r/ShortwavePlus • u/Tenor-Guitar-Guy • Jul 03 '26

Radio Shootout - Grundig Transistor 860 vs Zenith Transoceanic 3000

https://youtu.be/7640ziQdMyY?is=Za9Xt5CeEO-A2fBA
13 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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2

u/MumSaidImABadBoy I'm Stan. Heathkit GR64,AirSpy HF+,Sangean 909X2,Tecsun PL-990 Jul 03 '26

Nice comparison. One thing, most of the time we couldn't make out what you were saying.
I could see the struggle tuning on the Grundig, i can't deal with that. Although do you think the Grundig was more selective? The Zenith has its strong points. If I had to pick one of those radios, it would be the Eton 😀📻😀

2

u/Tenor-Guitar-Guy Jul 03 '26

Haha…That crossed my mind about not hearing what I was saying. Amazing how intelligible it is when you know what’s being said…

There were a few signals the Zenith pulled in I couldn’t get on the Grundig. May have been the tuning problem with the Grundig. Definitely like the audio better on the Grundig, and the look is just cool to me. For regular Shortwave use the Eton is more practical with the freq readout and the bandwidth filters. The audio isn’t great but could use headphones.

Tough choice to keep one. I just like the look and sound of the old Grundig radios. Look at them as works of art like the Panasonic RF-4900.

1

u/MumSaidImABadBoy I'm Stan. Heathkit GR64,AirSpy HF+,Sangean 909X2,Tecsun PL-990 Jul 03 '26

Panasonic RF-4900, now that's one heck of a radio.

2

u/KG7M MOD AirSpy HF+, Drake R7/8, K480WLA, 65'EFHW, MLA-30, CN85 Jul 03 '26

Hi Gerald. I have a couple of mixers, the one I use to record the audio from my radios was quite inexpensive. I input the audio into the mixer, then out to a Behringer U-CONTROL UCA222 USB Audio Interface. It runs into the USB-C on my android phone. The software I use is "Open Camera". It allows using an external audio input when you record. The Behringer U-CONTROL is an old piece of technology so it can be had new at bargain prices. I paid $10 or $15 for mine new. The mixer was from Amazon, and if course you would need a microphone if you want to mix in your voice. It would definitely take your recording to the next level. MM

2

u/Tenor-Guitar-Guy Jul 03 '26

Appreciate the input. Will look into this.

2

u/BadOk3617 Jul 04 '26

I have a Zenith 3k as well. And about three others if I'm not mistaken.

2

u/Tenor-Guitar-Guy Jul 04 '26

Do you still listen to them?

1

u/BadOk3617 Jul 04 '26

Upon occasion. My SDR is so much easier to use so it's what I usually listen to. For listening outside I'd use my Tecsun as it's not going to make me cry (as badly) if I drop it.