Herculodge

Ed's Rosebud Radio: Eldorado Transistor

 

A Rosebud Radio is the one from your childhood that recalls radio bliss. Here's Ed describing his:

This was my first Transistor radio that my parents gave me on my 10th birthday in 1960. It's an Eldorado (Hitachi?) 6 transistor AM/SW radio. It cost $75, probably hundreds in today's dollars. I enjoyed it for months until January 27 1961, 51 years ago today, when it fell out of my pocket on a snowy day. I was devastated.

Move forward 45 years and I found the same model selling on eBay, and I finally found my long lost "rosebud" radio. It still works well, by the way.

 

Jomashop Sold Me the Wrong Watch Twice and Made Me Pay for Return Shipping Twice

 

 

 

Jomashop sent me the wrong Invicta Russian Diver (white dial), with a distressed leather strap when its website described it having a black rubber one.

I returned it. I had to pay the $12 shipping cost.

Two weeks later, the same WRONG watch showed up with the same ugly, distressed leather. This time I got a refund but not before shelling out another $12 for return shipping.

I'm out $24 and I got nothing but a headache. As a further note, they sent me the wrong black dial Russian Diver (same distressed leather strap) but they paid for the shipping on this one. Their policy seems arbitrary. 

Thanks, Jomashop. Never again. 

 

 

Universal Radio Expected to Release the Grundig G2 Reporter in April

 

 

Ante writes:

Universal just posted some more detailed info on Grundig G2. The release of the radio is now expected for April, instead of initially mentioned May, and the price is USD 149. Actually, US buyers can already make their orders.

All the best from very very cold Sarajevo.

Jeff writes:

If this gets long life between battery charges, I'll be tempted to get one. 

 

Quiznos Sandwich Chain in Debt, Default, and Decline

 

This morning I heard about Quiznos' financial woes on NPR. About 12 years ago, I thought it was an upscale alternative to Subway, but about 3 years ago the food seemed subpar and I never returned.

Now with 600 stores closing it's on life support. 

Sangean CL-100 Is Easily More Appealing Than the Sangean PR-D5

 

 

The little speaker in my Sangean CL-100 is far more clear than the muffled dual speakers of my PR-D5, which got so bad they degraded to distortion, on both FM and AM, as I noted a week or so ago.

I should add that I bought my first PR-D5 in 2007 (I looked up my Amazon review); I had to exchange it for a new one when the power supply stopped working. So this PR-D5 is a replacement. 

The AM on the CL-100 is well above average and I hear voices crystal clear with little background noise, so the PR-D5 doesn't have a huge advantage here.

The FM on the CL-100 is far more sensitive than the PR-D5's. 

The CL-100 has a smaller footprint.

The CL-100 has better ergronomics. You can press the buttons without knocking it down. With the PR-D5, you need two hands because of its upright position. 

My only complaint about the CL-100 is the volume fade every time you change the station and upon initial turning on of the radio. The volume takes a few seconds to restore to original position. I don't know why Sangean did this but it's not a deal killer by any means. 

At present, the CL-100 is in the guest bathroom and it performs admirably. No buyer's regret. 

It's a shame the PR-D5 has lost its appeal for me. I really like the new black model that come out a few weeks ago. 

Review of the Insignia NS-HD02 FM/HD Radio: The Verdict Is Skip It

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Paul:

A thorough review of the Insignia NS-HD02 FM/HD Radio. Summary: skip it.

http://radioworld.com/article/insignia-a-glimpse-of-artist-experience/211187

 

Your Favorite Radio Will be Determined by General Experience Over Specific Specs

 

 

 

 

Different opinions over small portables are largely subjective as the recent comparisons between the Grundig G4000 and Degen 1103 show. 

New portables have come out in the last two years featuring DSP, which has improved FM reception. However, I still prefer the old Grundig G4000 because its FM and AM is still well above average and while its FM may not be as stunning as some of these DSP radios, the overall experience, especially the G4000's ergonomics, make it my portable of choice. 

If Car X has more horsepower than Car Y but Car Y still has plenty of power and affords a better ride, I'll take Car Y every time. 

ESPN's Colin Cowherd Got a Bit Whacky Today

 

 

 

 

When you're on the radio 3 hours a day, you're bound to say some crazy stuff. Today Cowherd praised Peanut Butter Cheerios, saying you haven't lived until you had them.

On a crazier note, he talked about how at his age peeing was so painful it felt like "there were pliers down there."

Dude, TMI. 

Dave Zantow's Updated Review of the Degen 1127, 1126, and Other Similar Models

Thanks, Gary:

Dave Zantow's updated review of the DE1127, DE1126, etc.

http://n9ewo.angelfire.com/de1125.html

 

Bob C. Will Take the Degen 1103 Over the Grundig G4000

 

I respectfully disagree with your G4000 and 1103 comparison. I have a G4000, as well as a large stable of other multiband radios such as the KA (and DE) 1103. My G4000 is a competent radio, which does fine on MW and SW and is okay on FM and LW. The DE1103 is a little more sensitive on all bands from what I can tell, however the SSB on the G4000 is a bit more stable. I actually like dxing on FM as much as the other bands and the G4000 is not a good choice for this endeavor.

All that said, the DE1103 is still easier and more fun to use than the G4000. This is because of the G4000's all-digital tuning. In fact, right by the definition of "digital chuffing" in the dictionary, I believe there's a photo of the G4000! Up and down with the buttons. No fun. At least with the DE1103, you get a smooth and easy tuning experience and it's easier to ferret out weak signals that way. The G4000 is much noisier (due to the aforementioned electronics) than the DE1103.

As far as build/fit and finish are concerned, yes the G4000 is more rugged. But, I still have a loose antenna on mine that continually needs to be tightened. The DE1103 I have has given me no problems; my KA1103 has.

Lastly, about ergonomics, the DE1103 is awkward until you get used to it. But even the volume control, once accessed, is better than the digital steps of the G4000. And, I have to be embarassingly honest here, some of the G4000's commands are not intuitive. Good example is the fact that I've forgotten how to set the clock on it. Lost the manual a while back and now, once a year when DST -> ST, I can't fathom how to change the damn clock on it. Out of all of my radios, this is the only one that I have ever had this issue with! So no, it's not particularly user friendly.

Given all of the choices available to us now in the class, the G4000 is a bit of a relic. It's fun, but all in all, I think I'd rather have a DE1103 or a G5 or a PL600 or a PL660.