[IRCA] Grundig G8 AM Band Sensitivity-- QC Record

[D1028Gary@xxxxxxx]

Hello All,
 
With the Ultralight radio enthusiast group purchasing the new Tecsun  
PL-300WT and Grundig G8 DSP-enhanced portables in droves, more information has  
been collected about Tecsun's quality control in optimizing AM sensitivity  
in the radios. 
 
Perhaps the most interesting data concerns the apparent difference  in 
typical out-of-the-box AM sensitivity in the two models.  This  information is 
based on six alignments performed here (four G8's and two  PL-300WT's), two 
by Steve Ratzlaff (both PL-300WT's) and one by Brian  Roland (one G8).
 
Of the five G8 alignments, four of the units had good AM performance  
out-of-the-box. One unit had perfectly optimized AM sensitivity as delivered  
from the factory, while three gained a minor improvement when the loopstick 
coil  was shifted slightly to the right. The remaining unit required a coil 
shift  to the left, partially off the bar.
 
Of the four PL-300WT alignments, two of the units had good AM performance  
out-of-the-box. Both of those units gained a minor improvement in  
sensitivity when the coils were shifted slightly to the right. One of the other  
units required a major coil shift to the right (.5 inch from the original  
position), while the other unit required a major coil shift to the left,  
partially off the bar.
 
There is now strong evidence that typical G8 loopstick coils have  much 
less wax securing them to the ferrite bars than typical PL-300WT  coils, a fact 
which results in easier AM alignments in the G8 models.  Apparently a 
single Chinese factory has been designated to manufacture the G8,  and this 
factory seems to be stingy with loopstick wax-- a positive  thing for tinkerers 
hoping to align their units for maximum AM  sensitivity.
 
Of course, with Amazon's $50 delivered price for the G8, there is no longer 
 any logical reason to purchase the electrically identical PL-300WT from 
China,  and pay the $24 shipping charge. But for those still considering a 
purchase of  the Grundig G8, the above QC information may motivate a few more 
to take the  plunge. 
 
73, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA)
 
 
 
 
      
 
  
 
 
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