I have a Grundig YB400 for BCB and shortwave listening while away from
home.

I have seen claims that the Superadio I is an extraordinary BCB
receiver. Is the difference between the performance of the YB400 and
the Superadio I significant enough to justify lugging a second radio?

Ken KC2JDY


Ken
(to reply via email
remove "zz" from address)

Ken ) writes:
I have a Grundig YB400 for BCB and shortwave listening while away from
home.

I have seen claims that the Superadio I is an extraordinary BCB
receiver. Is the difference between the performance of the YB400 and
the Superadio I significant enough to justify lugging a second radio?

Ken KC2JDY

I think the suggestion about the Superradio is due to many not having
experience with anything better, and there's then an almost knee-jerk reaction
everytime someone asks "what's a good AM/FM broadcast radio".

The Superradio is a fairly traditional single conversion receiver with
a 455KHz IF for AM. I gather they don't even use a ceramic filter in
the AM IF. It can't be all that great. The big thing is that it has
a decent speaker for a portable, and a longer loopstick which may or
may not help reception. It's analog tuned.

The YB400 is double conversion, has digital tuning, and the circuitry intended
for good shortwave reception is used in the AM broadcast band. It has
two IF bandwidths, and it's pretty likely that the ceramic filters used
will provide better skirt selectivity for AM broadcast band reception.

In other words, if you have the better receiver the Superradio likely
won't add anything. And if you have nothing, the reason the Superradio
gets mentioned is because it's not as expensive as something better, and
many stop at the SUperradio.

I am tempted by the YB400 this week, immediately for the AM broadcast
band coverage. I could make use of the better selectivity. I use a
Delco digitally tuned car radio as my bedside radio, and it is a pretty
decent radio. If it used a 455KHz IF instead of a 450KHz IF, I'd pull
a ceramic filter from a CB set to get better selectivity, so I could
once again receive WBZ (I lost being able to receive it some years back
when a local 1040KHz station started up; the selectivity on the Delco
is good, but not good enough for this case).

Michael

There were 3 analog versions and one digital. The SRIII is an
excellent receiver for the money and the sound is quite full. Most
discussions about what makes a good receiver focus on selectivity and
sensitivity. The ability to clearly hear what is being said is at
least as important when id'ing a station and the SRIII shines in this
area. But because they only cost $40.00 expect that the dial will be
inaccurate, controls to not feel like a Sony 7600RG, etc. Here is a
link to a lot of information on the series, modifications, etc. Best
of luck. I'm going to get one to use around the home, while gardening,
etc.
Here is a link with some detailed reviews, lists of mods., etc.

On 17 Dec 2004 17:59:57 GMT, (Michael Black)
wrote:


Ken ) writes:
I have a Grundig YB400 for BCB and shortwave listening while away from
home.

I have seen claims that the Superadio I is an extraordinary BCB
receiver. Is the difference between the performance of the YB400 and
the Superadio I significant enough to justify lugging a second radio?

Ken KC2JDY

I think the suggestion about the Superradio is due to many not having
experience with anything better, and there's then an almost knee-jerk reaction
everytime someone asks "what's a good AM/FM broadcast radio".

The Superradio is a fairly traditional single conversion receiver with
a 455KHz IF for AM. I gather they don't even use a ceramic filter in
the AM IF. It can't be all that great. The big thing is that it has
a decent speaker for a portable, and a longer loopstick which may or
may not help reception. It's analog tuned.
If memory serves me, it has an extra IF stage, and as a result is
significantly more sensitive than most BCB's...

The YB400 is double conversion, has digital tuning, and the circuitry intended
for good shortwave reception is used in the AM broadcast band. It has
two IF bandwidths, and it's pretty likely that the ceramic filters used
will provide better skirt selectivity for AM broadcast band reception.

In other words, if you have the better receiver the Superradio likely
won't add anything. And if you have nothing, the reason the Superradio
gets mentioned is because it's not as expensive as something better, and
many stop at the SUperradio.

I am tempted by the YB400 this week, immediately for the AM broadcast
band coverage. I could make use of the better selectivity. I use a
Delco digitally tuned car radio as my bedside radio, and it is a pretty
decent radio. If it used a 455KHz IF instead of a 450KHz IF, I'd pull
a ceramic filter from a CB set to get better selectivity, so I could
once again receive WBZ (I lost being able to receive it some years back
when a local 1040KHz station started up; the selectivity on the Delco
is good, but not good enough for this case).

