[IRCA] C.Crane SWP Ultralight Radio

[D1028Gary@xxxxxxx]

Hello Guys,
 
     In late 2007 the C.Crane company came out with  their compact SWP radio 
model, a 455 kHz IF unit which was obviously  inspired by the higher-quality 
Eton E100.  The size, features and even  styling of the SWP model are almost 
identical to the E100, although  unfortunately C.Crane did not choose to include 
many of the innovative  features found in the E100, and also cut corners on 
the quality of  construction.
 
     Eager to include the new SWP model in the first  2008 Ultralight Radio 
AM-DX Shootout, I ordered one of the first production  models from C.Crane, 
which was very disappointing in performance.  Even  after aligning both the 
loopstick and 1400 kHz trimming capacitor, the  sensitivity and selectivity were 
both mediocre.  Having only one unit at  the time (and figuring that C.Crane's 
advertising hype was bogus), I concluded  that the model was substandard, and 
reported my findings in the January 2008  Shootout.  The model was then 
relegated to the "Ultralight Turkey  Farm."
 
     Recently, after Eton's termination of the E100  model, I recalled that 
this C.Crane SWP model was now the only remaining  ultralight radio having a 
455 kHz IF (a critical factor for possible selectivity  upgrades, since various 
premium 455 kHz IF filter upgrades are available, as  opposed to the more 
modest 450 kHz filters).  To investigate the  suitability of the C.Crane SWP for 
modification, I ordered two more of the SWP  units-- and promptly discovered 
that my early-model SWP from December 2007  (serial # C1120017500) had a 
defective component on the RF circuit board, making  AM sensitivity much worse than 
normal.
 
     Both Steve Ratzlaff and I have recently ordered  new C.Crane SWP models, 
and have found their sensitivity quite good in stock  form.  Their 
selectivity is modest at best, however, and the stock IF  filter reminds one of a barn 
door (although not quite as wide a door as the  notorious SRF-M37V).  The 
model's build quality is definitely not up  to the E100 standard, and any 
technicians confident enough to try modifications  will quickly discover that various 
interconnecting wires break with very little  provocation.  Efforts will 
continue to modify this  technician-resistant model to make it more sensitive and 
selective,  although there are some other rough edges that will never be popular 
(such as  the lack of an analog volume control). 
 
     For those DXers looking for decent stock  sensitivity, however, the 
C.Crane SWP at $49.95 is not bad for a  digital Ultralight radio.  The recent 
models usually provide good  sensitivity on either high or low band, and if you 
are lucky enough to get  a well-aligned factory model, you might get decent 
sensitivity across the  band.  The alignment procedure is straightforward (for 
those with any  technical experience). A Slider SWP has also already been 
created, and is highly  sensitive from 520-1700 kHz.  Unfortunately the real 
challenge for this  model will be curing the barn-door selectivity, without having the 
 radio self-destruct during the process. For those of us accustomed to  
working on the higher-quality E100, the SWP is quite a rude shock.
 
     73,  Gary  DeBock        
 
     
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