S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

Same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !

"Million-Dollar Looks for $100" - Analog w/digital display receivers
do not have the stability of digital phase-locked loop (PLL)
receivers.

I opened up the back of the radio, before returning it to RadioShack -
it was mostly hollow inside, very cheap, low-grade plastic, and with
1960s-grade electronics. The front filter and band switches and
tuning knob are flimsy. When putting the radio back together, I was
very careful not to over-tighten/cross-thread the screws, but as soon
as, one of the screws started to tighten down, the plastic started to
crack. Because of the very cheap quality construction, the radio is
very light-out-of-the-box, until the 4 "D" size batteries are
inserted.

The filters do a minimal job and only muffle the very good audio. The
RF gain control can always be set on maximum, so it only acts like a
DX/LOC switch. Even the newer model drifts off the tuned frequency,
despite a kludged fix, that only causes ergonomic problems - once a
frequency locks on, it still drifts, causing one to have to retune
way past the desired frequency, to break the lock. The S350 has
significant tuning backlash, which is partly responsible for the
frequency drift. There are images all over the SW bands, being a
cheap, single-conversion superhet. The speaker grill is plastic, the
digital readout is low-resolution, the antenna doesn't lock into
place, and the carrying handle is cheap, smelly, imitation-leather.

Instead, I bought a Radio Shack AM/FM (for AM DXing) model 12-898 for
$25; it has digital PLL tuning (prevents drifting), DX/LOC switch,
hi/low tone switch, 3" speaker with metal speaker grill, internal
ferrite-bar antenna, lock switch, 20 station memory, almost as
sensitive as the S350, and much better quality - even the antenna
locks into place.

Don't be fooled by the "Grundig" name - it used to be made in
Germany, but is now made in China, by Tecsun/Eton. Check out the
Tecsun/Eton brand of this radio on Amazon (same junk), and
show, "lowest rating first", also, look at the reviews for Grundig
G2000A. Tecsun/Eton is becoming known for marketing jazzy, pretty
radios that are poor quality/performers; they bought the rights to
market products, under the "Grundig" name, hoping consumers will
think they are still made in Germany.

With all that being said, with the restructuring of the 50K watt
clear-channel AM stations, in the 1980s, AM DXing is not what it used
to be, in the 1960s and 1970s. For example, many stations out West
now have to use directional antennas, that cannot be picked up on the
East Coast. All the hype about the CCradio, Superadio III, and S350
being, "DX machines", is nonsense, and with the clear-channel
situation, certainly not worth the extra expense. With the Radio
Shack receiver, I can easily pick up WWL 870 New Orleans (1000
miles), WHO 1040 Des Moines(900 miles), WABC 770 New York, and my
favorite, WLW 700 Cincinnati - same as the S350. These stations can
easily be picked up with standard car radios.

For just, as little as $30 more, one could purchase the Sony ICF-
SW7600GR instead; it has digital PLL, SSB, and synchronous detection -
the ICF-SW7600GR is many times the radio compared to the S350 (I'de
be kicking myself, if I was stuck with the S350).

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

***
I opened up the back of the radio, before returning it to RadioShack -
.....

as soon
as, one of the screws started to tighten down, the plastic started to
crack.
***

How thoughtful of you.

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

wrote:
The filters do a minimal job and only muffle the very good audio. The
RF gain control can always be set on maximum, so it only acts like a
DX/LOC switch.

My experience is quite different. First, the filters do a great job
and actually separate stations BETTER than my YB400, but sometimes must
use the RF gain control in conjunction with the narrow filter. Noise
level is so low that listening to the very weak stations is much BETTER
than on my YB400. The RF gain control is a MUST on this radio when
trying to get a weak station right next to a very powerful station. By
turning down the RF control I can actually receive stations that
otherwise do not show up at all.

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

It sounds like strong signals are swamping the AGC loop. It would have been
better if the AGC only controlled the I.F. strip. They probably needed to
include the RF stage in order to improve dynamic range. With a good design,
you shouldn't need to resort to using the RF gain control in order to
provide satisfactory adjacent channel performance, but this is a budget
radio.
Actually, it isn't too bad of a radio.

Pete

wrote in message
oups.com...

wrote:
The filters do a minimal job and only muffle the very good audio. The
RF gain control can always be set on maximum, so it only acts like a
DX/LOC switch.

