WRTH has announced that their 2011 edition is now available online. Every year, I look forward to searching a new WRTH’s pages for the first time. What is the WRTH (World Radio and TV Handbook)? Click here to read my review of the 2010 edition and interview with the publisher.
To order your copy of WRTH 2011, go to this page on WRTH’s website.
C. Crane’s well known CCRadio-SW is currently on sale for $114.95! I assume this sale will only last through to the end of October, 2010. This is a very good deal for one of my favorite, big audio portables. Curious? Read my review on SWLing.com.
The National Geographic online store has a few Grundig radios on sale. Most notably, the Grundig G8 for $24.95.
The G8 is a great little shortwave receiver. I’m very impressed with the performance, especially for a $25 radio (normally, these sell at retailers for $50.00 US).
Features include:
Of course, with a radio in this price class, there are some compromises:
At $25 US, this is a no-brainer. Pick up a G8 today as I have no idea how long this sale will last.
If you’re reading this post after the National Geographic sale, check G8 prices at the following places:
G8 documentation:
(Update: Check out our new 2011 Radio Gift Buying Guide)
Would you like to buy a shortwave radio as a gift for someone, but you don’t know a thing about radios? 
Or, are you thinking about buying a radio for yourself (cashing in a gift card, for example) but aren’t sure how much you need to spend to be satisfied with function and performance? Want a little help leaving a hint for Santa or Ms. Santa? If so, no worries: you’ve found the right place in this vast world wide web to answer your questions, or help you with that hint–just leave a link to this article somewhere that Santa can find it!
Following you’ll find a few select radios I recommend based on best performance, lowest price, and ease of use. I’ve also included current pricing and made suggestions where these radios may best be purchased. Of course, radios are available at large internet retailers–occasionally for better prices–but I highly recommend you purchase from the manufacturer and/or authorized retailer. Most radio retailers offer much better customer support in case you have a problem or question, or just need a little help getting started.
This quick guide is basic, non-technical, and to the point. For more comprehensive reviews, please consult SWLing.com’s Radio Reviews page. Also, take a look at our new Radio Marketplace page where we have pre-filtered shortwave radio eBay search results.
How current is this information? This guide was last updated on: 6 December 2010
I start with this category because I believe that if you’re going to the trouble of finding the right radio as a gift, you at least want one that will perform and give years of listening pleasure. All of the following radios are sure to please those who are new to shortwave radio, and seasoned radio listeners as well. Most of these radios fall between the $100-150 price range.
The Grundig G4000A ($99.95 US)
The G4000A is a great portable radio and I include it here first because it is a part of a special promotion continuing through the end of March 2010. The receiver performance is very good, and it has all of the major features one might expect in a radio in its price class. I owned a version of this portable for over ten years and traveled with it extensively–it’s the perfect little travel companion, and it even has an alarm clock. But what’s really amazing about the G4000A is that it’s currently part of an exceptional package promotion by Universal Radio. If you buy the G4000A for $99.99, you also receive a free Grundig FR350 self-powered (emergency) shortwave radio, and a Grundig AN200 indoor antenna. I wrote about this special in a previous post if you want more info. Suffice to say, this is the best advertised deal for a portable shortwave radio I’ve ever encountered. You could, of course, buy the G4000A for someone and give the two extras as gifts to others on your holiday shopping list–or, better yet, keep one for yourself!
The Sony ICF-SW7600GR ($150)
This Sony shortwave radio is a classic, with solid, time-tested performance, and features to please both the beginner and the seasoned radio enthusiast. The instruction manual is comprehensive and easy to read. Read the full review here.
The Grundig G3 ($150 US)
The Grundig G3 was introduced in August 2009. It’s the latest portable receiver from Grundig and is an upgrade of the popular Grundig G5. I reviewed this radio right after it hit the market and found it to be excellent, save that its sync detection (a new feature for this model) did not perform up to spec, so I simply never use it–but this is no problem, as the receiver has many other outstanding features. The latest models of the Grundig G3 all have good sync detection. Overall, the G3’s performance is on par with–or in some respects, better than–the Sony (above). Read full review here.
