I stick with the analoge Lextronix S350DL, the little brother of the Tecsun S-8800. Im only interested in BCL and for that the S350DL is really a great and payable choice. The Tecsun S-8800 is approx. 5X more expensive (300-400€) compared with the S350DL (70€) but has additional SSB and modern DSP. The S-8800 is nice for SWLs who listen to amateurs and utilitiy-stations. However, both devices do a fine job on shortwave and AM and are 100% a buy, depending which much money you want to spend and what you want to listen to. The internal FM/SW-antenna (44' or 1.12 m long) are perfect for both of the radios, external longwire-antennas might overload the radios very fastly and bring not much improvement. Tip for external antennas: Try a 5-7m random wire-antenna and clip one of the ends in the black (ground) connector backside radio. Now antenna works inductive, does not overload the receiver and improves the reception a bit. If connecting in the red (antenna) connector backside radio, it overloads. Same problem appears to connect a too long wire with aligator-clip on the telescope-antenna directly. You need to try out for yourself and what brings best reception.
Please do a video comparing the Tecsun S-8800 and the Grundig Satellit 750 (aka the Tecsun S-2000). They're close in price and functionality and I pretty sure I've heard you say your 750 is your favourite radio so a comparison would make for some high drama. :)
As to the lack of a RF gain control on the S-8800: The designers probably felt that the due to the radio’s “triple conversion” design it’s not needed. The older radio was “single conversion} and therefore needed adjustable RF gain to help limit images from strong signals. RF gain could still be useful, though, with some SSB signals, so I still would have liked to have seen it included in the new radio.
Tom's radio room show I learn lot from you about shortwave receivers and antenna for shortwave receivers and what to lisn to on shortwave and ssb my friend
Tom, great video as always. I'd be very interested in seeing a AM DXing comparison between these two units. I'm a huge fan of AM DXing, and reluctantly i'm looking at getting one of the CCrane models, but they are not my style of radio and lack modern features. This Tecsun S-8800 is so darn nice, I want to know if it excels over the S-2000 / Grundig 750 for AM ( MW ) in listening and selectivity. I have the PL-880 and love it, but AM DXing is not as great as I'd expected. To me, DXing on the PL-880 is about average, and wish it was a little more sensitive. I look forward to seeing more videos on this beast of a radio.
Tom, I can see me having a spare set of batteries charging on an external charger with this radio. The last thing I want is for it to die on me in the middle of a listening session.
I am not happy with the battery situation. No AC !? Not good. 18650 nice but.....when your traveling you can not buy everywhere these Lith-cells. Standard cells are easy to get and when you can buy, in some remote area, the 18650 you must have a possibility to charge. The Grundig solution maybe old school but more of my liking's . Even a combine 18650 with C or D cells would be nice. And yes, do not leave batteries in when not in use for long time. It would not be in the way to buy the 8800.....but it's a minus....
Tom's radio room show your UA-cam videos are awesome my friend
I stick with the analoge Lextronix S350DL, the little brother of the Tecsun S-8800. Im only interested in BCL and for that the S350DL is really a great and payable choice. The Tecsun S-8800 is approx. 5X more expensive (300-400€) compared with the S350DL (70€) but has additional SSB and modern DSP. The S-8800 is nice for SWLs who listen to amateurs and utilitiy-stations. However, both devices do a fine job on shortwave and AM and are 100% a buy, depending which much money you want to spend and what you want to listen to. The internal FM/SW-antenna (44' or 1.12 m long) are perfect for both of the radios, external longwire-antennas might overload the radios very fastly and bring not much improvement.
Tip for external antennas: Try a 5-7m random wire-antenna and clip one of the ends in the black (ground) connector backside radio. Now antenna works inductive, does not overload the receiver and improves the reception a bit. If connecting in the red (antenna) connector backside radio, it overloads. Same problem appears to connect a too long wire with aligator-clip on the telescope-antenna directly. You need to try out for yourself and what brings best reception.
that new eighty eight hundred is a real nice bit of kit
Please do a video comparing the Tecsun S-8800 and the Grundig Satellit 750 (aka the Tecsun S-2000). They're close in price and functionality and I pretty sure I've heard you say your 750 is your favourite radio so a comparison would make for some high drama. :)
LOL
Nice looking radio Tom, the knobs are real aluminum on this set 👍 Tom.
Sweet
As to the lack of a RF gain control on the S-8800: The designers probably felt that the due to the radio’s “triple conversion” design it’s not needed. The older radio was “single conversion} and therefore needed adjustable RF gain to help limit images from strong signals. RF gain could still be useful, though, with some SSB signals, so I still would have liked to have seen it included in the new radio.
Tom's radio room show I learn lot from you about shortwave receivers and antenna for shortwave receivers and what to lisn to on shortwave and ssb my friend
Tom, great video as always. I'd be very interested in seeing a AM DXing comparison between these two units. I'm a huge fan of AM DXing, and reluctantly i'm looking at getting one of the CCrane models, but they are not my style of radio and lack modern features. This Tecsun S-8800 is so darn nice, I want to know if it excels over the S-2000 / Grundig 750 for AM ( MW ) in listening and selectivity. I have the PL-880 and love it, but AM DXing is not as great as I'd expected. To me, DXing on the PL-880 is about average, and wish it was a little more sensitive. I look forward to seeing more videos on this beast of a radio.
Thanks. My testing of the MW band may not be far as I live in an area with very strong local MW stations.
Tom, I can see me having a spare set of batteries charging on an external charger with this radio. The last thing I want is for it to die on me in the middle of a listening session.
Excellent point.
so true
should take "D" cells...
Tom's radio room show 73s my friend
I am not happy with the battery situation. No AC !? Not good. 18650 nice but.....when your traveling you can not buy everywhere these Lith-cells. Standard cells are easy to get and when you can buy, in some remote area, the 18650 you must have a possibility to charge. The Grundig solution maybe old school but more of my liking's . Even a combine 18650 with C or D cells would be nice. And yes, do not leave batteries in when not in use for long time. It would not be in the way to buy the 8800.....but it's a minus....
wow they look alike
Very much so.
The antenna connector on the 350 looks like a belling Lee very common in the UK at least as it is used on TVs
I didn't know the name of it but you are correct about it being using in Europe and being very common over there. Thanks