13-Year-Old Grundig G4000A SW Radio Replaces Sangean WR-2

Inexplicably, the Sangean WR-2 wasn't getting 89.3 KPCC without static, distortion, and bleed-in from another station, over the last few weeks, even with the wire FM antenna attached to the back of it. Who knows why FM reception is subject to variation. It could be the weather.

In any event, I put the Sangean WR-2 in my daughter's room (she gets her pop station MyFM 104.3 very easily, with the pigtail antenna on the back) and put the 13-year-old Grundig G4000A by my bedside.

The Grundig had been stored in my moist cold garage on a shelf. I resurrected it from the dead, so to speak. I took it into the warm house, sprayed Deoxit on the volume wheel due to oxidation scratchy noises, checked to see that volume scratch was gone, which it was, and I knew I was in business.

Reception for KPCC 40 Miles Away

With the telescopic FM antenna alone, KPCC has a weak signal, evidenced by the Grundig's reception meter, but when I put the wire SW antenna to the side SW antenna port, the reception is strong and clear. 

Over the years, I've had many portables, including the Degen 1103, and some old Tecsun models from about 10 years ago. They all suffered from weak tin speakers. Not so with the Grundig G4000A. The speaker sound is very pleasing. 

Because I no longer listen to AM, I don't have to worry about the inferior AM sound on this radio. I only listen to 4 FM stations: KPCC, KCRW, KJAZZ, and KUSC. All come in loud and clear on the Grundig. 

Over the 13 years, the Grundig has taken a huge beating. When my twins were toddlers, they bent and nearly broke the telescopic antenna, they knocked the radio several times off the counter resulting in some cracks in the outer case, and in general have beaten it to near death. But all operations are working well and for now, until I invest in a Tecsun PL-880 or something like it, the Grundig G4000A is my bedside radio. 

 

Comments

[Neil Goldstein, W2NDG]

With all the buying and selling I've done over the last few years I've had my hands on most of the classic SW portables produced since the mid 70's. I have to say that these are good basic performers. Easy to operate, and last a while on batteries. The other surprise (and one that I'm keeping) was the original Sangean ATS-909 (non-x). These can be had on the cheap sometimes as the RS DX-398. I've only kept a handful of radios after this tour of the market:

These are just the digital ones I have held on to

Sony 2010 (I currently have 3, but 2 will be sold)
Sangean ATS-909
Sangean ATS-803a
Grundig YB400E (very close to your G4000a)
XHDATA D-808
Sony Pro-80
Sony SW1S

There is also an assortment of cheap mini portables, an Eton Field radio and a Panasonic RF-2200

Enjoy the Grundig, and nice to see you posting about radios again!

[herculodge]

Good to know that Sangean ATS-909 is cheap because the new model is over $200. I find I need my radios to have an aperture for a SW wire antenna to enhance my FM reception.

[Huesby]

It's good to know you are posting about radios again!...
I'll sent you(if you like) some pictures of great performing fm antennas you could build for less than 10 dls.

[herculodge]

Sure. My new email: [email protected]. Or you can send link on comments page of this post. Thanks.

[Keith Beesley]

Huesby, please share antenna info on this page. Thanks!