Here is another radio from my collection the 2005 Grundig Yacht Boy 80 also known as the Grundig WR 5408 PLL, and it also had a Sangean clone - the now discontinued Sangean PT-80 which I think was offered in the 'States while the Grundig version was sold in Europe.
I have had it since 2006 and it is not just a collection piece -- far from it -- it is the one that is used the most for my occasional amateur radio activities like a bit of DXing - trying to hear some shortwave radio stations maybe getting QSLs from them.
So far almost all that I have recorded on this blog was received using this very radio set.
And it winters by itself at my country villa in minus 20 or 30 Centigrade temperatures too. But now it is basking in the sun.
It has a nice soft real leather cover on magnetic fasteners which doubles up as something of a stand.
This review will be short on words (just my general impressions, nothing too technical) but long on pictures.
For some reason I like these time zones schematics. Many of my other radios also have them. See, for example, my header picture on this blog page. But in this case it's on the back so you rarely see it, especially since it is covered by the leather pouch.
And a frequency range table.
One of the complaints is that it doesn't include an AC/DC unit which you have to buy separately (as it has no mains power) as I did.
SSB On/Off is there.
Another thing that it doesn't have is a signal strength meter. But everything else seems to be there.
Reception using its telescoping antenna is pretty good. You can find proof of it on this very blog.
I haven't used an external SW antenna yet (even though a reel antenna is included) but am planning to use it this summer.
Generally, I am satisfied with shortwave reception for my purposes and as far as international broadcasters are concerned but I haven't had much success with radio ham and/or avia reception as signals often come in, like, garbled and unintelligible. And so far I also haven't been able to get much in SSB mode.
Other than that, everything is pretty good and ergonomic, easy to use and operate.
It ages well too. This unit is more than 10 years old as I bought in early 2006.
Box.
Also included are a reel antenna and a set of headphones.
I have had it since 2006 and it is not just a collection piece -- far from it -- it is the one that is used the most for my occasional amateur radio activities like a bit of DXing - trying to hear some shortwave radio stations maybe getting QSLs from them.
So far almost all that I have recorded on this blog was received using this very radio set.
And it winters by itself at my country villa in minus 20 or 30 Centigrade temperatures too. But now it is basking in the sun.
It has a nice soft real leather cover on magnetic fasteners which doubles up as something of a stand.
This review will be short on words (just my general impressions, nothing too technical) but long on pictures.
For some reason I like these time zones schematics. Many of my other radios also have them. See, for example, my header picture on this blog page. But in this case it's on the back so you rarely see it, especially since it is covered by the leather pouch.
And a frequency range table.
One of the complaints is that it doesn't include an AC/DC unit which you have to buy separately (as it has no mains power) as I did.
SSB On/Off is there.
Another thing that it doesn't have is a signal strength meter. But everything else seems to be there.
Reception using its telescoping antenna is pretty good. You can find proof of it on this very blog.
I haven't used an external SW antenna yet (even though a reel antenna is included) but am planning to use it this summer.
Generally, I am satisfied with shortwave reception for my purposes and as far as international broadcasters are concerned but I haven't had much success with radio ham and/or avia reception as signals often come in, like, garbled and unintelligible. And so far I also haven't been able to get much in SSB mode.
Other than that, everything is pretty good and ergonomic, easy to use and operate.
It ages well too. This unit is more than 10 years old as I bought in early 2006.
Box.
Also included are a reel antenna and a set of headphones.
In a nutshell: a very good quality radio, reliable and robust, controls, buttons, switches - everything feels strong and solid, SW reception pretty good. Has been going strong since March 2006 when I bought it.
What could be better: no signal strength meter, no AC/DC external unit (having no in-built mains power).
Pleasant extras: a real leather cover/pouch, a Grundig shortwave reel antenna.
Here's a frank review from Passport to World Band Radio.
GOOD DAY, PLEASE I AM INTRESTED IN RADIO
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