[IRCA] Eton "Traveler III" Vs. C.Crane "Skywave"-- Daytime DX Shootout

[d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Hello All, 
 
My new Eton Traveler III pocket radio arrived yesterday from Amazon ($59.14, with free shipping), and as reported yesterday on the Ultralightdx list, the cabinet dimensions (withoutÂprotrusions like the whip antenna and control knobs) place the new model within the 20 cubic inch limit for "official" Ultralight radio qualification. 
 
In general the new Traveler IIIÂhas an appearance and function quite unique amongÂrecent pocket radio introductions. The cabinet has an attractive aluminum trim around the edges, and a whip antennaÂmounting post extending horizontally from the back cabinet. It hasÂa front panel world time selector switch hidden behind a hinged door (opening downwards), and a uniqueÂdisplay with orange characters on a dark gray background. Perhaps most unusual about the model is the lack of any selectivity choice-- puttingÂthe radioÂat a competitive disadvantage with the Tecsun 1 kHz DSP Ultralights and the CC SkywaveÂin this aspect. However the Traveler III does have quite a lot going for it, especially for domestic DXers who don't need to chase split-frequency DXÂtargets.ÂBoth the MW sensitivity and audio tone quality are first rate-- and the stylish appearance and reasonable price should attract quite a dedicated audience. 
 
Today around local noon I had the chance to test out the new Traveler III against another new Ultralight radio model-- the C.Crane Skywave. By way of reference, theÂSkywave's MW sensitivity compared favorably with that of the TecsunÂPL-380 in a recent Shootout, with completeÂfreedom from theÂheterodynes which trouble all ofÂthe Tecsun DSP radios.ÂWith highÂMW sensitivity and relatively balanced audio,Âthe Skywave is a tough new competitor at the top of theÂUltralight class (although its $89,95 price is also aÂlittle tough for some DXers to swallow)Â.ÂBoth radios were tested in the reception of daytime DX fringe stations here in Puyallup, WA (about 30 miles south of Seattle). The CC Skywave was set in its 1 kHz DSP selection for maximum MW sensitivity, and in its default "Music" selection for best audio quality. For each fringe station, the first 15 seconds of the MP3 were recorded on theÂnew Eton Traveller III, and the last 15 seconds were recorded on theÂC.Crane Skywave: 
 
550Â KARIÂÂ Blaine, WAÂÂ (5 kW at 127 miles) 
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/qqibcqqlbd5dk9e/550-KARI-TravIIIvsSkywave.MP3 
 
620Â KPOJÂÂ Portland, ORÂÂ (25 kW at 117 miles) 
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/e1e129hctrzpo9o/620-KPOJ-TravIIIvsSkywave.MP3 
ÂÂÂ 
690Â CBUÂÂ Vancouver, BCÂÂ (50 kW at 148 miles) 
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/q2md21219h7bnhd/690-CBU-TravIIIvsSkywave.MP3 Â 
 
750Â KXTGÂÂ Portland, ORÂÂ (50 kW at 117 miles) 
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/waq7093wdpivm8z/750-KXTG-TravIIIvsSkywave.MP3 Â 
ÂÂÂ 
1070Â CFAXÂÂ Victoria, BCÂÂ (10 kW at 100 miles) 
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/mi094faxdsjwxon/1070-CFAX-TravIIIvsSkywave.MP3 Â 
 
1470Â KELAÂÂ Centralia, WAÂ (5 kW at 46 miles) 
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/rktdcqzp08zqrc1/1470-KELA-TravIIIvsSkywave.MP3 Â 
 
1650Â VashonÂTIS, WAÂ (15 watts at 15 miles) 
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/vn8ds4lf3rr3wkj/1650-VashonTIS-TravIIIvsSkywave.MP3 
 
COMMENTS: The Traveler III's MWÂselectivity was also tested against that of the new CC Skywave, andÂalthough the Eton's filtering was not bad in comparison to Ultralight radios from 5 years back, it cannot compete with the 1 kHz DSP filtering in the Skywave. The Skywave can receive stations on both 1440 and 1460 kHzÂwithout splatter from local pestÂ1450-KSUH; the Traveller III has pretty loud hash on both frequencies. But those who listen to the weak signalÂMP3's above will readily understand why the new Eton is likely to be extremely popular with domestic DXers--Âits high sensitivity, great audio quality andÂreasonable price make itÂa veryÂformidable competitor. Until this Shootout, the CC Skywave had been judged to have the highest MW sensitivity of any "official" Ultralight radio. 
 
73 and Good DX, 
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)ÂÂ 
_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca

Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers

For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org

To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx