I have tried out several SW radios over my 15 years in the hobby. I was
thinking about this recently. I have owned the Radio Shack DX-440, Sony
SW100,
Grundig YB 400 and 305, Degen 1103 and also a Ham Radio Icom 735. The best
portable by far for sound, quality of contruction and sensitivity was the
DX-440. The Degen 1103 is a fine small portable, but it still is not in the
same league as the DX-440.
The Grundig YB 400 is also an ok radio, though the
YB 305 (no SSB) beat it out for sensitivity. The Sony SW100 was VERY
small......still no DX machine. Finally, the Icom 735 though a ham radio was
EXCELLANT as a receiver, but it was a $1000 radio new back in the 80's and
early 90's, so one would expect good performance. I come to conclusion that
though today's SW radios do have some great buys like the Degen
1103......the older radios I have owned like the DX-440 and Icom 735
easily outperformed the newer stuff. Actually I can't think of a radio under
$200 that I would want now.....would consider a used 440 or Sangean 803a
first. Though I never owned one, I have heard the discontinued Sony 2010 was
also superb. Is the newer stuff not as good as far as quality of
construction and DX ability goes? Interesting to hear what others think.

Most of the newer stuff uses glass epoxy circuit boards and SMD technology,
so actually, it isn't bad. Most of the older stuff did not.
I had an Icom 735, and although it was a good unit, the Kenwood 570 has a
better overall receiver. The 735 uses a dual JFET balanced mixer, while the
570 uses the same type of quad JFET mixer that is used in the Yaesu FT1000
series and the Racal 6790. The quad mixer has a theoretical IP3 of +30dBm if
implemented properly, while the dual JFET design is typically in the +15 to
+20dBM range. Mind you, this isn't bad.
Nothing out of the old portable radio series comes to the Grundig 210
(1971), the Grundig 600 and 650s (early 80s), and to a lesser extent, the
Zenith Royal 7000, not to be confused with the later R7000, which is also
not too bad of a receiver.
The full audio response of those older Grundig receivers has to be heard to
be believed. I gave my Grundig 210, also known as the TR-6001 to my wife.
She still likes to play with it.
The Grundig Satellit 700 seems to command high prices, but it is relatively
deaf when compared to the older Grundig units.
Probably, the most advanced Grundig radios were the Satellit 600 and the
Satellit 650. These were of an upconversion design using a glass epoxy board
for the main receiver board. Real optical encoders were used for the main
tuning control, as well as a tracking preselector for the front end.
These were the last Satellit models that used the tracking preselector, as
well as the Variometer driven RF stage for the LW/MW/MB ranges. They also
used a two way acoustic suspension speaker system.
Another receiver that comes to mind is the Philips D2999. LW/MW performance
was just as good the the Grundig Satellit receivers. The problem is finding
a unit that doesn't have worn out pushbutton band select switches.
It is difficult to get at those switches in order to clean them.
The Sony 6800W, Orange version is a good performer, if you can find one that
is working properly. This is also a very difficult receiver to dismantle,
making it difficult to service. Some people prefer the version with the
white lettering with its shallower skirt selectivity. Both of the receivers
are using a Murata "H" bandwidth filter, except the Orange version uses a
