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300PE Grundig
Dear Entfred,
: Joe and everybody, Thanks so much for explaining the options I have and some of the fundamentals. I have some more questions and comments: What do you think about Grundig 550? It's a single-conversion radio. Forget it! (Just "Google" single- conversion vs. dual-conversion for more information.) The Sony unit that lots of people like appears to have a smallish speaker. I just read about a KA2100 model that looks interesting. Kaito PLL Synthesized Dual Conversion AM/FM Shortwave Radio, KA2100 athttp://www.amazon.com/Kaito-Synthesized-Conversion-Shortwave-KA2100/d.. You might be satisfied with the Kaito (Redsun) KA-2100 but note that it costs more than the Sony ICF-SW35 and is more complicated to operate. Build quality is also "iffy." . The KA2100 appears to have SSB. An external module must be purchased separately and attached to the radio in order to listen to SSB transmissions, This module appears to be available only from eBay sellers in China. This makes a complicated tuning procedure even MORE complicated, not even to mention the expense. As far as any unit I buy, the keypad sounds very convenient, but can live without, as I have always lived without one. No immediate plans to get into Ham Radio. I can't remember if you have to do morse code or not, still. I know somebody who did Ham when they were a kid and learned code and was eventually able to get a very good rig and talk to people around the world. You do NOT need to know Morse Code in order to receive an amateur license though it is extremely helpful to know it. What would really be cool is to find a reasonably priced desk top SW receiver that was built into a stereo receiver. I have an ancient receiver that is almost dead (Sansui 771) and it would be cool to buy a new stereo receiver with shortwave reception, but have not seen anything like that :-) Forget it. By the way, you had mentioned that "you do not need memories." Actually you will find that, when you have them, you will use them (to a greater or lesser extent). Also, with the Sony ICF-SW35, the use of its memories is part of the "work-around" to its lack of a keypad that I mentioned. From your original post, I deduced that you were interested in a small portable shortwave portable that worked better than your Mini 300PE yet was inexpensive and simple to operate. The Sony ICF-SW35 fills that bill on all counts. Other radios in its price range may appear to offer as much or even more in features but remember - each new feature means more complication in use. And most other low-cost portable shortwave receivers just do not have Sony's build quality. Some here have recommended the Sony ICF-SW7600GR. This happens to be my absolute favorite portable shortwave receiver but I did not recommend it to you because it is much more expensive than the ICF- SW35, it needs an external antenna for best performance, and it is much more complicated in use, more so than your post leads me to believe you want. If I'm wrong in this assessment, then check out the ICF-SW7600GR on Amazon, Universal Radio, AES, or another site. You can also read reviews on eHam. It is, far and away, the best compact portable shortwave radio ever made (my opinion, of course). But I do not believe it is what you really want, at least from what you said and the questions you've asked. Such a radio would be, I'm afraid, VERY intimidating to you such that you would either pack it away or, worse, sell it. It could cause you to lose interest in the hobby (much as giving a raw teenager an Indy race car might stifle their interest in driving! They would not know what to do with it!) Stay with something relatively simple and inexpensive (though sophisticated) such as the Sony ICF-SW35 and learn to operate it to full advantage. Then, as you become more enamored of the shortwave hobby, you will be able to upgrade, if desired, and you won't be fooled by manufacturers' or dealers' "hype" (for example, by even CONSIDERING a single-conversion Grundig YB 550PE, a mediocre at best performer). I hope you understand that I am not showing you any disrespect whatsoever. I am trying to give you advice based on my own almost fifty years as a radio hobbyist and based on what you yourself asked. Others here, of course, will have their own opinions and may (probably will) disagree with me. But if you do buy a Sony ICF-SW35, I believe you will be very pleased. Best of luck, Joe |
300PE Grundig
You do NOT need to know Morse Code in order to receive an amateur license though it is extremely helpful to know it. As I remember, so you can transmit and receive messages in all kinds of conditions where voice is not clear? I know this is another subject in itself.... By the way, you had mentioned that "you do not need memories." Actually you will find that, when you have them, you will use them (to a greater or lesser extent). Also, with the Sony ICF-SW35, the use of its memories is part of the "work-around" to its lack of a keypad that I mentioned. I see what you mean - you don't have to struggle tuning it - you go to the memory and click and you have the exact freq. you used before. From your original post, I deduced that you were interested in a small portable shortwave portable that worked better