Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Stan Horzepa (WA1LOU), who shares the following post originally published on his blog:
I bought a first-production-run C.Crane CCRadio3 AM/FM/WX/2-Meter receiver after reading K4SWL’s preview on his blog, The SWLing Post.
I already own the highly-regarded C.Crane CCRadio 2E Enhanced, which I reviewed here five years ago, so I decided to compare the two on the AM, FM and weather bands. Before comparing the two radios, I recalibrated the antennas of both radios, then with the radios sitting side-by-side, I tuned each radio through each band channel-by-channel
My findings follow.
On the AM band, the 3 captured signals faster than the 2E.
Occasionally, signals were stronger on the 3 than on the 2E and vice versa, but most of the time, the signal strength was the same on both radios. So I conclude that the sensitivity of the two radios are the same.
I tried the 3’s new Bluetooth function before reading the manual. I just pressed the Bluetooth button to access the Bluetooth mode and my iPhone and MacBook Pro found the 3 without pressing the radio’s Pair button, as instructed by the manual.
In conclusion, the differences I found between the 3 and the 2E were (1) the 3’s ability to capture AM signals was noticeably faster than the 2E and (2) the addition of the Bluetooth function in the 3.
I did not notice any other performance enhancements. I was hoping that the 3 might be more sensitive than the 2E (not that the 2E is not sensitive — it certainly is!), but I’d say that the 3 and 2E Enhanced are about equal sensitivity-wise, as well as selectivity-wise.
Believe it or not moments… During the comparison, I was very surprised that on two occasions (on 820 and 1500 kHz), each radio simultaneously received different stations while tuned to the same frequency!
Click here to check out Stan’s blog.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts after comparing the two receivers, Stan! I think this supports the idea that if one owns the CCRadio2E and doesn’t need Bluetooth functionality, there’s no real reason to upgrade to the CCRadio3. With that said, and as I think you found Stan, the Bluetooth functionality in the CCRadio3 is excellent. It must be one of the best Bluetooth receivers I’ve tested and as you point out, it’s also very easy to engage and use.
Thanks again!
…is there ANY way to turn off, or toggle off the blinking seconds?..this is very annoying for insomniacs, and other clock radios have ONLY hours and minutes, but NO blinking seconds!…any suggestions, please!
Stan, thanks for your review. When you say that the CCRadio 3 captures AM signals faster than the 2E, do you mean that the auto-tracking feature settles down more quickly with the 3?
Yes, the 3 locks onto AM signals faster than the 2E.
Do both have twin Ferrite antennas? And are they the same size in each radio? In calibration of both AM antennas, are you referring to repositioning the litz-wound carriage for enhanced sensitivity on the low spectrum of Medium Wave? Thank you, and great review.
Both radios have twin ferrite antennas.
According to the manuals, both antennas are the same size, i.e., 7/16″ dia x 8″ long (200 mm)
Both radios have a “(hidden) Calibration Procedure which can improve AM reception.” It is an electronic process that tweaks the radio’s circuits. “You may want to perform the calibration procedure when you move to a new location or you notice a change in reception of your favorite station… ” I used the procedure to recalibrate both radios so that they were on an equal footing before I started the side-by-side comparison.