RadioBanter

RadioBanter (https://www.radiobanter.com/)
-   Shortwave (https://www.radiobanter.com/shortwave/)
-   -   300PE Grundig (https://www.radiobanter.com/shortwave/126093-re-300pe-grundig.html)

Joe Analssandrini October 18th 07 11:21 PM

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


FedUp October 19th 07 05:03 AM

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




[email protected] October 19th 07 05:42 AM

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


Junius October 20th 07 02:40 AM

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


Junius October 20th 07 02:44 AM

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...


Junius October 20th 07 02:55 AM

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


Telamon October 20th 07 05:20 AM

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

FedUp November 11th 07 02:55 PM

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!






Junius November 15th 07 06:08 PM

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



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:43 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
RadioBanter.com