than your Mini 300PE yet was inexpensive and simple to operate. The Sony ICF-SW35 fills that bill on all counts. Other radios in its price range may appear to offer as much or even more in features but remember - each new feature means more complication in use. I want to stay simple. And most other low-cost portable shortwave receivers just do not have Sony's build quality. All the Sony products (TVs, Stereo Receivers, computers)I have used in the past have been 1st class. Some here have recommended the Sony ICF-SW7600GR. This happens to be my absolute favorite portable shortwave receiver but I did not recommend it to you because it is much more expensive than the ICF- SW35, it needs an external antenna for best performance That is something I have to think about. I do like the simplicity of this little unit I got at Radio Shack. Just turn it on, extend the antennae and select the band. If the ICF- SW35 works sort of similar, that might be the best thing for me, instead of having to learn all this arcane stuff. If I really get into SW, then I can eventually go for something much more complicated, with more features, and more capabilities. , and it is much more complicated in use, more so than your post leads me to believe you want. If I'm wrong in this assessment, then check out the ICF-SW7600GR on Amazon, Universal Radio, AES, or another site. You can also read reviews on eHam. It is, far and away, the best compact portable shortwave radio ever made (my opinion, of course). But I do not believe it is what you really want, at least from what you said and the questions you've asked. Such a radio would be, I'm afraid, VERY intimidating to you such that you would either pack it away or, worse, sell it. I think you are right. It could cause you to lose interest in the hobby (much as giving a raw teenager an Indy race car might stifle their interest in driving! They would not know what to do with it!) Stay with something relatively simple and inexpensive (though sophisticated) such as the Sony ICF-SW35 and learn to operate it to full advantage. I'll check the ICF-SW35 out. Saw it for $89.95 on Amazon. Not expensive considering what it does. Then, as you become more enamored of the shortwave hobby, you will be able to upgrade, if desired, and you won't be fooled by manufacturers' or dealers' "hype" (for example, by even CONSIDERING a single-conversion Grundig YB 550PE, a mediocre at best performer). Yeah - a lot of hype - most which I don't even understand what they are saying, at this point. I hope you understand that I am not showing you any disrespect whatsoever. I am trying to give you advice based on my own almost fifty years as a radio hobbyist and based on what you yourself asked. Others here, of course, will have their own opinions and may (probably will) disagree with me. No - thanks for explaining the tradeoffs. I think everyone will have a different opinion and there is not really a "bad" choice. It is what I will be happy with in the short term and long term. But if you do buy a Sony ICF-SW35, I believe you will be very pleased. Thanks, Joe. -- Entfred Best of luck, Joe |
300PE Grundig
In January of this year, I bought a new Toshiba 27 inch screen flat
screen CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) tv set from Cowboy Maloney's Electric City store.HUMPH! a few days later it developed a smudge on the bottom of the screen.I phoned Cowboy Maloney's, they said, Bring it back.I did and I looked at some tv sets on display in their store.I bought a new Sony (I paid around $38.00 difference in price on the Sony, more money) www.cowboymaloney.com Trinitron Wega 27 inch screen flat screen tv set.When I got home with it and hooked it up to my DirecTV set top box, I was amazed at how much better the tv channels look on my Sony tv set.It even cleans up the old, old, old movies I like to watch on tv and makes them look fresh and new. And skinny twin sister (she is not my sister) started on that new wooden fence at her house next door to me in early Feburary of this year.I told her and those other divorced women over their that fence won't be fineshed in three months and here it is almost the third week of October and they haven't hit another lick on that fence yet.Vanessa is moving back in over there.I stepped over there half an hour ago.She and skinny twin sister are putting her bed together. You can make a home made transmitter and Morse Code Key that will fit in your shirt pocket and send Morse Code around the World. cuhulin |
300PE Grundig
On Oct 19, 12:03 am, FedUp wrote:
