Red Wave Radio

I recently bought a Grundig 400 from Radio Shack. I owned a Grunidg
700 and wanted something I could carry around. I primarily listen to
AM stuff and some SW. When I got the 400 home, I could not believe the
noise and the poor AM quality coming from it. I guess I was used to
the 700 sound, but I was very displeased with the 400 overall. Radio
Shack was not too helpful either, I really had to demand that they
take it back. Has anyone else found the same thing with the 400? Or
was it just a "bad one."

Quote:"joel" wrote...
> I recently bought a Grundig 400 from Radio Shack. I owned a Grunidg
> 700 and wanted something I could carry around. I primarily listen to
> AM stuff and some SW. When I got the 400 home, I could not believe the
> noise and the poor AM quality coming from it. I guess I was used to
> the 700 sound, but I was very displeased with the 400 overall. Radio
> Shack was not too helpful either, I really had to demand that they
> take it back. Has anyone else found the same thing with the 400? Or
> was it just a "bad one."

I've seen your same complaint here a number of times. All were in reference
to a Grundig YB400 PE recently purchased at Radio Shack.

I have an old YB400, years before the issue of the silver PE. It's one of
the
best investments I ever made. So, judging from the recent purchases that are
(mostly) negative, I'm guessing something has changed drastically... other
than
just making the YB400 a silver radio and slapping "PE" on the name.

Maybe people getting good ones at Radio Shack don't post. I think I've seen
only one happy customer put something here. I would have recommended
that radio to people (based on my older one) if I hadn't seen so many
dissatisfied customers post in this newsgroup.

I have an older YB400 that I use all over the world for the last 10-15
years and it works great on am-fm&sw. I just can't say enough good
things about it.
        The best radio I have every had.

Burr
Ridgecrest, Ca 93555
USA
Long Wire
        W117.4157
        N35.3582

I have one of the newer YB-400 PE models which
I bought just about a year ago.
Since it was my first portable SW radio, I have no basis for comparison.
On the strong SW stations, it's just as good as my R-75.  However, on the
weaker stuff and
SSB, the R-75 buries it.
FM sounds great; but I only listen to stations 50 or so miles away.
Maybe I'm easy to please, or maybe I got one of the better ones.
I bought mine just about a year ago.
Lenny

I wonder how many of these complaints are due to people that are new
to shortwave, and simply don't have their YB400PE set up properly?
Such as; DX/Local switch set to local, SSB improperly switched ON, not
knowing/understanding that in N. America MW is spaced at 10 khz, or
even if they understand the difference between mhz/khz and how to read
it on their display, etc. These little radios are a bit more complex
than a simple boombox. Just a thought...

I can attest to the fact that the original black Grundig Yachtboy 400
was a great *portable* shortwave radio.  The old PASSPORT books gave
it excellent reviews.  And my experience with it was very good as
well.  It was well made, and quite sensitive and selective...in the
SHORTWAVE bands.  I'm unfamiliar with the new Silver PE.....but if
your having problems with it....as well as others....something has
changed.  Try to find an original in good shape....you won't be
disapointed.  It a fine (realitively inexpensive) portable.

I was displeased with the sync detector on my Grundig Satellit 500 so
I sold it and purchased the Satellit 700.  I found it to be junk
compared to the 500.  The 500 had MUCH BETTER selectivity, better
sound, and better all around reception.  The sync detector on the 700
was better than the 500, but still not very useful.  I sold the
Satellit 700 and purchased the YB-400 and have been very happy with
it.  Of course the sound on the 400 is not as good as the 700 or 500
since it is smaller and has a smaller speaker.  But in my opinion,
reception on the 400 was better than the 700, mainly due to MUCH
BETTER bandwidth filters.

Quote:> I recently bought a Grundig 400 from Radio Shack. I owned a Grunidg
> 700 and wanted something I could carry around. I primarily listen to
> AM stuff and some SW. When I got the 400 home, I could not believe the
> noise and the poor AM quality coming from it. I guess I was used to
> the 700 sound, but I was very displeased with the 400 overall. Radio
> Shack was not too helpful either, I really had to demand that they
> take it back. Has anyone else found the same thing with the 400? Or
> was it just a "bad one."

Why wouldnt Radio Shack take it back?  I've never had any problems
returning items within 30 days of purchase.  

Hi,

I think you may have a bad one because mine is great - none of the problems
you mention. I also have a DX-398 which I can simultaneously compare it to
to confirm that.

I was in the hospital the last few days and I was undecided which to take
(in case of theft). If I had to lose it which one would I take - I took the
DX-398 because I valued my 400PE more. Needless to say, the 398 never left
my bed and it did go back home with me. BTW, I also have a Sat 800.

My 2 cents
Abb N

Quote:> I recently bought a Grundig 400 from Radio Shack. I owned a Grunidg
> 700 and wanted something I could carry around. I primarily listen to
> AM stuff and some SW. When I got the 400 home, I could not believe the
> noise and the poor AM quality coming from it. I guess I was used to
> the 700 sound, but I was very displeased with the 400 overall. Radio
> Shack was not too helpful either, I really had to demand that they
> take it back. Has anyone else found the same thing with the 400? Or
> was it just a "bad one."

I guess there is some confussion as to which Grundig Yacht Boy each of
you have.  The Original YB-400 (Black) or the newer YB-400-PE
(Silver).  Some claim that there is no difference in the circuit
designs of both radios.  But other claim that the newer Silver
YB-400-PE has more problems than the original Black YB-400.

~ RHF

The difference between the two is the silver color, AND the PE comes
with an AC adaptor.  The original 400 did NOT come with an AC adaptor.
 There are no other differences.