On Feb 15, 1:21 pm, "Steve" wrote:
On Feb 14, 6:44 pm, "junius" wrote:





It looks like the Eton E1 (minus XM satellite radio capability, it
would seem) is to be rebadged as the Grundig G1.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...able/2001.html

Not available until late 2007.

The selling price on this set could potentially prove more attractive
than that of the $500 E1XM: The G1's list price is $500 on
Universal's website, as opposed to the $700 list price of the E1
(which Universal and other outlets regularly sell at 499.95).

RadioIntel has some pictures of the G1, taken at CES 2007.

http://www.radiointel.com/ces2007.htm

junius

Anyone know why they're slapping the Grundig name on it? Is this just
a sales ploy? It's great that they're stripping off the XM.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Meanwhile, I've spent much of this weekend playing around with Ten-
Tec's humble "black box" receiver, the RX320, available from Universal
for $349.00. It's amazing what you get for the price. The software I'm
currently using with it (RxPlus) gives me my choice from among 34
filter bandwidths, four VFOs, excellent dsp noise reduction, the
ability to decode SSTV, RTTY, PSK and HF-FAX, three AGC speeds,
extremely effective passband tuning, 1 hz tuning resolution...I could
go on and on. Yes, these black boxes chain you to a computer, it's
true. Yes, it unfortunately includes DRM capability if you get the
right software. However, it's *American made* and the bang for the
buck is impressive--a refreshing change of pace from the overpriced
portables people inexplicably obsess over. And I guess one nice thing
about these black boxes is that there's not as much to break or moving
parts to wear out. My only real complaint about this receiver concerns
its lack of synchronous detection, but my sense is that this could
have a software solution down the line. I don't know. But even out of
the box it's amazing what you get for the money. Eton schmeton.

On Feb 16, 9:34 pm, "Unrevealed Source"
wrote:
So, buy your E1/G1 and contribute to the profit that BEL turns over to
the Gov't of India (and yes, BEL regularly turns over a profit to the
GOI).

You are aware that US firms turn over a portion of their profit to the US
Government, right?

Right, bud. Maybe you missed what I was getting at there...

Bharat Electronics is a Public Sector Undertaking of the Defence
Production Department of India's Ministry of Defence.

Note (to borrow from Wikipedia): "The public sector is the part of
economic and administrative life that deals with the delivery of goods
and services by and for the government"

Today, there privately traded shares of Bharat Electronics on the
Bombay Sensex; but, to be sure, the GOI is the dominant shareholder in
this enterprise. The GOI holds some 75.9% of BEL shares. So, when I
wrote of BEL turning over a profit to the GOI, I was referring to
dividend payments (refer to the GOI Public Information Bureau released
referenced).

Contracts from India's Ministry of Defense by far constitute the bulk
of Bharat Electronics' sales. Indeed, civilian sales and exports to
foreign gov'ts account for only about 16% of Bharat Electronics'
revenues.

Hey, here in the US, we might have the Tobyhanna Army Depot, with all
of the great work they carry out for CECOM; but the big production
contracts for military communications go to private firms, such as
ITT, Harris, Thales, General Dynamics, etc...

On Feb 17, 8:41 am, "Steve" wrote:
On Feb 15, 1:21 pm, "Steve" wrote:





On Feb 14, 6:44 pm, "junius" wrote:

It looks like the Eton E1 (minus XM satellite radio capability, it
would seem) is to be rebadged as the Grundig G1.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...able/2001.html

Not available until late 2007.

The selling price on this set could potentially prove more attractive
than that of the $500 E1XM: The G1's list price is $500 on
Universal's website, as opposed to the $700 list price of the E1
(which Universal and other outlets regularly sell at 499.95).

