Many thanks to Nick at CountyComm who recently sent me a short video he made of a prototype GP5/SSB in action:
Nick also shared a few close-ups of the GP5/SSB:
Additionally, many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mike McShan, for sharing this video overview of the CountyComm GP5/SSB that Universal Radio recently posted:
Universal Radio hopes to ship the first batch of the CountyComm GP5/SSB by December 1, 2014.
I plan to do a review the GP5/SSB in early December as well.
CountyComm GP5/DSP (Click to enlarge)
Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Jim, who points out that the new CountyComm GP-5/SSB is available for pre-order at Universal Radio. Universal expects to ship the GP5/SSB in late November.
I have the CountyComm GP-5/DSP (a.k.a. Tecsun PL-360) and recommend it in my radio travel guide. I especially like the unique external ferrite bar antenna that attaches (and rotates) on top of the radio. Medium wave sensitivity is quite good when the external antenna is attached; best part is you can rotate the antenna to null out unwanted signals.
If the new GP5/SSB has similar receiver performance, this will be an excellent, low-cost portable with SSB mode.
With availability in late November, the GP-5/SSB could be a great radio to give as a gift this holiday season. If time allows, I’ll try to review one in early December.
The GP-5/SSB has been added to the Shortwave Radio Index.
My buddy, Dave (N9EWO), writes:
Yes, it has finally hit the store shelves. Universal Radio received shipment of the (long awaited) updated publication this morning.
“Shortwave Receivers Past & Present, Communications Receivers , 1942-2013” 4th edition
It can be ordered today, see here for more information :
Many thanks for sharing, Dave. Shortwave Receivers Past & Present is the reference guide to used shortwave receivers. To me, it’s like a dream book–a place to browse the many radios I wish I could call my own! I plan to order soon.
The Tecsun PL-880
Universal Radio is now shipping the Tecsun PL-880–I understand that all of their units are firmware version 8820.
Click here to check out the PL-880 at Universal Radio’s website.
To read our review of the Tecsun PL-880, click here.
Universal Radio has lowered the price of their Tecsun PL-660 to $109.95. Even with $9.95 shipping, this is still less than the current Amazon price of $129.99.
Note that eBay still has some PL-660s available for $101 shipped, but there would be no guarantee of receiving the radio by Christmas day.
It appears that Monitoring Times is not the only division of Grove Enterprises that will close shop when owners, Bob and Judy Grove, retire.
Indeed, Grove Enterprises is liquidating their entire inventory in a retirement sale. There are deals to be found in their shortwave radio selection and entire catalog of products.
Still, sad to see this reputable radio retailer close shop. I’m grateful that Universal Radio and C.Crane are still in business. I’m a strong believer in purchasing from radio retailers rather than online sources like Amazon.com. No doubt, Amazon has competitive pricing and good customer service, but frankly they could care less about the radio hobby in general. To Amazon, shortwave radios are simply a few dozen consumer electronics products out of the tens of thousands they offer.
Universal Radio and C.Crane both support radio clubs, events and hobby-related activities–Amazon does not. Plus, pricing is often very close or even lower than that of Amazon. This is why I always purchase from them if they have what I seek.
The RFspace NetSDR wideband receiver
Last time I noticed a used RFSpace NetSDR at Universal Radio, it was snatched up in a matter of moments.