Radio Shack at it again...

[Dighton Rockhead]

Is anyone here familiar with Radio Shack's latest attempt at an "Extreme-Range" radio? It's model number and catalog number are both 12-589. (see link below).

From the looks of this thing, it appears to be a "cost-engineered" stripped down version of either the Eton/Grundig 350, or possibly the Kaito KA-2100/CC Radio SW.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3730718

 

[ddsparxx]

I know it's cheap but I wouldn't recommend it. On AM, it overloads badly (bad front-end selectivity) on a very strong signal and it hears significantly less than my CC-Radio-SW mostly because of that. I don't know why Cell Phone Shack--I mean Radio Shack-- keeps cutting corners with AM/FM performance from big portables. I wasn't satisfied with this 12-589 radio or the earlier GE Superadio-sized Optimus portable which had less circuitry and a smaller loopstick AM antenna (based on what I saw). FM is only OK. There was a big earlier model "Extreme Range" radio; I don't have it as I have read not-so-good reviews about it.

 

[BRNout]

I find it interesting that the radios that actually do have the ability to pull in the signals that others can't tend not to be hyped as such. For example, the Grundig G8 is an excellent receiver for FM signals with good AM reception. It's DSP chip does a fine job of aiding selectivity on FM and AM - no images. It seems that the radios that are hyped as supposedly having 'extreme range' inevitably end up being disappointments.

As for the Eton/Grundig 350, it too is an underperformer - despite how many great reviews it seems to get on websites. After reading all those, what a disappointment the radio was. Clearly there are many people who can't tell great reception from average reception (and that's probably the crowd that The Shack is marketing with their new radio). As for the S350, it's large, it has a fun design with large old-fashioned knobs and a great feel. However, when stacked up against almost any other performance radio I own, it comes up short. The FM side isn't very selective, so local stations are spread wide enough to make first-adjacent reception all but impossible. On AM, it dishes up images from very strong local signals and is incapable of digging out that weak signal that happens to be near a strong one. It has nice sound through the speaker and let's just say that I'm glad that I got it on sale for only $60. I never use it for dxing now.

Now the KA-2100/CC Radio SW is a totally different animal and actually IS an excellent radio for dx reception on AM or FM. But there's no way that The Shack is going to replicate its capabilities at the price point that they're pitching.

 

[drt]

I made the mistake of buying this radio and within 2 hours, it was repacked and back to my local RS with a refund in hand.

AM overload (4 very strong AM stations in my primary listening location and basically those 4 stations - none of which I even listen to - took over the AM band from one end to the other). FM overload as well, the NOAA weather band was good...... I would give it half a star........but I notice the three reviewers have averaged/assigned a 4 Star rating out of 5 stars and that baffles me.

I wouldn't recommend this piece of junk to anyone.

drt

 

[ddsparxx]

i, too, returned this so-called Extreme range radio and replaced it with a Eton FR-300 (the one without the TV channels). The FR300 is a better radio though it's no GE Superadio II. In northern VA it can hear WHP 580 up in Harrisburg, PA during the daytime. The smaller radio, I am keeping.

 

[nd2023]

My Grundig G8 can pick up a 90.1 from 60 miles away right under the tower of a 100 watt station on 90.3. Albeit with a lot of splatter, but it is listenable. And no overload from 90.3 either.

 

[ddsparxx]

I also have the Grundig G8. I like digital tuning on FM but hate digital tuning on AM. Bought the FR300 for analog tuning on AM.