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Grundig FR250 Radio
Grundig FR250....some quick notes:
Recently purchased this new hand-crank radio online from RESTORATION HARDWARE at http://www.restorationhardware.com (Just type in "hand-crank radio" in the upper search window on that home page and it will take you right to it). Cost was 49.95 plus 11.00 dollars shipping via FEDX. Took 4 days to receive it after placing online order. I'm sure most are familiar with the Grundig FR200 hand-crank AM/FM/SW radio that's been out a couple of years; along with the newly-released FR300 that drops the SW portion and adds TV and WX freg's. Well, the Grundig FR250 is the same as the FR300, except the TV and WX freq's are replaced by 7 "bands" of SW. (No, the website is incorrect, there are NO wx bands on the FR250). If you go to the Universal Radio website and select their speciality radios and select the FR300 and enlarge the picture -- you'll find it is the same radio as the FR250 with the exception of the frequencies indicator dial -- the TV/WX freq's are replaced with the 7 "bands" of SW. Additionally, the logo on the FR250 speaker grill is Grundig, and not Eton as on the FR300. The FR250 can also been seen in one of the Eton ads in Passport To World Band Radio 2005. Physically (as compared to the FR200), the FR250 is still plastic, but has the aluminum painted look that is now popular with portables. The knobs are plastic also, but the front knobs have this sheen to them that makes them look like metal if you look at them quickly. The radio is slightly thicker (about .4" I believe) and just a smidgeon taller (maybe .2") than the FR200. And the speaker grill; it's not part of the same molding as the front half of the radio, but a separate piece that is somehow snapped in. With the faux aluminum paint, the glistening selector knobs, and the speaker grill, give the radio an attractive and higher quality look to it. Other than that, this radio feels sturdy and operates just like the FR200 -- with some added features. On the backside of the radio there are 3 mini-plug ports. One for earphones, one for a 5 VDC adaptor ('5' VDC?), and one for cellphone battery charging. I was pleasantly surprised that included with the package was a short extension cord for the cellphone charging port with 5 different cellphone charging adaptors for the numerous cellphone battery types. (Which doesn't help me any, since my cellphone is over 5 years old and is probably considered antique by today's fast-paced upgrades, and none of these 5 will work on mine!). So, I haven't had a chance to see how the cellphone charging circuit works. And it comes with a soft cloth black carry case. The "flashlight" peanut bulb has been replaced by two LED lights. These two LED's put out a nice sized circular "grayish" spotlight that we've all become used to with these new LED lights. And since they're LED's, will hopefully draw less current. There is a 3rd LED light, it is RED. There is a 3-position light switch (Light, Off, Flash). And when you select flash, this red LED light flashes continuously for emergency use. Personally, I think it would be more beneficial if this RED LED was removed and a small LED focused upon the freq dial that could be turned on so the dial could be viewed in low light situations. There is also a SIREN on this radio and it puts out a fair audible alert. I don't think the siren would do any good on a busy roadway, but if you're stuck out in the woods it's possible it could alert someone -- if they were camping close by. As to radio reception, let's agree that we have no illusions as to what the Grundig/Eton FR200 and FR250 radios a mainly low-end analoque receivers; and radio-savvy devotees are reading this post. Though these are not serious SW communications receivers, we do expect them to receive domestic and strong foreign broadcasts easily enough; and possibly secondary stations in the hands of an enthusiastic hobbyist. And with the increased bandspread on the FR250, we hope tuning to be less excruciating than the one or two "bands" the whole HF spectrum is usually squished into on these type receivers. To begin with, I have found the FR200 is virtually deaf on its whip antenna when receiving SW and requires a 20-foot wire attached to the whip. On the FR250, I was surprised how well this radio received "without" that piece of wire. Here in northern Ohio, with the whip alone (and indoors), I handily tuned in and picked up BBC on 12.095 at 2000 hrs. UTC. I then tuned down to 11760 and picked up Radio Habana Cuba in english. At 2100 UTC swung over to 15.410 and heard heard english version of DW. (Passport says this is their Rwanda transmitter?). And it was easy enough to tune down to 15.400 and pick up BBC there without any interference from DW. On 7.290 I listened in to AM-modulaing hams; at 0030 UTC I got Radio Austria on 7.325, albeit they were only IDing the whole 30 