{"id":11671,"date":"2014-12-13T09:07:08","date_gmt":"2014-12-13T13:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=11671"},"modified":"2019-07-30T06:36:10","modified_gmt":"2019-07-30T10:36:10","slug":"review-of-the-c-crane-cc-skywave-portable-radio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/review-of-the-c-crane-cc-skywave-portable-radio\/","title":{"rendered":"Review of the C. Crane CC Skywave portable radio"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"CC-Skywave-1\"<\/a>While electronics manufacturer C. Crane<\/a> offers a number of unique AM\/FM radios, including some of the best portable medium wave receivers on the market, they\u2019ve traditionally only had two models of shortwave radio\u2013\u2013namely, the CCRadio-SW<\/a>,<\/b> and the CCRadio-SWP<\/b>.<\/a> Earlier this year, however, C.Crane announced a new portable that would join their product line: the CC Skywave. <\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Admittedly, I was eager to give this little radio a go: C. Crane touts the Skywave as an exceptional travel radio, for which I\u2019m always on the hunt. \u00a0Last week, I had my opportunity when C. Crane sent me the new CC Skywave sample for review. \u00a0I instantly got to work scrutinizing their newest offering…and here\u2019s what I\u2019ve discovered.<\/p>\n

First impressions<\/h2>\n

\"CC-Skywave-Front\"<\/a>The form factor of the Skywave is very similar to C.Crane\u2019s CCRadio-SWP pocket radio; in fact, its smooth plastic body even feels the same. While this radio doesn\u2019t have the rubberized coating that have become popular on radio exteriors in recent years, supposedly to provide an easy-to-grip surface, I\u2019m pleased that C.Crane does not<\/em> use this, as these coatings can eventually deteriorate over time and with heat exposure, becoming somewhat tacky or sticky to the touch<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"CC-Skywave-Display\"<\/a>The Skywave\u2019s backlit LCD display is small, but readily viewable from several angles. \u00a0All of the buttons on the front of the Skywave have a tactile response, again, similar to the CCRadio-SWP. The buttons require slightly more pressure to activate than Tecsun and Degen models; I prefer this, especially for a travel radio: should I forget to activate the key lock, it\u2019s much less likely that the radio will accidentally turn on during transit.<\/p>\n

As always, I attempted first to see how many radio features and functions I could uncover without first consulting the owner\u2019s manual. \u00a0In the past, C.Crane products have been some of the most intuitive on the market. \u00a0Fortunately, the Skywave did not disappoint: first, I was able to set both the clock and alarm within moments; both essential in a travel radio.<\/p>\n

Once the radio is on, it will display either the time or frequency on the main display. While the Skywave defaults to a time display, I discovered that the lock button toggles the display between time and frequency for ten seconds. (Note: After reading through the manual later, I learned that you can actually change the default display mode to either time or<\/i> frequency\u2013very nice touch!)<\/p>\n

\"CC-Skywave-Keypad\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I then turned on the radio and found the memory allocation to be very straightforward: tune to the desired station, then press and hold a number button two seconds to save. Press a button quickly to recall. Memory remembers bandwidth, stereo, or mono (if FM), and any voice or music audio filters utilized\u2013very handy!<\/p>\n

Speaking of bandwidth, the Skywave has five on shortwave, medium wave, and air bands: 6, 4, 3, 2, and 1 kHz. By pressing the bandwidth button, you can cycle through these from widest to narrowest. The bandwidth defaults to 3 kHz, but the default can be changed by holding down the bandwidth button for five seconds (with radio powered off).<\/p>\n

To enter a frequency in AM\/FM\/SW, you simply press the FREQ button, then key in frequency. To scan through the band, simply press and hold one of the up\/down arrow buttons. Worth noting: the Skywave\u2019s scan function is one of the fastest I\u2019ve seen in a portable.<\/p>\n

On the topic of scanning, and since this is a travel radio, I would have liked C.Crane to include an ETM function like that found in the Tecsun PL-310ET<\/a> and PL-380<\/a>. It\u2019s quite a handy function for auto-populating temporary memories from a simple band scan. I assume this is not an option on the DSP chip powering the Skywave.<\/p>\n