You do NOT need to know Morse Code in order to receive an amateur license though it is extremely helpful to know it. As I remember, so you can transmit and receive messages in all kinds of conditions where voice is not clear? I know this is another subject in itself.... By the way, you had mentioned that "you do not need memories." Actually you will find that, when you have them, you will use them (to a greater or lesser extent). Also, with the Sony ICF-SW35, the use of its memories is part of the "work-around" to its lack of a keypad that I mentioned. I see what you mean - you don't have to struggle tuning it - you go to the memory and click and you have the exact freq. you used before. From your original post, I deduced that you were interested in a small portable shortwave portable that worked better than your Mini 300PE yet was inexpensive and simple to operate. The Sony ICF-SW35 fills that bill on all counts. Other radios in its price range may appear to offer as much or even more in features but remember - each new feature means more complication in use. I want to stay simple. And most other low-cost portable shortwave receivers just do not have Sony's build quality. All the Sony products (TVs, Stereo Receivers, computers)I have used in the past have been 1st class. Some here have recommended the Sony ICF-SW7600GR. This happens to be my absolute favorite portable shortwave receiver but I did not recommend it to you because it is much more expensive than the ICF- SW35, it needs an external antenna for best performance That is something I have to think about. I do like the simplicity of this little unit I got at Radio Shack. Just turn it on, extend the antennae and select the band. If the ICF- SW35 works sort of similar, that might be the best thing for me, instead of having to learn all this arcane stuff. If I really get into SW, then I can eventually go for something much more complicated, with more features, and more capabilities. , and it is much more complicated in use, more so than your post leads me to believe you want. If I'm wrong in this assessment, then check out the ICF-SW7600GR on Amazon, Universal Radio, AES, or another site. You can also read reviews on eHam. It is, far and away, the best compact portable shortwave radio ever made (my opinion, of course). But I do not believe it is what you really want, at least from what you said and the questions you've asked. Such a radio would be, I'm afraid, VERY intimidating to you such that you would either pack it away or, worse, sell it. I think you are right. It could cause you to lose interest in the hobby (much as giving a raw teenager an Indy race car might stifle their interest in driving! They would not know what to do with it!) Stay with something relatively simple and inexpensive (though sophisticated) such as the Sony ICF-SW35 and learn to operate it to full advantage. I'll check the ICF-SW35 out. Saw it for $89.95 on Amazon. Not expensive considering what it does. Then, as you become more enamored of the shortwave hobby, you will be able to upgrade, if desired, and you won't be fooled by manufacturers' or dealers' "hype" (for example, by even CONSIDERING a single-conversion Grundig YB 550PE, a mediocre at best performer). Yeah - a lot of hype - most which I don't even understand what they are saying, at this point. I hope you understand that I am not showing you any disrespect whatsoever. I am trying to give you advice based on my own almost fifty years as a radio hobbyist and based on what you yourself asked. Others here, of course, will have their own opinions and may (probably will) disagree with me. No - thanks for explaining the tradeoffs. I think everyone will have a different opinion and there is not really a "bad" choice. It is what I will be happy with in the short term and long term. But if you do buy a Sony ICF-SW35, I believe you will be very pleased. Thanks, Joe. -- Entfred Best of luck, Joe- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Hey buddy, I would recommend that you go with that '7600GR. If you've enjoyed what you're hearing with that little 300PE and you have the $150 to spare, the '7600GR is a remarkable portable set. Sure, there's a bit that you'd need to learn here and there; but it's not rocket science (you can to it, Entfred, oh yes you can!). The '7600GR is pretty decent off the whip, in my opinion. And it comes with a reel-out wire antenna that you can clip to the whip to further enhance sensitivity, if you require. If you're wanting to go with something cheaper, I'd probably take John S. Roadie's advice and go with that Degen DE1103 portable. Sold in the states as the KA1103. http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...able/0028.html Sure, it's not a brand you've likely heard of, but it's got an excellent reputation among shortwave listeners. Both in terms of sensitivity (one aspect of this radio that continually prompts praise) and selectivity (two filter bandwidths, as opposed to the SW35's one...meaning greater ability to knock out interference from nearby stations that are imposing on what you're wanting to hear), I think it will beat the SW35. And the ability to directly input a frequency by keepad is another plus. Yeah, the SW35 has the Sony name and reputation behind it; but the 1103 has established itself as a performer. And from indications in various shortwave fora, it's not as though there's any suggestion that the 1103 is poorly made or is subject to any habitual failures. Yeah, I'd go SW7600GR first (with regard to the car analogy, let's face it, teens like fast cars; and you're not going to "wreck" a shortwave set) and DE1103 / KA1103 second. In truth, I'd likely consider a used SW7600G or SW7600 (predecessors to the SW7600GR) before opting for a SW35 (although I dont' know that I'd recommend a newcomer delving into the used market). I'm afraid I don't have the time to expend on a full elaboration on all points raised here, as well as others that could be raised. Anyway, all the best, whatever you decide. Junius |
