Surfing 80,40,20 meter Ham bands using Eton E1 and AOR LA390 active loop antenna
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The recording was made at 9:30am which is not the best time for 80,40 meter reception. After dark, reception is much better and the bands are crowded, which makes the 2.3kHz filter and band pass tuning really useful.
The Icom IC-75 is an excellent radio. However, at $599.95 on Universal Radio it is significantly dearer than the $399.95 for the Eton E1. Also, it is a tabletop and I wanted a portable.
I have both radios along with a JRC NRD-545. Between the two, the R75 and the E!, it’s a realy hard to choose one over the other. I like the AM synch lock on the E-1 but the R75 is much more like a “real” radio, made much better. The dials and knobs are more substantial. The E-1 is supposed to be portable but it has no handle! Mine also had to go back because the screen died, which I know is a big problem with the E1. It really is a fantastic radio and I wouldn’t give it up for the world!
I find no problem carrying the E1 without a handle and the modern design and performance is outstanding. I used the $200 I saved to buy an active loop antenna. I agree with you, it is a fantastic radio.
I like my Eton E1, excelent value for money. Have it for over an year now and enjoy it all the time. It doesnt look so HAMish as r75 or JRC… but it’s portable and it is designed for public. I love this radio and surprised to see that there are not so many videos of it on YouTube.
When you have experienced features such as: 10Hz tuning with the 2.3kHz filter on SSB and passband tuning to eliminate interference from nearby signals then you will begin to appreciate the value of the E1. However, if you just want to listen to the VOA, BBC, China, etc. on shortwave then you don’t need an E1.
sure I know they’re a great radio, but they don’t look as though they should cost as much as they do, I guess it’s function before form, but they just look cheapo, even though they are outstanding in operation.
Perhaps the E1 doesn’t look as though it should cost as much as it does because it looks like other modern portables. However, it’s features and performace is more like a tabletop than a portable. Unforunately, it is very expensive in the UK compared to the USA. But if you want E1 type performance then the only other alternative is a tabletop which would be even more expensive. Although the E1 is made of plastic, it has a quality feel as you would expect for a portable of it’s price.
All of the knobs are smooth, firm and easy to use. The two speed tuning knob can be used to quickly cover a band or easily tune SSB. The “soft” buttons around the display are rather small. But worth it to have the state of each button shown on the display. I have replaced the E1 Wallwart with a Maplin power supply (VN10L) and use the Maplin 6-way RFI mains conditioner (LO7BK) to reduce mains interference. I’ve had no problems with my E1 which I bought 9 months ago other than mains interference.
if you’re still checking comments… how do you like that loop antenna? I’m trying to decide between a much less convenient outside dipole or an AOR loop.
August 24th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Absolutely brilliant radio! Nice video and hope to have a sw radio like that one day!
73 DE MI6TUX
August 25th, 2008 at 4:17 am
The recording was made at 9:30am which is not the best time for 80,40 meter reception. After dark, reception is much better and the bands are crowded, which makes the 2.3kHz filter and band pass tuning really useful.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
for thy price I would buy rather an Icom IC-R75
August 25th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
The Icom IC-75 is an excellent radio. However, at $599.95 on Universal Radio it is significantly dearer than the $399.95 for the Eton E1. Also, it is a tabletop and I wanted a portable.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I have both radios along with a JRC NRD-545. Between the two, the R75 and the E!, it’s a realy hard to choose one over the other. I like the AM synch lock on the E-1 but the R75 is much more like a “real” radio, made much better. The dials and knobs are more substantial. The E-1 is supposed to be portable but it has no handle! Mine also had to go back because the screen died, which I know is a big problem with the E1. It really is a fantastic radio and I wouldn’t give it up for the world!
September 17th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I find no problem carrying the E1 without a handle and the modern design and performance is outstanding. I used the $200 I saved to buy an active loop antenna. I agree with you, it is a fantastic radio.
October 27th, 2008 at 5:21 am
I like my Eton E1, excelent value for money. Have it for over an year now and enjoy it all the time. It doesnt look so HAMish as r75 or JRC… but it’s portable and it is designed for public. I love this radio and surprised to see that there are not so many videos of it on YouTube.
January 3rd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
maplins ask 349 pounds for these, they just dont look like 350′s worth of radio to me. although I know they are very good.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
When you have experienced features such as: 10Hz tuning with the 2.3kHz filter on SSB and passband tuning to eliminate interference from nearby signals then you will begin to appreciate the value of the E1. However, if you just want to listen to the VOA, BBC, China, etc. on shortwave then you don’t need an E1.
January 5th, 2009 at 3:24 am
sure I know they’re a great radio, but they don’t look as though they should cost as much as they do, I guess it’s function before form, but they just look cheapo, even though they are outstanding in operation.
January 6th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Perhaps the E1 doesn’t look as though it should cost as much as it does because it looks like other modern portables. However, it’s features and performace is more like a tabletop than a portable. Unforunately, it is very expensive in the UK compared to the USA. But if you want E1 type performance then the only other alternative is a tabletop which would be even more expensive. Although the E1 is made of plastic, it has a quality feel as you would expect for a portable of it’s price.
January 7th, 2009 at 2:56 am
and the tuning dials and controls, how do they feel in use? do they have the heft and weighted feel that you would expect in a radio of this price?
January 7th, 2009 at 7:32 am
All of the knobs are smooth, firm and easy to use. The two speed tuning knob can be used to quickly cover a band or easily tune SSB. The “soft” buttons around the display are rather small. But worth it to have the state of each button shown on the display. I have replaced the E1 Wallwart with a Maplin power supply (VN10L) and use the Maplin 6-way RFI mains conditioner (LO7BK) to reduce mains interference. I’ve had no problems with my E1 which I bought 9 months ago other than mains interference.
January 14th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Nice but expensive I got a Maplins
Cat today and this jumped out of
the front pages.
Not for me but tempting.
May 1st, 2010 at 5:53 pm
if you’re still checking comments… how do you like that loop antenna? I’m trying to decide between a much less convenient outside dipole or an AOR loop.