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Buyer's Question - SRIII vs. S350
Hello. I've been hanging around for a little while browsing the NG,
reading opinions about different radios lately. I'm in the market to get a radio that will primarily be used for AM DX'ing. I've got only $100 to spend and I wanted to hear from those who had both the Superadio III and the Grundig S350. I know in a sense this is comparing apples to oranges, but I've heard many good things about both radios. I know this is a shortwave group, but I figured if I chose to get the S350 that I could listen to shortwave. I've done research on both radios and know what they have and what they don't have. Some of these questions have a couple parts to them. Here are the questions I have: 1) How is the sensitivity on both radios on both AM and FM? Is one radio a good deal more sensitive than the other, or are they fairly close? 2) How is the selectivity on both radios on both AM and FM? Is one radio a good deal more selective than the other, or are they fairly close? 3) How good is the quality on both radios? I mean such as the "feel", the knobs, the switches, etc. 4) I live on the east coast and I primarily listen to 650 AM WSM, and mostly to the Grand Ol' Opry. One of the main reasons I'm getting a new radio is because my basic (VERY basic) radios drift on 650 AM, very badly. How would both radios handle 650 AM WSM, if anyone listens to the station? 5) How good is the S350 on shortwave? A little drift doesn't bother me. I can put up with even a tad of moderate drift. 6) I've heard that the S350 could be found some places selling for $50, does anyone know of any online resellers that are selling the S350 for $50 EXCLUDING eBay? The reason for asking is that if I could find one for $50 or $60 I could then afford to get both radios. 7) I've also heard of one main problem with the SRIII. I've heard that the dial is very inaccurate. How true is this and it is a huge problem and can it be fixed? 8) Overall, with all things considered, if you could get either radio, which one would you choose and why? I also know that these radios don't have presets, PLL and other extras, but that doesn't bother me. I've also considered other radios in the price range and it came down to these two, mainly because they're both analog radios, which I like better than digital. I also realize the S350 has analog tuning with a digital readout. I'm sorry for all the questions but I figured this was the best place to come to ask this question. Thanks for reading. :-) Jim |
Dear Jim,
You're not going to like my answer as it does not truly address your questions, but, owning all three versions of the GE Superadio and appreciating their positive attributes, nonetheless I have "retired" all but one which I sometimes use strictly for local FM (performance of which is very good). I do not own a Grundig S350 but, having seen several in local stores, I am not impressed. Personally, I would never buy one (even with its fantastic looks and sound quality). In my opinion, it is more style than substance. The radios are probably "okay" for MW ("AM") DXing but if you can just "swing" a few dollars more you could buy a radio which is far better than both: the Sony ICF-SW7600GR which you can find for about $130.00 (from J&R Music World, among other dealers). You would find that this radio is just as sensitive on MW's as either of the two you mention and, with its digital readout and, especially, its synchronous detection circuit, it just "blows" away those other two. No kidding. You're correct that "memories" are of little importance to many of us, but PLL is not an "extra." It is a virtual necessity for DXing. You asked about selectivity: the Sony is FAR better that either the GE or the Grundig even though those two have two "bandwidths." The Sony's synchronous selectable-sideband circuitry allows you to eliminate selective fading distortion (which, have you ever noticed, ALWAYS occurs during station ID! ;-) ) and to also pick the sideband with less interference. (For example if you lived near New York which has a strong station WFAN on 660 kHz and you want to listen to WSM 650 kHz, you would get a lot of "splatter" from 660 on 650 making listening difficult if not impossible with the GE and the Grundig. However, with the Sony, you could switch in the sync circuit to LSB on 650 and virtually eliminate 660. This is an example only; I do not live near New York nor have I presonally every tried that particular frequency, but I have done the same thing with other stations.) Another beauty of the radio is that you can supply it with certain accessories as money allows. To get even better "sound," the Sony's weakest point, you can buy a cable from Radio Shack to run the sound from the line output through your stereo system. Very inexpensive. Then the sound is limited only by your stereo. Or