The C. Crane CCRadio-SW ($150 US)
This large portable would be my first pick for someone who wants excellent radio performance, but also wants a radio that is very simple to use (i.e., grandparents, children, your uncle who gets muddled by the TV’s remote control). It comes with an owner’s manual, but you most likely will not need it. The CCRadio-SW has robust, room-filling sound, and is a joy to operate. Ergonomics are excellent, and it sports a large tuning knob. Performance is top-notch on all shortwave bands and it’s top of it’s class on Medium Wave (or the AM broadcast band). It’s a little bigger than the previous radios (not really for flight bags), but still fine for car, camper, and fishing trips. The CCRadio-SW will please both the beginner and seasoned radio listener; speaking for myself, I find I use mine all the time. Read the review here.
The Ten-Tec RX-320D ($369 US)
This radio is more expensive than the others listed here, and is not a portable, however, I couldn’t help but include it because I recently reviewed this radio and found that it offers high-end performance for a fraction of the cost of a tabletop receiver. The little RX-320 is PC-controlled, meaning, you need to hook it up to a computer to bring it to life. It’s the perfect gift for your favorite ham radio operator or a computer enthusiast who also likes radio. Read the full review here —or, if you prefer, a short review here.
Let’s face it, these are tough economic times, and it may very well affect your gift budget this year. Below, I’ve put together a small list of radios for $100 or less that would make excellent gifts for a radio enthusiast or for someone who has never used a shortwave radio. Keep in mind, of course, that you pay for what you get; thus these radios do not perform quite as well as the portables above.
Grundig G6 ($100 US)
The G6 has many of the features of the portables above and comes at a much better price and in a smaller package. This radio could easily fit in a glove compartment or coat pocket. Its shortwave radio reception is very respectable for such a small radio. Read the full review here.
Kaito KA1103/Degen 1003 ($80 US)
The Kaito KA1103 (a.k.a. Degen DE1003) offers the best performance I’ve tested under $100. But keep in mind, the ergonomics of this radio (pretty much any Kaito/Degen radio) leave something to be desired: for example, to turn up the volume, you have to press the volume button and use the tuning knob to adjust. Still, it’s fairly easy to operate, and comes with a one-of-a-kind digital display that imitates an older analog style dial. Another Kaito/Degen Product to consider is the KA1102/DE1102–read a review of this $60 portable here. In general, I’ve found that Kaito offers great performance for price, but their quality control is sometimes sub-par. I have had to return two of their products in the past, and each time was relieved I had purchased from an authorized dealer (see below). Read the KA1103 full review here.
C. Crane CCRadio-SWP ($50 US)
The CCRadio-SWP has a great receiver, especially in such a tiny package. C.Crane ergonomics are always very good, and you’ll probably never read the manual, it’s so simple to operate. I keep one of these in my car to listen to shortwave radio when I have few minutes to spare. A few “AA” batteries will run this little radio for 70 hours! Now, the CCRadio-SWP has some limitations, as does any little radio in this price bracket, so read the full review here before purchasing. But this cute radio can make a great stocking stuffer–and will fit in that stocking’s toe just fine!
Grundig G8 Traveller II ($25-50)
The Grundig G8 is a nice pocket radio and the perfect traveling companion. I’m quite impressed with this radio. Shortwave reception is good and FM reception exceptional. The AM broadcast band does suffer from some images, though still quite respectable. The G8’s audio is a little tinny, though quite good for a radio this compact. The customary price for the G8 is $49.95, but occasionally retailers place them on sale for nearly half this price. It’s a grab at $50, it’s a steal at $25!
Grundig M400 ($30)
The M400 is a fun, ultra-portable, ultra-thin shortwave radio. Though its performance isn’t as good as other portables on this page, it is a super simple radio and is quite capable of picking up strong SW broadcasters–at $30, it’s also super affordable. I wouldn’t purchase this radio for someone who is just discovering shortwave radio since they will want a better performer with more features (like the portables at the top of this page). I do think the M400 makes for a nice stocking-stuffer or small gift for the radio enthusiast in your life. I take mine with me on morning walks and overnight travels.