Owner\u2019s manual<\/b><\/p>\n

Once I had my fun trying to discover as many functions on the Skywave without the manual\u2019s aid, I finally opened it and discovered a few more functions.<\/p>\n

One feature I\u2019ve already come to love in the Skywave: the ability to change the tuning speed, and thus frequency step-spacing on the tuning knob (option of 5 or 1 kHz steps), just by pressing the knob itself. I much prefer this to using a front-panel tuning step button because it\u2019s so easy to operate in low-light settings (lounging in bed, for example).<\/p>\n

\"CC-Skywave-Tuning-Knob\"<\/a>Another unique feature of the Skywave is a switchable audio filter for voice or music. With the filter set to \u201cvoice,\u201d the audio is enhanced for human voice intelligibility. When set to \u201cmusic,\u201d it widens the audio filter, thus optimizing audio fidelity. Toggling the audio filter settings between voice and music is very easy, but not intuitive; indeed, it\u2019s almost a hidden feature you can discover via the owner\u2019s manual. Simply press the \u201c1\u201d and \u201c2\u201d simultaneously while listening to a broadcast to toggle the filter.<\/p>\n

I should note that the C.Crane owner\u2019s manual is one of the most straightforward and simple I\u2019ve seen in ages. You can tell that, at least in the English version that came with mine, this manual was written by a native English speaker. It made for simple, clear instruction without head-scratching over obscure terms. Even the least technically-inclined user will understand these instructions, no problem.<\/p>\n

AM – Medium Wave<\/h2>\n

After asking SWLing Post<\/em> readers<\/a> what they would like me to include in this review, a number of you responded that you wanted me to give the AM broadcast band reception a proper review.<\/p>\n

\"Zoomer_Radio\"<\/a>My foray into medium wave listening with the Skywave started off on the right foot. \u00a0The very first night with the Skywave, I tuned it to 740 kHz, my favorite, albeit challenging to reach, AM station here in the North America\u2013CFZM <\/a>\u201cZoomer Radio\u201d<\/a> \u00a0While those living in the midwestern and northeastern US can receive Zoomer radio easily enough at night, it is often a tough catch here in the southeast in the evening hours. After nightfall it competes with clear channel stations that also occupy 740 kHz. With a portable radio, the lock on Zoomer is never terribly strong and is very prone to fading.<\/p>\n

But after tuning the Skywave to Zoomer, I received CFZM so well it sounded like a local station\u2013in fact, I couldn\u2019t believe it until a station ID confirmed that I was receiving it. Even more surprising was that I received it away from home, in an area plagued with RFI noise where I typically have to carefully turn a radio to null out the noise in an effort to enhance the desired broadcast. But the Skywave somehow mitigated this noise better than my other portables. Even when I turned the radio in the direction of the offending electrical noise, it wasn\u2019t as bad as on other portables. \u00a0Truly, the reception was remarkable.<\/p>\n

With Zoomer firmly locked in, I hopped into bed, turned the volume to a comfortable level, and listened for at least half an hour before falling asleep. I was pleasantly surprised the following morning, some eight hours later, when I woke to the Skywave playing CFZM at the same level. Phenomenal! Perhaps conditions were exceptionally favorable that night; nonetheless, the Skywave couldn\u2019t have impressed me more.<\/p>\n

A side note\u2013on the previous day, I\u2019d inserted two generic alkaline AA batteries in the Skywave; after a total of ten hours playing at medium volume, the battery indicator still showed full capacity.<\/p>\n

\"CC-Skywave-Right\"<\/a>Medium wave audio samples<\/b><\/p>\n

While time won\u2019t allow a full audio sampling of the medium wave band for comparison, I did record the following comparison between the Skywave and the Tecsun PL-310ET (which I regard as one of the more capable sub-$100 ultra-compact portables on the market).\"CC-Skywave-And-Tecsun-PL-310ET\"<\/p>\n

