John's Grundig Transistor 865

 

It is a great radio. I have been listening to it off and on all night. Very strong on all bands. It is the only SW I have receives anything without an external antenna. My only complaint is it has way too much bass when on FM and it sounds distorted. I am not sure if it is the speaker maybe another problem with the radio. It get a cleaning over the weekend.

 

Comments

[Keith]

Please note that this radio has separate Bass and Treble controls. They are both incorporated into the single control on the extreme lower right of the panel.

This control not only rotates as a potentiometer but it is also a pull-out/push-in switch. When the control is pushed-in turning it controls Bass. When it is pulled-out turning it controls Treble.

The two potentiometers work in opposition to one another. Maximum Bass is achieved with the control pushed-in and turned fully anti-clockwise. Maximum Treble is achieved with the control pulled-out and turned fully clockwise.

To reduce boomy audio all possible push the control in and rotate it fully clockwise. This sets Bass at minimum. Next pull the control out and turn it fully clockwise to set Treble at maximum.

In practice the best audio is often with each control set near its minimum position. Near Flat.

If the audio is still boomy, simply turn down the audio-gain/volume. It is being over driven. Now you will hear clean audio, but at a lower level.

This radio was born before hard rock and is designed for great audio on classics and Jazz regardless of MW/SW/FM band.

Boomy audio is also influenced by the audio source material, received signal strength and modulation mode AM/FM. All of this demands an extra bit of fiddling with the controls but the radio is provided with a full range of controls and the reward is good listening.

[Angelo]

I had one of these and sold it at a nice profit on E-Bay----and I miss it. Very nice sounding radio to me. Mine was made in Portugal---and in my opinion, wasn't quite up to the standards of similar period Grundigs made in Germany. It was still a very nice radio though.

[John]

Yeah well for the $10.00 I got it for I am very happy. I also just picked up an odd ball Panasonic LTD. It is an am/fm stereo boombox with 8 track RECORDER! Not sure why I got it other than the price of $8.00. Works fine but needs the antenna replaced. It is a Model RF-7400. Here is one on ebay NIB. Not mine. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220754157970+

[Angelo]

John: I've seen that Panny 8 Track player before. I love the design---and it looks like a powerhouse.

[John]

Well I am not much into DX'ing , but I did pick up a station from Calgary, BC and in Ohio. Not too bad

[John]

On the Grundig...I am not expecting much from the Panasonic with no antenna.

[gerald]

john,,, one feature about thiese radios is they have a bass boost.. try pulling the tone knob out. this disables the bass boost. it does on myu yacht boy anyway. the tone pulls out try it.

[ko57]

Where to get an antenna for the mariner 865?? I guess keep an eyevon ebay?

[Mario]

I have this radio since new the only problem I need the antena any buddy nos wear a cont get the parts