Michael

Never used a Superradio, have you?

"Michael Black" wrote in message
...

I think the suggestion about the Superradio is due to many not having
experience with anything better, and there's then an almost knee-jerk
reaction
everytime someone asks "what's a good AM/FM broadcast radio".

The Superradio is a fairly traditional single conversion receiver with
a 455KHz IF for AM. I gather they don't even use a ceramic filter in
the AM IF. It can't be all that great. The big thing is that it has
a decent speaker for a portable, and a longer loopstick which may or
may not help reception. It's analog tuned.

The YB400 is double conversion, has digital tuning, and the circuitry
intended
for good shortwave reception is used in the AM broadcast band. It has
two IF bandwidths, and it's pretty likely that the ceramic filters used
will provide better skirt selectivity for AM broadcast band reception.

In other words, if you have the better receiver the Superradio likely
won't add anything. And if you have nothing, the reason the Superradio
gets mentioned is because it's not as expensive as something better, and
many stop at the SUperradio.

I am tempted by the YB400 this week, immediately for the AM broadcast
band coverage. I could make use of the better selectivity. I use a
Delco digitally tuned car radio as my bedside radio, and it is a pretty
decent radio. If it used a 455KHz IF instead of a 450KHz IF, I'd pull
a ceramic filter from a CB set to get better selectivity, so I could
once again receive WBZ (I lost being able to receive it some years back
when a local 1040KHz station started up; the selectivity on the Delco
is good, but not good enough for this case).

Michael

Michael Black wrote:


I think the suggestion about the Superradio is due to many not having
experience with anything better, and there's then an almost knee-jerk reaction
everytime someone asks "what's a good AM/FM broadcast radio".

The Superradio is a fairly traditional single conversion receiver with
a 455KHz IF for AM. I gather they don't even use a ceramic filter in
the AM IF. It can't be all that great. The big thing is that it has
a decent speaker for a portable, and a longer loopstick which may or
may not help reception. It's analog tuned.

The YB400 is double conversion, has digital tuning, and the circuitry intended
for good shortwave reception is used in the AM broadcast band. It has
two IF bandwidths, and it's pretty likely that the ceramic filters used
will provide better skirt selectivity for AM broadcast band reception.

The Superadio has two bandwidths and pretty good adj channel selectivity
using the narrow setting. Also, I can't say for sure, but the YB400
probably doesn't use dual conversion for BCB.

It looked like the OP actually uses his portables as portables, so
that's the main problem he'd have with the Superadio (other than the
dial calibration, of course), since it is a big sucker.

I have never used a YB400, but I do have experience with a number of
"real" MW radios. The only Chinese portable I have is a RS DX399, and
the Superadio is much better at MW, both in terms of weak signal
readability and adj channel selectivity. Also a single set of batteries
lasts eons in the Superadio.

KEN [KC2JDY],

READ - AM/MW DXing = Your Radio + Lazy Susan + Select-A-Tenna
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1787

As a stand-a-lone Radio for AM Broadcast Program Listening
the GE Superadios are the low cost performance favorate by
many casual AM/MW DXers.
+ Use a Select-A-Tenna and a Lazy Susan with the GE
Superadios and you can do some reasonable AM/MW
DXing for about $100-$150.
+ Plug a Long Wire (Random Wire)Antenna into the 1/8" Jack
on the Select-A-Tenna Model 541-M and you can generally
'improve' the listenable range of your AM/MW DXing both day
and night.

The GE Superadio III with the Dual 6" and 2" speakers provides
'quality' Mono-Aural Sound for FM Music Program Listeners.
= Nice Sound with Long Term Listenability )
GE-SUPERADIO-III = http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SuperadioIII/
GE-SUPERADIOS = http://groups.yahoo.com/group/longrange/

READ - GE Superadios for Dummies
http://tinyurl.com/4fxdu

READ - Identifying the GE Superadio Models
http://tinyurl.com/4pvgz

The GE Superadios do not cover the Shortwave Bands and
for that the Grundig Yacht Boy 400 PE does a good job as a
'portable' AM/FM/Shortwave Radio.
- The Grundig Yacht Boy 400 PE as a stand-a-lone radio; does
not perform as well as the GE Superadios for AM/MW DXing.
- The Grundig Yacht Boy 400 PE does not have the long term
Listenability of the GE Superadios.