RadioIntel has some pictures of the G1, taken at CES 2007.

http://www.radiointel.com/ces2007.htm

junius

Anyone know why they're slapping the Grundig name on it? Is this just
a sales ploy? It's great that they're stripping off the XM.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Meanwhile, I've spent much of this weekend playing around with Ten-
Tec's humble "black box" receiver, the RX320, available from Universal
for $349.00. It's amazing what you get for the price. The software I'm
currently using with it (RxPlus) gives me my choice from among 34
filter bandwidths, four VFOs, excellent dsp noise reduction, the
ability to decode SSTV, RTTY, PSK and HF-FAX, three AGC speeds,
extremely effective passband tuning, 1 hz tuning resolution...I could
go on and on. Yes, these black boxes chain you to a computer, it's
true. Yes, it unfortunately includes DRM capability if you get the
right software. However, it's *American made* and the bang for the
buck is impressive--a refreshing change of pace from the overpriced
portables people inexplicably obsess over. And I guess one nice thing
about these black boxes is that there's not as much to break or moving
parts to wear out. My only real complaint about this receiver concerns
its lack of synchronous detection, but my sense is that this could
have a software solution down the line. I don't know. But even out of
the box it's amazing what you get for the money. Eton schmeton.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Interesting set the RX-320. I played around with one once, and I
considered getting one for a time. The bandwidth flexibility is really
a plus. Admittedly, though, I have a preference for all of the knobs
and buttons and other things with which things can go wrong! Were I
looking to get a computer controlled set, I'd definitely go for the
RX-320.
As I'm soon planning to go for the General class ticket, though, I'm
thinking my next plunge will be for the IC-7000 (which, incidentally,
offers a passband width range of 200Hz to 10kHz in 200Hz steps for AM
mode...nice for those who enjoy BCB SWLing!). If Icom were to have
added synchronous detection to this unit, it'd hands down be much more
interesting than almost any of the recent offerings for SWLers in the
HF-receiver market.

Joe Analssandrini wrote:
On Feb 14, 6:44 pm, "junius" wrote:
It looks like the Eton E1 (minus XM satellite radio capability, it
would seem) is to be rebadged as the Grundig G1.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...able/2001.html

Not available until late 2007.

The selling price on this set could potentially prove more attractive
than that of the $500 E1XM: The G1's list price is $500 on
Universal's website, as opposed to the $700 list price of the E1
(which Universal and other outlets regularly sell at 499.95).

RadioIntel has some pictures of the G1, taken at CES 2007.

http://www.radiointel.com/ces2007.htm

junius

Dear Junius,

This is strictly conjecture on my part - I believe the "Etón" name has
no cachet whatsoever as a radio brand (as opposed to a company brand)
and perhaps they want to see which name sells best. Personally, I
should hope for the return of the Grundig name but the quality has to
be there or else that name too will lose whatever credibility it
possesses. By eliminating XM capability (something I, as well as many
others, do not want on such a radio), the manufacturing cost should be
less and I hope that the selling price will be less, too.


Don't count on it.

E1 is 'XM' ready. That's not to say it's an XM radio. It requires an
XM antenna and the outboard XM tuning module. Both optional extras at
additional cost. The only thing the radio does to produce XM is address
the outboard XM tuning module through the operating system. If the XM
outboard tuning module is not connected, the XM functionality doesn't
show up in the O/S.

Removing XM capability requires little more than removing the
connector for the outboard tuning module.

On Feb 14, 6:44 pm, "junius" wrote:
It looks like the Eton E1 (minus XM satellite radio capability, it
would seem) is to be rebadged as the Grundig G1.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...able/2001.html

Not available until late 2007.

The selling price on this set could potentially prove more attractive
than that of the $500 E1XM: The G1's list price is $500 on
Universal's website, as opposed to the $700 list price of the E1
(which Universal and other outlets regularly sell at 499.95).

RadioIntel has some pictures of the G1, taken at CES 2007.

http://www.radiointel.com/ces2007.htm

junius

For what ever it is worth XM and Sirius issued the long expected
announcement they will be merging. If this agreement eventually
passes muster at Justice Dept., will the broadcast standards also be
merged? Will one standard win out over the other or will yet a third
one emerge? I don't know, but I would hold off buying into an XM
configured G1 until this is resolved.

On Feb 20, 8:56 am, "Roadie" wrote:
For what ever it is worth XM and Sirius issued the long expected
announcement they will be merging. If this agreement eventually
passes muster at Justice Dept., will the broadcast standards also be
merged? Will one standard win out over the other or will yet a third
one emerge? I don't know, but I would hold off buying into an XM
configured G1 until this is resolved.

