I`ve compared this to the CCrane EP PRO. Both radios have their own advantages but when it comes to reception they`re equal with clarity on very weak AM signals going to the Sangean. This Sangean also has AM auto tracking like the very expensive CC Radio 2E and those who have both say their performance is basically identical on AM. So this is arguably the best AM radio as far as price is concerned. The CCrane has antenna inputs and stellar FM reception though...unbelievable FM reception...and would certainly be the best choice for very rural reception. Neither of these radios has the dreaded soft muting of weak, fading nighttime signals so common in 99% of the modern DSP radios which renders them useless for nighttime DXing and aggravating to listen to. Two other amazing radios for AM reception are the very inexpensive Sony ICF-19 and the Panasonic 562DD2. During the day these are nearly equal to the other radios in long range AM reception but at night soft muting knocks them down a notch. The Sony has the best battery life in any radio I`ve ever seen at over 400 hours. Apparently the Panasonic has incredible battery life too because I`ve used it now for a very long time and the batteries are still strong. The Panasonic has an incredible audio amplifier and excellent bright sound. The Sony is very good too but a bit muffled on AM similar to the 3kz bandwidth setting of the Sangean.
I bought this and the Panasonic RF-562DD2 (now a DSP radio). The Panasonic hangs with this radio quite well on the AM band. I was very surprised! Here`s a review I wrote about it... THE PANASONIC RF-562DD2 AM/FM/SW--AN OVERPRICED RADIO WITH GREAT AM RECEPTION I ordered this because I collect true analog radios but when I got it I noticed right away that they`d done away with the old version and switched to DSP. FM wasn`t functioning right at first and it wouldn`t lock onto signals. Somehow that corrected itself. The radio feels kinda cheap considering I paid over $50.00 for it. The knobs are a bit crooked and the tuning knob creaks when I turn it. It`s designed to look like a classic radio from the 1960-70s and comes with a faux leather carrying case that buttons around it. It`s a true mono radio as only one side of the headphones play. I was very disappointed and had planned to return it until I noticed it was picking up distant AM stations during the day almost as well as my SANGEAN PR-D4W! Perhaps I just got lucky and got an extra sensitive example of this radio? I can`t believe how well it performs and sounds on the AM band. Hell, it actually looks kinda cool now in its faux leather case, and I feel lucky to have it!
I don’t have the Panasonic RF 562DD2 but it’s nice to know it preforms well on AM. I really do like this Sangean radio and think it’s worth a look. Thanks for stopping by. 👍❤️📻
Thanks for the review. I've read that this radio is bit "bass heavy" on AM. Do you find that to be the case? I wish this radio had treble and bass controls or at least a tone control to roll off some of the low end.
Marty D I would say that this radios bass is about right. I don't find it to be heavy at all. I really like this radio and I think it performs very well. Thanks for watching!
I do like Sangean radios for the most part. I haven't use a cl 100 weather radio before but I am surprised that you need a loop antenna for AM . Thanks for stopping by 👍
This radio is good on AM however poor on FM. It has alot of internal noise generated on FM which registers on the signal metre. The sensitivity on the Sangean D19 is far superior to this.
I`m most interested in its AM performance and the weather band. The main reason most buy this radio is its top-notch AM reception. I noticed that an FM signal has to be VERY strong to activate stereo using this radio.
I am looking at this radio, It would be nice if I could plug in a external FM antenna for better FM range. I have a external AM Antenna that I use for Portable radios with internal antenna to bring in weak stations very well, this am antenna has a ground wire, and its only for Portable radios with internal antenna, this setup is at my house with a loop setup that only needs to be passed over a Portable am radio antenna to bring in further out stations, as I live in a rural area.
Gary West you could clip an alligator clip with a long wire to the fm antenna. The FM receiver on this radio is very good. You might want to look at the C Crain Ep pro. I think it has external antenna inputs. I don't own one but have watched reviews on it. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for the Info. I just bought the Sangean PR-D4W and also the Sangean MMR-88 ON AMAZON. I have not used this brand of radio before I hope it lasts. I will hook a wire to my shops roof it is 32 foot high, and run a wire down to the ground with a alligator clip soldered to the end of the antenna wire. I already have a AM booster it is a long wire to top of shop 32feet high and 10 feet wide like a dipole, with 6 each 5" diameter coils of wire taped around the coils to keep them together, I just put the coil/pickup so that they are touching or near the am Radios Internal antenna, on my other am radio to improve its range.
I bought the C Crane Ep Pro, it has the features I am Looking for in a home based radio, also bought the C. Crane Observer. They had a 15% discount coupon. a few Fathers day gifts for me. I should be set for radios for at least the next Month or so.
Gary West wow you've been on a real radio shopping spree haven't you. I think you're going to have a lot of fun playing with your new radios. Have fun.
I`ve compared this to the CCrane EP PRO. Both radios have their own advantages but when it comes to reception they`re equal with clarity on very weak AM signals going to the Sangean. This Sangean also has AM auto tracking like the very expensive CC Radio 2E and those who have both say their performance is basically identical on AM. So this is arguably the best AM radio as far as price is concerned. The CCrane has antenna inputs and stellar FM reception though...unbelievable FM reception...and would certainly be the best choice for very rural reception. Neither of these radios has the dreaded soft muting of weak, fading nighttime signals so common in 99% of the modern DSP radios which renders them useless for nighttime DXing and aggravating to listen to.