minutes till 0100. (Passport shows this transmission coming all the way from Austria). Radio Habana was OK on 9.820 and I could pick up VOR pretty good on 7.180 (at least the early evening spanish transmission). CW was fairly discenable on the 40 meter ham band and you could easily copy a CW QSO -- or at least half of it. WWV on 15.000 came in like local. As to the domestic stations here in the U.S., loud and clear, as expected. Now, the next day (Saturday), I had an extremely difficult time receiving the same foreign freq's as noted above. Ahhh... fooled by propagation again! In other words, I found the receiving portion fairly typical of this type radio: a lot is based on propagation conditions (more-so than higher end rigs) and how patient one is with tuning and listening, and/or how much fun they're having. Sunday night (11/28/04) I did easily pick up the pirate WHYP on 6.925 (AM) at 2349 hrs. UTC. It was on the whip alone, but I had to step outside to pick it up clearly (indoor inteterferences). It came in STRONG! I noticed this band portion on the radio starts at 6.900...but I had to bury the dial below it against the stops to dial in 6.925. (And I also see now my comfortable listening post in the house is affected by my computer. Outdoors and in the clear this radio really performed). BBC on 5.975 at 2330 UTC came in like gangbusters. As to the MW portion, it performed as I expected at nights. I easily picked up WSB out of Atlanta on 750, just as I've been doing lately on other receivers. I forgot to try that New Orleans station (WLW on 870) and WBAP (820) out of Ft. Worth, TX., as those stations will sometimes come in nicely during the winter months here and I like to check them for MW DX condx now and then; along with 850 out of Denver, really late into the night. (Though WBAP was coming in well earlier in the month on my other rigs, I have not been able to pick it out recently on anything). My Select-A-Tenna worked nicely with this rig also. And though this radio drifts "some", it was not annonyingly so. It stays fairly well on station. The one thing I very much dislike on this model: they chopped off the lower and upper ends of the broadcast shortwave spectrum. The lower end begins at about 5.800 and terminates on the upper at about 18.100. Audio is good. Quite good actually. To wrap up, this radio is not recommended as a first SW radio for those trying to explore SW. You'd be far better off buying a high-grade analogue or a Degen 1102, or simply go for the 7600GR if you thought you would like SWL. This radio is more of a unique gift idea for the radio enthusiast, or for those wishing recyclable energy especially when camping and such. The LED lights are good enough for reading in a tent, though you would have to do some contortions to align your book and radio placement to have them illuminate the book properly; but these lights would also fully light your tent all night when placed in one of those overhead "attic" nets and as long as you crank up the batteries every now and then. And you would still have all night MW/FM radio reception and possibly good SW reception if you're in the mountains and/or away from man-made interferences. I've noticed that a lot of NON-radio fans or NON-SWL'ers are intriqued by these hand-crank radios. My adult friends are always wanting to borrow mine as their interests are peaked by seeing them at Radio Shack or hearing about them on Art Bell. I've lent mine out numerous times and some of my friends have went out and bought their own, or my older models. It seems their young kids get a heck of a big kick "hand-cranking" their radios and particulary using the lights, which they will play with all night long when backyard camping. (So hint: Great gift idea for kids). And you never know if these same kids ever explore the SW portion and get excited about picking up world-wide stations from overseas countries and develop a life-long hobby with SW. (OK, so I'm dreaming). Anyways, I've got to stop somewhere and I've went too long with probably not much useful info here. (Or simply consider it ramblings and babblings). Those that enjoy these hand-cranked radios are going to procure one no matter what one says. I've only had this radio a couple of days and have sporadically played with it, so please regard this an anecdotal review and judge accordingly. Again, we're not talking about an upscale communications receiver, but I did feel I needed to respond quickly in kind to all the replies I received to my initial post and especially to the gentleman that sent me to the correct website. (Thanks!!) It's a fun radio and can be useful to those not wanting to mess with batteries such as when camping or being out in the sticks, as long as it's practicable to them to haul such a large unit. |
#2
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Thanks for the review. I have one of the plastic ones for emergency use. The