Since SWLing Post<\/i> readers specifically asked to hear how the Skywave handles choppy nighttime medium wave DX conditions, I tuned to two frequencies with overlapping broadcasts, one of which was slightly <\/i>dominant: 950 kHz and 990 kHz. I set the AM bandwidth to 3 kHz on both radios and made the recordings within one minute of each other. The CC Skywave’s audio filter was set to “voice.”<\/p>\n

In the following recordings,\u00a0listen for\u00a0Radio Reloj<\/em>\u00a0 (Cuba)–it’s buried deep in the noise. You might detect the ticking and “R” “R” in Morse code. These recordings were taken within one minute of each other.<\/p>\n

The Tecsun PL-310ET on 950 kHz<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/archive.org\/download\/990AMPL310ETLong\/950AM-PL310ET.MP3<\/a><\/audio>\n

The CC Skywave on 950 kHz<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/archive.org\/download\/990AMPL310ETLong\/950AM-Skywave.MP3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Note that the Skywave pulled out the dominant broadcaster–one I could barely hear on the PL-310ET.<\/p>\n

I then made a recording on 990 kHz AM which had a stronger dominant station.<\/p>\n

The Tecsun PL-310ET on 990 kHz<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/archive.org\/download\/990AMPL310ETLong\/990AM-PL310ET-long.MP3<\/a><\/audio>\n

The CC Skywave\u00a0on 990 kHz<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/archive.org\/download\/990AMPL310ETLong\/990AM-Skywave-long.MP3<\/a><\/audio>\n

To my ear, the Skywave\u00a0was clearer and the commentator’s voice seemed to pop out of the noise better.<\/p>\n

I’ve spent a great deal of time listening to the Skywave on the medium wave band this week and I feel comfortable recommending it for the medium wave DXer.<\/p>\n

FM<\/b><\/h2>\n

While I\u2019ve spent comparatively less time (thus far) evaluating the Skywave\u2019s FM band, I can say that the Skywave receives my \u201cbenchmark\u201d FM stations with ease. Sensitivity also seems to be on par with my other DSP based portables (meaning, excellent sensitivity).\"CC-Skywave-Left\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Shortwave<\/b><\/h2>\n

Of course, being a shortwave enthusiast, I\u2019ve spent the bulk of my listening time since receiving the Skywave on the shortwave bands. And during this time, alas, shortwave radio band conditions have been challenging for any radio. Yet I\u2019m happy to note that this little radio does not disappoint: it has excellent sensitivity and selectivity for a radio of its size. When I compared the Skywave with the Tecsun PL-310ET, in almost every situation, they are nearly equal in performance.<\/p>\n

Shortwave audio samples<\/b><\/p>\n

Below I\u2019ve included audio samples of the Skywave on 9580 kHz (Radio Australia). Under normal conditions, Radio Australia would be a blowtorch signal here in North America, but this particular morning, propagation was quite poor. In the audio, you\u2019ll hear both radios attempting to cope with pronounced fading, with their AGC circuits reacting to the quick rise and fall of signal strength. Both radios were set to a 3kHz bandwidth and the Skywave\u2019s audio filter set to \u201cvoice\u201d to help mitigate noise.<\/p>\n

\"CC-Skywave-And-Tecsun-PL-310ET-Side\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Tecsun PL-310ET on 9580 kHz:<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/archive.org\/download\/990AMPL310ETLong\/9580-PL-310ET.MP3<\/a><\/audio>\n

CC Skywave on 9580 kHz:<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/archive.org\/download\/990AMPL310ETLong\/9580-Skyview.MP3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Note that Radio Australia was broadcasting music, which can be more difficult to evaluate, but the vocals were prominent enough I felt it made for a good comparison.<\/p>\n

This morning, I also recorded WWV on 15 MHz. Again, propagation conditions were poor across the bands, so even WWV (normally very stable) was affected by quick fading (QSB). For kicks, I\u00a0decided to add the benchmark Tecsun PL-660<\/strong> to this comparison. If you recall, it received some of the highest marks for sensitivity in our weak signal shoot out<\/a>. The Tecsun PL-310ET and CC Skywave were set to 3 kHz bandwidth and the Tecsun PL-660 to it’s narrow bandwidth (which I felt was most equivalent).<\/p>\n