The Ten-Tec RX-320D PC controlled radio.
When I began SWLing.com, I did so with the beginner in mind, and to that end, I more or less limited my product reviews to portable radios. Portables are easy to use, simple, and affordable; what’s more, the technology behind portables has made them powerful for their size.
However, I have recently been receiving emails from beginners and others who wish to purchase another type of radio generally the domain of more seasoned SWLers—one, for example, with a stronger receiver, designed to take an external antenna. Some find that portables aren’t adequate for their geographic location (i.e., in the western US, where fewer broadcasters are directing their signals) while others simply want to hear more of what’s out there. The price cap often mentioned has been around $500.
The radio that instantly comes to mind is the Ten-Tec RX-320D. I must say that previously, my recommendation had been based on a few hours of usage, the manufacturer’s reputation, and the many reviews I had read about this product. While touting the receiver’s performance, I had never actually had the opportunity of testing it at my leisure in my own home.
But a few months ago, Ten-Tec kindly gave me an RX-320D for review–so here you have it. Keep in mind a few things about my reviews: they are, as always, written with the radio beginner in mind, so my reviews are, I hope, less technical than some. Instead, I focus on usability, sensitivity, selectivity, and, of course, value for money.
Open the cover on the RX-320D and you'll find very few parts. Click to enlarge.
The RX-320D is a PC-controlled radio; back in 1997 when it was first introduced, it was one of the first radios to be considered a form of SDR (or, Software Defined Radio). The radio itself is small and basic—so basic, in fact, many simply refer to it as “little black box.” On the inside, the mysterious box held surprisingly few parts. But it works like a treat. How do they do this? Again, simply: the RX-320 utilizes digital signal processors inside the black box, and draws upon your personal computer to drive the radio. In other words, your PC provides the horsepower to run the components in the radio.
By doing this, Ten-Tec gives you a radio for $369 that, in my opinion, performs like a radio in the $700+ range, and has more features and functionality than a typical tabletop radio.
Speaking of features, the RX-320D comes with a lot of them. Here are the features most of you will be looking for:
So, does it feel like you’re using your computer when you use this radio? Sure–but the controller design makes the process feel familiar.
To bring the RX-320D to life, you simply 1) plug in the supplied power cord; 2) connect an antenna (either supplied internal telescoping or external—I recommend the latter); 3) connect the radio to your PC with the supplied USB or serial port cable; 4) plug in an external speaker, headphones or (as I do on occasion) connect it to your stereo; 5) install Ten-Tec’s controller software with the provided CD; 6) turn on the radio; 7) launch the controller software you just installed; and finally, tune, and listen…
If you don’t hear anything after the above steps, you either need to increase the volume or line-out controls, or set up your com port to work with the RX-320D.
Click to enlarge.
Upon loading the software, you should see the screen to the right.
You’ll notice the image is of a computer screen version of a proper tabletop radio, and it’s just as simple to operate. There’s a tuning knob you can control by moving your cursor over the top or bottom part of the knob and pressing your mouse button. The frequency steps can be controlled with the “Step” menu to the right of the dial. You can also click in the frequency display and type in the frequency (in Mhz) directly. To the left of the dial, there is a selection of very effective DSP filters to try–and there are a whopping total of thirty-four available! Also, on the front panel you’ll see receive mode selections (AM, USB, LSB and CW) and a place where you can easily store memories and recall them.
An exceptionally cool feature of the Ten-Tec controller is its built-in ability to “sweep” a swatch of the shortwave spectrum in search of signals. This comes in especially handy when, for example, you want to “see” activity on any given meter band. Simply select the size of sweep you would like to make, then click on “sweep.” The display will show relative signal strength as it mutes the radio and scans the band. You then move your cursor over the sweep, click on one of the peaks, and the RX-320D will move to that frequency. This is a great way to hunt broadcast signals of all sorts, or to search for utility, pirate or ham signals in a band.
