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Reviews For: Grundig G3 with SSB

Category: Receivers: General Coverage

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Review Summary For : Grundig G3 with SSB
Reviews: 41MSRP: 169.95
Description:
The Grundig G3 Globe Traveler is an innovative portable radio covering long wave, AM, FM, continuous shortwave plus the VHF aircraft band. It features dual conversion AM/SW circuitry for exceptional sensitivity and image rejection. It offers S.S.B. - Single sideband reception. It has an large 700 channel memory system with memory scan and auto tuning storage. Unlike other portables in it class, the Globe Traveler offers Synchronous Detection. This special feature addresses the issue of selective fading and co-channel interference on shortwave. RDS (radio data system) shows FM callsigns, artist, song title and messages when available. External antenna jack for SW, FM, VHF Air. Requires four AA cells (not supplied). 6.614 x 4.13 x 1.1 inches. Supplied with manual, protective pouch and AC adapter/charger.

Product is in production
More Info: http://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=916030
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
14413.5
KC7JBB Rating: 2010-08-13
A real Sleeper Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have had my G3 since Xmas 09, so I have had some time to compare it to other radios I have or have access to. The radio was a gift so I had to keep it and am I glad I did.
My first impression was "this is my G5". Looks the same, size the samme, but many more features. When I first used it I was pleased with the audio, good for a radio this size. Reception on BC,SW,FM(RDS)very good, better than my 909 and maybe a slight bit better than my G5, as good as my E1, and better than my Son's 7600GR all though, I have always felt the Sony recieves fine just has poor audio quality.
But then I tried the sync detector and what a dissapointment, this radio would not hold lock on either USB or LSB and yes it is selectable in Synch mode. Well that was a big selling point of this radio,finally somebody brought out a small radio to compeat with Sony's aging very good (except audio) but classic 7600GR. So I thought what's the point if Sync does'nt work its no better than my G5 or 1103 and if it was not a gift from the wife, I probably would have returned it. Instead it recieved a lot of drawer life and little use over the next several months, allthough occasionaly trying it and finding the Synch lock didnt seem to improve with age ,like wine.
Well one day I read on??? maybe Radio Intels site about someone who had one of these and could not return it for some reason, so he opened it up and found a variable cap at G113, I think ( a lttle white one) and adjusted his BFO by ear. So I decided what do I have to lose? To make a long story short I adjusted as best I could, not much faith that it did anything, fired it up and WOW!!! Solid lock up maybe better that the 7600GR. this radio has now become my favorite trouble is, I am using it more than my new Grundig Sat 750. Anyway hope this helps somebody else but I am not sure if the results are random or can be expected with each unit.
73's

If I find the article I will try to post a link here as it had photos etc.
LRDHEAT Rating: 2010-02-08
decent mixed bag Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This set is identical in appearance to the G5. There are some improvements over the G5, and some moves in the other direction as well. The improvements include RDS on FM, a much cleaned up FM band as far as off frequency images and mixing products are concerned, a cleaner and more sensitive airband than the smaller G6 (although there is some local station bleed in that remains...ETON said that solving that problem would require triple het as opposed to the G3's dual het). The audio is crisper...nice improvement over the muddied G5 audio. SYNC works on fairly weak stations in the clear, but can loose lock or clarity in a congested part of the band. On my sample, the upper sideband syncs noticeably more dependably than the lower sideband. The upper and lower sideband zero beating of an am mode signal works quite well (ECSS), is stable, and is a good substitute for attempting sync. Memory pages can be labeled with 8 characters. Tuning in Aviation VOLMET station on 15034 does not replace whatever international broadcast frequency was last tuned to on F6's button that calls up last 19M station tuned to (this was an irritant on the G5). On medium wave,single sideband or sync allows me to get a 5 KW daytimer 140 miles away on 1360 KHz sandwiched between locals on 1340 KHz and 1370 KHz. None of my other sets, inluding the new Tecsun PL-310 with it's 1 KHz filter setting can accomplish this, let alone the G5.

