Kaito KA1101 AM/FM Shortwave Radio, Black Review
Check price now
Related Products
Customer Reviews
Jan 22, 2012 12:52:04
Pyramid PS15KX 10A 13.8-Volt Power Supply with Cigarette Lighter Adapter Review
Check price now
Related Products
Customer Reviews
Jan 21, 2012 11:00:11
Grundig G4000A AM/FM Shortwave Radio Review
 Simple to operate and carry, the G4000A is great for tuning in the world wherever the notion strikes you. View larger. |
 On the right, fine tuning, volume, tone, and SSB mode controls. View larger. |
 On the left, a local/DX switch, power input, a wide/narrow bandwidth switch, and headphone and external antenna jacks. View larger. |
Most of the action can be found on the front of the unit, where you'll find a direct frequency entry keypad, as well as buttons for controlling the timer, auto-scanning, up/down station selection, band selection, memory control, and SSB mode.
On the left side of the G4000A you'll find a 3.5mm connector for an external shortwave antenna. Grundig generously includes a handy wind-up antenna that can be plugged in here to enhance signal reception -- although there is a telescoping antenna on the top of the unit. In addition to a power port and stereo headphone jack for FM listening, the side of the radio also sports an antenna gain switch that lets you choose between DX and local modes, allowing you to tone down excessively strong AM or shortwave stations if need be. When in FM mode, another switch selects FM stereo or mono modes. When in shortwave mode, the switch offers wide and narrow bandwidth selectivity. The narrow position offers maximum signal selectivity, while the wide position affords higher audio fidelity.
Dials are provided on the right side of the G4000A for fine tuning and volume. The fine tuning knob is great for really homing in on those SSB broadcasts. You'll also find an SSB mode switch, as well as a tone switch, which lets you choose between bass and treble, but provides no adjustment for either one. We assume the switch is intended to enhance the lower or upper music ranges when selected, but the difference between the two settings wasn't that noticeable.
 A crisp, clear display and a keypad for direct frequency entry. View larger. |
LCD Display
The G4000's backlit display is crisp and clear, with a clean layout that makes it easy to control the radio's tuning, clock, and timer functions. We do wish the backlight were a tad brighter, but this is a minor quibble. A separate space in the upper left portion of the screen is provided for the clock display so you can view the time and tune the radio at the same time -- a nice touch.
Selecting shortwave meter bands on the G4000A requires manually typing the meter band number with the numeric keypad and then hitting the meter select button. A more straightforward solution here, and one that is employed on the newer E10 and E5 units, would be to simply scroll through the meters with each successive key press of the meter select button. Fortunately, though, the radio's memory functions are easy to browse and recall on the display.
Tuning Options
Tuning the with G4000A is straightforward and simple, but it's important to note that -- once again, unlike the E5 and E10 -- this radio does not offer direct digital tuning. Instead, you get synthesized digital tuning. This means that the frequency readout is digital, but the radio actually uses an analog tuning mechanism. Some people do prefer the "feel" of analog tuning to direct digital.
The radio tunes AM, FM, shortwave, and SSB signals, and you can choose from auto-scan, manual up/down, or direct keypad entry modes. If you're new to shortwave, auto-scan will quickly become your friend. With it, we quickly made a lot of discoveries, and heard stations from all over the world -- although our limited language skills made it difficult to always know exactly to whom or what we were listening! We also tried some SSB tuning, which is designed to capture ham radio and two-way radio communications. SSB is notoriously difficult to tune, but with a little time and effort --(including standing outside for a good while -- we were able to pick up some faint signals).
The G4000A's memory system also deserves mention. With it, you can store up to 40 frequencies for later retrieval. Once stored, recalling all these memories is pretty easy, thanks to a fairly straightforward on-screen interface that lets you scroll through them. You can also directly enter the number of your stored memory -- if you keep a record of it.