you could buy an amplified (computer) speaker set, a somewhat more expensive option. To improve the MW reception, you can buy a Select-A-Tenna (or the similar Terk) which works inductively (does not require any wire hookup); putting the Select-A-Tenna and the Sony ICF-SW7600GR on an inexpensive "lazy susan" you can really "null out" co-channel interference and/or boost reception of very weak signals. (Note that the Select-A-Tenna would also work well with the GE and the Grundig and you CAN attach a moderate long-wire antenna to the GE and, within reason, it works well with little overloading. I do not know how the Grundig would work with a long-wire on MW. You CANNOT physically attach a long-wire or other antenna for MW reception to the Sony, but, as the Select-A-Tenna works so well, that is unimportant, in my opinion. The Sony's antenna connection is for short wave reception only.) These "options," which, as I said, you could purchase at your convenience, are not 100% necessary. You may find that, for your purposes, the radio alone is all you need. Plus, of course, the Sony is a very good performer on short wave even with just its whip antenna. (A simple "clip-on" wind-up wire antenna is packed with the radio and sometimes offers a bit of improvement in reception of SW.) If you do decide to pursue short wave listening, the Sony can handle a fairly good external antenna (especially good, though sometimes hard-to-find is the Sony AN-LP1 "collapsible" loop antenna, which works very well with the radio and is convenient for travel as well). It is my advice to you (for what it's worth) to try to save just a few dollars more and buy the Sony. It is just a much better radio than either the GE or Grundig and far more flexible in operation. I believe the performance and pleasure you derive from it will more then make up for any financial sacrifice you may need to make. In addition, the Sony's quality of construction, at least in my experience, is much better than either of the other two radios. There is nothing that can be done to improve the GE's dial inaccuracy and its mediocre construction quality may loom large. (The Grundig's construction quality appears to me to be equally mediocre.) Please pardon this long answer which didn't really address your question. You can gather that I am very positive about the Sony ICF-SW7600GR (and rather negative about the GE Superadios, with all three series of which I have had extensive experience). Frankly, I regard the Sony as the best small portable radio being manufactured at the present time. At its current price, it is nothing short of a bargain. All my best wishes to you, Joe |
Check the thrift stores and junk shops and fleamarkets and local
newspapers online and offline in your area and you might find a better radio for much less money.The second batch of GE Super Radios are not as good as the first batch of them,or so I once read somewhere a few years ago.I think the second batch of them are made in a different country.Same as those windup radios that were originally made in Africa and then they started building them in China and the quality went to pot. cuhulin |
I want to thank you for your opinions so far. I wanted to clarify
something I mentioned earlier. I have looked at all of the options everyone has mentioned, such as the Sony and the Degan,but I came to the conclusion, based on what I will be using it for (which wouldn't be too much), that either one of these would fit my needs. As for other portables, I've looked into other portables, I'd just like to know about these two from anyone who has them. :-) I'd like to hear some more opinions about these two radios from anyone who has either of them or both. Thanks again. Jim. |
Stay away from them selecatennas,they are no good at all.I know! I once
bought one from www.ccrane.com (ccrane is a RIPP OFF) and I bought two radios from ccrane too.(That was about seven years ago) The first radio I bought from ccrane when I also bought a selectatenna (the selectatenna I bought back then cost about $57.00 and it did NOT work at all!) was the one those kooks Art Bell and George Noory tout so much,the Sangean one that has AM/FM/TV/Weather bands,it cost about $164.00 (a cheap piece of over rated over priced piece of no good JUNK!) and I bought a Sangean ATS 909 shortwave radio too.(another piece of over rated over priced piece of junk!) I sent that JUNK! back to ccrane company.(By the way,those Sangean radios are real good at loseing the digital displays on them,or so I have read more than a few times before) I have never owned a Sony 7600 GR radio before,but from what I have read about them,I think next month,I am going to buy one from J&R. cuhulin |
And Definately,most Definately,don't buy a Tiny Tenna unless you just
want to throw your money away on a two bit piece of JUNK! that does NOT work at ALL.I Know! I have one right here and it did not work when it got here and it still does NOT work at all either.I have never owned a GE Super Radio or a Grundig Radio you speak of.I think it is best to take Joe's advice about the Sony 7600 GR Radios. cuhulin |
Remember, on this group you are going to get all sorts of opinions - some
weird and some plain dead wrong. caveat emptor I have a GE SRIII and can say without fear or favour that it will be the most likely to get that faint MW station you are trying for. I have owned many portables Sony 2010,7600 and various Sangeans, but on AM MW the GE SRIII stands head and shoulders above the rest for getting that really faint far off DX on AM MW. I once got WWKB Buffalo NY on it without an external antenna and that station is 8,000 miles away from this QTH! I have only one AM MW station some distance away and the ONLY portable that can pick up this station with listenable quality is my SRIII Yes, the knobs are a bit wobbly and the tuning dial is very inaccurate, but it does not drift and for getting that single station you are after it will seriously outperform all the other portables on AM MW. -- John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa South 33 d 47 m 32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s Icom IC-756 PRO III with MW mods RX Drake R8B, SW8 & ERGO software Sony 7600D GE SRIII BW XCR 30, Braun T1000, Sangean 818 & 803A. Hallicrafters SX-100, Eddystone 940 GE circa 50's radiogram Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro, Datong AD-270 Kiwa MW Loop http://www.dxing.info/about/dxers/plimmer.dx wrote in message oups.com... I want to thank you for your opinions so far. I wanted to clarify something I mentioned earlier. I have looked at all of the options everyone has mentioned, such as the Sony and the Degan,but I came to the conclusion, based on what I will be using it for (which wouldn't be too much), that either one of these would fit my needs. As for other portables, I've looked into other portables, I'd just like to know about these two from anyone who has them. :-) I'd like to hear some more opinions about these two radios from anyone who has either of them or both. Thanks again. Jim. |
Jim, I have owned both the GE SRIII and the Grundig S350. After receiving the Grundig S350, I sold the GE. The Grundig S350 is fantastic, ESPECIALLY on the low end of the AM (medium wave) band. Exceptional sensitivity AND selectivity. I live in central California and wanted to get 610 KFRC from San Francisco, about 200 miles from me. The S350 beat everything else I have, including the Grundig Satellit 800, the Panasonic RF-2200, the CCRadio, and the GE SRIII. The SR350 was the only one that could eliminate a strong signal from 620, and could normally due it even with the wide band filter by rotating the radio. When conditions are such that the wide filter doesn't eliminate all of 620, I merely use the narrow filter. Although the Satellit 800 could eliminate signals on 620 by using selectable sideband sync detection, sensitivity wasn't good enough without using an external antenna. After receiving the S350 I not only sold the GE, but also sold the Panasonic RF-2200 as the S350 proved to produce better reception except on FM. The Panasonic really shines on FM. The Grundig S350 is also very sensitive on FM. Not as selective as I would like, but it still beats the SRIII. The dial on the SRIII was way off on my set. I much prefer the S350 digital readout, which I find on my set to be exactly as it shows. Drift on MW is minimal. The GE, with it's larger and two-speaker system, of course has the best sound. But the S350 sounds great for its size. Sensitivity on the GE and the S350 are probably about the same. But selectivity is much better on the S350. The narrow bandwidth really works great on both MW and SW. The S350 does overload on strong signals, but it has a variable RF control. I have found you need patience when using the RF control as you can also eliminate a lot of interference using it. The S350 is on sale at NormThompson.com for $74.50. It is the best buy I've ever made on a radio (I paid the full retail price), and I might mention it is a lot of fun to play with. I use the alarm feature on the radio which really comes in handy. There is NO question in my mind -- the Grundig S350 is TOPS for the price. Even beats the Grundig YB400 on shortwave because the S350 has a near zero noise level, so signals covered up with hissing sounds on the YB400 are crystal clear on the S350. |
Opinions do vary,that is for sure.I think I will pick up my phone and
order a Sony 7600 GR radio from J&R tonight or in the morning.I want to try one out. cuhulin |
Head on down to the corner and start panhandling for change. Or perhaps
sell some pencils or start a shoeshine business. In about a week or ten days you would have accumulated at least $40 more dollars. That would give you a grand total of about $140. Enough to buy a really good Sony ICF7600GR portable which will blow the underwear off those other two mediocre radios and includes SSB & Synch-Detector to boot. wrote in message oups.com... Hello. I've been hanging around for a little while browsing the NG, reading opinions about different radios lately. I'm in the market to get a radio that will primarily be used for AM DX'ing. I've got only $100 to spend and I wanted to hear from those who had both the Superadio III and the Grundig S350. I know in a sense this is comparing apples to oranges, but I've heard many good things about both radios. I know this is a shortwave group, but I figured if I chose to get the S350 that I could listen to shortwave. I've done research on both radios and know what they have and what they don't have. Some of these questions have a couple parts to them. Here are the questions I have: 1) How is the sensitivity on both radios on both AM and FM? Is one radio a good deal more sensitive than the other, or are they fairly close? 2) How is the selectivity on both radios on both AM and FM? Is one radio a good deal more selective than the other, or are they fairly close? 3) How good is the quality on both radios? I mean such as the "feel", the knobs, the switches, etc. 4) I live on the east coast and I primarily listen to 650 AM WSM, and mostly to the Grand Ol' Opry. One of the main reasons I'm getting a new radio is because my basic (VERY basic) radios drift on 650 AM, very badly. How would both radios handle 650 AM WSM, if anyone listens to the station? 5) How good is the S350 on shortwave? A little drift doesn't bother me. I can put up with even a tad of moderate drift. 6) I've heard that the S350 could be found some places selling for $50, does anyone know of any online resellers that are selling the S350 for $50 EXCLUDING eBay? The reason for asking is that if I could find one for $50 or $60 I could then afford to get both radios. 7) I've also heard of one main problem with the SRIII. I've heard that the dial is very inaccurate. How true is this and it is a huge problem and can it be fixed? 8) Overall, with all things considered, if you could get either radio, which one would you choose and why? I also know that these radios don't have presets, PLL and other extras, but that doesn't bother me. I've also considered other radios in the price range and it came down to these two, mainly because they're both analog radios, which I like better than digital. I also realize the S350 has analog tuning with a digital readout. I'm sorry for all the questions but I figured this was the best place to come to ask this question. Thanks for reading. :-) Jim |
Dear "Cuhulin,"
It's a pity that the gentleman who started this thread is insistent upon comparing just the Grundig S350 and the GE Superadio III, both of which are, in my opinion, mediocre RF designs and, what is worse, they're poorly constructed (the S350 in China and, though my early III model was made in Maylaysia, nowadays I'm sure that the GE Superadio is made in China as well and to a pretty poor construction standard - even my Maylaysian-made one, indeed all of my samples, is certainly no barn-burner). That's not to say that ALL products made in China are poor, however. Some are good - the Sony ICF-SW35 for example - but most ARE poor. They do not hold up over the long haul, at least in my personal experience. (I evidently have had the same experience with Sangean models that you have had; they just don't last. I won't buy any more of their products; I work too hard for my money as I'm sure you do.) The Sony ICF-SW7600GR is made in Japan and to a very high and consistent construction standard. I know. I own two (2) ICF-SW7600G models (the predecessor to the current model) and three (3) ICF-7600GR models. Yes, I have read that a few people have had quality-control "issues," but I have not. All five, which were purchased from Universal Radio, arrived in perfect condition and have remained that way. All are in current use. The oldest is seven years old and the youngest is three years old. You won't go wrong in buying the radio from J&R Music World. I have dealt with them for many years and have always found them fair and reliable. Their packing is first-rate. If you do unfortunately happen to get a "dud," they'll exchange it for you right away and with minimal inconvenience on your part. And, at least in the case of the '7600GR, right now their price can't be beat. Please let us all know your impressions of the radio when you do get it. Remember - it's not "perfect;" most notably its image-rejection is not all it should be, but, by and large, it is a superb instrument and, as I've stated, in my opinion it is the best small portable radio being made today. I wish we could persuade the creator of this thread to reconsider, but, of course, his choice is his choice and that's nobody's