kids do love it when I take it out to test and they get to crank it. I am surprized at how long that things goes with limited cranking. "John" wrote in message om... Grundig FR250....some quick notes: Recently purchased this new hand-crank radio online from RESTORATION HARDWARE at http://www.restorationhardware.com (Just type in "hand-crank radio" in the upper search window on that home page and it will take you right to it). Cost was 49.95 plus 11.00 dollars shipping via FEDX. Took 4 days to receive it after placing online order. I'm sure most are familiar with the Grundig FR200 hand-crank AM/FM/SW radio that's been out a couple of years; along with the newly-released FR300 that drops the SW portion and adds TV and WX freg's. Well, the Grundig FR250 is the same as the FR300, except the TV and WX freq's are replaced by 7 "bands" of SW. (No, the website is incorrect, there are NO wx bands on the FR250). If you go to the Universal Radio website and select their speciality radios and select the FR300 and enlarge the picture -- you'll find it is the same radio as the FR250 with the exception of the frequencies indicator dial -- the TV/WX freq's are replaced with the 7 "bands" of SW. Additionally, the logo on the FR250 speaker grill is Grundig, and not Eton as on the FR300. The FR250 can also been seen in one of the Eton ads in Passport To World Band Radio 2005. Physically (as compared to the FR200), the FR250 is still plastic, but has the aluminum painted look that is now popular with portables. The knobs are plastic also, but the front knobs have this sheen to them that makes them look like metal if you look at them quickly. The radio is slightly thicker (about .4" I believe) and just a smidgeon taller (maybe .2") than the FR200. And the speaker grill; it's not part of the same molding as the front half of the radio, but a separate piece that is somehow snapped in. With the faux aluminum paint, the glistening selector knobs, and the speaker grill, give the radio an attractive and higher quality look to it. Other than that, this radio feels sturdy and operates just like the FR200 -- with some added features. On the backside of the radio there are 3 mini-plug ports. One for earphones, one for a 5 VDC adaptor ('5' VDC?), and one for cellphone battery charging. I was pleasantly surprised that included with the package was a short extension cord for the cellphone charging port with 5 different cellphone charging adaptors for the numerous cellphone battery types. (Which doesn't help me any, since my cellphone is over 5 years old and is probably considered antique by today's fast-paced upgrades, and none of these 5 will work on mine!). So, I haven't had a chance to see how the cellphone charging circuit works. And it comes with a soft cloth black carry case. The "flashlight" peanut bulb has been replaced by two LED lights. These two LED's put out a nice sized circular "grayish" spotlight that we've all become used to with these new LED lights. And since they're LED's, will hopefully draw less current. There is a 3rd LED light, it is RED. There is a 3-position light switch (Light, Off, Flash). And when you select flash, this red LED light flashes continuously for emergency use. Personally, I think it would be more beneficial if this RED LED was removed and a small LED focused upon the freq dial that could be turned on so the dial could be viewed in low light situations. There is also a SIREN on this radio and it puts out a fair audible alert. I don't think the siren would do any good on a busy roadway, but if you're stuck out in the woods it's possible it could alert someone -- if they were camping close by. As to radio reception, let's agree that we have no illusions as to what the Grundig/Eton FR200 and FR250 radios a mainly low-end analoque receivers; and radio-savvy devotees are reading this post. Though these are not serious SW communications receivers, we do expect them to receive domestic and strong foreign broadcasts easily enough; and possibly secondary stations in the hands of an enthusiastic hobbyist. And with the increased bandspread on the FR250, we hope tuning to be less excruciating than the one or two "bands" the whole HF spectrum is usually squished into on these type receivers. To begin with, I have found the FR200 is virtually deaf on its whip antenna when receiving SW and requires a 20-foot wire attached to the whip. On the FR250, I was surprised how well this radio received "without" that piece of wire. Here in northern Ohio, with the whip alone (and indoors), I handily tuned in and picked up BBC on 12.095 at 2000 hrs. UTC. I then tuned down to 11760 and picked up Radio Habana Cuba in english. At 2100 UTC swung over to 15.410 and heard heard english version of DW. (Passport says this is their Rwanda transmitter?). And it was easy enough to tune down to 15.400 and pick up BBC there without any interference from DW. On 7.290 I listened in to AM-modulaing