Re: [IRCA] ANNUAL CAR RADIO QUERY

["Craig Healy" <bubba@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I know we go through this annually but things change as
> new radios come out. I am in the market for a "new"
> pre-owned (aka "used") car so would appreciate your
> sharing your experiences:
> A. What "old" car radios have been the best for DXing
> for you? I wouldn't buy a car specifically for the
> radio but as long as I am looking around, I  might
> as well make this a consideration.
> B. Regardless of the car, what reasonably functional
> car radio would you (or did you) go out of your
> way to buy?

I would look for a vehicle which doesn't have the radio merged into the various systems.  Some have audible warnings and use the car radios for that.  It makes it very difficult to use an aftermarket radio.  A good auto stereo shop ought to be able to tell you which vehicles are problematic.

The Delco that came in my 1988 Chevy truck was decent on AM, and exceptional on FM after I changed out the wide 10.7MHz IF filters for 150KHz Muratas.  But, it stopped at 1620.  I doubt you want an older vehicle though.

I have two suggestions for this.  First, the Blaupunkt Twinceiver radios are very good, both AM and FM.  The Bremen MP74 or San Francisco CD-72 are exceptional.  I have both and would absolutely recommend them.  Problem is, they are discontinued and somewhat scarce.  No doubt one or the other would show up on eBay, if you looked.  Another radio I have been pleased with is the JVC KD-HDR1.  It is an HD Radio, but the analog section is nearly as good as the Blaupunkts.  I've had one and use it in the house for general listening, running off a 12v power supply.  All these play CDs, and the Bremen and JVC also play MP3 CDs.

Second recommendation is to use a good antenna in the back of the car with good coax.  Getting the antenna away from the engine has been helpful in my experience.  The Blaupunkts work well with 50 ohm cable, but some others may not.  Ground the cable to the body at the antenna and at the radio end to minimize ignition noise.  If noise is a problem, you may need to add ground straps from the hood to the body, and the exhaust system to the body.  Most cars are unibody, so there's no frame to body grounds to deal with.  Trucks do have that.

In the truck, the Bremen will get 90-95% of what the Palstar R30CC receives, using the same antennas.

Craig Healy
Providence, RI




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