business but his own. I hope he'll be happy with whichever of those two radios he buys, but I'm afraid I believe he'll regret his purchase. I hope I'm wrong in this assessment. I do wish you the very best of luck with the ICF-SW7600GR and I hope it brings you many hours of entertainment and enjoyment. Best, Joe (Opinionated but Lovable!) P.S. I do have to disagree with you about the Select-A-Tenna. Yes it is priced higher than it need be, but, at least in my experience, it works very well indeed, especially with the Sony radio. It looks "cheap," but it holds up. Mine is about ten or twelve years old, I believe. (Maybe older.) I bought it from the Herrington catalog. Opinions do vary, that is for sure. I think I will pick up my phone and order a Sony 7600GRradio from J&R tonight or in the morning. I want to try one out. cuhulin |
Joe,I am not kidding at all about the select-a-tenna.I ordered the
lowest price select-a-tenna (about $57.00) at the same time I ordered the Sangean AM/FM/TV/Weather radio from ccrane company.That was about seven years ago.I read the select-a-tenna directions carefully and I tried that select-a-tenna gadget every which a way from sundown and in all kinds of positions only my girlfriend knows about.I could not notice any impovement at all in the reception of that radio and some of my other radios I have here either with that select-a-tenna or without that select-a-tenna.I am glad you are having good luck with your select-a-tenna though.I have been burned twice on two antennas I have bought before,my Tiny-Tenna and that select-a-tenna I sent back to ccrane company with that Sangean radio and I also sent back the Sangean ATS 909 radio to ccrane company too.I am going to buy a Sony 7600 GR radio from J&R and if I am not more than satisfactorily impressed with that radio when it gets here,back to J&R it goes.Sometimes,I think I have better luck buying my old radios from Goodwill and other similar junk shops. cuhulin |
JIM,
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Dear "Cuhulin,"
I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Sony ICF-SW7600GR. If you value quality-construction in a portable radio, along with very good performance, I believe you will really appreciate this receiver. As I stated it has its flaws; ALL sophisticated short wave radios do. But this radio has been in production for many years; the 'GR is really just a "refinement" of the 'G model which debuted in 1994 - it adds more memories and those memories are now non-volatile - but performance (and build-quality) is the same. If "number one" hadn't been any good, I wouldn't have bought "number two," "number three," "number four," or "number five!" By the way, you might want to consider buying rechargeable NiMH batteries for the radio. (Look for ones with 2000 mAh rating.) This makes operation very economical. Don't waste your money on an AC-adapter; it's not necessary, the ones offered are exhorbitantly-priced, and some add "noise." Those rechargeable batteries last a VERY long time and then you just recharge them! Sorry about your experience with Select-A-Tenna. Mine works just fine and really improves MW DXing. I even use it sometimes with my Grundig Satellit 800. I have never been tempted by the "Tiny-Tenna." I like the Sony AN-LP1 antenna with the '7600's; it's especially convenient for travel. The AOR WL500 Window Loop antenna, though far more expensive, also PERFORMS far better. By the way, I have noticed some of your comments elsewhere regarding the Wellbrook ALA 330S antenna being "overpriced" and a design you could duplicate yourself. Well, I own one. Many people have tried to duplicate it but, so far, none have succeeded. In my location, which has an abundance of local electrical noise and other forms of interference, the Wellbrook antenna has been nothing short of a miracle and, believe me, I have tried many, many antennas over the years. The Wellbrook works. Period. There is currently NO other comparable antenna. If you're lucky enough to live in an electrically-quiet area, well, a long-wire or other similar outdoor antenna is generally the best you can have and all you need (I wish I could have one), but if, like myself, your location is "less than ideal" electrically-wise, then you must experience the Wellbrook to believe it. I bought mine out of desperation; it's the best money I've ever spent (on the short wave hobby). I can't have any outdoor antenna due to HOA restrictions, but, with the Wellbrook, I don't need one. (Mine is attic-mounted on a rotator.) The signal-to-noise ratio it offers is breathtaking. I don't know what Andy Ikin puts into his antennas, and, frankly, I don't care. It's enough that he makes the antenna available to us and for that I am eternally grateful to him. Sorry about the "diatribe" and for being somewhat OT on this thread. Again, I wish you the best of luck with your new