"H Davis" hdavis@(no spam)ntsource.com wrote in message
...
I'm really new to SWL and obviously have a lot to learn. So I'd like to
try
to understand what I need to receive what radios like the Grundig 400PE
and
Sangean 803A are capable of receiving.

For the Grundig, which I own one of, it is an amazing little radio, and the
double-hetro design makes the receiver as wide-open a front end as possible
to receive almost everything. The down side to the radio is that it is
_easily_ overloaded with signals from any kind of antenna longer than the
recommended 20' or so provided with the unit. I have found that the Grundig
400PE operated with it's stock whip antenna fom a second floor room will
receive almost anything that the best receivers with any antenna can. Bear
in mind it is a wide-open front end with _lots_ of noise, but it doesn't
miss much either. I think that the Sangean has very similar characteristics
and ablities. I suggest enjoying them both as they were designed, and not
expecting any kind of external antenna design making a significant
improvement on their performance.

Jack
Virginia Beach Va