Two other amazing radios for AM reception are the very inexpensive Sony ICF-19 and the Panasonic 562DD2. During the day these are nearly equal to the other radios in long range AM reception but at night soft muting knocks them down a notch. The Sony has the best battery life in any radio I`ve ever seen at over 400 hours. Apparently the Panasonic has incredible battery life too because I`ve used it now for a very long time and the batteries are still strong. The Panasonic has an incredible audio amplifier and excellent bright sound. The Sony is very good too but a bit muffled on AM similar to the 3kz bandwidth setting of the Sangean.
Just bought one and arriving tomorrow.Thanks for the review!
Mike James no problem, I'm sure you're going to like it a lot. Enjoy the new radio and thanks for watching.
new subscriber, good review, i have found Sangean radios are all high quality, i own 5, keep the reviews coming, thanks !
oliver harmon thanks for being a subscriber and for watching!
I bought this and the Panasonic RF-562DD2 (now a DSP radio). The Panasonic hangs with this radio quite well on the AM band. I was very surprised! Here`s a review I wrote about it...
THE PANASONIC RF-562DD2 AM/FM/SW--AN OVERPRICED RADIO WITH GREAT AM RECEPTION
I ordered this because I collect true analog radios but when I got it I noticed right away that they`d done away with the old version and switched to DSP. FM wasn`t functioning right at first and it wouldn`t lock onto signals. Somehow that corrected itself. The radio feels kinda cheap considering I paid over $50.00 for it. The knobs are a bit crooked and the tuning knob creaks when I turn it.
It`s designed to look like a classic radio from the 1960-70s and comes with a faux leather carrying case that buttons around it. It`s a true mono radio as only one side of the headphones play. I was very disappointed and had planned to return it until I noticed it was picking up distant AM stations during the day almost as well as my SANGEAN PR-D4W!
Perhaps I just got lucky and got an extra sensitive example of this radio? I can`t believe how well it performs and sounds on the AM band. Hell, it actually looks kinda cool now in its faux leather case, and I feel lucky to have it!
I don’t have the Panasonic RF 562DD2 but it’s nice to know it preforms well on AM. I really do like this Sangean radio and think it’s worth a look. Thanks for stopping by. 👍❤️📻
Nice to see you back with a nice receiver, all the best! Lee.
Lee Locke thank you
Thanks for that review. I may buy this radio For DXing.
Peter Atkinson its a very nice radio, I'm sure you will like it. Thanks!
Thanks for the review. I've read that this radio is bit "bass heavy" on AM. Do you find that to be the case? I wish this radio had treble and bass controls or at least a tone control to roll off some of the low end.
Marty D I would say that this radios bass is about right. I don't find it to be heavy at all. I really like this radio and I think it performs very well. Thanks for watching!
I have a cl-100 as my weather radio, not really much on am, usually end up needing to have one of my big passive loops by it.
I do like Sangean radios for the most part. I haven't use a cl 100 weather radio before but I am surprised that you need a loop antenna for AM . Thanks for stopping by 👍
TheRadiogeek I live in a basement on the edge of a Forrest so am can be tricky sometimes
No RDS or 1khz steps on AM
A 1khz step would be nice.
would it be a good mw dx radio
DRC Antennas yes it would make a good AM DXing radio. I would put it right up there with the GE super radio.
TheRadiogeek awesome! I'm gonna order one
This radio is good on AM however poor on FM. It has alot of internal noise generated on FM which registers on the signal metre. The sensitivity on the Sangean D19 is far superior to this.
I`m most interested in its AM performance and the weather band. The main reason most buy this radio is its top-notch AM reception. I noticed that an FM signal has to be VERY strong to activate stereo using this radio.
I am looking at this radio, It would be nice if I could plug in a external FM antenna for better FM range. I have a external AM Antenna that I use for Portable radios with internal antenna to bring in weak stations very well, this am antenna has a ground wire, and its only for Portable radios with internal antenna, this setup is at my house with a loop setup that only needs to be passed over a Portable am radio antenna to bring in further out stations, as I live in a rural area.
Gary West you could clip an alligator clip with a long wire to the fm antenna. The FM receiver on this radio is very good. You might want to look at the C Crain Ep pro. I think it has external antenna inputs. I don't own one but have watched reviews on it. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for the Info. I just bought the Sangean PR-D4W and also the Sangean MMR-88 ON AMAZON. I have not used this brand of radio before I hope it lasts. I will hook a wire to my shops roof it is 32 foot high, and run a wire down to the ground with a alligator clip soldered to the end of the antenna wire. I already have a AM booster it is a long wire to top of shop 32feet high and 10 feet wide like a dipole, with 6 each 5" diameter coils of wire taped around the coils to keep them together, I just put the coil/pickup so that they are touching or near the am Radios Internal antenna, on my other am radio to improve its range.
Gary West I think you will be happy with Sangean radios. Sangean radios are well built and sound good. Welcome to the channel and enjoy your radios.
I bought the C Crane Ep Pro, it has the features I am Looking for in a home based radio, also bought the C. Crane Observer. They had a 15% discount coupon. a few Fathers day gifts for me. I should be set for radios for at least the next Month or so.
Gary West wow you've been on a real radio shopping spree haven't you. I think you're going to have a lot of fun playing with your new radios. Have fun.