My experience is quite different. First, the filters do a great job
and actually separate stations BETTER than my YB400, but sometimes must
use the RF gain control in conjunction with the narrow filter. Noise
level is so low that listening to the very weak stations is much BETTER
than on my YB400. The RF gain control is a MUST on this radio when
trying to get a weak station right next to a very powerful station. By
turning down the RF control I can actually receive stations that
otherwise do not show up at all.

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

On 2 May 2006 06:20:16 -0700, "
wrote:


Because of the very cheap quality construction, the radio is
very light-out-of-the-box, until the 4 "D" size batteries are
inserted.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...rxvr/0340t.jpg

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

wrote in message
oups.com...
Same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !

"Million-Dollar Looks for $100" - Analog w/digital display receivers
do not have the stability of digital phase-locked loop (PLL)
receivers.

I opened up the back of the radio, before returning it to RadioShack -
it was mostly hollow inside, very cheap, low-grade plastic, and with
1960s-grade electronics. The front filter and band switches and
tuning knob are flimsy. When putting the radio back together, I was
very careful not to over-tighten/cross-thread the screws, but as soon
as, one of the screws started to tighten down, the plastic started to
crack. Because of the very cheap quality construction, the radio is
very light-out-of-the-box, until the 4 "D" size batteries are
inserted.

The filters do a minimal job and only muffle the very good audio. The
RF gain control can always be set on maximum, so it only acts like a
DX/LOC switch. Even the newer model drifts off the tuned frequency,
despite a kludged fix, that only causes ergonomic problems - once a
frequency locks on, it still drifts, causing one to have to retune
way past the desired frequency, to break the lock. The S350 has
significant tuning backlash, which is partly responsible for the
frequency drift. There are images all over the SW bands, being a
cheap, single-conversion superhet. The speaker grill is plastic, the
digital readout is low-resolution, the antenna doesn't lock into
place, and the carrying handle is cheap, smelly, imitation-leather.

Instead, I bought a Radio Shack AM/FM (for AM DXing) model 12-898 for
$25; it has digital PLL tuning (prevents drifting), DX/LOC switch,
hi/low tone switch, 3" speaker with metal speaker grill, internal
ferrite-bar antenna, lock switch, 20 station memory, almost as
sensitive as the S350, and much better quality - even the antenna
locks into place.

Don't be fooled by the "Grundig" name - it used to be made in
Germany, but is now made in China, by Tecsun/Eton. Check out the
Tecsun/Eton brand of this radio on Amazon (same junk), and
show, "lowest rating first", also, look at the reviews for Grundig
G2000A. Tecsun/Eton is becoming known for marketing jazzy, pretty
radios that are poor quality/performers; they bought the rights to
market products, under the "Grundig" name, hoping consumers will
think they are still made in Germany.

With all that being said, with the restructuring of the 50K watt
clear-channel AM stations, in the 1980s, AM DXing is not what it used
to be, in the 1960s and 1970s. For example, many stations out West
now have to use directional antennas, that cannot be picked up on the
East Coast. All the hype about the CCradio, Superadio III, and S350
being, "DX machines", is nonsense, and with the clear-channel
situation, certainly not worth the extra expense. With the Radio
Shack receiver, I can easily pick up WWL 870 New Orleans (1000
miles), WHO 1040 Des Moines(900 miles), WABC 770 New York, and my
favorite, WLW 700 Cincinnati - same as the S350. These stations can
easily be picked up with standard car radios.

For just, as little as $30 more, one could purchase the Sony ICF-
SW7600GR instead; it has digital PLL, SSB, and synchronous detection -
the ICF-SW7600GR is many times the radio compared to the S350 (I'de
be kicking myself, if I was stuck with the S350).


It's a $100.00 radio. I knew when I bought mine I was buying a $100.00
receiver, and didn't have expectations of anything else. I was plesantly
surprised. I like it. The sound is great, and contrary to a lot of people,
I use it a lot for shortwave. Not for DX,ing distant signals, but for
listening to programing, it does fine. The drift settles down after a while
and I dont find myself haveing to correct it that much, but, I've never seen
a shortwave radio I dont like fiddling with the knobs and switches with
anyway, so I dont consider it a chore.

Hell, whats SW listening if you cant turn the knobs, flip the switches and
just coax the tuning knob just to where you want it. It's all a part of the
hobby to me.