Pros
Check price now
Related Products
Customer Reviews
Jan 20, 2012 13:35:38
Sony ICF-SW35 Digital Tuning World Band Receiver Review
Check price now
Related Products
Customer Reviews
Jan 19, 2012 15:59:58
Portable Long/Medium/Shortwave Receiver Lcd Features Review
Check price now
Related Products
Customer Reviews
Jan 18, 2012 21:13:04
Etón E1XM AM/FM Shortwave XM-Ready Radio Review
 The numeric keypad allows for direct frequency entry, while a row of soft keys below the screen provide contextual controls depending on radio mode. View larger. |
 While subtle ghosting is present, the screen is bright, with a logical layout. View larger. |
 A trapdoor conceals the reset button, screen brightness control, and battery compartment. |
 The all-important manual tuning dial has a smooth, progressive feel. View larger. |
Design and Controls
While the E1XM couldn't be called compact, it is perfectly portable. Dimensions of 13.1 x 7.1 x 2.3 inches and a weight of four pounds, three ounces make it perfect for taking along. The entire case is coated in a durable, slightly rubberized finish that offers good grip and scuff resistance. Indeed, there's nothing cheap or chintzy about the E1XM; construction is solid throughout.
The front of the radio is dominated by the speaker and the 5.7-inch LCD display. Although it offers only mono sound-- which is all you need for shortwave and AM -- the four-inch speaker offers rich, full sound, even at high volume levels. Fortunately, there's a stereo line-out jack for delivering audio to your home stereo or other amplified speaker system.
To the left of the speaker, you'll find knobs for controlling squelch, bass and treble, and volume. Meanwhile, a large tuning knob is placed on the opposite side of the radio, just above a smaller knob for controlling PBT (passband tuning). All the knobs on the E1XM offer a smooth, progressive feel with just the right amount of resistance, which is especially important for the tuning knob.
A nine-digit keypad is placed below the LCD screen for direct frequency entry, as well as menu selection. Other controls, including those for scan and seek tuning, up/down tuning, memory programming, and DX mode are arrayed to the right of the numeric keypad. The top of the radio features a big snooze button for sleepy hands, as well as a control for the LCD's backlight. The E1XM's very long telescoping antenna is housed in the top, too. It's worth noting here that the E1XM does not have an internal ferrite AM antenna, relying instead on the telescoping antenna.
 Dials and connectivity options on the left side of the device. View larger. |
The LCD also provides access to a menu system that controls alarm, timer, radio, XM, and audio settings. The menu system is deep and quite intricate, but a little practice will have you navigating them with ease. Fortunately, menus are set up very much like the on-screen menu of a television or a DVD player -- familiar territory for most folks.
We found the LCD's backlight to be very useful in low light situations, and it intelligently shuts itself off after a short time, thus saving power if you're running off batteries. A contrast control is provided for the LCD but, curiously, it's hidden behind a door on the front of the unit that covers the E1XM's battery compartment. Our only issue with the LCD was that it had a tendency to display slight ghosting -- we'd expect something a little crisper from a radio this advanced (and expensive).
Tuning Options
This is where things start to get interesting -- and a bit complicated for newcomers to advanced shortwave radio operation. First, it's important to note that the E1XM features a digitally synthesized tuner, which enables the E1XM to reach new heights of tuning accuracy. When turning the tuning knob, you get the "analog feel" of stepping through frequencies in a precise, controlled manner.
In addition to XM satellite radio, the E1XM tunes a wide array of signals, including FM, longwave, shortwave, medium wave (also known as AM), and single sideband (SSB). Of course, the E1XM tunes FM and AM broadcasts with aplomb, but having a radio like the E1XM just to tune those frequencies would be akin to delivering the mail with space shuttle -- this unit is capable of much more.
Of course, our main interest was in testing out the E1XM's shortwave capabilities. If the idea of listening to far-flung radio broadcasts intrigues you, this radio is the ticket to the best reception possible. Tuning is virtually effortless. After scanning the E1XM's manual, we were quickly able to select the appropriate meter bands for the time of day of our listening session. First, we manually tuned known broadcasts from China and the United States. We were delighted that the E1XM allows one to set the manual tuning knob to tune in 10 Hz steps, which lets you hone in on difficult-to-tune stations. 100 Hz and 1 kHz steps are selectable, too. Next up, we turned to the radio's seek function, which scans stations in 5 kHz steps. We soon made new discoveries, although our limited language skills made it difficult to always know exactly to whom or what we were listening! Seek tuning is further enhanced by the handy squelch knob, which will negate reception unless the received signal achieves a preset quality. This way, you don't have to listen to a bunch of static and other oddities while searching for a good signal.
