[IRCA] 2009 Ultralight Radio Shootout Contestants

[D1028Gary@xxxxxxx]

Hello Guys,
 
     The final lineup of pocket radio contestants in  2009's first shootout 
includes some very innovative units from the Far East,  products of the hot 
competition between Chinese manufacturers:
 
1)  Tecsun PL-450 ($79.99 at Amazon.com)   A very recent  upgrade to the 
discontinued Eton E100, this model features 600 memories and  double conversion 
(presumably on AM, also).  It remains to be seen whether  it can be modified 
into a DXpedition wonder, like the Slider E100's  with the Murata CFJ455K5 IF 
filter.
 
2)  C.Crane SWP ($45.00 at Amazon.com)   Much improved from  the substandard 
unit tested last year, this model's function and  appearance are similar to 
the E100, with superior low-band  sensitivity.  With 1 kHz tuning steps and a 
455 kHz IF, it can also be  modified exactly like the E100-- for greatly 
improved sensitivity and  selectivity.
 
3)  Degen DE1123 ($79.99 at Amazon.com)  Probably the most  versatile 
Ultralight ever built, with AM-FM-SW and a built-in MP3 recorder, and  player.  It 
remains to be seen whether AM reception will be competitive, or  just a 
neglected part of the impressive package.
 
4)  Grundig Mini 300 ($30 at Amazon.com)  Primarily designed for  the 
traveling Shortwave listener on a budget, the AM section features an analog  design 
with digital tuning readout, with a circuit board looking very much like  the 
SRF-59's.
 
5)  Tecsun DR-910 ($27.90 plus $9 shipping from "dpmega" on  eBay)  Chinese 
market analog portable using digital readout, with the  same height, width, 
thickness, color, whip antenna, wrist strap and manufacturer  as the Eton E100.  
Will AM-DXing performance be anything like the  model it resembles?
 
     These five models will be thoroughly aligned,  tested and evaluated in 
the coming days, with the popular models from the  previous Shootouts (E100, 
DT-400W, SRF-T615, DT-210V, DT-200VX, SRF-M37V,  SRF-59, SRF-39FP, SRF-S84, 
etc.) joining in the final exhaustive  comparison.  If you have yet to experience 
the unique excitement and  challenge of DXing with an Ultralight radio, this 
new purchasing guide will  provide you with the latest in accurate information! 
 We hope you will join  the 170 members of the worldwide Ultralightdx Yahoo 
group, and personally  experience the legendary fun for yourself.
 
     73 and Good DX,
 
     Gary  DeBock            
**************Who's never won?  Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on 
AOL Music. 
(http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?ncid=emlcntusmusi00000003)
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