Sony radio. I see in the previous post "RHF's" listing of some dealers from whom to buy the GE and/or the Grundig. The listing is good. If price is paramount, then "Radiodud" might as well go with the GE for $38.00 but I firmly believe it is money thrown out. Best, Joe (As always, Opinionated but Lovable! - and, regarding the GE Superadios, The Voice of [Sad] Experience) Joe,I am not kidding at all about the select-a-tenna.I ordered the lowest price select-a-tenna (about $57.00) at the same time I ordered the Sangean AM/FM/TV/Weather radio from ccrane company.That was about seven years ago.I read the select-a-tenna directions carefully and I tried that select-a-tenna gadget every which a way from sundown and in all kinds of positions only my girlfriend knows about.I could not notice any impovement at all in the reception of that radio and some of my other radios I have here either with that select-a-tenna or without that select-a-tenna.I am glad you are having good luck with your select-a-tenna though.I have been burned twice on two antennas I have bought before,my Tiny-Tenna and that select-a-tenna I sent back to ccrane company with that Sangean radio and I also sent back the Sangean ATS 909 radio to ccrane company too.I am going to buy a Sony 7600 GR radio from J&R and if I am not more than satisfactorily impressed with that radio when it gets here,back to J&R it goes.Sometimes,I think I have better luck buying my old radios from Goodwill and other similar junk shops. cuhulin |
Joe,there is a radio station in Monticello,Mississippi and I think that
radio station is only on the air in the daytime.I think you can find that radio station at, www.forthepeople.org in Chuck Harder's radio station list somewhere around there or www.dogpile.com Radio Stations Mississippi or Mississippi Radio Stations I live in the West side of Jackson,Mississippi and I do not believe there is a radio in the World,be it a super super duper radio that cost $80,000 or ten million hundred million and eighty thousand dollars that can pick up that radio station in Monticello,Mississippi and this is flatland territory around here (we are not hillbillys) and nothing much of anything between Jackson and Monticello that would interrupt any radio signals.I realize it is a low power (I think) radio station in Monticello.I would just love to see such a radio.Monticello isn't all that far from Jackson either,about 70 something miles or so,you can look it up in a Rand McNally Road Atlas if you want to.By the way,back in the 1970's,I bought a 1922 Ford T model chassis for $250.00 from a guy in Monticello.His wife was having a baby and they already had a house full of kids.Well,y'all know how that goes :{) cuhulin |
"John Plimmer" wrote in message ... Remember, on this group you are going to get all sorts of opinions - some weird and some plain dead wrong. caveat emptor I have a GE SRIII and can say without fear or favour that it will be the most likely to get that faint MW station you are trying for. I have owned many portables Sony 2010,7600 and various Sangeans, but on AM MW the GE SRIII stands head and shoulders above the rest for getting that really faint far off DX on AM MW. I once got WWKB Buffalo NY on it without an external antenna and that station is 8,000 miles away from this QTH! I have only one AM MW station some distance away and the ONLY portable that can pick up this station with listenable quality is my SRIII Yes, the knobs are a bit wobbly and the tuning dial is very inaccurate, but it does not drift and for getting that single station you are after it will seriously outperform all the other portables on AM MW. Concur. My Super Radio III is a ver sensitive receiver, especially for the money. I cannot imagine how good it would be after a complete alignment. The only drawback I've found is the poor filtering. I think there's a business opportunity for the enterprising, technically-minded individual who's willing to align the Super Radio III and install "tighter" filters, but the IF bandwidth issue is, in my mind, a nit to be picked. I believe that it's a radio with outstanding "ears," and it performs amazingly well in a rural (i.e., RF quiet) setting. 73, Steve Lawrence Burnsville, Minnesota |
Iffin a GE "super radio" (super,my ass!!!,I don't believe them radios
are super,Sears used to sell them and I tried one of them out,the Sears saleslady went out in the parking lot with me at Metrocenter mall www.metromalljackson.com and that super radio didn't show me ****! I put it back on the shelf) turns up at the Goodwill thriftstore sooner or later (that particular Goodwill thriftstore is only about seven tenths of a mile South [[South is always best]] of my little doggys couch,there are two more Goodwill thriftstores in the metro Jackson area) I can buy that so-called super radio for about two dolllars.Those GE super radios are JUNK,they were JUNK soon as they left the factory doors. cuhulin |
