Herculodge

The Recording Industry of America Wants to Legally Impose FM Radio Receivers on All New Gadgets, Including Cellphones

Talk about a procrustean imposition of old technology on new technology, this move by the Recording Industry of America is laughable. 

From Australia, the Coveted National Panasonic R-358

I keep seeing these R-358 radios from Australia. They're labeled under the coveted National Panasonic brand. Anyone know about the performance of these?

Ed and I Agree That the Sony TFM-8000 Is an Apex Performer

 

Huge doesn't place the Sony TFM-8000 in the top tier and we respect his opinion a lot, but Ed and I have tested both the legendary GE SRII and the Sony TFM-8000 and we agree that both are apex performers rendering outstanding sensitivity. Ed adds:

With SW and PSB defunct, the sensitivity on those bands is now moot. I put my TFM-8000 in the top tier of my radio collection, and no one mentioned its exceptionally smooth "flywheel action" tuning mechanism. They really dont make em like this anymore.

CNET Australia Reviews the Grundig Roam

Ante has apprised us of this Grundig Roam review, for overseas markets.

Hugo Distinguishes "Sensitive" and "Super Sensitive" While Reviewing the Sony TFM-8000

 

(Re-post) I was very impressed with my first look of the Sony TFM-8000. I grabbed both FM and AM stations easily. Hugo, a man with far more technical expertise than I, weighs in:

I've just bought this Sony radio TFM-8000W and one of its many features that attract my attention was the SUPER SENSITIVE tag that it has in front of it. Perhaps some of your readers would like to know more about this radio.

 

This radio has the AM Band, which covers from 530 to 1620 Khz, 2 SW bands. This band covers 1.6 Khz up to 22 Mhz. The FM band covers 88-108 Mhz and the PSB/Wheather band covers 147-174 Mhz, 6 bands in total.

For AM band a ferrite antena is used with a size of 18 cm or aprox 7 1/4. It has a basic winding, about 50 turns of litz wire, nothing out of the ordinary.

 

The whip antenna is used for the others bands.
 
The radio feels like a tank, has a large VU meter in front and a rigid handle. It has volume, tone, tuning and fine tuning controls , 2 switches for AFC and Squelch and a big front switch to change bands. The handle has 2 switches for dial light and battery indicator. 

 
 
Embodying the glorious sound of vintage radios, the sound is big, warm, tube-like. It's a pleasure to listen to.

I think this radio was built around 1970, but if you know better please correct me.
 
More than 30 years old, it was a big to surprise to see that this radio was almost perfectly aligned...around 98% of it was exact.
 
BUT IT REALLY IS SUPER SENSITIVE ????
 
Hmmmm..Yes and NO... Yes, because it is as sensitive as a Panasonic RF-2200 and NO because the Panasonic RF-1150,the RF-1180, the GE Superadio 1,2 and the CCRadio are equally as sensitive on AM.

However, on SW it´s good, but NOT extrasensitive. On FM it is just good but it really needs a better ceramic filter to improve the reception as its bandwith is a little too wide and finally in PSB nothing to write home about.

In conclusion the TFM-8000 is Sensitive but NOT Supersensitive. I think this radio deserves the best spot in my showroom. It really is a beauty !!!

 
 

Top Review Shop Gives Grace Digital Allegro Internet Radio a Mixed Review, 3 Stars

Ante has apprised us of this excellent Top Review Shop review of the Grace Digital Allegro Internet radio, a device that appears to be hit and miss.

Tim's Sangean CL-100 (with DSP for sharper FM) Brings Quality Sound and At Least Average Sensitivity

Thanks, Tim:

Last week I received my Sangean CL-100 radio from Amazon. I haven't compared the sensitivity to other radios yet, but it seems to be at least average. I'm using it as a bedside radio, to replace my Sonido. I can say this, though: the sound is quite nice. I've turned the treble up all the way, and the bass about two-thirds. The tone is slightly mellow, but surprisingly rich for a compact radio. 

AM sounds moderately clear, FM quite good. The general sound is substantially better than the Sonido. I would call it excellent - again, for a compact. 

The programming is self-intuitive enough, although I did have to check the manual a couple of times. Welcome to the world of menu diving, as with everything else. If the Sangean 909X offers the same quality sound, I'll be thrilled.

Update:

Tom adds:

The reception on this radio should be excellent since it is a DSP-based radio. When I 1st read about this radio I thought it would be a bit of a sleeper.

Don't Get Rid of Your AM/FM Radio Just Yet

 

(Re-post)

Addressing Tom's claim to abandon AM/FM radio, Mike S writes:

I don't think radio will be replaced by the internet for emergency communications anytime soon, either. The last tornado warning we had, we were monitoring NOAA weather radio when the lights went out. The FM radio covered what (paltry- one of my pet peeves!) announcements the local public radio station offered between soothing sets of classical music, which helped calm fray nerves. 

I feel your pain, Tom. I have listened to the major international broadcasters since the seventies. It really saddens me to flip on the shortwave and just not hear a whole lot of interest. I've turned to podcasts to supplement my radio listening. Most of the major broadcasters have them. Just subscribe to their feed using itunes or similar (works in the free version of MediaMonkey too), and copy the files to a portable music player. Now, get an FM transmitter for your ipod or whatever, and you CAN listen to this kind of radio in your car!

Addressing Tom's claim to abandon AM/FM radio, Mike S writes:

Panasonic RF-1080 Bidding Today on Ebay

As the owner of one, I can attest that the Panasonic RF-1080 is a great performer on AM and FM and can be purchased for reasonable price, usually around $50. 

Ward SW Police Band Vintage Radio Bidding for Under $10

Not the prized Ward Airline radio, this Ward Multiband radio is bidding low.