DXtra offers a robust controller for the RX-320D. Not only do you have access to the ILG frequency database, but also band scan tables and you can "see" what other DXtra users are listening to via the DXtra server. DXtra comes with the DRM decoder, DREAM.
All in all, I found that the supplied Ten-Tec controller got me on the air and was intuitive enough that I didn’t need to refer to the owner’s manual at all. Keep in mind, though, that this controller is probably the most basic available. Other than the band sweep feature, many freeware versions of the Ten-Tec controller offer more features and capabilities.
Keep in mind, though, that the supplied Ten-Tec controller was the most stable of all of the controllers I tested. Also, Ten-Tec should be commended for leaving the architecture of their controller open-source for development–hence, the availability of all of these third-party free and commercial products. I imagine they did this on purpose to encourage experimentation.
N4PY's controller is simple and elegant. Its user interface places the RX-320D's advanced functions at your fingertips.
To include reviews of all of the 3rd party freeware and fee-based controllers out there would be beyond the scope of this review. I do, however, intend to post comments in this article as I thoroughly test controllers, so check back, if you like.
So far, I believe the best and most stable freeware controller is Scan320. My favorite full-featured controller at present is Dxtra ($79.95 or buy the RX-320D directly from Dxtra for $415.95). Also consider N4PY’s controller which, I believe, has the best user interface of all of the controllers I tested–it also gets rave reviews on eHam. N4PY’s controller also has the very useful bandsweep function.
This is where the RX-320D is king of the price class. Keep in mind that I used a modest external antenna to test the RX-320D–an inverted “V” doublet, designed to work on the 80 meter ham band. You, too, should use an external antenna on the RX-320D (or any other tabletop radio, for that matter). A simple, cheap, wire antenna will outperform any indoor antenna.
The back panel of the RX-320D is very simple. Click to enlarge.
Why not just use the included telescopic whip antenna? Quite frankly, this antenna is practically useless when the radio is near a “noisy” computer and monitor (which is to say, generating interference). I’m sure such interference could be limited by increasing the distance between the radio and the computer hardware, but this is not always practical since they must work synchronously.
I’m very impressed with the performance of the RX-320D on the shortwave bands. If you’re only used to portable radios, you are in for a treat: the ‘320D’s sensitivity is excellent and certainly better than anything else in its price class. Selectivity is better than any portable radio I’ve tested and, according to other reviewers, it holds its own with tabletop receivers that cost much more.
For example, I found two closely-positioned signals on the 49 Meter band at night. One station was overwhelming the other on my Sony ICF-SW7600GR–even with sync engaged. I fired up the RX-320D, and, after adjusting the filter settings, was able to copy both stations very clearly without hardly any interference from each other. In fact, I find that with thirty-four filters, I can usually find just the right one to isolate a broadcast I want to hear. [By the way, saving a frequency to memory with the use of the Ten-Tec controller will also save filter settings automatically.]
On the mediumwave (AM broadcast) band, my expectations of this radio were low. I’ve read in numerous reviews that the RX-320D’s performance below 1000 kHz is somewhat compromised due to a high-pass filter Ten-Tec installed to prevent interference from strong local AM broadcast stations.
Note that I live in a rural, mountainous area, with no strong local stations. (Additionally, my 80 meter antenna is not optimal for MWing.) But I must say that I’m more impressed with the RX-320D’s mediumwave performance than I expected to be. In fact, most of the time it holds its own against my C.Crane Radio-SW–a portable receiver well known for its MW performance.
During the day, the RX-320D picks up our two semi-local MW stations very well. At night, it seems to pick up clear channel stations and our (lower) powered local stations as well as any of my other radios. I have even been listening to of my favorite stations out of Toronto–CFZM 740AM—some 900 miles away. Though I didn’t want to review the RX-320D for MW performance, I think it’s worth noting that, at least where I live, it’s quite respectable on these bands.
I’ve read reviews and spoken with ham radio operators that like to keep an RX-320D on their table to act as a second receiver. I now see why: SSB reception on this unit is excellent for a radio in this price class. I have listened to strong adjacent signals on the 80 and 20 Meter bands during the recent CQWW SSB contest and the RX-320D did an admirable job of blocking interference. I have also had an opportunity to listen to CW in somewhat crowded conditions and, yet again, with the filter set to a standard 500Hz, this rig could distinguish the stations rather well.
