New ultralight has arrived


Peter 1956 <pe1etr@...>
 

The HRD-1032 arrived this morning 1st Nov, they gave me a delivery date of 4-10th Nov, so it was early. I'll do the detailed testing and also the comparison with the CS-106
Peter


Michael Schuster
 

On Fri, Oct 21, 2022 at 06:01 PM, Peter 1956 wrote:
Yes, there are some physical differences but slso several similarities. 
I have ordered one from Amazon.co.uk for £10.76 including tax and delivery. I think it is coming from China, same as the Vbestlife CS-106 did. I shall make a comparison. Reviews are mixed.
Thanks Peter, it would be good to see a comparison. Agree these designs have many similarities. 

On posted teardowns the HRD-1032 has a larger ferrite antenna. It also seems to be less picky about battery voltage.


Peter 1956 <pe1etr@...>
 

Update
I returned the Panasonic RF-P150D to Amazon. You might have noticed from my videos  that long-range MW signals confused the DSP auto tune, resulting in loud clicks, Also the headphone socket is mono, so sound only comes out of one channel of a pair stereo earbuds.
The HanRongDa HRD-1032 has been dispatched from China.
Peter


Peter 1956 <pe1etr@...>
 

Hello Michael,
Yes, there are some physical differences but slso several similarities. 
I have ordered one from Amazon.co.uk for £10.76 including tax and delivery. I think it is coming from China, same as the Vbestlife CS-106 did. I shall make a comparison. Reviews are mixed.
Peter


mediumwavedx
 

Peter, thanks for putting up the videos. Impressive reception.

--
Bill, WE7W near Rochester, NY
https://radio-timetraveller.blogspot.com


Michael Schuster
 
Edited

On Thu, Oct 20, 2022 at 02:47 PM, Peter 1956 wrote:
Yes Michael that HRD-1032 is the same as the Vbestlife CS-106.
On mine it is possible to change 9kHz/10kHz steps on MW.
The Panasonic RF-P150D has far superior performance on MW. It can cope with both 9 and 10kHz steps too.
Peter
Nope. Button layout is different, look closely.  The CS-106 is a rebranded version of the Tivdio/Vite VT-111 or (domestic CN Basbon DS-858).

There were two hardware (??software) versions of the HRD-1032. The original model was hard-coded to either 9KHz or 10KHz steps. The later version was software switchable as you note.

I've never seen a true rebranded version of the HRD-1032. Which is actually a bit weird considering how many other HanRongDa models are rebranded (take the zero-to-daylight HRD-747 as a current example).


Peter 1956 <pe1etr@...>
 

Yes Michael that HRD-1032 is the same as the Vbestlife CS-106.
On mine it is possible to change 9kHz/10kHz steps on MW.
The Panasonic RF-P150D has far superior performance on MW. It can cope with both 9 and 10kHz steps too.
Peter


Michael Schuster
 
Edited

The Achilles heel on these sub-20 digital portables usually is the AM-modulated bands.

Often there is overpowering digital noise leaking into the audio from the processor or LCD display controller.

Also the AM ferrite antenna is extremely tiny, even for the actual cabinet size (e.g. the overall dimensions of a trade paperback book).

Over the last few years the only one of this lot I've seen that is worth getting is the HanRongDa HRD-1032:

https://www.amazon.com/HanRongDa-Portable-ShortWave-Multiband-Receiver/dp/B072V176GD/

apparently discontinued but still available from some sources, usually direct ship from China.

In contrast to the others where the same physical appearing radio may appear in a handful of different brands, the PCB on this model clearly indicated it was, in fact, designed by the branded manufacturer.

It was so good I bought two (at US$12 each) as the internal construction (buttons held in place with cellophane tape, etc) did not suggest long term durability.

See Todd Erbert's initial and followup reviews of this set on Youtube.


Michael.2E0IHW
 

The 801 vs 810 hetrodyne  used to be a morning  GRRR in the glory days of BBC Devon on 801 ...

Now no DAB, no FM, so no Radio Devon - unless I shoo TV watchers away and  sit immobile
in front of the Freeview TV.  Not a realistic option.

Michael

On 20/10/2022 13:10, Peter 1956 wrote:

...

810 BBC Radio Scotland vs 801 RNE Radio Nacional Spain
9kHz selectivity test

https://youtu.be/ImFoYqQ5T7A



Peter 1956 <pe1etr@...>
 

880 WCBS NY Panasonic RF-P150D barefoot in England 5308km 3299miles with ID.

https://youtu.be/NNalLYxIwm0
Peter


Peter 1956 <pe1etr@...>
 

Looks the same as the Vbestlife CS-106. Not brilliant. My CS-106 was cheaper


Peter 1956 <pe1etr@...>
 

1200 USA WXKS Newton MA Panasonic RF-P150D barefoot 5912km 3115 miles

20th October 2022 05:21 UTC
indoor reception Blackpool UK
https://youtu.be/aSwO6L5amkM

810 BBC Radio Scotland vs 801 RNE Radio Nacional Spain
9kHz selectivity test

https://youtu.be/ImFoYqQ5T7A

909 BBC 5live Panasonic PF-150D audio quality test

https://youtu.be/2dH6tlzqGeQ

Peter


FenDrifter
 

Slight curveball here, I'm thinking about this cheapie at £15.59 from Amazon, any thoughts Peter or anyone? 

F/S


mediumwavedx
 

Thanks for checking, Peter. I may have to give this Panasonic a try.

--
Bill, WE7W near Rochester, NY
https://radio-timetraveller.blogspot.com


Peter 1956 <pe1etr@...>
 

A bit of a challenge tuning10kHz splits, but I got 880 WCBS nice and clear just 2kHz below BBC Radio Wales.
Peter


Peter 1956 <pe1etr@...>
 

Hello Bill,
It had no problem separating 801 & 810.
I'll try and separate even closer spaced 9/10kHz splits tomorrow morning,
Peter


Peter 1956 <pe1etr@...>
 

It passed the Urumqi test!
1521 CRI Russian Urumqi 6200km 3853mi Panasonic RF-P150D

Radio used barefoot indoors in Blackpool UK. 

Audio rec with a Retekess V115 via line in.

19th October 2022

https://youtu.be/6hScpxS0WE4


Marc Coevoet
 

Op 19/10/2022 om 21:23 schreef mediumwavedx:
I'll check tonight if my larger portable, the CC Radio EP Pro does the same thing. It's also an analog-tuned but DSP radio. Beautiful machine by the way.
Is better than the Sony dsp radios, so ... you might be better off!

Marc
--
The "Penguin" has arrived - and he's not going away - ever.
For former Apple users: Xubuntu.org (menu's up left)
For former Windows users: Lubuntu.org (menu's down left)


mediumwavedx
 
Edited

Let us know how the tuning feels, Peter.
 
I have three ultralight analog-tuned DSP portables here and each has the same problem.
 
Example: At night I have strong stations on 760 (WJR) and 780 (WBBM) KHz. A weaker station on 770, WABC, is not receivable because when tuned to 770 the radio "captures" the stronger adjacent channel.
 
I love these portables otherwise. They are sensitive, but prone to this capture effect when a weaker station is next to a strong station.
 
I'll check tonight if my larger portable, the CC Radio EP Pro does the same thing. It's also an analog-tuned but DSP radio. Beautiful machine by the way.

--
Bill, WE7W near Rochester, NY
https://radio-timetraveller.blogspot.com


FenDrifter
 

I look forward with interest Peter, particularly as it's only £20. 

Drifter