Hello all

It has boiled down to one of these 3 radios. The local Radio Shack
carries each of them. I have read many a good thing about the Grundig
Miniworld, but info is hard to find on the two Realistic models.
I my budget is tight, and it looks like analogue is the most
affordable, and compact is what I am leaning towards.
Does anybody have any thoughtsor comparisons?

Thanks, Jay

In article ,
Jay wrote:
Hello all

It has boiled down to one of these 3 radios. The local Radio Shack
carries each of them. I have read many a good thing about the Grundig
Miniworld, but info is hard to find on the two Realistic models.
I my budget is tight, and it looks like analogue is the most
affordable, and compact is what I am leaning towards.
Does anybody have any thoughtsor comparisons?

Thanks, Jay

The Grundig Miniworld is a single-conversion, analog tuned radio. It's
strengths are pocket size, good sensitivity and lack of noise from a
cheap digital synthesizer, since it has none :-) Its selectivity is
poor - both from adjacent channels (the filters are wide) and images
(single-conversion design).

The last two printed catalogs I have from Radio Shack no longer listed the
analog portables, so I can't really say except to surmise they were both
Sangean models rebadged by Radio Shack. It's a good bet they would
out-perform the Mini World 100, though.

Something else to consider: I have too many radios. One that is clearly
superfluous is a Sony ICF-SW11 that a well-meaning relative gave me over
the holidays. I have plenty of more capable digital portables, and it's a
set I will never use. It's brand new, in the original box, unused ... and
would probably out-perform the 3 models you're looking at. I think it went
for about $40 when it was still in production, so if you're interested
feel free to make me an offer before I overcome laziness and put together
an ad for eBay.

I also have an "extra" Kaiwa KA-818, which was also sold by Grundig in
years past. It looks like the Mini World 100 with a digital (analog to
frequency counter) display. Doesn't perform any better, I'm afraid; but
it's a lot easier to tune and I think I paid all of $15 for it.

I also have the KA-818 and a mini-100. Strangely enough, I feel the mini
100 tunes much more easily than my 818. Just goes to show the varying
degrees of construction of these cheap Chinese radios!


"Mike S." wrote in message
...

I also have an "extra" Kaiwa KA-818, which was also sold by Grundig in
years past. It looks like the Mini World 100 with a digital (analog to
frequency counter) display. Doesn't perform any better, I'm afraid; but
it's a lot easier to tune and I think I paid all of $15 for it.

- Have you checked this one out ??

http://store.yahoo.com/kb-electronics/jx-m14.html

Jwin JX -m14; Analogue with a Digital readout

- Small , Real cheap too!!



In article . net, "Jim
Hackett" writes:


I also have the KA-818 and a mini-100. Strangely enough, I feel the mini
100 tunes much more easily than my 818. Just goes to show the varying
degrees of construction of these cheap Chinese radios!


"Mike S." wrote in message
...

I also have an "extra" Kaiwa KA-818, which was also sold by Grundig in
years past. It looks like the Mini World 100 with a digital (analog to
frequency counter) display. Doesn't perform any better, I'm afraid; but
it's a lot easier to tune and I think I paid all of $15 for it.

Jay:
I haven't used the Grundig Mini but I have used the other two. If
small size is important, eg. you want to carry it in a shirt pocket,
then the DX 342 is not a bad radio. I have had one for more than 10
years and use it from time to time. The band selector slider is
getting quite loose.
I liked the DX 351 better but unfortunately it was destroyed when
a large heavy book landed on it. If prices are the same then I would
go for the DX 351.
By the way, these radios have been out of the catelog for many
years now. Your RS store must be well off the beaten path.
Regards
Bob







Jay wrote in message . ..
Hello all

It has boiled down to one of these 3 radios. The local Radio Shack
carries each of them. I have read many a good thing about the Grundig
Miniworld, but info is hard to find on the two Realistic models.
I my budget is tight, and it looks like analogue is the most
affordable, and compact is what I am leaning towards.
Does anybody have any thoughtsor comparisons?

Thanks, Jay

In article . net,
Jim Hackett wrote:

"Mike S." wrote in message
...

I also have an "extra" Kaiwa KA-818, which was also sold by Grundig in
years past. It looks like the Mini World 100 with a digital (analog to
frequency counter) display. Doesn't perform any better, I'm afraid; but
it's a lot easier to tune and I think I paid all of $15 for it.

I also have the KA-818 and a mini-100. Strangely enough, I feel the mini
100 tunes much more easily than my 818. Just goes to show the varying
degrees of construction of these cheap Chinese radios!

I've seen comments ranking them both ways. I agree that sample to sample
quality control variations are certainly at work here.

Far and above, the best analog-tuned-with-frequency-counter pocket model
I've tried is the Tecsun R9702, which is dual-conversion and also has
excellent audio for size. Its downside is dividing the whole shortwave
coverage into only 2 bands (with a gap between 10 - 11 MHz), which means
you must have a REALLY steady hand. Sorta like using the BCL-2000 without
using the find tuning gear.

Oh come on. It can't be THAT bad! Ever tuned an FR-200 wind -up?

Sorta like using the BCL-2000 without
using the find tuning gear.

On 13 Feb 2004 19:19:06 -0800, (Bob) wrote:

Jay:
I haven't used the Grundig Mini but I have used the other two. If
small size is important, eg. you want to carry it in a shirt pocket,
then the DX 342 is not a bad radio. I have had one for more than 10
years and use it from time to time. The band selector slider is
getting quite loose.
I liked the DX 351 better but unfortunately it was destroyed when
a large heavy book landed on it. If prices are the same then I would
go for the DX 351.
By the way, these radios have been out of the catelog for many
years now. Your RS store must be well off the beaten path.
Regards
Bob






Actually, the RS store I am looking at is brand new, just opened
before Xmas. The thing is, it seems when these older radios appear,
they are almost always returns, as was the case with my DX-392, with
leaking batteries, and frequencies programmed in. But the clerk swore
up and down it was brand new. Oh yeah, the lock button was snapped
off.

Cheers, jay

On Sat, 14 Feb 2004 18:38:50 GMT, Jay wrote:
Hello again



Also, FYI the DX-342 is $79.99 CDN, and The DX-351 is $49.99 CDN

Is the 342 that much better in reception and build quality that is
warrants the extra 30 dollars?

Thanks, Jay

Jay: Why not try both radios in the store parking lot to see which
one best meets your needs. The DX 342 was built by Sangean and sold
as the MS 103. It is not bad but the audio is quite tinny through the
small speaker. Sounds good with headphones tho and has stereo FM. I
think the 351 is also a Sangean, maybe the 700 or 789. It is a
larger set with a larger speaker and sounds better. I think it is
mono FM.
As I recall they are both quite sensitive just using the whip.
Maybe as the stock is so old they would entertain a lower offer.
I bought the DX342 around 1994 at clearance price.
Regards, Bob







Jay wrote in message . ..
On Sat, 14 Feb 2004 18:38:50 GMT, Jay wrote:
Hello again



Also, FYI the DX-342 is $79.99 CDN, and The DX-351 is $49.99 CDN

Is the 342 that much better in reception and build quality that is
warrants the extra 30 dollars?

Thanks, Jay