In article YZn4d.2221$Pz3.380@trndny01, 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.

Better than I expected, but the filter is a touch too wide. It doesn't
handle adjacent signals all that well. It's got the same problem on
shortwave.

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.

It's got a three cell NiMH pack, the instructions say that you should
use a 4.5 volt wall wart.

I've been hooking it up to a lab bench supply and monitoring it with
my voltmeter. (Using a roughly constant current of 30 to 50 millamps,
depending on how impatient I am). There's a .76 volt drop between the +
on the power jack and the battery pack roughly independent of the current
(indicating there's a diode in there). The voltage on the pack plateaus
out at 4.24 volts, so that a full charge seems to be indicated at 5.00
volts at the power jack. (Your milage may vary).

An accuratly regulated 4.5 volt power suppply may not bring the batteries
up to a full charge, as that could only bring the batteries up to 3.75 volts.
Better that boiling them dry (overcharging), I suppose.

Mark Zenier Washington State resident