Tag Archives: Paul

Great deal: $27 RadioShack shortwave portable with SSB

RadioShack-Shortwave

SWLing Post reader, Paul, spotted a deal on the RadioShack 20-629; the lowest price I’ve ever seen on a shortwave portable with single sideband (SSB).

Paul writes:

Great deal on a radio: Blinq has the RadioShack 20-629, an upgraded re-issue of the previously discontinued Sangean [ATS-505], for sale for only $27 with coupon code WELCOME10:

http://www.blinq.com/electronics/portable-am-fm-radios/radio-shack-am-fm-shortwave-radio-with-dual-alarm-clock-2000629/164398?condition=new-open-box

They also have the same radio in their eBay store but of course you can’t use their 10% off coupon there, although you may be able to use your eBay Bucks:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Radio-Shack-AM-FM-Shortwave-Radio-with-Dual-Alarm-Clock-2000629-/351107847476

I just received mine and it appears brand new, never used.

Discussion on the radio:
http://forums.radioreference.com/hf-mw-lw-equipment/267831-radioshack-synthesized-world-receiver-reviews.html

Thanks for pointing out this deal and for sharing your experience, Paul! I just purchased one and can confirm that they’re still available. I can’t imagine that this stock will last long.

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Paul reviews the mystery radio

Many thanks to Paul for providing this review of his mystery radio (see previous posts):

MysteryRadio2This is a basic AM/FM radio with clock and alarm functions. It runs off three AA batteries (for the radio) or a 1.5 V small cell battery (for the clock). There is also the option of powering it with an AC adapter (4.5 V DC, center positive). The speaker is 8 ohm, 0.5 W. As Ulli pointed out the three AA batteries are a very tight fit. Besides radio and alarm, there is also a headphone jack.

The SET and DIS buttons on the radio are for setting the clock and alarm. In absence of a manual it took a little time to figure out how to do this. The clock LCD tilts up as shown in the photos. Needless to say the viewing angles leave much to be desired. This radio is meant to be used laying on a table; it has a curved bottom and cannot stand up on its own.

MysteryRadio1In terms of performance, it’s good for powerhouse AM and FM stations. DXing is very limited or next to impossible due to the stiff tuning knob (you need two fingers to move it around; the dimple is not helpful) and the short circular tuning range. It’s hard to tell whether the radio has below average built-in selectivity with the Sony CXA1191S chip, or are problems zeroing in on stations due to the poorly designed knob. In my unit the volume knob was scratchy; this was easily fixed with a little DeoxIt spray.

MysteryRadio3Among other curious things about this radio is its antenna, which goes out only at a fixed angle – not straight up. It can be moved from left to right at this angle and extended.

Overall this is a basic AM FM clock radio, measuring small (6.25 x 3 x 1.25 inches), and honestly, nothing really special!

Paul, thanks for the review and great photos of your radio. It might not be a performance machine, but it was fun solving the mystery and reading your review of this obscure little radio! -Thomas

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