I have home theater equpment if I want everything to be DVD & CD sanitized.
I just bought a Pioneer 7.1 receiver, and now that it's set up for the room
accustics all I have to adjust in the volume. So, I like my shortwave
radios to bring me back to the old days of "tuning around" as they used to
say.

Oh, and taking the back off, and then cracking it while screwing it back
before returning it is pretty tacky IMO. Someome else will probaly buy it
after you experimented on it. That sucks.

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

Personal attacks are really unprofessional - the S350 is very cheaply
made, and for $30, on could purchase
the Sony 7600GR, a radio many times better than the S350. The knobs
are flimsy, the speaker grill is
cheap plastic, the antenna doesn't lock into place, the handle is cheap
smelly imitation-leather, the
tuning mechanism is neandertal, even the new model drifts, there is
considerable tuning backlash, and
the list goes on and on. For $100, this radio is all glitz ! Greg

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

On 2 May 2006 15:54:53 -0700, "
wrote:

Personal attacks are really unprofessional - the S350 is very cheaply
made, and for $30, on could purchase
the Sony 7600GR, a radio many times better than the S350. The knobs
are flimsy, the speaker grill is
cheap plastic, the antenna doesn't lock into place, the handle is cheap
smelly imitation-leather, the
tuning mechanism is neandertal, even the new model drifts, there is
considerable tuning backlash, and
the list goes on and on. For $100, this radio is all glitz ! Greg

An EXTRA $30...

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

wrote in message
oups.com...
Personal attacks are really unprofessional -

You thought you were attacked? That's odd.

Taking apart a radio, breaking it and returning it is worse than
unprofessional
If you did not tell then what you did, it was worse, it was just plain
dishonest.




the S350 is very cheaply
made, and for $30, on could purchase
the Sony 7600GR, a radio many times better than the S350. The knobs
are flimsy, the speaker grill is
cheap plastic, the antenna doesn't lock into place, the handle is cheap
smelly imitation-leather, the
tuning mechanism is neandertal, even the new model drifts, there is
considerable tuning backlash, and
the list goes on and on. For $100, this radio is all glitz ! Greg


I already own a 7600GR. I know all abut it.
Glitz? It's portable radio not a piece of jewelry.

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

***
Personal attacks are really unprofessional - the S350 is very cheaply
made
***

Two years ago, tuition at Sidwell Friends was $22, 415.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...-2004Sep4.html

***
Her daughter, Kathleen, 13, is entering eighth grade at Sidwell
Friends, where tuition is $22,415.
***

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

John S.,

"My take on the S350 is that it is a good looking AM/FM radio
that also has shortwave coverage. It delivers good sounding
reasonably loud audio from non-DX broadcasts and uses just
enough controls to get the job done."

Good assessment of a basic AM/FM Radio
that is enjoyable to listen to. ~ RHF

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

SWF,

So You open up the Radio and "Void" the Warranty.

You "Stripe" the Case Screws and Damage the Radio.

Then "Return" the Radio that You have Junked to the Store.

Your 'report' tells me a lot about YOU and it ain't good ~ RHF

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

David wrote:

The point is that you cannot tell a good radio by how much it weighs.

Maybe not radios, but that technique is a lot better than guessing when
it comes to old stereo receivers with REAL transformers and heat sinks
in them.



mike

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

"John S." wrote in message
oups.com...


Oh, and taking the back off, and then cracking it while screwing it back
before returning it is pretty tacky IMO. Someome else will probaly buy
it
after you experimented on it. That sucks.

I think you may have hit on something. This guy takes the radio apart
and is clumsy enough to break the case when reassembling it. So he
returns the radio, doesn't tell the seller about the damage and gets a
full refund. I think his overly long diatribe against this radio is
little more than self-justification for what amounts to petty theft by
returning something he damaged for a refund.

I agree.


This is the same kind of guy that stole the battery cover from an Eton
E10 at my local radio shack.

Thats a dirty trick.

He truly has no sense of responsibility for hs own actions.


I don't like people like that, not one bit. Another person will come in the
store, put down his hard earned money and end up with this guys experiment
gone bad. It's not only dishonest, but as inconsiderate as it gets. To be
honest, things like that really steam me.

