RD,
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Replace "front end transistor(s)" with Front End RF Circuitry.
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YES - You are right many low cost 'portable' AM/FM and Shortwave
Radios are poorly designed and have various images and signal
products that can be hear all over their tuning range. As much
as nearby AM/MW Radio Stations can be a problem. So too, as
you point out nearby FM Radio Stations can be a very real signal
'overload' problem for these cheap portable and table top Radios.
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Fortunately for Us as Radio Enthusiast for every dozen or so of
these low cost poorly designed Radios. There are a few well
designed Radios that are 'quality built' like the: Sony ICF-2010,
Sangean ATS-909, Grundig Yacht Boy 400 PE, to name a few.
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CHECK-OUT - DXing.Com's "Modern Shortwave Receiver Survey List"
DXING COM = http://www.dxing.com/rx/rxindex.htm
For some of the better 'portable' AM/FM Shortwave Radios
and some outstanding Table Top Shortwave Receivers.
..
jm2cw ~ RHF