\"CC-Skywave-PL310ET-PL660\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Tecsun PL-310ET on 15 MHz:<\/a><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/archive.org\/download\/990AMPL310ETLong\/WWV-15-PL-310ET.MP3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Tecsun PL-660 on 15 MHz:<\/a><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/archive.org\/download\/990AMPL310ETLong\/WWV-15-PL-660.MP3<\/a><\/audio>\n

CC Skywave on 15 MHz:<\/a><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/archive.org\/download\/990AMPL310ETLong\/WWV-15-Skywave.MP3<\/a><\/audio>\n

The good news is that the Skywave is certainly a sensitive and<\/i> selective portable. While evaluating shortwave performance over the past week, I\u2019ve been pleasantly surprised by how well this little radio receives.<\/p>\n

NOAA Weather radio<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"NOAA-Weather-Radio\"<\/a>Those of us living or traveling in North America will appreciate the Skywave\u2019s built-in NOAA weather radio functionality. \u00a0Since I have at least a dozen self-powered radios and desktops that have built-in NOAA weather reception, I typically don\u2019t give the band much thought. I figured NOAA reception would be a mediocre add-on with the Skyview. I was wrong.<\/p>\n

Not only does the Skywave have NOAA weather radio, but it also has weather alerts<\/a>. What\u2019s so great about that? Imagine that you\u2019re travelling to a rural area and weather is looking ominous; in this case, you can simply set the Skywave to the strongest NOAA channel and activate the weather alert (choose options for 4, 8, or 16 hours). If severe weather is reported for your geographic area, the Skywave will alert you.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m very pleased with the NOAA weather radio reception, as well. \u00a0The Skywave receives NOAA stations even better than one of my dedicated weather radios.<\/p>\n

AIR band<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"AirTrafficController\"<\/a>C.Crane included the Air band for travelers, as a means to listen to air traffic control while in an airport or awaiting a flight\u2019s arrival. I have several portables with the AIR band, but most lack an autoscan ability (Grundig G3, G6), and performance on these tends to be mediocre at best.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve traveled to three different cities over the past week and used the Skywave to tune to the local air-traffic control tower. After a bit of scanning, it eventually found the frequency, and reception was quite good. I have not yet used the AIR band in an airport (notorious for RFI) nor in a large metro area, so I can\u2019t comment about performance under those conditions.<\/p>\n

What really separates the Skywave apart from my other shortwave portable with the AIR band is that it actually has an adjustable squelch mode. Nice touch!<\/p>\n

CC Buds Earphones<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"HDP-AUDIO-CC-EAR-BUDS\"<\/a>Unlike Tecsun portables which typically ship with batteries, an external antenna wire, chargers, travel cases, and the like, the CC Skywave comes with very few included accessories\u2013\u2013just a carry case, an owner\u2019s manual, and earphones.<\/p>\n

Most of the headphones\/earphones that accompany a shortwave radio package are of the cheapest quality. I\u2019m happy to note that the Skywave\u2019s included earphones are the best I\u2019ve ever<\/em> received as an included accessory with a shortwave radio.<\/p>\n

The CC Buds Earphones are in-ear style (which I prefer, for sound isolation) with soft silicone earpieces. They are tuned to a frequency response which favors voice, an enhanced mid-range. For SWLing and MW DXing, I believe they\u2019re nearly ideal. Indeed, I\u2019m planning to use these with my Elecraft KX3 next time I\u2019m operating QRP\u2013\u2013I\u2019m sure that SSB will sound great.<\/p>\n

Since these are tuned for the spoken word, however, I wouldn\u2019t necessarily favor the CC Buds Earphones over my Sony in-ear buds for music <\/i>listening.<\/p>\n

\"CC-Skywave-Top\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Summary<\/h2>\n

Every radio has pros and cons, and I jot down my reactions as I evaluate a new radio so as not to forget any details. The following is my list:<\/p>\n

Pros:<\/b><\/p>\n