I have a Sangean ATS909. It is an excellent radio but it has a problem.
The LCD display has "sprung a leak". The bottom right hand corner of the
display is blacked out, and looks like a mini oil slick. It covers perhaps
1/5 of the display. I took it to Radio World in Toronto and they didn't
seem to interested in trying to fix anything unless I was purchasing a $1000
receiver right afterward.

The 909 is a few years old now, and I am looking for something a bit better,
and am looking at the Sat 800. Is it worth trying to fix the 909 display
for what the radio is worth?

The Sat 800 sure looks good (BIG, but good) but the impending release of the
Eton E1 is making me question the 800. I'm certain the E1 will be much more
expensive, but is it any better?

"FireStarter5" wrote in
m:

Consider contacting Radio Labs. They can do a series of modifications to
the ATS-909 that enhance its operation and changes the display appearance
a little bit (illumination). The cost is $109.

http://www.radiolabs.com/products/re...s/super909.php

Since you also need the display repaired, write to them and ask how much
more will it be for this repair. (If you opt for the MODs, they will
already be in the radio, and the repair may be simple, make sure to
emphasize this point concerning the combination repair/MODs if you elect
for this, and not simply add the quoted repair cost to the MOD cost).
After all, if you are lucky, the cost of the display may be the only
difference in the price.

When you get the radio back, you will have new functions and a slight
change in appearance, giving you the impression that you indeed have a
new radio.

The DX-398 and ATS-909 radios are great. If you are accustomed to its
use, you may miss the additional features if you go to another model.

Dr. Artaud


I have a Sangean ATS909. It is an excellent radio but it has a
problem. The LCD display has "sprung a leak". The bottom right hand
corner of the display is blacked out, and looks like a mini oil slick.
It covers perhaps 1/5 of the display. I took it to Radio World in
Toronto and they didn't seem to interested in trying to fix anything
unless I was purchasing a $1000 receiver right afterward.

The 909 is a few years old now, and I am looking for something a bit
better, and am looking at the Sat 800. Is it worth trying to fix the
909 display for what the radio is worth?

The Sat 800 sure looks good (BIG, but good) but the impending release
of the Eton E1 is making me question the 800. I'm certain the E1 will
be much more expensive, but is it any better?

Has the radio been dropped or knocked around? Your LCD is cracked and
starting to leak. Sooner or later the leak is going to expand through the
entire display. To replace the LCD would probably cost more than buying
another radio and I'd stay away from the Satellit 800. I have one and never
have been impressed with it for the money. Buy another DX-398 or ATS-909.
You can find them for around $100 on Ebay now and then or some Radio Shacks
may still have new old stock DX-398 on their shelves at the $100 final
closeout price.

"FireStarter5" wrote in message
m...
I have a Sangean ATS909. It is an excellent radio but it has a problem.
The LCD display has "sprung a leak".

That's just it. I bought the 909 quite a few years back and never dropped
it or anything. It just happened that one morning I got up and there was
this little black blob taking over the bottom right side of the LCD display.
By then the warranty was long gone, but I took it back to the store, and
they basically didn't want anything to do with it. The 909 still works fine
but the "blob" takes out a portion of the screen.

Unfortunately I avoid Ebay like the black plague, and the best Radio Shack
by me either sells the YB400, the Sat 800 or the wind up FR200's, plus the
Eton line (but not the E1...yet). The YB is nice but even smaller than the
909 and I'd like to move up in size rather than down. The Sat 800 is huge
and comes with two opinions from people, they either love it or it didn't
meet their expectations.

I'm not looking for Drake performance. The 909 is good, but I imagine the
800 is a bit better overall for pulling in stations.

Get in touch with www.ccrane.com and ask them for an estimate for
repairing your radio.They do (or at least they used to) sell and service
those radios,but since you say you bought it somewhere else,I don't know
if ccrane will repair it not.It might be worth checking it out
though.One of the reasons I do NOT! like those kinds of display screens!
they fade out and go blank.
cuhulin

FireStarter5 wrote:

That's just it. I bought the 909 quite a few years back and never dropped
it or anything. It just happened that one morning I got up and there was
this little black blob taking over the bottom right side of the LCD display.
By then the warranty was long gone, but I took it back to the store, and
they basically didn't want anything to do with it. The 909 still works fine
but the "blob" takes out a portion of the screen.

Unfortunately I avoid Ebay like the black plague, and the best Radio Shack
by me either sells the YB400, the Sat 800 or the wind up FR200's, plus the
Eton line (but not the E1...yet). The YB is nice but even smaller than the
909 and I'd like to move up in size rather than down. The Sat 800 is huge
and comes with two opinions from people, they either love it or it didn't
meet their expectations.

I'm not looking for Drake performance. The 909 is good, but I imagine the
800 is a bit better overall for pulling in stations.

There are a lot of well performing, low priced shortwave radios out
there. The E1's only redeeming feature is that it gets satellite radio,
and it doesn't even do that very well. If you have the dough, get a Sony
7600. They're around $150. If you need something cheaper, you can buy a
Degen or Tecsun on Ebay (gasp! that word again) for $50 or so, but if
you ever admit to owning one on this group Li Whatshisface will scream
at you for "supporting Communist murderers" so be careful. If you
ABSOLUTELY cannot stand ebay, Degen sells radios in the US under the
Kaito name, but you will pay about $100. Tecsun sells in the US as
Grundig/Eton. Portables like the 909 generally aren't worth repairing;
if something happens like the display cracking (the "liquid crystal" in
LCD is what makes the little oil slick looking blob) the only thing you
can really do is throw it away.