Much of the accuracy and precision of the E1XM's tuning in shortwave and other modes is owed to the unit's superior electronics and high dynamic range, which permits the detection of weak signals in the presence of strong signals. Other enhancements include a DX mode, which provides preamplification of distant or weak signals; a passband tuner and knob, which allow the E1XM to selectively reject interference from nearby signals; and selectable automatic gain control (AGC), which provides automatic leveling of volume and distortion across a wide range of signal types. Controlling these and other features of the E1XM fall into the advanced category, to be sure, but if you're a newcomer to shortwave and other types of reception, it's nice to know that this radio provides you with capabilities into which you can grow.
XM Radio
Once you've plugged in an XM Connect-and-Play antenna and switched the E1XM into XM mode, you're ready to go with satellite radio (of course, you'll also need an XM subscription). When in XM mode, the receiver suddenly becomes a conduit for truly incredible, commercial-free radio. The LCD acts as a complete XM digital readout, offering song and composer information, as well as a scrollable station seletion menu.
Connections
With the exception of the XM antenna, all of the E1XM's connections are made on the left side of the unit. A line-in jack allows you to connect an external device and listen to it through the E1XM's speaker. As mentioned, a line-out jack is provided, too. Most serious radio users will appreciate the inclusion of a KOK-type external antenna port for connecting more advanced AM, FM, and shortwave antennae. Meanwhile, in addition to a stereo headphone jack, there's a jack for connecting an additional speaker to the E1XM.
Pros
Check price now
Related Products
Customer Reviews
Jan 17, 2012 22:53:09
Eton E5 AM/FM Shortwave Radio Review
 Simple to operate and carry, the E5 is great for tuning in the world wherever the notion strikes you. View larger. |
 On the right, a line out jack, tuning, and narrow/wide bandwidth selection. View larger. |
A row of function keys below the radio's LCD screen are contextual, meaning they control different things depending on which mode the radio is in. When in shortwave mode, they are used to select the meterband. When the radio is off, they control timer, battery charging, AM tuning step size, and other funtions. Yet another row of buttons controls memory functions.
Sound like a lot of buttons for such a small device? It is, and that's the only real complaint we had about the E5. A lot of controls and features are somewhat crammed into a small space. It's a bit daunting at first, but once you master the controls you'll likely have no problem.
On the left side of the E5 you'll find a 3.5mm connector for an external FM or shortwave antenna. Etón generously includes an antenna that can be plugged in here to enhance signal reception -- although there is a telescoping antenna on the top of the unit. In addition to a power port and stereo headphone jack for FM listening, the side of the radio also sports an antenna gain switch that lets you choose between DX and local modes, allowing you to tone down excessively strong AM or shortwave stations if need be.
 A crisp, clear display and a keypad for direct frequency entry. View larger. |
In addition to AC power, the the E10 can run off of four Ni-MH AA cells, which are not supplied. These can be recharged when you plug the unit in. Of course, you can also use non-rechargeable AA cells in a pinch.
LCD Display
When viewed level with your eyes, the E5's backlit display is crisp and clear, with a clean layout that makes it easy to control the radio's tuning, clock, and timer functions. When viewed from an angle, the display is severely washed out, though. A separate space on the upper portion of the screen is provided for the clock display so you can view the time and tune the radio at the same time -- a nice touch.
Selecting shortwave meter bands is a breeze with this display, as you just push the meter band button (or the function keys below the display) until the meter you want is displayed on the screen. A signal strength meter is provided, as is a narrow/wide bandwidth indicator. The radio's memories are easy to browse and recall on the display, as well.
Tuning Options
Tuning the with E5 is straightforward and simple. As mentioned, the radio tunes AM, FM, shortwave, and SSB signals, and you can choose from auto-scan, manual up/down, tuning knob or direct keypad entry modes. If you're new to shortwave, auto-scan will quickly become your friend. With it, we quickly made a lot of discoveries, and heard stations from all over the world -- although our limited language skills made it difficult to always know exactly to whom or what we were listening! We also tried some SSB tuning, which is designed to capture ham radio and two-way radio communications. SSB is notoriously difficult to tune, but with a little time and effort -- including standing outside for a good while -- we were able to pick up some faint signals.
The E5's impressive memory system also deserves mention. With it, you can set up a huge catalog of stored frequencies -- 700 of them to be exact. Once stored, recalling all these memories is pretty easy, thanks to a fairly straightforward on-screen interface that stores and organizes the programmed memories. You can also scan through your memories to rapidly find the stored frequencies that are currently broadcasting.
Pros
Check price now
Related Products
Customer Reviews
Jan 17, 2012 03:32:26
