Author Archives: Thomas

CommRadio CR-1 and WRTH: Power outage essentials

Like much of North America, we’re currently experiencing record low temperatures and strong winds here at our mountain home. This morning, I woke to no power and no Internet. My iPhone still works though, hence the ability to publish this post.

But no power is really no problem when it comes to SWLing. Indeed, for those living in urban areas, power outages represent temporary refuge from all of those electronic noises (RFI) that plague daily listening.

I’ve spent the morning SWLing with my CommRadio CR-1. The beauty of the CR-1 is that it can operate for hours on its internal battery and can also be charged/powered via USB or anything from a 6V to 18v DC power source. I’m currently charging the CR-1’s battery from our solar-powered battery bank. It makes me realize that the CR-1 is an ideal, top-shelf radio for off-grid DXing.

Additionally, I received my 2014 WRTH yesterday in the post. The WRTH is always a welcome delivery, but this morning was even more appreciated since it requires no power source whatsoever to work!

No power? No worries! With a WRTH and CommRadio CR-1 combo, I’m a happy listener!

Etón introduces two travel portables: the Etón Traveler III and Mini 400

3 Replies

In addition to the shortwave portables we mentioned earlier this morning, SWLing Post reader, Tom, points out two more radios Etón will introduce at CES:

[Etón is] showing off 2 other models all under the label of the World Travel Radios at CES.

They posted the others on the following page
http://blog.etoncorp.com/index.php/2014/01/ces-2014-travel-radios/

Your leaving out the Traveler 3 at
http://www.etoncorp.com/en/productdisplay/traveler-iii

And the Mini at
http://www.etoncorp.com/en/productdisplay/mini

Eton describes these radios on their press release:

The Etón Mini 40

Etón Mini – This compact radio gives you access to news and music from across the globe, right in your pocket, whether on an AM, FM or Shortwave frequency. The Mini’s built-in digital tuner and internal and telescoping antennas easily identify stations, which can be viewed on the high-contrast digital display. The radio also features an alarm clock, sleep timer and earphone jack. Perfect to listen to the radio broadcast at your favorite sporting events.

Features:

Frequency coverage:
- AM: 520 – 1710 kHz
- FM: 87.5 – 108 MHz
- SW1: 3.2 – 10 MHz
- SW2: 11.65 – 18 MHz
Digital tuner and display
Digital display frequency timer and alarm activation
Key lock function
Band selector on left side
Tuning/Volume knob
Metal speaker grill
Sleep timer
FM telescopic antenna
Rich orange LCD display
Earphone jack (3.5 mm)
Powered by USB cable (provided) or 2 AAA batteries (sold separately)
Click here to download spec sheet

The EtónTraveler III

Etón Traveler III – The Etón Traveler III receives a multitude of radio wavelengths – AM(MW), FM with RDS, Longwave and Shortwave. Providing four options to tune the radio including auto, manual and Auto Tuning Storage (ATS), the Etón Traveler III also boasts internal and telescoping antennas to ensure your reception is clear and crisp. The Etón Traveler III can store up to 500 stations in the memory and the rich, orange LCD display allows you to see temperature and time. The perfect travel companion, the Traveler III also features an alarm clock and sleep timer.

Features:

Frequency coverage:
- AM: 520 – 1710 kHz
- FM: 87.5 – 108 MHz
- LW: 150 – 285 kHz
- SW: 3150 – 21950 kHz
FM with RDS (Radio Data System)
Automatic or manual digital tuning
Auto tuning storage (ATS) function
500 memory stations
Local/world time setting
Sleep timer
Single alarm clock (by radio or buzzer)
Snooze
Rich orange LCD display
Earphone jack (3.5mm)
FM telescopic antenna
Reset/lock function
Power supply: Use USB cable (included), 4 AA batteries or 6V adapter (both sold separately)
Click here to download spec sheet

Traveler III will most likely become a part of my portable collection. I loved the Traveler II as it had great overall performance on all bands and was very compact for travel. As a (major!) bonus, the Traveler III has RDS.

Etón introduces two new shortwave portables: the Field and Satellit

34 Replies

Many thanks to The Herculodge and SWLing Post reader, Gary, for pointing out these two new portables from Etón Corp: the Etón Field and Etón Satellit.

The Etón Field, pictured above, looks like an updated version of the Grundig S450DLX. Etón mentions the following features on their website:

Frequency coverage:
- AM: 520 – 1710 kHz (selectable 9/10 kHz spacing)
- FM: 87.5 – 108 MHz
- SW: 1.711 – 30 MHz
FM with RDS (Radio Data System)
Dial-in-Dial coarse/fine digital tuning
Treble/Bass control
RF gain control
Wide/Narrow bandwidth selection
50 memory stations
External AM/FM/SW antenna connections
Local/DX switch
Rich orange LCD display
Line-in/Line-out and headphone jacks
FM telescopic antenna
Carrying strap
Reset/Lock button
Power supply: 6V DC Adapter or 4 D Batteries (sold separately)
Click here for the product spec sheet