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

On 2 May 2006 19:18:26 -0700, "John S." wrote:



Oh, and taking the back off, and then cracking it while screwing it back
before returning it is pretty tacky IMO. Someome else will probaly buy it
after you experimented on it. That sucks.

I think you may have hit on something. This guy takes the radio apart
and is clumsy enough to break the case when reassembling it. So he
returns the radio, doesn't tell the seller about the damage and gets a
full refund. I think his overly long diatribe against this radio is
little more than self-justification for what amounts to petty theft by
returning something he damaged for a refund.

This is the same kind of guy that stole the battery cover from an Eton
E10 at my local radio shack.

He truly has no sense of responsibility for hs own actions.

I handled a unit at the store and it did feel cheap. I think $100 is
way too much or our expectations have really gotten low.

S350 - same cheap communist Chinese junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000!
 

SWL-2010 wrote:

"John S." wrote in message
oups.com...

Oh, and taking the back off, and then cracking it while screwing it back
before returning it is pretty tacky IMO. Someome else will probaly buy

it

after you experimented on it. That sucks.

I think you may have hit on something. This guy takes the radio apart
and is clumsy enough to break the case when reassembling it. So he
returns the radio, doesn't tell the seller about the damage and gets a
full refund. I think his overly long diatribe against this radio is
little more than self-justification for what amounts to petty theft by
returning something he damaged for a refund.


I agree.



This is the same kind of guy that stole the battery cover from an Eton
E10 at my local radio shack.


Thats a dirty trick.


He truly has no sense of responsibility for hs own actions.



I don't like people like that, not one bit. Another person will come in the
store, put down his hard earned money and end up with this guys experiment
gone bad. It's not only dishonest, but as inconsiderate as it gets. To be
honest, things like that really steam me.



You guys amaze me. How many of you can honestly say that YOU have
*never* done anything bad..such as sending seventeen million vials of
microbially contaminated Polio Vaccine to Third World countries because
it was too much of a pain to restock it?

We ALL do it...and by gosh I am HAPPY to keep supporting the Bush
business incentives plan in the Middle East. His actions certainly make
ME prosper and isn't that what it's all about?


mike (I got mine) II

S350 - same cheap communist Chinese junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

M II - Wow ! - Don't Go Can-A-Duha-ian on Us !

Going from Trashing a Radio and Returning it to the
Store to "sending seventeen million vials of microbially
contaminated Polio Vaccine to Third World countries"
is really going off the deep-end of "linkage" in the Relative
Degrees of two completely different types of Crimes
from what would be considered a minor crime against
property and a Major Criminal Act directed at People.

Now had you tried linking "sending seventeen million
vials of microbially contaminated Polio Vaccine to
Third World countries" to Bill Clinton as Governor
Of Arkansas sending Aids Tainted Blood to Canada
as two relatively equal Major Crimes - Then that
would be a reasonable comparison.

remember we are simply talking about a $100 radio ~ RHF

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

Hey bud, I didn't strip the screws, and ther eis no sela to void the
warrenty ! Screw you !

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

The point of all this nonsense, is that the S350 is a cheap piece of
crap, and
all of you know it, through your nasty, personal comments ! This looks
like the typical out-of-control group - enjoy your super-duper S350s !
Oh,
don't drop your S350s, or they may shatter !

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

**** you...

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

bull**** !

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

Do you really think that I give a crap ?

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

Screw you !

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

Screw off !

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

**** you !

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

**** you !

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

Do you know proper English ?

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

Witha private school education, you could at least say that in Latin.

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

SWF - Gee 3-FU's In A Row - Your Posting IQ Score
is now about : 3*(4+3) = 21 smarts doesn't it ~ RHF

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

SWF - One "BS" followed by two "SUs"
Your Posting IQ Score is now about : (8+5+3)
= 16 really smarts doesn't it ~ RHF

S350 - same cheap communist Chinese junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

SWF - Lets see you take a simple Radio apart
and can't figure-out where all the pieces go when
you try to put it all back together.

That really says a lot about 'your' Intelligence and Skills.

Heed you own words : "Better not take your radios apart !"

NOTE -The use of one "GAF" plus a "POS"
that adds up to a Posting IQ of 21 - Ouch smarts Again !

In the Virtual Reality of NewsGroups
'you' ARE What 'you' Write [.] ~ RHF

S350 - same cheap communist Chinese junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

SWF - Ah the Liberal Justification of Relative Morality ~ RHF

The Existence of "Evil" Corporate Entity :
Justifies any action by the Individual - Not !

