BBS: SWEDX Conference: SHORTWAVE Date: 9/06/1992 From: KIRK BAXTER The Superadio series is a high performance AM and FM set, which people have found to be quite good for AM & FM DXing. It is not a shortwave set, but because of the interest in this radio, I thought folks on the net would like to see a review of the new model. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Michael Schuster Subject: SuperRadio III mini-review Having just picked up a Superadio III at BEST today, I thought I'd post my initial impressions. I bought it to replace my SuperRadio II (spelled with two "r"'s, as opposed to the III, which is spelled with one "r"). Just before putting my II up for sale I compared them side by side. (If you're interested in a MINT SuperRadio II for $25 give me a holler). Compared to the II, the III is about the same size but with more rounded edges. There is more black and less chrome, and the tuning knob has been moved from the front to the right side. The tuning dial is now parallel to the front rather than angled back as on the II. The knobs and switches are all smaller. The exposed section of the telescopic antenna is almost an inch shorter. It still sports antenna and headphone connectors and has an internal AC power cord. The power switch is still in the same stupid position on the top edge, but it protrudes less and is recessed in a little bit. The SuperRadio II has been described as ugly, and the III touted as being restyled for improved appearance. Ugh. In my opinion the GE designers have found new ways of making a radio look ugly. The $20 Taiwanese boom boxes at the closeout store look better. Oh, well. If anything, it's less flashy and that's a plus. Differences: First, the AM tuning goes well past 1700 now, but the dial markings are surprisingly non-linear (1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1700 spaced equally apart). Dial calibration on AM is acceptable, on FM it's horrid just as with every specimen of the II I'd ever seen. There is considerably less backlash on the dial cord mechanism than on the II. The Superadio III sports a new switch labelled "wideband". Contrary to prior speculation, this switch does not appear to switch in a new NARROWER filter, but a new WIDER filter. In the wide position treble repsonse improves noticeably, but at the expense of considerable adjacent channel interference. Heterodynes and carrier splash from adjacent stations make this useful only for strong, local stations in the clear. Sensitivity and selectivity (in the 'normal' position) seem equivalent to the SuperRadio II. Audio is about equal to the II, although the box labelling says the tweeter is larger on the new model. It is slightly less bassy than the II. Still an incredible sounding radio, for the money ($39.95). -- _______________________________Mike Schuster________________________________ NY Pub. Access UNIX/Internet: schuster@panix.com | 70346.1745@CompuServe.COM The Portal (R) System: schuster@cup.portal.com | MCI Mail,GEnie: MSCHUSTER * Origin: ANARC BBS Kansas City (913)-345-1978 (1:280/3)