Eton/Grundig Elite Mini - Initial Observations
I have recently bought the Eton/Grundig Elite Mini and really like it! You can get it "repackaged" from Amazon in the US for about $24.
It is incredibly simple, but with surprising reception when compared with the CCrane Skywave and Radiwow R-108. The Skywave/R-108 do edge out the "Mini" somewhat, but for it's tiny form factor and price, it is really hard to not like the "Mini".
Mind you, all of my testing is super basic, just switching between radios and choosing the better of the two.
No memories, no bandwidths, just a simple radio with good AM/FM reception, all things considered. Additionally it has SW band coverage, but I have not yet tried that out very much as I am more of an AM/FM DX'er.
I have been using it as my sole "DX rig" so far in 2022, and I have logged quite a few good (for me) DX catches with it on the AM/FM band.
I have found it to be a fun little radio. It would also be a good, inexpensive nightstand or "throw in a coat pocket" radio.
Johnny
On Friday, January 21st, 2022 at 12:53 AM, Johnny via groups.io <jlochey@...> wrote:
Hi all,
I have recently bought the Eton/Grundig Elite Mini and really like it! You can get it "repackaged" from Amazon in the US for about $24.
It is incredibly simple, but with surprising reception when compared with the CCrane Skywave and Radiwow R-108. The Skywave/R-108 do edge out the "Mini" somewhat, but for it's tiny form factor and price, it is really hard to not like the "Mini".
Mind you, all of my testing is super basic, just switching between radios and choosing the better of the two.
No memories, no bandwidths, just a simple radio with good AM/FM reception, all things considered. Additionally it has SW band coverage, but I have not yet tried that out very much as I am more of an AM/FM DX'er.
I have been using it as my sole "DX rig" so far in 2022, and I have logged quite a few good (for me) DX catches with it on the AM/FM band.
I have found it to be a fun little radio. It would also be a good, inexpensive nightstand or "throw in a coat pocket" radio.
Johnny
Hi Johnny
I’ve just been looking at the online ‘handbook’ checking to see if the 9/10kHz spacing was selectable, but unless I missed it it isn’t mentioned? This seems odd as it’s marked on one of the buttons. Is it automatic or set to country of sale please?
Drifter
I did wonder if you’d seen that 🤔. It’s not here yet, but I’m expecting it later today. I’m pretty keen to see it myself! This morning I started to renovate an old Panasonic RF-2200 that came through the door on Friday. That is even more exciting, but not ultralight of course!
Drifter
Okay Johnny and all, it’s arrived and I have to say I’m pretty impressed. But what I didn’t notice in my haste to buy was that unlike the Etón Mini it doesn’t have shortwave 😞. I haven’t been through all the operations yet, only the basic. I was tuning about and after 1700 UT. The AM band brought in my usual line up of stations plus a European station on 1386kHz (unknown because I’m not very familiar with this band). On FM it was also competent but when I plugged in some headphones the stereo was actually impressive. It’s a new toy that will live in my pocket for a while, and if anything more noticeable turns up I’ll let you know.
Drifter
Okay Johnny and all, it’s arrived and I have to say I’m pretty impressed. But what I didn’t notice in my haste to buy was that unlike the Etón Mini it doesn’t have shortwave 😞. I haven’t been through all the operations yet, only the basic. I was tuning about and after 1700 UT. The AM band brought in my usual line up of stations plus a European station on 1386kHz (unknown because I’m not very familiar with this band). On FM it was also competent but when I plugged in some headphones the stereo was actually impressive. It’s a new toy that will live in my pocket for a while, and if anything more noticeable turns up I’ll let you know.
Drifter
Hi Paul
I’m in the UK, and from what I’ve just read you’re in Australia?
Drifter