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