6-element CFWS-455H while the White version uses a 4-element CFU-455H in the
455kHz I.F. strip.
The 6-element version has potentially better ultimate rejection, but because
the 2nd mixer doesn't have a crystal roofing filter ahead of it the close-in
IP3 is relatively poor. Still, it is a fun receiver to play with. If I ever
find a clean sample at a reasonable price, I will pick it up again. There is
one on eBay right now, but that "as is" reference that the seller uses is
pretty scary, especially when this receiver is known to have problems with
the sythesizer going out of lock.
The newer Chinese portables aren't bad..............the limiting factor with
these units is using only a 2-pole roofing filter at the 1st I.F. This gives
a maximum 2nd I.F. rejection ratio in the 45dB range.
You can see the manifestation of this problem when you hear the (2 X 455kHz)
images of the 6MHz band when you tune 910KHz below the 49M band. Since this
is a 2nd I.F. rejection problem, it will occur throughout the whole tuning
range. An outboard tunable RF preselector will give you better rejection of
this problem.
I did get to play with Prototype 4 or 5 of the E5 when it first came out.
Too bad they didn't stick with the blue LED backlight for the display. It
looked much nicer than that washed out display that they are using now.
Now, the E5 was a better performer than the Sony 7600, although the 7600
isn't a slouch either.
There is also the Panasonic RF-2200. This is a pretty good receiver, but it
definitely doesn't have the MW performance of some of the better portables.
Image rejection isn't the best either, because of its 2MHz 1st I.F. This in
itself isn't bad, but with this type of design you really need 3-gang tuning
to get that extra stage of image rejection. Anybody who has used this
receiver will notice those images that are offset 4MHz from the original
signal. Still, it is nice to have that "Collins" looking tuning dial. It was
a pretty good deal at the original 140 price tag. It also had a great FM
section with super selectivity.
What is my favorite portable? My Sony SW-1, although that only gets about 10
minutes of use every month or so. If it had a larger loopstick antenna, it
would be a great receiver. When coupled with the Radio Shack tuned loop
antenna, it is as good as the best. SW performance is also very good. Even
with the short whip antenna, it is possible to hear atmospheric noise
overriding internal noise up at 29MHz. This unit also uses glass epoxy
boards.
The reason that I mention glass epoxy boards is because this material has
better dimensional stability than the old phenolic boards. Because of this,
you don't run into intermittent connections the way that you do with the
phenolic material.
The Yaesu FRG-100 uses phenolic boards, but it is such a nice receiver that
I have kept mine, in spite of this fact. I keep this receiver in a
controlled climate, so it shouldn't have any problems.
One receiver that I have coming from England is a Lo-Kata ADF receiver. It
looks like a good design, but the Christmas mail has slowed down progress of
this shipment. Cosmetic design is similar to the Lowe HF-150, only in giant
size. I don't know too much about it yet; I may end up having to break it
open and repair it.
Whenever I do get the chance to play with any of my receivers, it is my JRC
NRD-91. You don't see too many of those units around, because they are still
sitting on high seas ships, along with the NRD-92, NRD-93, some of the
Sailor brand receivers, and who knows what else?