Steps backwards include backlighting for the display only, not the keyboard as on the G5, single sideband mixing products from locals degrading the signal (this can be dealt with by having a finger in contact with the base of the antenna...seems to attenuate the signal just slightly)...problem is much worse on single sideband when the G3 is plugged in to the mains), AGC seems to allow more flutter to a signal than G5 (single sideband ECSS/sync deployment makes the signal much more steady), medium wave is sensitive on lower frequencies, but noticeably less sensitive than G5 on frequencies above 1100 KHz (sync works well on mw as well as ECSS...very weak daytime signals jump out into readability when either method is deployed, yet the set is still less sensitive than the G5 above 1100 KHz).
W2VIB Rating: 2010-02-04
A GOOD LITTLE GEM Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A SHORT REVIEW OF THE GRUNDIG G3:
1. A SHORTWAVE RADIO IS ONLY AS GOOD AS IT'S ANTENNA. ATTACHED TELESCOPING ANTENNA ONLY MAGINAL WITH HF, USELESS WITH VLF AND VHF AIRBAND.
2.COMPARED WITH AN ICOM 745 GEN. COVERAGE TRANCEVER USING THE SAME 20 METER, 4O METER DIPOLES AND A 10 METER VERTICAL. ALSO A 100 FOOT LONGWIRE AND VHF GROUND PLANE ALL UP ON A TOWER AT 40 FEET.
3.RESULTS: 20 AND 40 METER SSB RECEPTION WAS ALMOST AS GOOD AS THE ICOM. 10 AND 11 METER RECEPTION NOT AS GOOD, ONLY FAIR UP AT 27-28 MHZ.
4. FM EXECELLENT SOUND QUALITY, GOOD RECEPTION OF
DISTANT STATION IF OUTSIDE FM ANT. USED
5.BROADCAST AM GOOD WITH INTERNAL FERRITE ANT. AND GOOD TO EXCELLENT INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST WITH 100 FOOT LONG WIRE.
6.VLF BAND POOR UNLESS YOU ARE VERY NEAR AIRPORT
NAV. AIDS AND BEACONS.
7.VHF AIR BAND MUST HAVE AN OUTSIDE GROUND PLANE ANTENNA FOR BEST RESULTS TO HEAR BOTH SIDES
OF CONVERSATIONS.
8.SYNC NOT EFFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT.
9. UPPER AND LOWER SIDEBAND SELECTION EXCELLENT
WITH LITTLE CLARIFY CONTROL.
10. IN CONCLUSION, A 4 OUT 5 RATING. A BIT COMBERSOME GETTING USED TO PROGRAMMING AND BUTTON
USE, BUT ONCE LEARNED, EASY TO USE. BOB, W2VIB
K7UQ Rating: 2010-01-15
Good AM band and FM band performance Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this G3 about a week ago to replace a Sangean ATS-909. The shortwave reception and speaker tone seemed better with the Sangean, but I like the size of the G3 and the nice blue display better. Broadcast band reception is good. Shortwave reception is ok, but external antenna sure helps. We have to remember this is a small portable radio, not designed or priced to compete with desktop units. For it's size I think it's great. FM and rds features work very good. I have enjoyed copying ham band cw and ssb qsos. I copied one 3880 khz AM phone qso, and using the
Synchronous Detection really help. For the most part though, the Synchronous Detection does not work as well as I hoped. My G3 has the 6 volt external power supply so all test have been made with the alkaline batteries. Eton is sending me the correct 8 volt supply.
DORPMULLER Rating: 2009-12-20
Junk! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Can't wait to return the 2nd one... MW sensitivity is useless, and sync detector motorboats and buzzes on strong signals. I should've listened to the reviews... it's going back for something else. Got the wrong AC adapter with it also.

Glad I kept the G5/E5... far superior.
WP4LDG Rating: 2009-12-14
Oustanding Radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Who don“t remember the birdies issues with the Drake R8B,the Syntetizer
noise,hum,insensitive MW band, and other flaws in the Sat 800,the no funtional
out of box of the Icom R75 sync detector,the bad and noisy audio of the sony
2010 and 7600GR units, the flaws of the Eton E1X? You only need to go to his web
sites in yahoo groups and read the stories.I owned all, and I know by first hand
experience.

Let go to the beef.The Sync detector of my G3 reduce the selective fade
distortion better than receivers costing four times more.It lock with the
carrier fast,without growls [howling] and stay locked in the event of fading.I
suppect that there is a kind of filtering [about 4khz] associate to the
implementation of sync circuit because if you are using the wide filter you
really note a improvement in the recovered audio signal and less hiss.And don,t
forget that with the G3 you can select [in the Sync mode] between LSB and
USB.The SSB mode work super,you can virtually zero beat the carrier.The Agc too
seems to be appropiate.Yes is true, there is a not acceptable, QC problem in
some of the specific units in the first generation that Radio Shack [you can try different samples in RS or order one to
J&R]still has in stock. This G3 is a keeper [my opinion after test it] and in
essence it do was designed for at less the price that you pay for an external
Sync detector kit.Very good selectivity thanks to right selected narrow filter,
a functional sync detector, an oustanding audio for its oustanding size,RDS
feature in FM mode,sensitivity in all 3 bands [I do not know about air band, no
airports close to my area]. It is understood that someone who invested $ 400 or
$ 500.00 in a portable is not going to feel very happy to see what this baby for
less than $160 can do, in a matter of functionality.

This Grundig G3 is a great radio, period.Let see why:

PRO:

1.Very good sensitivity in all 3 bands [MW/SW/FM]
Not tested the air band

2.Very good selectivity [with the narrow filter]

3.Funtional selectable [USB OR LSB] Sync detector

4.Oustanding audio for its size.

5.Very good SSB funtion [you can virtually zero beat the carrier]

6.No a batteries glutton like the Sangean 909.

