Re: [IRCA] 2009 Ultralight Radio Shootout Contestants

[D1028Gary@xxxxxxx]

Hi Paul,
 
     Sure, I'll be happy to provide information on the  FM-DXing capabilities 
of the 2009 Shootout contestants, although it's probably  best to provide 
this separately from the AM-DX Shootout results, since the last  two documents 
(January 2008 and September 2008 "Summertime") were a full 7  pages, which is 
about the limit for publication in the AM-DX club  bulletins.
 
     The highest rated FM-DXing Ultralights are  currently the Eton E100 and 
Sangean DT-400W, which also happen to be two of the  highest rated AM-DXing 
models.  The Sangean DT-220V is a great FM-DX radio,  but a Turkey on AM.  The 
DT-200VX and DT-210V also do a great job pulling  in the fringe FM stations.
 
     73,  Gary 
 
 
In a message dated 2/7/2009 9:35:46 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
texnote@xxxxxxxxx writes:

Hello  Gary,

I for one will appreciate it if you could provide some  indication as to the 
FM DX performance of these units too - not a thorough  investigation as for 
AM, but just some ideas ...

Thank you and  looking forward to the shootout results

Paul

--- On Fri,  2/6/09, D1028Gary@xxxxxxx <D1028Gary@xxxxxxx> wrote:

From:  D1028Gary@xxxxxxx <D1028Gary@xxxxxxx>
Subject: [IRCA] 2009 Ultralight  Radio Shootout Contestants
To: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,  ultralightdx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, am@xxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Friday, February 6,  2009, 5:22 PM

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=emlcntusmusi000
00003)
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**************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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