Pete


"snow" wrote in message
news:BCZjh.16745$sz5.3423@trndny03...
I have tried out several SW radios over my 15 years in the hobby. I was
thinking about this recently. I have owned the Radio Shack DX-440, Sony
SW100,
Grundig YB 400 and 305, Degen 1103 and also a Ham Radio Icom 735. The best
portable by far for sound, quality of contruction and sensitivity was the
DX-440. The Degen 1103 is a fine small portable, but it still is not in
the same league as the DX-440.
The Grundig YB 400 is also an ok radio, though the
YB 305 (no SSB) beat it out for sensitivity. The Sony SW100 was VERY
small......still no DX machine. Finally, the Icom 735 though a ham radio
was EXCELLANT as a receiver, but it was a $1000 radio new back in the 80's
and early 90's, so one would expect good performance. I come to conclusion
that though today's SW radios do have some great buys like the Degen
1103......the older radios I have owned like the DX-440 and Icom 735
easily outperformed the newer stuff. Actually I can't think of a radio
under $200 that I would want now.....would consider a used 440 or Sangean
803a first. Though I never owned one, I have heard the discontinued Sony
2010 was also superb. Is the newer stuff not as good as far as quality of
construction and DX ability goes? Interesting to hear what others think.

snow wrote:
I have tried out several SW radios over my 15 years in the hobby. I was
thinking about this recently. I have owned the Radio Shack DX-440, Sony
SW100,
Grundig YB 400 and 305, Degen 1103 and also a Ham Radio Icom 735. The best
portable by far for sound, quality of contruction and sensitivity was the
DX-440. The Degen 1103 is a fine small portable, but it still is not in the
same league as the DX-440.
The Grundig YB 400 is also an ok radio, though the
YB 305 (no SSB) beat it out for sensitivity. The Sony SW100 was VERY
small......still no DX machine. Finally, the Icom 735 though a ham radio was
EXCELLANT as a receiver, but it was a $1000 radio new back in the 80's and
early 90's, so one would expect good performance. I come to conclusion that
though today's SW radios do have some great buys like the Degen
1103......the older radios I have owned like the DX-440 and Icom 735
easily outperformed the newer stuff. Actually I can't think of a radio under
$200 that I would want now.....would consider a used 440 or Sangean 803a
first. Though I never owned one, I have heard the discontinued Sony 2010 was
also superb. Is the newer stuff not as good as far as quality of
construction and DX ability goes? Interesting to hear what others think.

I would have to say, #1 Sony ICF-2010, #2 RS DX-440

Great synopsis Pete! Glad you mentioned the little SW1.

--
Brian Denley
http://home.comcast.net/~b.denley/index.html

"Pete KE9OA" wrote in message
...
Most of the newer stuff uses glass epoxy circuit boards and SMD
technology, so actually, it isn't bad. Most of the older stuff did not.
I had an Icom 735, and although it was a good unit, the Kenwood 570 has a
better overall receiver. The 735 uses a dual JFET balanced mixer, while
the 570 uses the same type of quad JFET mixer that is used in the Yaesu
FT1000 series and the Racal 6790. The quad mixer has a theoretical IP3 of
+30dBm if implemented properly, while the dual JFET design is typically in
the +15 to +20dBM range. Mind you, this isn't bad.

"snow" wrote in message
news:BCZjh.16745$sz5.3423@trndny03...
I have tried out several SW radios over my 15 years in the hobby. I was
thinking about this recently. I have owned the Radio Shack DX-440, Sony
SW100,
Grundig YB 400 and 305, Degen 1103 and also a Ham Radio Icom 735. The best
portable by far for sound, quality of contruction and sensitivity was the
DX-440. The Degen 1103 is a fine small portable, but it still is not in
the
same league as the DX-440.
The Grundig YB 400 is also an ok radio, though the
YB 305 (no SSB) beat it out for sensitivity. The Sony SW100 was VERY
small......still no DX machine. Finally, the Icom 735 though a ham radio
was
EXCELLANT as a receiver, but it was a $1000 radio new back in the 80's and
early 90's, so one would expect good performance. I come to conclusion
that
though today's SW radios do have some great buys like the Degen
1103......the older radios I have owned like the DX-440 and Icom 735
easily outperformed the newer stuff. Actually I can't think of a radio
under
$200 that I would want now.....would consider a used 440 or Sangean 803a
first. Though I never owned one, I have heard the discontinued Sony 2010
was
also superb. Is the newer stuff not as good as far as quality of
construction and DX ability goes? Interesting to hear what others think.



I owned a 440 a few years ago, and I did love that receiver. I still collect
portables, but my choice for number 1 is still the DX-398. I have owned mine
for longer than I can remember, and it still performs and looks like new.
The only problem I ever had with it, was when the stand on the back broke
off, but that was my fault. I was in the process of dropping it, and saved
it by grabbing the stand. I was able to keep the radio off the floor, but
sacrificed the stand in doing so.

I like the YB-400 and the 7600 GR, but the lack of tuning knobs keeps them
off the number 1 spot for me. That little 1103 isn't half bad either. I was
pleasantly surprised with it.
The Tecsun PL-230 is a very cool and convenient receiver to have around.
Considering it cost next to nothing, I thought it was a great buy.
For an analog portable, I use the Tecsun R-9700DX a lot, but I still like
the little old Radio Shack DX-397 overall. I've had it about as long as the
398, and it's still is in mint condition.

I love collecting the portables as much as listening to SW anymore.
The low prices give another dimension to the SWL Hobby.

snow wrote:
small......still no DX machine. Finally, the Icom 735 though a ham radio was
EXCELLANT as a receiver, but it was a $1000 radio new back in the 80's and
early 90's, so one would expect good performance.


