb2000]

joernone As soon as I can get some space on the bench I am going to pull the back and check it out further. Thanks for your help and enthusiasm.

[@joernone]

Thank you, my friend. The DX-160 really is a fine receiver, even if it is solid state. I like its overall looks. It's just cool on several fronts. Down the road I'll probably hand it off to our youngest grandson, one of those kids who takes care of his things without having to be told. In fact, he now owns my restored Atwater Kent 856. The DX-160 will look right smart sitting beside it. But it won't happen for a while yet. :-) Thanks for coming by. Regards, John

[@joernone]

Harvey, I know of folks who have done this trick. In fact, back in the horn speaker days they'd partially muffle the tinniness by inserting a rolled-up sock down into the horn. Ever heard the term: "Put a sock in it."? Regards, John

[@ON4AEM]

Nice video John.Glad to see you found the radio you were looking for in mint condition! Two weeks ago I went to a hamfest in Germany and amazing sometimes to see how people don't take care of their old radios.Beautiful stuff was made back in the 70s and 80s, but hard to find that stuff in mint condition nowadays.Enjoy your new toy ;-) Take care, Wim.

[@JosephLorentzen]

I was surprised when I opened my DX160 and found there was next to nothing in the cabinet. I used the internal speaker for a while and tried it on a better speaker. Not much better sound. The amp seemed limited in frequency range. The lack of a BFO was also problematic with CW reception.

[@lawnking168]

hi john! there are some sites that are devoted to the beloved 160 and all the fathers and grandfathers of this radio. i really love mine as well and, are built like tanks for a solid state radio. if i rember , it started off with the dx150, in the late 60's then went to 150a and, then the the b is harder to get from what i read cause they were going to do the 160. the 150 was not made too long, like 1 year. mid 70's please correct me if i am wrong on the years!! anyway, congrats. john!! ed

[@MrHarveyluke]

Nice find, John. Suggest you take some material like fiberglass insulation, cotton, or similar stuff and put in the cabinet behind that speaker. It will baffle the sound and make it not sound as tinny. 73, KM4JA

[@joernone]

Right you are, my friend. The DX-160 is cool. And I do plan to have fun with it. Thanks for stopping by. Regards, John

[@kjellare]

just noticed something funny my father har a "portable" radio realistic and the resection on that thing was insanely good :)

[@spagamoto]

Good machines. I recently got a DX-150 from a gentleman on Craigslist, for free! Almost perfect condition but it's missing the band select knob. Oh well, I got my money's worth for sure! Even got some shortwave on it, but I've yet to rig up a real antenna. Thanks for sharing.

[@joernone]

Broken bakelite can be repaired to look just like new. Regards, John

[@joernone]

Yes, you should put up a response vid. Good idea. I'll be looking for it. Regards, John

[@joernone]

Rick, The DX-160 is what it is...a very good solid state radio supposedly designed for the kids shortwave market, but it seems nearly everyone wound up buying one. To be sure, I've read a few horror stories about it, but ultimately decided not to pay them much heed. In terms of performance and attractiveness, I like the little bugger and am glad to finally own one. Now don't you wish you had yours back? :-) Regards, John

[@tunistoots1662]

Hi i am glad you like the dx-160 i sold you on ebay, I take care of radios i sell and will have another dx-160 going up soon.I have been into shortwave for over 25ys and love the old Realistic and Radio Shack radios. And i never sell junk on ebay. cakeabatter

[@joernone]

Nothing beats a free DX-150. Congrats to you. Just throw up a random straight wire antenna out the window to a tree limb. If you don't want to go out the window tape the inside end and outside end to an 8" or 9" square piece of folded aluminum foil. Attach the square on either side of the window glass, aligned up with one another of course. Walla...an antenna that's capacitively coupled. It won't be the best antenna in the world, but it will do the job. Regards, John

[@jacknifedbl]

I love my 160 I was surprised how well mine was also and has the original speaker...I use it alot for scanning ham bands...I got mine for like 40 bucks...it is is very good shape...

[@joernone]

You know...it seems that my life has always been satisfying. A long time ago a fellow told me: "If you live right, good things happen to you." He was exactly right. So I've never had a shred of tolerance for anything negative. Take care, my friend. Regards, John

[@joernone]

The DX-160 is the perfect receiver for low bucks. Mine sits on the ole workbench, but gets moved off from time to time to make room for other projects like the large TV I just finished up. But moving it is a snap...it's practically weightless. If you ever get around to buying one, try not to pay more than $75 for it. They're just not worth any more than that, no matter how good they look and play. Regards, John

[@Radionut]

do you take radios in for repair? my DX 160 Main tuning dial the knob rotates but the cord to slips and doesn't move the pointer. can you fix that

[@joernone]

Sorry, my friend, but I stopped doing that years ago. Got tired of being ripped off by folks with zero integrity. You're the unfortunate victim of those who came before you. Regards, John

[@joernone]

You might be thinking of a different radio. The DX-160 does not have an internal speaker and it does have a BFO. Regards, John

[@lawnking168]

sorry, i forgot the 150b that was made for 1 year oh well youll have that!!! thanks my freind, ed

[@mainevilleprepper4885]

@joernon...You mentioned WSAI. Do you live near Cincinnati where WSAI is located?

[@joernone]

Sorry, my friend. It was WSM (Nashville). It was stormy that night and the static made it kinda sound like I said WASI. Thanks for dropping by. Stop in anytime. Regards, John

[@joernone]

Georgie, me lad, Believe it or not, neither my 160 nor the one I bought for my grandson do any serious drifting. It was a definite concern, but has fortunately (or luckily) proved to be no big deal. BTW...that dude in the dingy was a Texan, right? Fess up, son. Regards, John

[@radiocruz1]

good find john lets us know when you try the short wave. phil

[@paulshaffer9674]

I got one on eBay for $51+25shipping, it works real well.

[@stormchsr1017]

these thongs are fair performers and a good addition to a collection but these things are plagued by intermod. no matter how they are aligned, all kinds of phantom stations appear all over the dial. ive had several. the dx 440 is the worst tho. all are fun to play with

[@262NagantRadios]

Glad to see you found a really nice one John. That is the price range I stay at with them as well and less if they don't have the speaker or have some minor condition issues as was the case with mine. Didn't watch your video until today as I was about two weeks behind on watching videos. Got is trimmed down to five days now. LOL 73's Paul