The business news about this has concentrated on the
requirement for FCC approval and I've seen nothing
about the technical aspects or details. Has anyone?

The two different satellite-radio systems have differing
technical specs, using different digital decoding and
frequency ranges. How can these be "merged"? Wouldn't
they have to abandon one set of satellites and go with
the other alone? Or could there be dual-technology
receivers that "hide" the different transmissions from
the users and present them with a menu of the whole
range of signals from both sources as if they were one?
Has anyone yet built such a device?

By the way, why does no one ever speak of "hacking"
satellite radio in order to get the signals without
paying the monthly fee? There's all sorts of such
illegal activity for satellite TV and every now and then
you read of the countermeasures used by the sat-TV
companies and busts of suppliers of illegal decoder
equipment, but I've never seen anything about the same
activity regarding XM or Sirius. Is it impossible or
is it just that nobody cares enough to do it?

73, Will

Will wrote:
The business news about this has concentrated on the
requirement for FCC approval and I've seen nothing
about the technical aspects or details. Has anyone?

No, I doubt that any of the reporters care.

The two different satellite-radio systems have differing
technical specs, using different digital decoding and
frequency ranges. How can these be "merged"? Wouldn't
they have to abandon one set of satellites and go with
the other alone?

I have not seen the details but I assumed they would continue to operate
their networks as long as they had customers who wanted them. What would
merge was the back end, the programs, and the business offices.

In the end there would be only one network with two delivery systems.
Similar to broadcast television today. Low defintion TV broadcast over
one channel and high def, but the same programs over another.

Eventually they would decide on one technology. It might be one of the
two they use, or it may be a newer technology that was not available
when the current ones were launched.

There are several ways of dealing with getting rid of the hardware
they no longer wish to support, from simply discontinuing service, to offering
free service or a discount to upgraders, (trade in your old receiver and
get a year's free servivce or $50 off). They may at various times do different
deals.

Eventualy they will just drop the one they won't support.

By the way, why does no one ever speak of "hacking"
satellite radio in order to get the signals without
paying the monthly fee? There's all sorts of such
illegal activity for satellite TV and every now and then
you read of the countermeasures used by the sat-TV
companies and busts of suppliers of illegal decoder
equipment, but I've never seen anything about the same
activity regarding XM or Sirius. Is it impossible or
is it just that nobody cares enough to do it?

No one has advertised it. I'm not really sure it's worth it. The
companies are too small in scope and customer base to make it worth
doing for money. People who want to hear the programs just download them
via the Internet (often illegaly).

Besides the handfull of talk radio shows that are exclusive to the
networks, is there anything really worth bothering? There are lots
of other sources for the music.

Geoff.

--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel N3OWJ/4X1GM
IL Voice: (07)-7424-1667 Fax ONLY: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838
Visit my 'blog at http://geoffstechno.livejournal.com/

On Feb 21, 2:40 pm, "Will" wrote:
On Feb 20, 8:56 am, "Roadie" wrote:

For what ever it is worth XM and Sirius issued the long expected
announcement they will be merging. If this agreement eventually
passes muster at Justice Dept., will the broadcast standards also be
merged? Will one standard win out over the other or will yet a third
one emerge? I don't know, but I would hold off buying into an XM
configured G1 until this is resolved.

The business news about this has concentrated on the
requirement for FCC approval and I've seen nothing
about the technical aspects or details. Has anyone?

The two different satellite-radio systems have differing
technical specs, using different digital decoding and
frequency ranges. How can these be "merged"? Wouldn't
they have to abandon one set of satellites and go with
the other alone? Or could there be dual-technology
receivers that "hide" the different transmissions from
the users and present them with a menu of the whole
range of signals from both sources as if they were one?
Has anyone yet built such a device?

I suspect that there will ultimately have to be a winner and loser as
we saw in the VHS and Betamax wars 25 years ago or in the FM wars long
ago. It makes no sense for one company to maintain and enhance two
incompatible technologies broadcasting essentially the same
information. There would have to be a transition period possibly
mandated by the FCC, but ultimately many fancy satellite radios will
have to become doorstops.