So, is the reception and selectivity as good as a modern ham transceiver? Well, compared to my Ten-Tec OMNI VI+ and Elecraft K2, no. Mind you, both the OMNI and the K2 are benchmark receivers, crafted especially for CW (and both cost well over $1000). But I believe this receiver is as good as some entry-level ham transceivers I have tried over the years. The RX-320D is certainly a capable second receiver for the shack.
The "D" in RX-320D signifies that this little radio is DRM ready!
The RX-320D is one of the most affordable radios on the market that is designed to work with Digital Radio Mondial. With a copy of the open-source DRM application DREAM (which comes with the 3rd party controller, DXtra), and a DRM schedule, you can listen to a growing number of stations that are broadcasting in the DRM format.
Please note that only the RX-320D (the model I am reviewing) has the required 12 kHz I-F output required to decode DRM; the older RX-320 does not. So, look for the “D” in the model number if you’re purchasing a used receiver. Another way to check the radio is to look on the lower right corner of the back panel for the 1/8″ “I.F. Out” jack.
I plan to post some recorded DRM audio from the RX-320D here in the near future.
Every radio has pros and cons, the RX-320D, included.
In short, the pluses are that the RX-320D offers: excellent shortwave receiver sensitivity and selectivity for a radio under $700; 34 DSP filters to choose from; excellent SSB and CW reception; DRM (Digital Radio Mondial) readiness; a small footprint–portable enough to travel with a laptop; the radio is made in the USA, backed by legendary Ten-Tec customer service, and is time tested, in that it’s been on the market for 12 years and one is hard-pressed to find a negative review.
And the RX-320D’s minuses: the telescoping whip antenna seems to be a convenience, but reception is typically poor through it, as one must use an external antenna on this radio to unlock its performance; the radio is software-defined–so, no computer, no radio; the rate of communication between radio and computer is a little slow, so if you tune very quickly, the radio takes some time to catch up (I personally don’t find this much of an inconvenience, but it must be noted). Additionally, the supplied software is stable and easy to use, but is very basic; you should investigate other controllers to see what best suits your listening style. And what’s missing from this radio? There’s no internal speaker, of course, and it would be nice to have a noise blanker or limiter of some sort.
The RX-320D is a solid shortwave radio with solid time-tested performance. After my experience with the radio, I continue to believe that the RX-320D offers more performance for the price than any other radio in its class. If you don’t mind operating your radio through a computer, and with the support of an external antenna, then you are getting an incredible value.
The RX-320D is also an affordable way to hear DRM stations. In North America, you need a good receiver to reliably hear DRM signals, especially from other parts of the world. The RX-320D can offer this performance for much less than other SDRs.
One way to tell if a radio is desirable (and therefore well-respected) is by checking out used radio prices–the RX-320D, you might note, holds its value remarkably well.
We recommend purchasing the RX-320D directly from Ten-Tec ($369.00 US) or from an authorized dealer like Universal Radio or DXtra.
The Grundig G3 with Sony ICF-SW7600GR in background.
The Grundig G3 arrived this week and I’ve had a few moments to gather some first impressions.
I’ve received a lot of inquiries regarding the G3, so I thought I’d post a preliminary review.
There are a handful of G3 reviews on the net (not many, as of the date of this post) and I find that my experience with the G3 is quite different than that of other reviewers.
A quick disclaimer: This review is limited, as I have not had enough time to complete my tests of the G3. All tests thus far were performed with built-in whip antennas and a fresh set of internal batteries. I used the Sony ICF-SW7600GR and the Grundig G5 for benchmarking.
The well-known predecessor to the G3 is Grundig’s G5 (Eton E5). The G5 has been out for several years and is an excellent portable. Along with Sony’s ICF-SW7600GR, it has been one of the radios I have recommended most to newcomers and SWLers who seek a powerful yet portable radio. I happen to have one handy for review, so naturally I tested the G3 against its older sibling.