Since you brought up the Icom 735: A very nice little receiver that is
available on the used market for around $350.00

As Pete mentioned the Kenwood 570 is also a good radio, and there are
many other older Ham radios that will outperform most of the portables
that Snow mentioned. But alas, not portables.

While the performance and features of these import portables seems to
be improving with the likes of the Etons, it would be nice if someone
made one built with high quality materials. These recent offerings are
just like most other consumer electronics today.....disposable.


Dave,

On HF:
Kenwood TS-950sdx
Drake R-4C Sherwood mods
Audio output sent to a Marantz 2265B feeding
a pair of Acoustic Research AR-2ax speakers

Thanks Brian. Nice website you have there! I like that R-388..........a very
clean sample. I've had a few of those over the years, anong with a 51S-1.
While the S-1 was a nice receiver, it still didn't have the nice
construction of the 51J (R-388) series.
An old friend of mine had one of those units set up on his test bench, tuned
to WWB, with the BFO turned on. This receiver accidently fell off the bench,
and he told me that it didn't shift frequency! Now, this could be an
exaggeration, but those receivers were pretty solid.
About the Sony SW-1.............the only issues I've run into with that
receiver were the electrolytic bypass caps for the audio amplifier and the
synthesizer drifting off frequency. Once you get the receiver apart, it is
pretty easy to replace those electrolytic caps with SMD tantalums and get
rid of that howling problem with the audio.
The synthesizer is also pretty easy to set back on frequency. A nice
receiver. If anybody ever needs the service manual for this receiver, I do
have it in PDF form.

Pete

"Brian Denley" wrote in message
. ..
Great synopsis Pete! Glad you mentioned the little SW1.

--
Brian Denley
http://home.comcast.net/~b.denley/index.html

"Pete KE9OA" wrote in message
...
Most of the newer stuff uses glass epoxy circuit boards and SMD
technology, so actually, it isn't bad. Most of the older stuff did not.
I had an Icom 735, and although it was a good unit, the Kenwood 570 has a
better overall receiver. The 735 uses a dual JFET balanced mixer, while
the 570 uses the same type of quad JFET mixer that is used in the Yaesu
FT1000 series and the Racal 6790. The quad mixer has a theoretical IP3 of
+30dBm if implemented properly, while the dual JFET design is typically
in the +15 to +20dBM range. Mind you, this isn't bad.

Lots of great radios out there. A friend of mine once had the Kenwood 5000
and it was very sensitive. He lived in the country and was able to put out
some good home made antennas including a 2000 foot longwire for the am band.
I used to live in a rural area and then moved to a town and I noticed the
difference. With less space it beocmes a challenge to set up antennas
outside. Also, more electrical noise.
There must be some good portables that reject electrical noise, etc. I was
told the Sony 2010 does a good job. The only good radio thus far I have had
reducing noise is with the larger and more expensive Icom 735. Portables
really picked up house and street electrical stuff alot. This was not as
great an issue when I lived in a mobile home in a rural area.
"snow" wrote in message
news:BCZjh.16745$sz5.3423@trndny03...
I have tried out several SW radios over my 15 years in the hobby. I was
thinking about this recently. I have owned the Radio Shack DX-440, Sony
SW100,
Grundig YB 400 and 305, Degen 1103 and also a Ham Radio Icom 735. The best
portable by far for sound, quality of contruction and sensitivity was the
DX-440. The Degen 1103 is a fine small portable, but it still is not in
the same league as the DX-440.
The Grundig YB 400 is also an ok radio, though the
YB 305 (no SSB) beat it out for sensitivity. The Sony SW100 was VERY
small......still no DX machine. Finally, the Icom 735 though a ham radio
was EXCELLANT as a receiver, but it was a $1000 radio new back in the 80's
and early 90's, so one would expect good performance. I come to conclusion
that though today's SW radios do have some great buys like the Degen
1103......the older radios I have owned like the DX-440 and Icom 735
easily outperformed the newer stuff. Actually I can't think of a radio
under $200 that I would want now.....would consider a used 440 or Sangean
803a first. Though I never owned one, I have heard the discontinued Sony
2010 was also superb. Is the newer stuff not as good as far as quality of
construction and DX ability goes? Interesting to hear what others think.