FWIW - Besides the Grundig Yacht Boy 400 PE
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Grundig-Yacht-Boy-Radios/
consider these 'portable' AM/FM/Shortwave Radios as
Travel Radios for Shortwave Listening:
- Sony ICF-SW7600GR {AM-SYNC}
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/7600GR/
- Sangean ATS-909 / RadioShack DX398 {SSB}
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DX398/

If you are looking for a One-Radio 'compromise' then consider
the Grundig S350 "Super Radio" Tecsun BCL-2000 for both
AM/MW casual DXing and Shortwave Program Listening.
GRUNDIG-S350 = http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Grundig-S350/
..
iane ~ RHF
..
..

Good grief -- Apples to Oranges

The GE Super Radio is $40 and the Grundig is $100 plus

I have the GE and it is a superb AM radio

--
Caveat Lecter



"RHF" wrote in message
ups.com...
KEN [KC2JDY],

READ - AM/MW DXing = Your Radio + Lazy Susan + Select-A-Tenna
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/1787

As a stand-a-lone Radio for AM Broadcast Program Listening
the GE Superadios are the low cost performance favorate by
many casual AM/MW DXers.
+ Use a Select-A-Tenna and a Lazy Susan with the GE
Superadios and you can do some reasonable AM/MW
DXing for about $100-$150.
+ Plug a Long Wire (Random Wire)Antenna into the 1/8" Jack
on the Select-A-Tenna Model 541-M and you can generally
'improve' the listenable range of your AM/MW DXing both day
and night.

The GE Superadio III with the Dual 6" and 2" speakers provides
'quality' Mono-Aural Sound for FM Music Program Listeners.
= Nice Sound with Long Term Listenability )
GE-SUPERADIO-III = http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SuperadioIII/
GE-SUPERADIOS = http://groups.yahoo.com/group/longrange/

READ - GE Superadios for Dummies
http://tinyurl.com/4fxdu

READ - Identifying the GE Superadio Models
http://tinyurl.com/4pvgz

The GE Superadios do not cover the Shortwave Bands and
for that the Grundig Yacht Boy 400 PE does a good job as a
'portable' AM/FM/Shortwave Radio.
- The Grundig Yacht Boy 400 PE as a stand-a-lone radio; does
not perform as well as the GE Superadios for AM/MW DXing.
- The Grundig Yacht Boy 400 PE does not have the long term
Listenability of the GE Superadios.

FWIW - Besides the Grundig Yacht Boy 400 PE
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Grundig-Yacht-Boy-Radios/
consider these 'portable' AM/FM/Shortwave Radios as
Travel Radios for Shortwave Listening:
- Sony ICF-SW7600GR {AM-SYNC}
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/7600GR/
- Sangean ATS-909 / RadioShack DX398 {SSB}
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DX398/

If you are looking for a One-Radio 'compromise' then consider
the Grundig S350 "Super Radio" Tecsun BCL-2000 for both
AM/MW casual DXing and Shortwave Program Listening.
GRUNDIG-S350 = http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Grundig-S350/
.
iane ~ RHF
.
.

Neither one of them.By the way,them plastic grundig's are made in
chinkland nowdays and they aren't worth a crap!
cuhulin

CULULIN,

The what have you to say about the "COUNTRY"
of Manufacture of the new GE Superadio IIIs ?

And REMEMBER the "GE Radio" Band Name is now owned by
a 'French' Company THOMSON {GE} Consumer Electronics.

http://thomson.net/EN/home
http://www.home-electronics.net/
http://www.home-electronics.net/Home...5-SNGE,00.html


Also "RCA" Radios are now a THOMSON {RCA} Consumer Electronics
Brand Name. RCA = http://www.rca.com/

No matter what the Brand Name most are 'made' in China; and
if not then in Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Philippines,
and last but not least Japan.
[ Some How I Don't 'see' the USofA on the List. ]
..
something to think about ~ RHF
..
..