Frequency coverage:
- AM: 520 – 1710 kHz (selectable 9/10 kHz steps)
- FM: 87.5 – 108 MHz
- LW: 150 – 285 kHz
- SW: 1.711 – 30 MHz
- AIR: 118 – 136 MHz
FM with RDS (Radio Data System
Single sideband (SSB) with +/1 kHz tuning
VHF Aircraft band
Automatic or Manual Digital Tuning
FM stereo/mono selection
Electronic/volume/treble/bass control
Sync detector with selectable sideband
Direct key-in meter band for SW
700 memory stations
PLL synthesized dual conversion receiver
Local/DX switch
Local/world time zones
Clock/Alarm/Sleep Timer with time backup
Rich orange LCD display
Reset/Lock button
FM telescopic antenna
Power supply: 6V DC Adapter or 4 AA batteries (sold separately)
Click here for the product spec sheet

If you’re interested in the Satellit and would like to participate in open and active discussions, join this newly created Etón Satellit Yahoo Group.

It’s interesting to note that FM RDS has become a feature on both the Field and Satellit and that they sport a unique orange LCD display.

Update: Also note that Etón has introduced the Traveler III and the Mini 400 travel-sized shortwave portables.

A note about Etón

For those of you not familiar, Etón Corporation (based in Palo Alto, California) is also known as the Grundig brand throughout North America. Throughout the company’s history of designing and manufacturing shortwave radios, Etón has either branded their radios as “Grundig” or “Etón” (indeed, some models were branded with both, for example the Grundig G5 and Etón E5). I find the news of the Etón Field and Satellit very exciting as I feared the exit of the venerable Grundig G3 from the market might have also marked the departure of the company from the shortwave radio market altogether. Apparently not!

This is quite important for the SWLing hobby (in North America, at least) as Etón and Grundig products are unquestionably some of the most accessible shortwave radios on the market. Nearly every corporate or franchise retail store of RadioShack (Tandy) carries Grundig radios, as well as Universal Radio and a number of independent electronics/hobby stores throughout the continent.

By and large, I have always liked Etón/Grundig radios–I have purchased nearly everyone they’ve produced in the past six years. I also like the corporation, and it’s founder/CEO Esmail Hozour.

Indeed, Mr. Hozour and Etón Corp generously support global humanitarian efforts–they’ve donated and distributed thousands upon thousands of their self-powered radio/lighting products in the wake of disasters in Japan, the Philippines, Haiti, and even more. Regular SWLing Post readers will also know that Etón Corp generously supports my radio-based charity, Ears To Our World (a disclaimer that will be prominently mentioned on any future Etón/Grundig radio review here.)

It’s also quite simple to get in touch with Etón product support–a live human being is only an email or phone call away. Numerous times, I’ve directed readers to Etón support and their problems have been solved.

Bookmark this tag for more information on the Etón Field and Satellit. I have a hunch that they won’t be available until after the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Adverts on the BBC World Service?

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(Image source: BBC)

According to this article in The Independent, the international arm of the BBC plans to commercialize:

“The BBC has sparked anger with plans to commercialise the 80-year-old World Service, and to downplay the coverage of politics in its global television news output.

The changes, which one MP warned could jeopardise the future of the licence fee, are being lined up as the broadcaster prepares to take over funding of the World Service, previously paid for by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Reforms could include having advertising on the service.

In a letter sent to a member of the House of Lords, the Director of the World Service, Peter Horrocks, has also revealed plans to use private funding to support the prestigious radio network which began as the British Empire Service in 1932. “The BBC Trust is considering proposals for a wider commercialisation of World Service, which might involve launching new language services, if they could be commercially self-sustaining,” he told Lord Alton of Liverpool.” [continue reading…]

While it’s hard to imagine the World Service advertising over shortwave, I certainly believe adverts in local radio and TV markets could become a reality. The broader implication (at least, in The Independent) is that the BBC WS program offerings will shift in order to appeal to sponsors. Then again, this would come as no surprise, as every other broadcaster who relies on commercial sponsorship has done the same.

Many thanks to Jonathan Marks for the tip!

Shortwave Radio Recordings: Radio Romania International

Pirate Radio Recordings: UNID (percussion)

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On New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2013), while band scanning, I tuned to 6,955 kHz around 22:15 UTC, and heard a relatively strong pirate station.

For at least 51 minutes, this unidentified pirate played various percussion music, much of which sounded like recordings of live drum circles. I never heard an ID during the broadcast, nor did anyone on the HF Underground board.

Listen for yourself: click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below.

Win a shortwave portable via The Happy Station Show

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SWLing Post reader, Tom, writes:

The Happy Station Show from Tawain just started testing its show on 11880 for a time via WRMI facilities in Okeechobee FL, ex-WYFR

Broadcast schedule can be found here: http://www.pcjmedia.com/

Also looks like they plan on giving away a shortwave radio [CCRadio SW Pocket] this week from their twitter account post at https://twitter.com/PCJMedia/status/418955953807962113/photo/1

Many thanks, Tom!