"Shepherd" ) writes:
Wayne wrote:
What I'd like to see in a portable MW receiver. A good audio section
like the one in the GE SR III. Both 9 and 10 KHz digital step tuning
with at least 1 KHz fine tuning. Good selectivity allowing for
split-frequency DX. Very good sensitivity. Better than average image
rejection. Synchronous detection. RF attenuator. Large ferrite bar
which can be rotated separate from the main body of the radio. Switch
allowing for disconnection of the internal ferrite bar antenna to allow
for exclusive use of an external antenna. S-meter. Make it an MW or MW
+ SW only set and tailor its performance to get the most out of those
bands. Oh, include stereo decoder. Is this asking too much?

Wayne

Wayne,

I don't think it is too much to ask. Please post when you find this
radio! That is certainly the one I want.


But the problem is that what is the market?

The GE Superradio carries a nice label, which likely sells more radios.
But it really isn't that much more than an average portable AM/FM radio.
It could be argued the bigger speaker (ie better sound for local reception)
is as much a factor as the the heralded ability to receive distant stations.

The things the previous poster wants is quite available in a receiver. A lot
of portable shortwave receivers have most of those features. But, they also
carry a higher price. The cost is a reflection of the better circuitry, but
it also reflects a more limited market.

Just about everyone will spend ten dollars to get a portable AM/FM radio.
Some will pay a bit more to get one with a bigger speaker (and maybe better
DX ability). But the number of people who want an AM/FM radio for DX is
a much smaller number. Development cost has to be spread over that smaller
population. The cost reductions of mass production can't kick in, as it
does at the ten dollar radio level.

Once the features are added, you have an AM/FM radio that costs quite
a bit, but for most people doesn't give them any extra ability (because
they aren't interested digging signals out of the mud). Many of the
people who might be interested would look at the price and say "but at
its core, it's still just an AM/FM radio". They might be more tempted
by the addition of shortwave bands, but that adds more cost, and those
already exist.

Michael