Hello Everybody,

I just got my new (July) issue of MONITORING TIMES and there, on page
4, is an Eton ad featuring, among others, the new Eton E1
AM/FM/Shortwave/"Satellite Ready" Radio $500.

No mention of XM - nor is the XM logo on the picture of the receiver
itself.

I guess Eton went back to the drawing board; hence, the (further) delay
in shipment.

They've only been "designing" this radio for the past ten years! I
wonder if they'll ever get their act together on this model or if it
will be decided to make this another example of "vapor" radio.

If they ever do produce this model I think it would be better NOT to be
the "first kid on the block" to buy one unless you LIKE being a "guinea
pig." Let others have the initial "misfortunes."

This is a pity as it appears that Eton is the only manufacturer who is
truly supporting shortwave radio. I only wish they would incorporate
the latest circuitry, such as synchronous selectable sideband, dual
conversion, and multiple bandwidths, in all of their models - including
their lower-priced ones such as the E10 (sad that this model at its
price is only single conversion) - even if they have to pay a license
fee for certain of these features.

In any event, and especially for those who have already ordered the E1,
DON'T hold your breath while waiting!

Best,

Joe

They have a reputation for issuing multiple press releases announcing
some grand new product that takes for ever to appear. Unfortunately
the product was usually delayed and there was not always a followup
press release announcing the delay...only silence.

Is $500.00 less than the original estimated price?

Dear John,

$500.00 was the original announced price and that included an XM
antenna which is now evidently NOT included.

I was in a hurry when I made my original post and I forgot to mention
that apparently this radio STILL does not offer IBOC, the DAB's, or
DRM, thus making it, even before its release, a technological
"also-ran."

Best,

Joe

I had my first taste of XM radio reception via satellite this past
weekend and was less than impressed because it drops the signal around
tall buildings and tall trees. For the Grundig to not have xm
capability is no great loss based on my experience.

John S. wrote:
I had my first taste of XM radio reception via satellite this past
weekend and was less than impressed because it drops the signal around
tall buildings and tall trees. For the Grundig to not have xm
capability is no great loss based on my experience.


On a portable, you'd probably have less frequent dropouts than in a car
because odds are you'll put it down in one spot while you listen.

Of course if you pick a spot that can't see the satellite, you'll have
to move or listen to something else.

Mark S. Holden wrote:
John S. wrote:
I had my first taste of XM radio reception via satellite this past
weekend and was less than impressed because it drops the signal around
tall buildings and tall trees. For the Grundig to not have xm
capability is no great loss based on my experience.


On a portable, you'd probably have less frequent dropouts than in a car
because odds are you'll put it down in one spot while you listen.

Of course if you pick a spot that can't see the satellite, you'll have
to move or listen to something else.

In fact we were in a car. The lost signals were so frequent that we
switched to regular radio, and found the music we were looking for.
They will have to stabilize reception and improve the selections before
paid satellite radio is of any interest to me.

On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 11:23:37 -0400, "Mark S. Holden"
wrote:

John S. wrote:
I had my first taste of XM radio reception via satellite this past
weekend and was less than impressed because it drops the signal around
tall buildings and tall trees. For the Grundig to not have xm
capability is no great loss based on my experience.


On a portable, you'd probably have less frequent dropouts than in a car
because odds are you'll put it down in one spot while you listen.

Of course if you pick a spot that can't see the satellite, you'll have
to move or listen to something else.

Actually untrue. In major cities, XM has repeaters in the city proper
because all sat based services have problems with urban canyons.

Mark S. Holden wrote:

John S. wrote:

I had my first taste of XM radio reception via satellite this past
weekend and was less than impressed because it drops the signal around
tall buildings and tall trees. For the Grundig to not have xm
capability is no great loss based on my experience.


On a portable, you'd probably have less frequent dropouts than in a car
because odds are you'll put it down in one spot while you listen.

Of course if you pick a spot that can't see the satellite, you'll have
to move or listen to something else.





Depending on the market, you may have local terrestrial
repeaters to fill in weak spots where satellite isn't visible to the
receiver. We have them in Chicago, so I rarely see dropouts even
with underpasses, and similar obstacles. Over the weekend I was on
the road where terrestrial repeaters were not available. Dropouts
were moe common than in the city.

Joe Analssandrini wrote:
Hello Everybody,

I just got my new (July) issue of MONITORING TIMES and there, on page
4, is an Eton ad featuring, among others, the new Eton E1
AM/FM/Shortwave/"Satellite Ready" Radio $500.

No mention of XM - nor is the XM logo on the picture of the receiver
itself.

Joe,

The ad says "satellite ready" because you have the option of purchasing
the external satellite antenna, and subscribing to the satellite
service. (See the Eton E1 at Universal Radio's website. It shows the
satellite antenna module as an option.) The antenna module is an option
since not everyone, including myself, cares about receiving satellite
radio.

To wish that Eton would include sideband selectable sync detection and
multiple bandwidths on their cheaper radios is like wishing that the
cheapest Lexus would include all the luxury features of the most
expensive Lexus. If Eton included the extra features on their cheaper
radios, it only makes sense the radios would cost more. It makes good
sense to offer several choices to the consumer. The more features you
want, the more you have to pay. Isn't that the way it happens with
everything else?

Dear Gary,

I'm afraid I disagree with you. Compare the features of the Eton E10
with those of the Sony ICF-SW7600GR. Both radios sell for approximately
the same price yet the Sony offers far more important features than
does the Eton and, due to these features, its performance is better.
Also the Sony, manufactured in Japan, is made to a far higher
construction standard than is the Eton.

Compare the Eton E10 or E100 with comparably-priced models from
Degen/Kaito. All of these models are made in China; why aren't their
features comparable at their respective prices?

No one expects an AOR AR7030 Plus for the price of a Grundig Mini
100PE, but Eton, which seems to support the shortwave hobby better than
any other company, should take into consideration the modern features
which make SW listening more rewarding and satisfying. If Degen/Kaito
can include dual bandwidths and dual conversion at $75.00 (or less),
why can't Eton? If Sony can include synchronous selectable sideband
circuitry AND dual conversion at $130, why can't Eton?

Just my thoughts.

Joe