300PE Grundig
On Oct 19, 12:03 am, FedUp wrote:
That is something I have to think about. I do like the simplicity of this little unit I got at Radio Shack. Just turn it on, extend the antennae and select the band. If the ICF- SW35 works sort of similar, that might be the best thing for me, instead of having to learn all this arcane stuff. If I really get into SW, then I can eventually go for something much more complicated, with more features, and more capabilities. , and it is much more complicated in use, more so than your post leads me to believe you want. If I'm wrong in this assessment, then check out the ICF-SW7600GR on Amazon, Universal Radio, AES, or another site. You can also read reviews on eHam. It is, far and away, the best compact portable shortwave radio ever made (my opinion, of course). But I do not believe it is what you really want, at least from what you said and the questions you've asked. Such a radio would be, I'm afraid, VERY intimidating to you such that you would either pack it away or, worse, sell it. I think you are right. I don't think you should find the '7600GR intimidating. After all, cuhulin has one of these radios and presumably he's capable of using it. From some of the content in his replies in this thread, you can see just how idiotic this guy is, and yet, he presumably operates his '7600GR successfully... |
300PE Grundig
On Oct 18, 4:33 pm, matt weber wrote:
The Grundig 550 was Grundig's answer to Sony's ICF SW55/77. The ease of use, and ergonomics are a horror story on the 550. The YB550 was Grundig's answer to the Sony ICF-SW77?? Never heard that one before. Sure you're thinking of the right radio there? http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...able/0550.html The YB550 arrived on the market when? late 2003 earliest? Grundig's Satellit 700 was clearly more of an answer to the Sony ICF- SW77 (in terms of performance, size, price and point of arrival on the market). Regards, Junius |
300PE Grundig
In article .com,
junius wrote: On Oct 19, 12:03 am, FedUp wrote: That is something I have to think about. I do like the simplicity of this little unit I got at Radio Shack. Just turn it on, extend the antennae and select the band. If the ICF- SW35 works sort of similar, that might be the best thing for me, instead of having to learn all this arcane stuff. If I really get into SW, then I can eventually go for something much more complicated, with more features, and more capabilities. , and it is much more complicated in use, more so than your post leads me to believe you want. If I'm wrong in this assessment, then check out the ICF-SW7600GR on Amazon, Universal Radio, AES, or another site. You can also read reviews on eHam. It is, far and away, the best compact portable shortwave radio ever made (my opinion, of course). But I do not believe it is what you really want, at least from what you said and the questions you've asked. Such a radio would be, I'm afraid, VERY intimidating to you such that you would either pack it away or, worse, sell it. I think you are right. I don't think you should find the '7600GR intimidating. After all, cuhulin has one of these radios and presumably he's capable of using it. From some of the content in his replies in this thread, you can see just how idiotic this guy is, and yet, he presumably operates his '7600GR successfully... It is a simple to use portable. -- Telamon Ventura, California |
300PE Grundig
Finally made purchase of portable SW radio as upgrade to Grundig
300PE. I obtained a Sangean ATS 909. The real tuning knob sold me. I had (and still have) so much fun with the 300PE that I was happy to get another small radio for travel. I am enjoying the sideband access on the ATS 909. Haven't used the external antennae, yet. Sound on the unit seems clear and was able to access a lot of stations, overseas. As far as larger sized radios, I still wonder about that Kaito 2100. Anyone try one out, before? Might make a good larger "table top" radio. Saw glowing reviews: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/6603 And, since you can always keep spending more and more money, I noticed this: http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...rxvr/1545.html I heard a few of these high-end ones in a store and they were very cool! |
300PE Grundig
On Nov 11, 9:55 am, FedUp wrote:
Finally made purchase of portable SW radio as upgrade to Grundig 300PE. I obtained a Sangean ATS 909. The real tuning knob sold me. I had (and still have) so much fun with the 300PE that I was happy to get another small radio for travel. I am enjoying the sideband access on the ATS 909. Haven't used the external antennae, yet. Sound on the unit seems clear and was able to access a lot of stations, overseas. Ah, okay, if a tuning knob was a requirement, then I'd have gone with the Grundig G5 or Eton E5. According to various accounts, they're not plagued with the chuffing/muting that you'll experience with the '909's tuning knob. Also, the G5/E5 are supposed to be more sensitive off the whip than the '909. Also, the '909 tends to be fairly overpriced at when purchased new. I had a '909 for a while, but didn't hold on to it for long. Some nice features, but overall not to my tastes or requirements. Junius |
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