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write your own review of the Eton E1.
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KT3L
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Rating: 4/5
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Apr 14, 2009 06:50
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Great receiver...once you get a good one
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I had a little heartburn with my E1 purchase. I had to return it to Universal twice; once because all the function keys stopped working after a few seconds of power-on, and the second unit I was sent had a horizontal blank line across the display near the "VFO" key.
Now I'd read other horror stories online and thought "nah, the defect rate can't possibly be THAT bad." Little did I know!
Fortunately the folks at Universal were accomodating and the third one was the charm, but you have to wonder about the quality control associated with the production of these units. Don't the assemblers in India (and/or the suppliers of the individual modules) follow the same quality processes the rest of the world have to follow? Can you imagine the uproar if this failure rate occurred on a common consumer device like a car or TV?
So all that said, now that I have a good one I am very very pleased with the E1. I use this receiver with a dipole in the attic and the performance on world band is great. I really liked my old Sony ICF2010 but the E1 is far superior in sensitivity, features, and especially audio. Sync and PBT work well, as do the memories. The combination of the squelch level indicator integrated with the S-meter is fantastic...what a great idea!
The bandwidths are good options, though I don't envision ever using the 7 khz setting, 4 is usually ideal. Memories are a little messy to use but I think that just takes getting used to. The country "banks" really help organize your frequencies.
And the audio...wow. I've always been a Sony fan but now feel I didn't know what I was missing with Grundig-designed units in terms of great audio. Through the speaker or 'phones, even the tape-out jack...real superior sound.
So cross your fingers and get one. At least with a reputable dealer, if you have problems, you have the assurance that they'll be resolved.
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N6UZD
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 1, 2008 05:01
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GREAT WORLD BAND PORTABLE
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I GOT A GOOD DEAL ON THIS RADIO WHICH ORIGINALLY WAS DESIGNED TO SELL FOR $700 (LESS THAN THAT!)
ALWAYS WANTED A REALLY GOOD GRUNDIG OR SONY WORLD BAND PORTABLE.
AFTER USING THE ETON E1XM FOR A FEW MONTHS I CAN SAY IT IS A GREAT RADIO. EASY TO USE AND SENSITIVE, GOOD AUDIO QUALITY, NO PROBLEMS.
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KC7LDP
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 17, 2008 19:41
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Best portable ever used
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought mine from Universal Radio in January after trying (in vain) to get one of the cut-rate specials from Circuit City or National Geographic. I'm glad I opted out for the non-XM model from Universal after reading all of the horror stories with these units from various newsgroups, etc. After daily use since then I can honestly report that I have suffered none of the maladies that others have reported; no stereo lock, problems with LCD display, no PBT function. Apparently the list goes on.
I use mine with either a Hustler 5BTV vertical or a 40/ 80 meter trap dipole. I also use the C. Crane twin-coil MW antenna. Luckily, I had a PAL connector (KOK1 from Universal) that I received with a Grundig Satellit 500 that I bought back in 1989. I made an 18 inch RG58/U cable with a PL259 on the other end-slap a barrel connector on and I can connect it to all of my antennas.
OK, this is nowhere near the caliber receiver as my AOR-7030, but then it costs at least 1/3 less. If you add all of options I have added to the 7030 (Collins filters, NB7030 NB/Notch board, etc) then it's a 1/4 the price. Compared side-by-side with my IC-718 there is no comparison. Sometimes I actually use the E-1 for receive instead of the 718 for SSB; it's THAT good! The serial# on my unit is NX-00691, NX=No XM?. Just guessing here.
I was wary of this purchase but no longer. I just wish it had a carrying handle.
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G3UXB
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 22, 2007 20:59
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An update on my last review
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is an update on my last review - Well it appears there are two versions of the E1 out there, ones that work great and ones that don't. I bought a new E1 (non xm model) from Universal about three weeks ago and have done some extensive testing, overall the radio works great the only problem I have found is the FM stereo is a bit 'iffy' on it's lock seems to get better after time. Mine is totally on frequency, all knobs, switches etc tight and firm and the S meter(without the pre-amp on) tracks my Icom 718 perfectly, the noise floor is really good and I love the memory function. I am afraid to say it does beat my Ten-Tec RX320D in overall performance and is only just edged out by my Icom 718 (buit that has Collins filters installed) so in overall I guess if you buy the cheap early serial numbers from Circuit City on the cheap you get what you buy, I bouight the latest serial number non xm model from universal and have no regrets (Eton even sent me an RA number to send it back to Drake to fix the FM stereo problem) together with excellent customer service form both Eton and Drake in my opinion this is a radio to get and keep, 73 Geoff
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W2HP
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Rating: 3/5
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Dec 20, 2007 02:50
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Just a OK radio. XM fine
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I'm a portable radio junkie. Have had them all. Use my radios with antenna provided. Nothing external. The Eton E1 is not a exceptional radio. I listen to Amateur Radio frequencies mostly and during the day 20 meters. My Sony 2010 which is from 1987 blows it away. My Panasonic RF-B65 equals the Sony for sensitivity but not selectivity. Its just so much smaller than the Sony. The Eton E1 disappointed me except for the XM radio. Its too big to be a portable also. I returned the radio to Circuit City. I do not miss it. To be fair with the Eton I compared my portables side by side only using the internal antenna. Its simply not up to 2010 standard. When I travel I take my Panasonic RF-B65. Very small and compact and perfect SSB radio. Pete W2HP
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