A few years ago, Sears stores carried the SR III. I bought a few from
them. What I would do was to take 6 D cells to the store with me. I bought one and told the clerk that I was going to test it outside in the parking lot and if it didn't perform correctly, then I would swap it out for another one they had. One time I think I went through all 4 they had to get the best one. What I was looking for was dial accuracy (none of them are, its just a matter of which is worst) and "birdies." Not sure if Sears still carries or not. They had/have a money back guarantee on everything. |
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Jim
I own both a GE Sradio III and (just obtained recently) an S350. For AM BCB DX'ing I like the S350 hands down. The GE is a good receiver but digital readout and in my opinion better selectivity in the S350. Now...the GE is better for FM dxing if you do any of that. an excellent receiver if you can find one used is the Sangean ATS803A. (Was also the Radio Shack DX440). Digital readout...sensitive..selective..good ferrite rod antenna. "pound for pound" I've heard more and lower powered stations on the S350 than on the GE. Just my take on it. 73 Greg |
I want to take the time to thank everyone for taking the time to help
me. I've decided that I will go with the Superadio III. I'm going to wait until Circuit City cuts the price on the S350 to $50, which they do every year in my area from what I heard from someone who works at CC. The only thing that bugs me is that no one sells the SRIII locally and they won't even order it. It might seem kind of old-fashioned, but I've always been able to buy things locally until the SR III. I have a few questions: 1) I've already got a few responses from others on this question, but I'll throw it out to everyone. What is the most reputable mail-order or online place to buy the SR III? What I mean is as far as customer satisfaction, return policies, few hassles, etc. 2) I haven't ordered anything ever, as hard as that would be to believe. I also don't have a credit card. A few retailers will take checks or money order. My biggest concern is that if I send the check or money order to them, it would be lost in the mail. Please forgive me if this is a dumb question. Is there a "sure fire" way of making sure the check or money order gets to the store? 3) I may have already have asked this, but does anyone have an Superadio III that they'd be willing to part with? I thank everyone again for the help you gave me in making this decision. Happy DX'ing. :-) Jim wrote: Jim I own both a GE Sradio III and (just obtained recently) an S350. For AM BCB DX'ing I like the S350 hands down. The GE is a good receiver but digital readout and in my opinion better selectivity in the S350. Now...the GE is better for FM dxing if you do any of that. an excellent receiver if you can find one used is the Sangean ATS803A. (Was also the Radio Shack DX440). Digital readout...sensitive..selective..good ferrite rod antenna. "pound for pound" I've heard more and lower powered stations on the S350 than on the GE. Just my take on it. 73 Greg |
More and more folks are using debit cards instead of credit cards.You
can get a debit card at the bank you use,it will take a few weeks for your debit card to show up to you in your snail mail or perhaps your bank will hold your debit card for you and snail mail you a notice it is ready and then you can go to the bank and pick up your debit card.You can phone the toll free phone number(s) of whatever online store(s) you want to buy something from and use your debit card to make your purchase(s) Credit cards are reasonably safe enough,but never post your credit card or debit card number anywhere online.There are thieves out there just sitting on ready to steal credit card numbers and debit card numbers and personal information from anybody and everybody.Some stores online post their return policy and other terms of policy online.Dig around on their websites and look that information up or you can phone their toll free phone number and ask them about that sort of information.Never,but Never! post personal information about yourself on the internet.There are phishing scams on the internet too.Be Very Aware of those! cuhulin |
I'd tend to look for something else besides the SRIII, such as a
Sangean-built Realistic model in your price range. The SRIII is definitely sensitive on AM, but it is really touchy to tune in the upper end of the band and drifts off easily and often. Also, any half-decent $20 portable AM/FM radio from The Shack is sensitive enough for most purposes, especially with a hand-wound ferrite antenna booster, or a simple wire wrapped around the radio and led out for a good length away from the radio. 9 years ago, I bought my SRIII for $40, and although it has beautiful sound, it s a pain to use compared to others I own. If you could come up with a few more bucks, the CCRadio from Crane (Sangean-built) is excellent at $159. It is digital readout to 1khz., and is rock-solid non-drift. Plenty sensitive, and they did a lot of other things right on this one, such as spacing the slewing keys at 10 khz per jump, which makes it the BEST radio I own for AM/BC bandscanning. |
