Herculodge

After 10 Years, the Wand Suction Doesn't Work on My Dyson Vacuum: But Now Fixed

 

 

I don't know if it's worth spending extra on another Dyson or getting a Hoover Windtunnel bagless. The latter sounds effective but I've read some reviews that after 2 years they die. 

If that's the case, I'd rather get another Dyson. 

Update:

I found a missing piece at the bottom of the Dyson, put it back, and now the wand works. So the Dyson lives on.

Is RadioShack Returning to Its Roots?

 

Neil Goldstein has posted an article about a possible new, or old, direction for RadioShack.

Tom's Impressions of the Dewalt Worksite Radio.

 

 

Thanks, Tom WC:

My Dewalt is not sensitive at all. In fact it's one of my least sensitive radios. It does however have some things going for it as a worksite radio. It charges and runs from a dewalt 18V battery that will run it all day and it has an auxiliary input which I use most of the time, usually hooking up my insignia NS-HD01 portable HD receiver. Sound on the boombox is very good. The tuner knob sucks as it no longer engages the tuner properly, causing the frequency to jump all over the place when turning the knob. It still works but just barely. Even when tuning dies, I'll keep it around as a great set of battery powered aux speakers.

Greg Reviews His Panasonic RF-4900: Now His Favorite Bedside Radio

 

 

 I recently acquired a used Panasonic RF4900 from a fellow Herculodge reader (thanks Brandon). I have to report (all jokes aside about the size of this radio – it’s big) it’s become my current favorite bedside radio! The radio arrived (well packed) via USPS and after some initial prep work it was ready for a workout.

How does this radio rate? – It’s not tops in any one feature set (perhaps looks?), rather - it’s the whole package I find enjoyable. I find it a decent band scanner and all-around “fun to use” receiver for casual listening on all bands it covers. The radio deserves a better rating than many you find on the internet.  It’s got:

Good looks - what’s not to like with all those buttons and knobs?

Good sensitivity on MW & SW - I can’t say much about FM, I’m not a DX’er in that space, but all the local FM stations sounded good.

Decent selectivity – overall decent however, it can be touch-and-go in tight spaces like the 49-meter band in the evening or listening to amateur SSB talk – VERY doable but the narrow filter is a bit too wide.

Nice coverage – MW, SW, FM

Good sound – Not a Hi-Fi set but what SW receiver is? Ok, exceptions to the Hallicrafters SX-62A.  

Portability – yes it runs on batteries

 I compared it side-by-side to a few other radios (see below).  Comparisons done using an external 60-foot longwire antenna & ground connected to each radio. 

 

I did a side by side comparison with: Eton E1, Sony ICF 5900W, Sony ICF 6700W, Kenwood R-1000

 

First place goes to the Eton E1. Overall ease of use and top scores in “DX-ability” (sensitivity, selectivity, stability). This is still the top receiver I have for DX use.

 

Second place is the Kenwood R-1000 – not as good sounding as the 4900, higher noise floor vs. Eton & 4900, but better selectivity & stability than the 4900.  The R-1000 is a better DX machine vs. the 4900 but not as easy to listen to.  It’s odd, on paper the R-1000 is a solid product\package, yet, of all my radios, I find the R-1000 is the one that sits idle the most.

 

Third place is the Panasonic RF4900 – Good sensitivity, sound, and looks.  Ease of use with the dual speed tuning.  The only place it falls an bit short is in selectivity – only a fault if you want to do real DX work.

 

Forth place is the Sony ICF 5900W – really it’s almost as good as the 4900 – just not quite as sensitive.  It’s surprisingly easy to get accurate tuning even though it does not have a digital readout.  As a portable it beats the 4900 hands down (size and inclusion of a whip antenna).

 

Last place goes to the Sony ICF 6700.   I think this is a real cool looking radio and it’s the one I use for everyday listening while at work, not as sensitive as all the others.

 

Regards,

Gregory

 

Stephen A. Smith Announces That He Has Something Big to Say on His ESPN Radio Show for April 25th, 2012

Stephen A. Smith put out a teaser today on the radio: Tomorrow he has a big announcement. I hope he's not leaving ESPN . . . again. We'll see. 

Radiophiles' Lament: AM Is a Low Priority for Most Radio Consumers

 

 

Referring to the relatively small ferrite antennas inside the Sangean worksite radios, less than 5 inches, Ed writes:

I know we can't believe it, but AM performance is a low priority for most radio consumers. FM and iPod docking are the most valued features, with AM a distant third.

The ferrite AM antenna provided is more than adequate for most users, who have no interest or even know about "DXing"... As long as it gets the local stations, most will be happy.

Dave Zantow Reviews the Grundig G2 Reporter: Not Ready for Prime Time

 

 

Thanks, Gary:

Here is Dave Zantow's review of the Grundig G2 Reporter:

http://n9ewo.angelfire.com/g2reporter.html

It sounds like it's not ready for prime time.

 

Sangean Answers a Question About Ferrite Antenna Size by Sending Diagrams

 

 

Brandon Werner wanted to know which Sangean worksite radio, the U1, the U3, or the Fatbox, had the biggest ferrite antenna. Basically, he wanted the ferrite sizes. Instead, he got an email from Sangean with some hard-to-read diagrams. Can anyone read these, decipher these, interpret these? Whoa. 

 

 

 

 

"Improvements" on the Second Generation Tivoli Model One Ruined It

 

Referring to Brian's radio comparison, Jack writes:

I had a first-generation Tivoli Model One that I loved (and gave to a family member who admired it, too). When I replaced it with a second-generation model that had stereo output to the earphones and the "aux" selector switch, I was extremely disappointed that it exhibited the same hiss Brian describes here.

Really too bad, particularly given that the list price increased fifty percent. What had been a wonderful little radio was rendered unlistenable (to me), thanks to the "improvements."

 

ESPN's Mark Shapiro Told Dan Patrick He Was "Over the Hill"

 

Every now and then Dan Patrick will reveal little snippets that explain his lasting rancor for the Mothership. Last week, he said Mark Shapiro told Patrick he was "over the hill." 

Sounds like a hostile, toxic, insufferable work environment. I'm glad Patrick got a new radio show apart from the Mothership and landed on his feet.