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The squelch on the Eton E1 works - All modes All bands.Audio performance is as good as the Sony 2010 but not as full as the Sat 800.The 4 "D" cell batteries should prove to power the E1 nicely for its size. E1 performance on medium wave with the whip antennacompares well with both the Sony 2010 and the Grundig Satellite 800.
**************eton E1 XM Owned one month*****************************Have used several portable shortwave receivers here - ( Sony 2010 and Grundig Satellite 800 ).This Eton E1 is by far the best I have used thus far. The AM synchronous operation is as goodas the Sony 2010 , reduces distortion and fading in AM mode.
********************************* Chris B. The E1 is smaller ( slightly larger than the Sony 2010 ) Memories on the Eton E1 aremuch easier to use than the Sat 800.
The band pass filters are a good all around choice for different modes ( 7.0 , 4.0 , 2.3 Kc ) I have noticed less front end overload onthe E1 compared to the Sony 2010 with the Pre-Amps on. The E1 compared to the Grundig Satellite800.
Shortwave performancelike the Pass band tuning and double sideband, LSB , USB, AM syncronization proved to bestrong interference fighting tools. Considering what`s available for shortwave portable receivers " new" with warranty in Feb 2010 this E1 is worth the$420 to $500 price tag.
I have occasionally used a random wire clipped to the whip but usually have found this unnecessary. It's large and well laid out but has a washed out look. SW reception with the whip is excellent. Easy to operate but providing the user with a number of useful controls, memories, adjustments and customizations. I've owned this radio for two years, since Christmas of 2006. I think it's worth it, but if you don't, then buy the version of the E1 without XM capability. Sound quality of the built-in speaker is crisp and clear but the system also has stereo output for connection to a sound system.One disappointment is the display. LW works fine, but it's not something that I use much.
There is no handle nor does there seem to be anyway to connect one. MW (i.e., AM) reception relies on the whip, rather than an internal ferrite antenna and is acceptable but not up to the overall standard of this equipment. It is a fantastic piece of equipment. There is a contrast control but even after fiddling around with it the display, though perfectly readable, still had background ghosting. Alas, I have no experience using a "proper" external antenna with this system and can't offer an opinion there. FM and XM reception work great. The XM radio requires the separate purchase of an XM antenna and a subscription. Using XM seems to take a lot of power so be prepared to use a lot of batteries or AC power.
Early units had problems with overheating batteries when plugged into AC. Sound quality and overall sensitivity is top-notch. FM separation between closely-spaced stations is nothing short of spectactular. The radio has a history of failure far above what a set at this price should have. FM stereo lock has also been a frequently-reported problem. An odd choice, since with the whip you basically hear the loud locals and not much else. For whatever reason, Eton decided not to give this radio an internal ferrite bar antenna for AM, but rather uses the whip antenna.
You'll need to provide a proper outdoor antenna (which you really need for shortwave as well. If you can't or won't do an outdoor antenna, the E1 is probably not for you.On FM and shortwave the E1 really shines. The Eton E1-XM (Also sold as the E1 without XM capability) is without a doubt the best portable AM/FM/shortwave radio you will ever find. The E1 a faily complex piece of equipment, aimed at the radio enthusiast rather than the casual listener. If you are willing to take the time to learn how to use it, it will give you unparalled flexibility in how you tune and store your favorite stations, and you can tweak the sound and signal quality to your just the way you want it.Here's the downside - the E1 has had a troubled quality control history. Many of the failures are with the display. Do you feel lucky. But if you can get one that works, it is by far the best all-around radio you can get.
AM/mediumwave performance is above-average, but you HAVE to provide the radio with an adequate antenna. Frequent firmware lockups of the units have also been reported. I can pick up and separate FM stations on it that all my other radios blend together. Shortwave sensitivity and selcetivinty (thanks to passband tuning) is as good as many tabletop communications receivers. The frequent failure rate makes purchasing the E1 something of a gamble. Well, do you.
The other major complaint I have, is the euro-trash external antenna hookup. Apparently the giant display screen on this radio has major problems.$There are many, many unhappy buyers of this product.It could have been an excellent portable radio but, be prepared to return it to fix the display in a short time. I can't even explain this trash-mo design other than it's a push in affair (no threads) that sometimes connects and generally comes loose if you move the unit around. If you don't buy it from an authorized dealer it will not be fixed under warranty. In other words don't buy off ebay, or second party used. Very bad selection for antenna connection. This radio could have had a giant bar antenna for MW AM frequency but failed on this point also.I would not recommend this radio because of the continued, and increasing number of failures in the display screen which renders it blind.
There is NO EXCUSE for a $700 Consumer Portable Radio having problems with the display. Mine had a line through the LCD Display right out of the box BRAND NEW. This is unacceptable.
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