OK, I agree the CCRadio we own did lose its dgital display a few years
ago, but Crane did good on it and was entirely polite about it. And this was about 3 years out of warranty. I'd do business with them again anytime. As far as Sangean products go, I am an true advocate, having owned the CCRadio and before that a DX-440 (ATS-803-A) since 1989, which has played at least 12 hours a day, every single day, and I take it everywhere I go. Never had a single bit of trouble with it. I compare these products very favorably with other recievers I own, which include Yeasu FRG-100, FRG-8800, Lowe HF-225, and formerly owned a Kenwood R-5000, so I do ave adequate basis for comparison, in other words, the only junk I own is the GE Superradio III.. I am sorry your experience (if indeed it is not just hearsay) has been different. |
I am beginning to wonder of cuhulin lives in an apartment or
aluminum-or-other-metal-coated building, (possibly one with wheels). All the radios he mentioned have consistently been well-reviewed in reputable publications. It is not the fault of the radio if it has been sheilded from signals. Try the radio or antenna by a window, at a minimum. |
"Honus" wrote in message You don't think he's merely trolling, do you? I couldn't agree with that one, although I'll of course concede the possibility. A true master in all accounts. Understand my position now? :) B.H. |
"RM MS" wrote in message ... I am beginning to wonder of cuhulin lives in an apartment or aluminum-or-other-metal-coated building, Or maybe it is the lead water pipes. |
If you are comparing a modern Sangean 909 with an older rig, you cannot
really expect to "get any more" stations on one or the other, basic sensitivity s not and has not been an issue for many years. I put my DX-440 up against my Kenwood R-5000 with identical antennas and the DX-440 "got" every weak signal that the Kenwood did. Of course, the Kenwood blew the DX's doors off in selectivity and strong-signal capability, and this test was done with intentionally small antennas. My usual antennas in those days were sloping single-ended wires, 50' at the high end and running up to 70' long, not including the lead-in. I also had a 90' Windom dipole (coax-fed) and two Alpha-Delta 60' sloper dipoles. Your location may well require at least a minimal outdoor antenna of some kind if you cannot receive anything well enough. |
My house has plastic water pipes plumbing.I had it all redone about 15
years ago.It is the same kind of freeze proof water pipeing/plumbing that is used in Alaska.That is what the guys whom installed the pipeing told me. cuhulin |
If it's made by Sangean,I DON'T want it.I tried out two Sangean radios
and I STILL SAY Sangean radios (ALL of them) are over rated over priced JUNK! And they lose the digital displays too. cuhulin |
I live in a residential area on the West side of Jackson,just across
Highway 80 from Metrocenter Mall www.metromalljackson.com and I know there isn't anything wrong with my location as regards radio reception or anything else.The only way it could be any better (if any better at all) would be if I lived out in the country. cuhulin |
I only read about two lines of what you said,,,,, AND I! AM STILL
BRANDING YOU!!!! AN ASSHOLE!!!!!!!!!!! cuhulin |
|
wrote: wrote: I only read about two lines of what you said,,,,, AND I! AM STILL BRANDING YOU!!!! AN ASSHOLE!!!!!!!!!!! cuhulin You are a "manzer" -- Hebrew for *******!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very angrily yours, Daniel K. Weir Daniel, CALM DOWN!.... ---- sorry about butting in here ----- but what the he## happened to the Newabilitys thing? for sale on ebay??? Chuck just can't catch a break. I see Liberty is now Lifestyle something (and of course no Chuck) Hopefully Talkstar will continue..... LL |
F... you D..K Weir!
cuhulin |
wrote: F... you D..K Weir! cuhulin Mr. Cuhulin, I get G.D. sick and tired of REDNECKS like you who have nothing better to do than to cuss out Jews. You hate us Jews? Fine! But keep your G.D. hatred to yourself! Go paint a blue Magen Dovid ("Jewish Star") on a white piece of cardboard and stick it outside your doublewide and take a giant leak on it after about three six-packs of Pabst Blue Ribbon. I don't care what you do in private. But keep your atavism to yourself! |
I am not a redneck and I like the Jewist people.
cuhulin |
Go home and cry in your mamas lap,you little baby!
cuhulin |
Who in the Hell ask you anyway?
cuhulin |
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