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

SWF - 'you' are the one use a "BS" here and a
"GAF and POS" there and "FU" everywhere . . .

Clearly 'your' command of some elements of the
English Language is far superior to mine ;-) ~ RHF

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

SWF - "Do you really think that I give a crap ?"

SWF - Speaking of "Crap" . . .
'your' words and writting says it all ~ RHF

S350 - same cheap communist Chinese junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

In article .com,
" wrote:

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that a couple of small washers fell out,
when I took the radio apart, and I never figured out where they went,
except for the trash. Radio Shack tries to recirculate returned items
anyway (I have been lied to by salesmen), so do you really think I
give a **** about the radio, or what all of you think ? Radio Shack
had plenty of the S350s in back - oh, I wonder why they weren't
selling ? Enjoy your S350 pieces of ****, and be sure to let me
know, if any of the cheap plastic knobs, or antennas, break off !
Better not take your radios apart !

I know you are trying and failing to be a clever poster but the concept
of returning an item to a store is to return it the new condition with
all the packing so it can be resold as a retuned item at a discount. If
you opened it up and cracked the case you should not have returned it.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

In article ,
"SWL-2010" wrote:


"John S." wrote in message
oups.com...

wrote:
Same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !



I have to wonder why your experience differs so radically from other
S350 owners. Maybe you are bored and trolling for attention?

My take on the S350 is that it is a good looking AM/FM radio that also
has shortwave coverage. It delivers good sounding reasonably loud
audio from non-DX broadcasts and uses just enough controls to get the
job done.

---This morning, I was listening to Australia on the S350 from my apartment
which is not good for reception at all with whip antennas. I only extended
the whip about half way, dialed in the Freq, 9.580, sat the radio on the
desk behind this desk, and listened for over an hour straight through. I
did not have to even turn around to keep adjusting for drift. Loud, clear
sound, tone where I wanted it, and the main thing, I enjoyed it. All for a
hundred bucks. I like that radio.

Snip

I played with one in radio shack and it was picking up short wave
stations in the back of the store where you usually don't pick up
anything. I thought the sound was very good from the radio. The only
thing that bothered me was the tuning slow speed is to fast for my taste
and I would want it geared down some more. Well, that and the drift but
that is supposed to be fixed on the deluxe version.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

In article .com,
wrote:

Do you know proper English ?

Are you familiar with the following word? People no longer reading you
know what it means.

Plonk

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

On 3 May 2006 15:10:03 -0700, "RHF"
wrote:

David,

Onkyo made some nice AM and "FM" Tuners and Receivers.
ONKYO= http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/onkyo.html

FM Tuner - Information - Your Guide to FM Tuners
http://www.amfmdx.net/
http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/
http://www.amfmdx.net/fmdx/

Classic Audio - Information
http://classicaudio.com/

FM Tuners · High End FM Tuners eGroup at YAHOO!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FMtuners/

jm2cw ~ RHF
.
I believe we were talking about discrete transistor power
amplifiers...

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

wrote:
Do you know proper English ?

Oh, do you mean proper English as in your example of poor grammar,
spelling, punctuation and incomplete sentence structure below:

From: - view profile
Date: Wed, May 3 2006 9:54 am
Email: "
Groups: rec.radio.shortwave
Not yet ratedRating:
show options

Hey bud, I didn't strip the screws, and ther eis no sela to void the
warrenty ! Screw you !

S350 - same cheap junk as Tecsun/Eton BCL-2000,3000 !
 

"John S." wrote in message
oups.com...

RHF wrote:
SWF - 'you' are the one use a "BS" here and a
"GAF and POS" there and "FU" everywhere . . .

Clearly 'your' command of some elements of the
English Language is far superior to mine ;-) ~ RHF
.
.
. .
.

You know what really amazes me about this guy is how he has
appropriated the name of the well known and exclusive school Sidwell
Friends. We can only guess that adopting the name of an prestigious
educational institution as his online handle gives him a momentary rush
of self-pleasure. Who knows, maybe tomorrow he may become Notre Dame.


Please don't say that. Notre Dame football is my favorite of all time. I
love the Irish. I killfiled the big mouth, but I can't stop being an Irish
fan.