The G5 and G3 are very similar in appearance. Right out of the box, I could see that the G3 shares the same body and keyboard configuration. To my surprise, there are no additional keys on the G3, but the key functions have been shuffled a bit. For example, the former SSB button now switches between upper side-band (USB) and lower side-band (LSB) and toggles RDS. The EDIT button now turns on the sync detector and toggles USB and LSB sync modes. The functions of the four vertically aligned buttons on the left side of the keyboard have all been shuffled as well.
Though I had been familiar with the keyboard functions of the G5, I easily found my way around the G3. Grundig (and Eton) products tend to be ergonomic and easy to use. The G3 is no exception: for example, to change frequency to 10,000 kHz, you simply type 10000 on the keypad and then press the AM button. To go to 89.7 MHZ, simply type 897 and press the FM button. This is a formula that Grundig has used since at least the days of the YB400, and I wished more portable radios would adopt this as a standard for direct frequency entry.
Perhaps the most noticeable change, though, is the G3’s display. The clock on the G5 has been moved to the lower part of the display screen and the panel which contains the signal strength meter, battery indicator, etc. has been shrunk to make room for the new RDS alpha numeric display at the top of the screen.
I have done some initial testing of the G3 against the Sony ICF-SW7600GR and the Grundig G5 on all bands and modes (except FM aircraft, which the Sony and both G5 lack). I feel that people who are looking for a portable in this price range will naturally have to decide between the G3 and the Sony 7600GR as they both have many of the same features. Here are my notes:
One of the biggest features that separates the G3 from the G5 is synchronous detection. For those of you unfamiliar with this feature, it basically addresses the issue of selective fading and co-channel interference on shortwave. Too technical? Well, in a sense, it locks onto and “evens out” a signal. Essentially, it helps to separate a signal you want to hear from those you don’t. For a good primer on sync detection and how it works, read this ARRL document (PDF).
It’s still early days, but it doesn’t seem that the G3’s sync detection function is as good as Sony’s. The G3 has difficulty locking onto a weak signal with sync detection enabled. This is a bit disappointing since sync detection should help with weak signals. The Sony, on the other hand, locks onto signals whether they are strong or weak. Mind you, I think Sony has the best sync detection available under $300-400. The Eton E1’s sync detector surpasses the Sony’s, but is a much bigger, more expensive radio.
With that said–and here is where I depart from other reviewers who have been upset with the G3’s sync detection–I find that the G3 still performs better than the Sony on the shortwave bands. Especially while listening to broadcasts in AM mode, that is–I have not yet thoroughly compared them side-by-side in SSB.
I have tested both radios with weak and strong signals and have found that if I had to chose a radio for any of those broadcasts, the G3 would have won each time. For example, the morning of this post, I compared both radios side-by-side while listening to the relatively strong signal out of WRMI, Miami, Florida. The G3’s audio was clear–punchy, even–without sync detection turned on. The Sony, on the other hand, also received the signal clearly, but the noise floor was higher (background static was higher–some of which could have been local). When I turned on the Sony’s sync detection, it didn’t help bring the audio and signal to the level the G3 had achieved without sync detection. It would have been nice if the G3’s sync detection worked on the WRMI signal, though–but it did not.
I look at the Grundig G3 as a G5 with more bells and whistles. It performs as well as the G5 in every respect (possibly better; time will tell) and comes with RDS, FM Aircraft band, and synchronous detection. RDS alone makes this a great portable for travel as you can quickly identify FM stations on the G3’s alpha numeric display. Also, the Grundigs have tuning knobs that work very well for cruising the bands–the Sony lacks this feature, herein lies my main gripe about the Sony.
I’ve always loved the Sony ICF-SW7600GR–it’s a great radio, performs very well and is built like a tank. I also loved the Grundig G5–it has a similar price point and similar features, lacking only sync detection. Both, in my mind, have been competitive with each other for these very reasons. I suspect the Grundig G3 will be even more competitive than its predecessor. I do sincerely wish the sync detection was better–I may actually replace this radio just to make sure it’s not a flaw with this particular unit.
