Amazon.com Review
Experienced shortwave radio aficionados rejoice: Now you can pick up a fully modern radio with a design that hearkens back to the early days of your hobby. The Etón S350 Deluxe, which is actually produced by the respected European electronics manufacturer, Grundig, offers a great feature set for listening to radio broadcasts from distant shores. The design is suitably rugged for use in the field, or you can use it at home as a simple, yet powerful AM/FM receiver and alarm clock.
The S350 Deluxe: Rugged, retro, and ready to tune in the world. View larger. |
Easy-to-use, durable controls. View larger. |
This radio offers plenty of connectivity options. |
Features
At the heart of the S350 Deluxe is its robust synthesized digital tuner section, meaning the tuner is analog, but frequencies are displayed on a digital readout. FM tuning offers an AFC (Automatic Frequency Control) mode that automatically picks out the strongest stations -- great if you're someplace with a crowded FM dial. You can also switch the AFC mode off for fine tuning less powerful stations. Although the S350 Deluxe sports just one speaker, you can listen to FM stations in stereo through a pair of headphones. The large, comfortable headphones were a welcome surprise when we pulled the unit out of the box.
AM tuning can be switched between narrow and wide sensitivities to control interference. Further tuning refinements are available via the low pass filter switch, as well as a handy RF gain dial. Both of these features can also be used when tuning one of the three shortwave bands. And if you're serious about shortwave, you'll be glad to know that the S350 Deluxe can accept external antennas that can augment reception from the built-in, telescoping one. There's also an antenna port for enhanced FM reception.
In addition to a headphone output, the S350 Deluxe has stereo RCA line out jacks for connecting the unit to an amplifier or home stereo. The radio supports battery and AC power, but we were in for another surprise when we opened the battery compartment. Not only can the radio run on four "D" batteries, but there is also another, smaller compartment that accepts four "AA" cells -- a nice little bonus if you need temporary power and you only have the smaller cells on hand. Lastly, the S350 Deluxe offers basic sleep, alarm and snooze functions that were fairly easy to set and use. The LCD has a backlight button, so nighttime viewing is no problem. Thankfully, unlike the S350, the S350 Deluxe allows you to set the clock while the radio is operating.
Tuning In
FM tuning is very impressive. Because the radio can tune frequencies down to the hundredth decimal place, you'll easily tune problematic FM stations, or perhaps stations you've never heard before. The S350 Deluxe adds another improvement over the S350 in the tuning department, as well. The addition of new shortwave/AM frequency lock circuit improves stability to reduce tuning drift.
With very little experience or understanding of shortwave radio we were able to quickly tune in stations from as far away as Japan and Russia (Etón includes a handy crash course on shortwave tuning in the user's manual). Our only complaint in the tuning department: It's impossible to keep a station tuned on one band while tuning on other bands. For example, with an FM station locked in, switching to shortwave and tuning there changes the tuning on the FM band when you return.
Pros
Amazon.com Product Description
Get the best of both worlds: A modern and high-performance field radio combined with classic styling, rugged construction, and military-style controls. The Etón S350 Deluxe AM/FM Shortwave Radio also features highly sensitive and selective analog tuner circuitry that ensures reliable, accurate tuning across the AM, FM, and shortwave bands. Other features include a large, full-range speaker for clear sound; a line-level output; separate bass, treble, and RF gain controls; and wide and narrow bandwidth filter controls. All this and more is contained in a case that's only 12 inches wide and weighs under 3.5 pounds. It's a great way to tune in to local and international news, music, and sports wherever you roam.
Design and Controls
One look at the S350 Deluxe and you'll think you've stepped back in time. However, the classic design conceals technology that's anything but retro. The large, integrated speaker offers full-range sound while the digital frequency readout displays accurate frequency stepping for all three bands. The bright LCD screen also displays clock and alarm info. Precise tuning is handled by a large tuning knob and a concentric, independent fine-tuning control knob. You also get variable RF gain control, a rotary volume control, independent bass and treble control, and a low-pass filter for shortwave and AM reception. Controls for clock and alarm functions are arrayed above the LCD display. A built-in telescopic antenna handles FM and shortwave reception, and there's a built-in ferrite bar antenna for AM.
Tuning and Bands
On the AM band, you'll get tuning between 530 and 1710 KHz, while FM tuning is available from 88 to 108 MHz. When tuning in shortwave, the S350 Deluxe offers continuous coverage from 3 to 28 MHz. This includes 13 international broadcast bands: 11, 13, 15, 16, 19, 22, 25, 31, 41, 49, 60, 75 and 90 meters. As mentioned, the S350 Deluxe is built with high-quality tuner circuitry that maximizes accuracy, while offering an AM/shortwave frequency lock system.
Connections and Power
The S350 is equipped with a number of connectivity features, including a stereo line-level output, and jacks for supplementary AM, FM and shortwave antennas -- great for boosting reception when you need it. A stereo headphone jack makes it easy to listen to the radio in full stereo without disturbing others. The unit can be powered with the included AC adapter, or via four "D" or four "AA" batteries.
Extras
Unlike its predecessor, the S350, the S350 Deluxe allows you to set the radio's clock and alarm while the radio is still playing. A sleep timer will shut the radio off after a set interval, and last but not least, a convenient, strap-style carry handle makes it easy to take the S350 Deluxe along on any jaunt.
What's in the Box
S350 Deluxe radio, AC adapter, stereo headphones, and user's manual.
Product Description
The eton S350 DL Deluxe Radio Receiver is an analog receiver with digital display of AM, FM and international shortwave bands. It has exceptional play-time and offers a wide range of listening choices. It's the perfect choice for the radio enthusiast. L & R line level outputs and stereo/mono switch 90 minute sleep timer automatically turns the radio off Earphone jack Powered by four D batteries; Also comes with AC adaptor Dimensions - 10.5 x 6.5 x 3.5 Weight - 3 lbs, 9 oz.Customer Reviews:
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Great for the price and the looks!.......2007-05-16
BUY IT! Its the one you want!.......2007-04-29
Excellent for the price.......2006-11-08
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