Hi amigos !
Just recently got a used FR 200 from a friend.
My impressions so far is that it is an outstanding clever design , in which
the engineers put a lot of mental energy, in order to be able to sell
it at an extremely reasonable price, and at the same time it to be
a useable radio receiver.
My comparative "hands on tests" with other much more expensive portable
radio receivers show that if you can manage with the dial mechanism,
the FR 200 will be a pleasure to own.
It does require very careful tuning on the high short wave band, as the
dial mechanism has backlash, and the calibration is very poor, but then
a good experienced " operator " can compensate for both shortcomings
quite well.
Having enjoyed using my REGENERODYNE receivers for a long time,has
provided yours truly with the ability to use a slide rule dial calibration
marks on a linear scale as a very good approximation to the frequency
I want to pick up... then, the everyday practice of listening to stations
can easily tell you that the FR 200 is on 15 170 from Carriari , Costa
Rica instead of on 15 190 from Antigua in the Caribbean... after all
Spanish National Radio in Spanish sounds quite different from the BBC
Caribbean Relay !!!!
BTW, I do need to take a good look at the FR 200 circuit diagram, so
if anyone is able to find one that can be scanned and sent by e-mail
it will certainly help me to repair this one, because mine seems
to have a problem charging the battery with the crank up generator...
Arnie Coro
Host of Dxers Unlimited
Radio Hobby Program
Radio Havana Cuba


Al Patrick wrote in message ...
Have one. Don't use it often. Got it for emergencies. It is an
excellent little emergency radio that works off multiple sources,
including human energy. Get it! Not as nice as the 7600GR, YB400,
etc., etc. - under normal times. It may be far better than what we
normally consider to be the best of the best when there is no electric
power and no batteries! That time will come! For $40 you have something
that most of the "better" radios can't provide - under certain conditions.

Al

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David wrote:

If anyone owns the Grundig FR200 on the newsgroup I have a few questions.
How is it on the AM radio band? I read where it performs very well reception
wise. Also, I was reading that the NiCad battery inside can actually be
charged by a cordless phone charger. Is this true and will it damage the
FR200 in any way? Apparently it has a NiCad similiar to some cordless phone
batteries. I may get one for camping/emergencies of its is worth it. Any
info appreciated.