hams; at 0030 UTC I got Radio Austria on 7.325, albeit they were only IDing the whole 30 minutes till 0100. (Passport shows this transmission coming all the way from Austria). Radio Habana was OK on 9.820 and I could pick up VOR pretty good on 7.180 (at least the early evening spanish transmission). CW was fairly discenable on the 40 meter ham band and you could easily copy a CW QSO -- or at least half of it. WWV on 15.000 came in like local. As to the domestic stations here in the U.S., loud and clear, as expected. Now, the next day (Saturday), I had an extremely difficult time receiving the same foreign freq's as noted above. Ahhh... fooled by propagation again! In other words, I found the receiving portion fairly typical of this type radio: a lot is based on propagation conditions (more-so than higher end rigs) and how patient one is with tuning and listening, and/or how much fun they're having. Sunday night (11/28/04) I did easily pick up the pirate WHYP on 6.925 (AM) at 2349 hrs. UTC. It was on the whip alone, but I had to step outside to pick it up clearly (indoor inteterferences). It came in STRONG! I noticed this band portion on the radio starts at 6.900...but I had to bury the dial below it against the stops to dial in 6.925. (And I also see now my comfortable listening post in the house is affected by my computer. Outdoors and in the clear this radio really performed). BBC on 5.975 at 2330 UTC came in like gangbusters. As to the MW portion, it performed as I expected at nights. I easily picked up WSB out of Atlanta on 750, just as I've been doing lately on other receivers. I forgot to try that New Orleans station (WLW on 870) and WBAP (820) out of Ft. Worth, TX., as those stations will sometimes come in nicely during the winter months here and I like to check them for MW DX condx now and then; along with 850 out of Denver, really late into the night. (Though WBAP was coming in well earlier in the month on my other rigs, I have not been able to pick it out recently on anything). My Select-A-Tenna worked nicely with this rig also. And though this radio drifts "some", it was not annonyingly so. It stays fairly well on station. The one thing I very much dislike on this model: they chopped off the lower and upper ends of the broadcast shortwave spectrum. The lower end begins at about 5.800 and terminates on the upper at about 18.100. Audio is good. Quite good actually. To wrap up, this radio is not recommended as a first SW radio for those trying to explore SW. You'd be far better off buying a high-grade analogue or a Degen 1102, or simply go for the 7600GR if you thought you would like SWL. This radio is more of a unique gift idea for the radio enthusiast, or for those wishing recyclable energy especially when camping and such. The LED lights are good enough for reading in a tent, though you would have to do some contortions to align your book and radio placement to have them illuminate the book properly; but these lights would also fully light your tent all night when placed in one of those overhead "attic" nets and as long as you crank up the batteries every now and then. And you would still have all night MW/FM radio reception and possibly good SW reception if you're in the mountains and/or away from man-made interferences. I've noticed that a lot of NON-radio fans or NON-SWL'ers are intriqued by these hand-crank radios. My adult friends are always wanting to borrow mine as their interests are peaked by seeing them at Radio Shack or hearing about them on Art Bell. I've lent mine out numerous times and some of my friends have went out and bought their own, or my older models. It seems their young kids get a heck of a big kick "hand-cranking" their radios and particulary using the lights, which they will play with all night long when backyard camping. (So hint: Great gift idea for kids). And you never know if these same kids ever explore the SW portion and get excited about picking up world-wide stations from overseas countries and develop a life-long hobby with SW. (OK, so I'm dreaming). Anyways, I've got to stop somewhere and I've went too long with probably not much useful info here. (Or simply consider it ramblings and babblings). Those that enjoy these hand-cranked radios are going to procure one no matter what one says. I've only had this radio a couple of days and have sporadically played with it, so please regard this an anecdotal review and judge accordingly. Again, we're not talking about an upscale communications receiver, but I did feel I needed to respond quickly in kind to all the replies I received to my initial post and especially to the gentleman that sent me to the correct website. (Thanks!!) It's a fun radio and can be useful to those not wanting to mess with batteries such as when camping or being out in the sticks, as long as it's practicable to them to haul such a large unit. |
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