{"id":50699,"date":"2021-11-01T09:38:30","date_gmt":"2021-11-01T13:38:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=50699"},"modified":"2021-11-01T11:08:20","modified_gmt":"2021-11-01T15:08:20","slug":"dan-reviews-the-countycomm-gp7-ssb-gen-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/11\/dan-reviews-the-countycomm-gp7-ssb-gen-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Dan reviews the CountyComm GP7\/SSB (Gen 4)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post<\/em>\u00a0contributor,\u00a0Dan Robinson<\/a>, for the following guest post and review:<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

\n

CountyComm GP7 \/ Tecsun PL-368:\u00a0 Is It All You Need?<\/h1>\n

by Dan Robinson<\/b><\/p>\n

It’s been a long wait, but CountyComm, that supplier of all kinds of neat and useful stuff, finally released the GP7 SSB (Gen 4)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As the name states this is the 4th generation of the series of radios adapted by the company from the Tecsun PL-36xxx series of receivers (there was at one point a GP6 that was a never-released special project).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

All photos by CountyComm<\/p><\/div>\n

This walkie-talkie style, though receive-only, portable has undoubtedly been a big seller for CountyComm since the first model came out.\u00a0 It’s popular not only with SWLs and amateur operators but also with preppers.<\/p>\n

When OEM Tecsun finally did what everyone was clamoring for \u2013 redesign the radio with a keypad and including features associated with the PL-880\/330\/990x\/501x receivers \u2013 the ground shook.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Finally, here was a slim, handy receiver that could be put on a belt clip or handheld that didn’t require endless thumb wheel tuning and memory gymnastics to listen to shortwave broadcasts, AM and FM.<\/p>\n

Thus, we now have Tecsun’s PL-368, the first version of which emerged from Asia in early 2021 and which is now being sold by Anon-Co and other online sellers.\u00a0 Then CountyComm, based in California, announced its GP7 SSB.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

GP7 SSB v Tecsun PL-368 Antenna Differences<\/b><\/h2>\n

There’s one major change from the PL-368 \u2013 in place of the chrome-plated brass telescopic antenna Tecsun uses, the GP7 has what CountyComm calls a \u201ccustom extra long stainless steel 27\u201d antenna\u201d which the company says is better.<\/p>\n

The antennas are the same exact length<\/b>. The tips are different. The County Comm has a colored plastic tip that I find is actually easier to grab hold of than the metal one on the Tecsun.<\/p>\n

I also find the antenna on the 368 to be easier to extend.\u00a0 Asked about this, CountyComm notes that this is due to the chrome plating on the Tecsun, adding that the GP7 is solid stainless steel and a bit stiffer and stronger.\u00a0 A bit of a trade off there.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, the receivers are the same.\u00a0 Note that the gray GP7 has colored tuning and volume thumb wheels. See the video here showing both receivers side by side<\/a> tuned to 9,395 kHz as WRMI relays Supreme Master TV at 2100 UTC:<\/p>\n