Radios (with shortwave bands, the more the merrier) is another object of collecting for me and here is another radio from my collection the 2005 Grundig Yacht Boy 80 also known as the Grundig WR5408 PLL.
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 my dedicated radio 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 fold.
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.
Other than that, everything is pretty good and ergonomic, easy to use and operate and also durable.
It ages well too. This unit is more than 10 years old as I bought it 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 my dedicated radio 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 fold.
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.
Other than that, everything is pretty good and ergonomic, easy to use and operate and also durable.
It ages well too. This unit is more than 10 years old as I bought it in early 2006.
Box.
Also included are a reel antenna and a set of headphones.
In a nutshell: in my experience - it is 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.
llya's Radio Shack: My Radios: 2005 Grundig Yacht Boy 80 - WR5408 PLL: Here is another radio from my collection the 2005 Grundig Yacht Boy 80 also known as the Grundig WR5408 PLL . I have had it since 200...
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