Overall, I’m impressed with the G3 and it looks like it’ll be a keeper. I assumed when I bought the G3 that I would either sell my Sony, or sell the G3–now I’m not so sure I can part with either.
Keep in mind that my tests so far have not been in depth; I will come to more concrete conclusions in due time. Eventually, I will post a full update review–but in the meantime, I will add comments to this post as I discover more about the G3. Please subscribe for updates.
Since I review shortwave radios for SWLing.com, I’m always looking for great deals on popular portables. This summer, I’ve noticed several exceptional values and thought I’d share them with you. Note that many of these deals are for the North American market, but if these models are available in your part of the world, you’ll probably find bargains where you live, too.
Universal Radio has a limited time offer on the Grundig G4000A. They’re selling this capable little radio for $99.99 and including a free Eton FR350 self-powered shortwave radio (a $59.95 value) and a Grundig AN200 indoor antenna ($29.95).
Wow. What a deal–possibly the best I’ve ever seen on a new shortwave portable. For those of you who don’t yet know, the Grundig G4000A is a classic little portable. It has very decent audio fidelity, good shortwave sensitivity, excellent SW coverage (1711 to 30000 kHz) and is a capable performer on FM and AM bands. It can also tune in SSB (Single Side Band) signals.
I am also quite familiar with the FR350, as it is one of the few self-powered radios (along with the FR200) that passed all of our rigorous tests for use with the classroom SW radio distribution project, Ears To Our World. (Kudos to Universal, by the way, as they are a big supporter of ETOW).
I have not used the Grundig AN200 AM broadcast antenna yet, but I have used similar antennas and must admit that they do improve AM reception. Great thing is, you don’t even need to hook this antenna up to your radio; just place it next to the radio and you’re ready for MW (AM broadcast band) DX.
Universal lists that this unique deal is available until the (updated) 30th of June 2010, or while supplies last.
Click here to download PDF mailer of Grundig/Universal promotion.
Prices have been falling recently on the G5 as Grundig makes way for their new G3 Voyager.
The G5 has been a choice radio amongst SWLers who want portable performance, and, along with many other reviewers, I have given this radio high marks.
There are some good deals out there on the G5 as Eton makes way for the much anticipated G3 Voyager (see previous post). Keep in mind that the G5 used to sell for $160. Below, I have listed some authorized retailers that carry the G5, and their prices as of the date of this posting:
The Sony ICF-SW7600GR is a great choice for the beginner and experienced shortwave listener. It's portable, yet has the features and selectivity of a larger radio.
Many believe that Sony is slowly pulling out of the shortwave radio market. That may be, but they have made some highly sought after radios over the years. The ICF-SW7600GR is no exception (see my mini review here). What sets this radio apart from the competition (at least until the G3 hits the market) is synchronous selectable sideband, a feature which is effective at reducing fading distortion and adjacent-channel interference.
I’ve noticed that prices on the ICF-SW7600GR are starting to fall and supplies are dwindling at retailers. Here are a few that still carry this fine portable:
C. Crane “Orphans”C. Crane offers two radios that I’m quite fond of–the CCRadio-SW tabletop/portable and the ultra-portable CCRadio-SWP. I reviewed both of these on SWLing.com.
Like many manufacturers, C. Crane sells products that they refurbish and clean, and then guarantee them. They refer to these units as Orphans. Having purchased from C. Crane in the past, I can say that I wouldn’t hesitate to buy an orphan radio from them. It can save you anywhere from $5 to $20 on one of their radios.
Pricing and availability vary, so check out their Orphan page before purchasing new.
Get a free Grundig FR350 with the new Sattelit 750 at Universal Radio.
UPDATED 20 July 2009:
Universal is now offering a free Grundig AN200 antenna with the purchase of the much awaited Grundig G3 Globe Traveler ($149.99) and a free Grundig FR350 self-powered shortwave radio with the purchase of the new Satellit 750 ($299.99). I believe these offers are exclusive to Universal Radio.
Click here to download PDF mailer of Grundig/Universal promotion.
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