7.External ant Jack

8.ext distance and local switch

9.Narrow/wide filters

This are for me the most important features.But the others are FM RDS,internal batteries charger funtion,auto search,nice blue light display,ect..

And the Eton customer service, excellent.

Con:

1.Qc control issues [No really a problem if you buy it in RS or J&R].

2.The first generation comes with the wrong ac adapter 6v 250 ma that produce a hum when the sync detector is engage.The right one is 8v 200 ma.Eton is offering the correct one for free [including free shipping],you only need to call them.


W4MPT Rating: 2009-12-06
Disappointed! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well, I picked up one at Radio Shack this morning. Verdict? I'm not impressed, definitely not a replacement for my G5. It isn't nearly as sensitive as the G5. Stations that are armchair copy on the G5 are barely readable on the G3. Sync worked reasonably well, when it works. Part of the problem is reduced sensitivity of the radio, and also images from local MW station 1080am, resulting in a garbled mess. When it does work, audio is much bassier, similar to the G5s audio. Regular audio treble-heavy. Radio seems to be poorly shielded, MW ghosts and images are numerous, and mix with SW stations. AM also suffers from reduced sensitivity as well, but no other issues. FM is as sensitive as the G5. RDS works well. Air band same as G6, no scan or squelch. Picked up ATIS from local airport, very faint, easy copy on a scanner. So as with the G6, Air band is more of an afterthought, had very few image issues. Overall, a 3 out of 5. I'm going to return it tomorrow. Too bad, Grundig/Eton really could have had a great radio, they could have used all the time from when it was announced and repeatedly delayed to fix the problems. Maybe version 3 will correct the issues. I had high hopes.

Update: Swapped radio out for a new one, but more of the same. New unit was more sensitive, but still prone to MW images. Volume better than before. S-Meter stuck on 3. Sync detector misaligned, resulting in 'Daffy Duck' voices when used. SSB and sync unreadable when attenuator not used.
K1RRR Rating: 2009-12-05
Grundig G3 vs G5 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this radio on sale at RS for $89.95. plus free shipping. It took less than 1 hour of comparison to 2 G5's and a Degen 1103 then I packed it up and could not wait to return it to the local RS store for credit. I should mention that I have about 25 radios including an R8, SW8, Zenith transoceanics, Sony 7600GR, etc. Out of the box I immediately noticed, the G3 was very noisy on all bands, sound was very tinny, had to run volume level twice of G5 to hear at same level. Reception on BC Band was almost non existant and very directional. ON SW bands I tried each band on AM and could not even receive the same weak stations that I could easily pull in with the G5's. Never made it to trying SSB as hard to believe this radio could be so bad even though it is in the same G5 case! I would never buy another Eton product again except G5's.
KB8DNS Rating: 2009-11-30
Small and fun to use! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have watched the reviews and posts on this radio for weeks and now it seems Eton has taken most bugs out of this new model! Bought mine on sale at the "shack" (Black Friday) for 89.99! Tested the three examples they had outside the store and picked the best, all three were good!
The SYNC on my G3 works very good but not needed on stronger signals and on very weak stations it does not lock well. My SONY 2010 is different with it's SYNC, hardly a comparison! Power supply has a definite hum. I use my G5 supply and it is clean.
Several beacons were heard on LW and OK beacon on 3450 kHz, so this receiver is sensitive.
Air band has not produced much where I live and I would like to see 2 meter all mode instead! One other Eton model has 2 meter FM.

Pros:
Small and portable.
Great back light!
Great sound on FM, Good enough on AM.
SYNC, works on mine!
SSB has LSB and USB.
RDS on FM.

Cons:
Early models have issues and not easy
to figure out what ones are what, QC?
Humming wall wart.
Some broadcast images on external
antenna, Local / DX switch minimizes
this.
Needs more resolution with frequency,
should read to the hundred Hz.
Internal ferrite rod antenna takes over
when tuning below 2000 kHz, no option.

Over all a good radio for the money and for an entry receiver! I would really give mine a 4.5!

TERRYW Rating: 2009-11-28
Eton gets it wrong again Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Another mixed big from Eton. No surprise there.

Pros:

Very good SSB. Able to zero-beat via dial. Good for ECSS.
Decent FM and MW.
Good speaker sound.
AM Sync good for fading distortion and adjacent interference.

Cons:

Speaker sound is inferior to G5.
SW sensitivity is noticeably less than the G5. The G3 is NOT a DXing radio.
AM Sync can take 5 minutes to lock. Literally.
Low-impedance external antenna overloads the G3 - the same antenna which works on the G5.
AM Sync does not work if using supplied AC adapter. The adapter produces a very loud hum.
Radio locked up twice on first day and had to reset, wiping clock and probably memories.


Despite the improved selectivity (via SSB and problematic AM Sync,) the reduced sensitivity and useless external antenna jack make the G3 fit only for strong to moderate signals. I will use it for MW oldies stations and rely on the E1 for DXing.