RadioBanter - View Single Post

May 2nd 05, 12:24 AM

On 2005-04-15 said:
Newsgroups: rec.radio.shortwave
I would take my "piece of crap" Radio Shack Multi-Band Self Powered
12-803 anywhere in the world. It operates on just two (2) penlight
batteries and receives most Standard AM shortwave radio broadcasts.
Keep in mind that the "average" soldier would just listen to the
news and music. With the wind-up capabilities to recharge internal
batteries the 12-803 as well as the Grundig FR-200 would solve any
problems with re-supply that might exist. It is unlikely that any
enemy jamming would exist on any common SW frequencys for they
would be quickly located by the USAF and eliminated. A soldiers
radio has to be simple, tough, and be able to operate in tough
situations. I stand by my earlier posts.
Roger
SW Michigan
Army MOS 31U40 (Retired)
I would have to wholeheartedly support those statements, Roger. That Radio
Shack 12-803 Self-powered radio is definitely a tough little beast, actually
ruggedized for camping and outdoor use. It is the absolute champ among
"self-powered" radios in the area of running the longest time with the
fewest turns of the power crank that charges its two little NiMH batteries,
and that crank is the smoothest turning and quietest of all the dynamo
cranks I've seen on several different dynamo-powered models.

Shortwave coverage is limited to six band slices that covers program
broadcast frequencies between 49 meters and 16 meters, and the band that
includes the weather radio frequencies in the US and Canada might not be of
much use in Iraq or Afghanistan. The MW (AM broadcast) coverage and FM
coverage are world standard, and the analog tuning means that the user won't
need to know or care whether MW stations are spaced 9 KHz or 10KHz apart.

The only drawback to carrying that radio to a place like Iraq would be that,
if it does get misplaced, stolen, or blown up, you might have a hard time
getting a replacement, since it doesn't seem to be made anymore, by anybody,
for any brand line, at least not for sale in North America.

That Grundig FR-200, (AKA Tecsun Green 88) has continuous shortwave coverage
from about 2300 to 27,400 KHz, so it has better SW coverage than the 12-803,
and it has the same MW and FM coverage. Being a little less chunky in form
factor, it might be a little more convenient to pack in the standard
army-issue rucksack or Allis pack. If it gets stolen, left somewhere, or
shot to hell, it can be easily replaced later. Its biggest weakness as a
frontline soldier's radio companion is that it is much less ruggedly
constructed than the 12-803, and its dynamo crank is much noisier and you'll
hear it through the speaker if you crank as you listen.

One radio that may still be available in this category is the Coleman
Outrider, which was sold by Universal Radio, and I think also by Grove
Enterprises. It is a little larger and heavier than the 12-803, has a
similar form factor design, is ruggedly built, adds solar cell power
capability which might be useful in an Iraqi desert. It only uses its
built-in rechargeable battery and can be powered from an external wall wart
power supply. It only knows the MW (AM broadcast) band, and the standard FM
band, and it has no shortwave coverage. That radio is also sold in a
slightly slimmer, lighter, and less rugged package as a FreePlay model.

If I were going to the front lines in Iraq or Afghanistan, I don't think I'd
want to take along any of the small push-button interfaced, "digitally"
tuned receivers with me, and I wouldn't want some of the really cheap
analog-tuned models that have those tiny cheap switches and those flimsy
sliding volume and tone controls. I also would not want them because they
tend to be relative battery hogs. A high thirst for the capacity of six
batteries would definitely rule out a radio like that Grundig YB-400PE for
my purposes as a receiver for living out in the field on or near the front
lines of military action.

Brent Reynolds, Atlanta, GA USA
Email: Phone: 1-404-814-0768