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If you leave those kinds of radios out in the sunshine,especially with
the sun shineing on the display screen,or out in hot weather too
long,they will fade out like that too.I am not an expert on that
stuff,but I have seen other devices that have those kinds of display
screens do that before.
cuhulin

**... some Radio Shacks
may still have new old stock DX-398 on their shelves at the $100 final
closeout price. ....**

He's have to be extremely lucky to find one. I'm not saying it's
impossible, but.... Interestingly, the price may be well below $100 by
now, if he can find. RS's policy is to drop the price month by month,
or at least a few times per years. I bought mine in late 2002. I might
as well quote myself on the subject again:
------------

These are the prices off the RS Computer as of 2 p.m. Central Time,
Oct. 29, 2002:

DX-396 is at $29.97 20-226 equivalent to Sangean, model unknown
DX-397 is at $19.97 20-227 " Sangean SG-622
DX-398 is at $99.97 20-228 " Sangean ATS-909
DX-399 is at $39.97 20-229 " Sangean ATS-606 or Siemens RK-759
DX-402 is at $69.97* 20-230 " Sangean ATS-505

* As of late November [2002], the DX-402 is $49.97.

And for those AM DXers out there, the word I have is that the AM loop
antenna (15-1853/1501853) is discontinued. It is no longer available
through the website, and can be found only in the stores until all
gone. Current price on this antenna is $19.99.
----------

Best wishes finding one.

Dear "FireStarter5,"

I have not been impressed with any Sangean product regarding their
longevity or construction quality. I have owned three Sangean radios
including the '808A and the '606AP, both of which were made in TAIWAN
(that was supposed to be better). The '808A gradually lost its
performance (sensitivity) over three years; I just threw it out. The
'606AP, which was my "travel" radio for a few years started to show
some internal "computer" (memory) problems two years back and, though
it still works, I have "retired" it. Spending a lot of money "fixing"
those things is just not worth it, in my opinion. (I currently have a
Sangean CCRadio, which is very disappointing. My wife uses it to hear
TV sound when she's in the shower. It's good for that, but not much
else.)

If you want another portable, I would recommend the Sony ICF-SW7600GR
which is constructed extremely well. It is also a good-performing radio
(on MW it outperforms the CCRadio) and has the synchronous
selectable-sideband detection circuitry which makes it stand out from
all other small portables (except the other Sony's which have the
feature; the '7600 is the least costly Sony one to have it). If you
also buy a Sony AN-LP1 antenna, you have a great travel combination
which can also be used to very good advantage around the home.

I have five of these - two '7600G's (the predecessor to the 'GR) and
three 'GR's. The oldest 'G is now seven years old and still works as
new. All of them (the "youngest" was bought in 2002) have held up very
well; all get used and none have ever exhibited any problem whatsoever.
I use NiMH rechargeable batteries in them which makes operation
extremely economical (an AC-adapter is not necessary or even
desirable).

Why do I have so many? Because I want to make sure I always have a
portable SW radio. I thought that if one went bad, at least I'd have
others. Naturally, the Sony's have NEVER gone bad, at least so far! (I
suppose that if I had bought just one, it would have "died" the day
after the warranty expired!)

Give the Sony ICF-SW7600GR a try. I think you'll like it.

Best,

Joe

P.S. Note that you can GREATLY improve SW reception on the '7600 if you
buy an AOR WL500 Window Loop antenna; however, the price for it is
$200; I don't know if that would be cost-effective for you. The WL500
is not as convenient for travel as the AN-LP1, it has a
"pain-in-the-neck" battery replacement procedure, and you have to buy
an AC-adapter separately for it (at Radio Shack or some other
electronics store). But its performance makes all those inconveniences
pale into insignificance. It is one heck of an antenna!

P.P.S. The Satellit 800 is a very well-designed radio; its
construction-quality is another matter, however. If you do choose to
buy one - note that it greatly outperforms ANY portable, including the
Sony I recommend, when used with an appropriate external antenna - buy
it NEW from Universal and ask them to bench-test the particular unit
they are going to send you. That way, at least you'll have no
"surprises." I would NOT be the "first kid on my block" to buy ANY
newly introduced Eton/Grundig radio, such as the E-1. Let someone else
be the guinea pig! Frankly the E-1 doesn't look to me as though it's
going to be a winner. I personally have absolutely NO interest in "pay"
(XM or Sirius) radio, and its SW/MW reception and, especially,
construction quality are a big question mark. Eton's track record, at
least as observed with the Satellit 800, has been mediocre at best.
__________________________________________________ _____________________________

That's just it. I bought the 909 quite a few years back and never
dropped
it or anything. It just happened that one morning I got up and there
was
this little black blob taking over the bottom right side of the LCD
display.
By then the warranty was long gone, but I took it back to the store,
and
they basically didn't want anything to do with it. The 909 still works
fine
but the "blob" takes out a portion of the screen.

Unfortunately I avoid Ebay like the black plague, and the best Radio
Shack
by me either sells the YB400, the Sat 800 or the wind up FR200's, plus
the
Eton line (but not the E1...yet). The YB is nice but even smaller than
the
909 and I'd like to move up in size rather than down. The Sat 800 is
huge
and comes with two opinions from people, they either love it or it
didn't
meet their expectations.

I'm not looking for Drake performance. The 909 is good, but I imagine
the
800 is a bit better overall for pulling in stations.

Thank you Joe! Very informative. And, as of today, I did forgo on the Sat
800 and purchased a ICF-7600GR. The last 72 hours has been nerve wracking,
but after reading every type of review I could find, I decided the Sony was
a better purchase for me, and for what I listen to.

Thanks again to everyone with their comments and advice! It was all very
useful.