[IRCA] Tecsun PL-300WT and Grundig G8

[D1028Gary@xxxxxxx]

Hello All,
 
The first Grundig G8 review on Amazon.com provides some evidence that  the 
radio may in fact have the same DSP chip as the PL-300WT, despite  Eton's 
denial of the fact. The description of the G8's operation is identical to  how 
the DSP chip performs in the PL-300WT, such as the indication of signal  
strength (and S/N ratio) readout. The larger size dimensions given by  Amazon 
and Eton may also be in error, which was the primary evidence that  these 
were actually two different designs. Anyway, since a delivered price of  $50 
for the G8 would be quite a savings from the current Chinese eBay sellers'  
price of around $75 for a delivered PL-300WT, a new Grundig G8 has been 
ordered  from Amazon to investigate whether these radios are in fact identical. 
Even if  not, their relative performance should be of interest to the ULR 
group.
 
Despite the promise from eBay seller "Liypn" to provide an English  
operating manual for the PL-300WT within a week, nothing has been  forthcoming from 
him. The week went by on June 9th, four days ago. Presumably  all of us who 
have ordered from "Liypn" are in the same boat. Thanks again  to Steve 
Ratzlaff for uploading his PL-300WT English manual from "Anon-co" to  the 
Ultralightdx file site-- otherwise we would all still be scrambling. For  those 
still desiring to order a new PL-300WT, ordering from "Anon-co" is  strongly 
recommended. 
 
Technical investigation by Steve and I has confirmed that the despite the  
PL-300WT's "no-alignment" system on AM, variations in the DSP chip's 
internal  varactor component makes alignment of the loopstick coil helpful in  
improving AM sensitivity, in certain models. Since Tecsun did not intend  for 
this model to be aligned, however, the process for getting the loopstick  coil 
to move is a hassle, and the coil's final position can be almost anywhere,  
even partially off the bar (as Steve has discovered).
 
The final inductance for an external, single-coil loopstick can be  
anywhere from 180-450 uh, depending upon the fixed inductance desired  by the 
varactor component in each individual DSP chip, for maximum AM  sensitivity. My 
first unit aligned at a fixed inductance of 282 uh, and my  second unit 
aligned at 343 uh. Steve's unit aligned at 205 uh, with the coil  partially off 
the stock ferrite bar. This PL-300WT sensitivity-peaking system is  certainly 
unlike any other Ultralight radio in tinkering history  :>)
 
In any case, the PL-300WT's technical breakthrough in providing very sharp, 
 DSP-enhanced selectivity for AM DXing is providing new excitement among  
Ultralight radio enthusiasts, and is especially welcome for urban DXers 
troubled  by multiple local pests. For around $50, it represents a quantum leap 
in  selectivity for stock Ultralight radios.
 
73, Gary DeBock 
 
 
       
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