Pete KE9OA schrieb:

[snip]
The full audio response of those older Grundig receivers has to be heard to
be believed. I gave my Grundig 210, also known as the TR-6001 to my wife.
She still likes to play with it.

Sadly, there aren't too many receivers with good audio and tone controls
out there these days, but I do like my rebranded Redsun RP2000 (Roadstar
TRA-2350P; you may be interested in the "service manual" available
online, looks like an oldschool engineer was at work there). Even when
using headphones, tone controls (particularly for highs) are highly
useful in obtaining maximum AM intelligibility / fidelity. The muffled
audio on my 7600G bothered me for a long time. (This also has another
flaw, fixed with the 7600GR: Somehow some severely undersized audio
coupling caps sneaked in, limiting bass response and degrading audio
quality even further.)

The Grundig Satellit 700 seems to command high prices, but it is relatively
deaf when compared to the older Grundig units.

Supposedly these sets have issues with suboptimum frontend tracking
alignment right from the factory, which would explain the deafness.
(They also have their share of age-related problems now.) Given a
consumer-level 1st mixer, frontend tuning may improve strong signal
handling dramatically - the Redsun frequently shows 2nd order intermod
here especially with its high maximum RF gain (but never 3rd order), and
the AN-LP1 really works wonders with that.

The newer Chinese portables aren't bad..............the limiting factor with
these units is using only a 2-pole roofing filter at the 1st I.F. This gives
a maximum 2nd I.F. rejection ratio in the 45dB range.

That's about right, the Redsun is spec'd with "40 dB". However, my Sony
7600G fares worse than the Redsun here.

You can see the manifestation of this problem when you hear the (2 X 455kHz)
images of the 6MHz band when you tune 910KHz below the 49M band. Since this
is a 2nd I.F. rejection problem, it will occur throughout the whole tuning
range.

In many cases, this even extends to MW/LW (again, e.g. 7600G). The
Redsun thankfully got electronic frontend tracking like you'd see on a
single conversion set, thus the image rejection claim of "60 dB" for MW
seems reasonable. (It's a good rx on this band in any case, even the
wide filter - a 6-pole 12 kHz job - is quite useful. Only the old
ICF-7600A beats it when it comes to background noise on weakish
stations, but that one has a bit worse selectivity and may apparently
inadvertantly catch some shortwave stations at times, as the MW mixer
and SW 2nd mixer outputs are tied together and sharing an IFT.)

An outboard tunable RF preselector will give you better rejection of
this problem.

That, and the intermod. IMO a tunable active loop antenna helps out
"normal" receivers a lot.

I did get to play with Prototype 4 or 5 of the E5 when it first came out.
Too bad they didn't stick with the blue LED backlight for the display. It
looked much nicer than that washed out display that they are using now.

Using blue LEDs for lighting is not a good idea if you're running on
batteries - our eyes are much more sensitive to the light emitting from
less flashy-looking amber and green LEDs, and IIRC those should also
have a higher efficiency.

There is also the Panasonic RF-2200. This is a pretty good receiver, but it
definitely doesn't have the MW performance of some of the better portables.

Interestingly, many people seem to state the contrary, though I have
read hints that there may be better but less well-known sets out there.
The Panasonic's rotating antenna is quite unique and gives some definite
advantages over having to rotate the whole set.

signal. Still, it is nice to have that "Collins" looking tuning dial. It was
a pretty good deal at the original 140 price tag. It also had a great FM
section with super selectivity.

Yup, 3 IF filters in there. With 3 carefully matched modern-day 180 kHz
filters, it would probably make quite a good FM DX machine. (The Redsun
features two 180s, which already give it good selectivity for a
portable. Sony never bothered to put in anything narrower than those
cheap 280 kHz barn doors.)

Oh, and would you mind sending me said SW1 service manual?

Stephan
--
Home: http://stephan.win31.de/
Bytes are generally harmless - unless taken to bits.