By the way, why does no one ever speak of "hacking"
satellite radio in order to get the signals without
paying the monthly fee? There's all sorts of such
illegal activity for satellite TV and every now and then
you read of the countermeasures used by the sat-TV
companies and busts of suppliers of illegal decoder
equipment, but I've never seen anything about the same
activity regarding XM or Sirius. Is it impossible or
is it just that nobody cares enough to do it?

Probably not impossible to hack, but likely a lot harder. And I
wonder whether the result is really worth the effort.

The real question is whether the merger of two companies companies
that both hemmorage a lot of money will result in anything more than a
bigger money pit. Both of them have rewarded their on-air talent
handsomely, but subscriptions are not generating anything close to a
break-even operation. Also consider they are competing against Ipod
technology and existing free brodcast stations both of which media
offer notable benefits over satellite based radio.


73, Will

On Feb 20, 3:43 am, D Peter Maus wrote:
Joe Analssandrini wrote:
On Feb 14, 6:44 pm, "junius" wrote:
It looks like the Eton E1 (minus XM satellite radio capability, it
would seem) is to be rebadged as the Grundig G1.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...able/2001.html

Not available until late 2007.

The selling price on this set could potentially prove more attractive
than that of the $500 E1XM: The G1's list price is $500 on
Universal's website, as opposed to the $700 list price of the E1
(which Universal and other outlets regularly sell at 499.95).

RadioIntel has some pictures of the G1, taken at CES 2007.

http://www.radiointel.com/ces2007.htm

junius

Dear Junius,

This is strictly conjecture on my part - I believe the "Etón" name has
no cachet whatsoever as a radio brand (as opposed to a company brand)
and perhaps they want to see which name sells best. Personally, I
should hope for the return of the Grundig name but the quality has to
be there or else that name too will lose whatever credibility it
possesses. By eliminating XM capability (something I, as well as many
others, do not want on such a radio), the manufacturing cost should be
less and I hope that the selling price will be less, too.

Don't count on it.

E1 is 'XM' ready. That's not to say it's an XM radio. It requires an
XM antenna and the outboard XM tuning module. Both optional extras at
additional cost. The only thing the radio does to produce XM is address
the outboard XM tuning module through the operating system. If the XM
outboard tuning module is not connected, the XM functionality doesn't
show up in the O/S.

Removing XM capability requires little more than removing the
connector for the outboard tuning module.- Hide quoted text -

One thing that is not clear from the G1's sales leaflet is whether it
has synchronous detection like the E1. Does it?

RK

rkhalona wrote:

On Feb 20, 3:43 am, D Peter Maus wrote:
Joe Analssandrini wrote:
On Feb 14, 6:44 pm, "junius" wrote:
It looks like the Eton E1 (minus XM satellite radio capability, it
would seem) is to be rebadged as the Grundig G1.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...able/2001.html

Not available until late 2007.

The selling price on this set could potentially prove more attractive
than that of the $500 E1XM: The G1's list price is $500 on
Universal's website, as opposed to the $700 list price of the E1
(which Universal and other outlets regularly sell at 499.95).

RadioIntel has some pictures of the G1, taken at CES 2007.

http://www.radiointel.com/ces2007.htm

junius

Dear Junius,

This is strictly conjecture on my part - I believe the "Etón" name has
no cachet whatsoever as a radio brand (as opposed to a company brand)
and perhaps they want to see which name sells best. Personally, I
should hope for the return of the Grundig name but the quality has to
be there or else that name too will lose whatever credibility it
possesses. By eliminating XM capability (something I, as well as many
others, do not want on such a radio), the manufacturing cost should be
less and I hope that the selling price will be less, too.

Don't count on it.

E1 is 'XM' ready. That's not to say it's an XM radio. It requires an
XM antenna and the outboard XM tuning module. Both optional extras at
additional cost. The only thing the radio does to produce XM is address
the outboard XM tuning module through the operating system. If the XM
outboard tuning module is not connected, the XM functionality doesn't
show up in the O/S.

Removing XM capability requires little more than removing the
connector for the outboard tuning module.- Hide quoted text -

One thing that is not clear from the G1's sales leaflet is whether it
has synchronous detection like the E1. Does it?

According to this: http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...able/2001.html
it does, and is sideband selectable.

dxAce
Michigan
USA