Please observe that most of the information here was published during the first half of the year 2000 , much updated information / tests will be added in the near future.
Knut Otterbeck ,February 2001
- Satellit 800 description (from Universal Radio)
- Satellit 800 description (from Radio Netherland)
- Satellit 800 sample has arrived ! (from Universal Radio)
- Comparison Satellit 800/Sony 2010 (by Gary Arnold)
- RADIO NOW BEING SHIPPED ! PLEASE READ ON !!
_____________________________________________
- Satellit 800 description (from Universal Radio)
The Grundig Satellit legend continues. The Satellit 800 Millennium is
your assurance of staying in touch with the world. You will immediately
appreciate the smooth flowing, full size design and functional control panel.
Superbly appointed, fold-away carry handle adds portability. The tuner receives
all longwave, AM broadcast band (MW), all shortwave frequencies, the FM
broadcast band and even the VHF aeronautical band (118-137 MHz).
With Grundig you expect great audio and the 800 delivers with a large
speaker, strong amp and separate bass and treble controls. Grundig even includes
a high quality set of headphones for private listening. Tuning is available via
the large size manual knob (with no audible muting during tuning), keypad entry
or by 70 user programmable memories. A large illuminated 6" by 3½"
multifunction LCD shows the status of the radio. A synchronous detection circuit
reduces fading and increases intelligibility. Three filters (6, 4 and 2.3 kHz)
allow you to select the optimum bandwidth. Other features include: Analog
S-Meter, AGC and Attenuator buttons, ultra-fine 50 Hz Single Sideband (SSB)
tuning and dual 24 hour format clock timers. The over size telescopic whip
antenna pulls in incredibly well, but there are also antenna jacks for SW, AM,
FM and the VHF air band. An external speaker jack and line output jack (for tape
recording) are also included.
The Satellit 800 comes with a multi-voltage (110/220 VAC) power supply or can
also be operated from six D cells (not supplied). This radio will please both
the serious DXer and the program listener. (This radio will initially be
available for distribution in the U.S. and Canada). One year limited warranty.
20.8"x9.25"x8.5" 14.5 Lbs.
SATELLIT 800 PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Range:
0.1-30 MHz AM, USB, LSB Modes.
87-108 MHz FM Mode.
118-137 MHz AM Mode (VHF Air band).
Sensitivity:
SSB: Less than 0.5 µV, 0. -30 MHz. (10 dB S+N/N):
AM: Less than 2.0 µV, 0.1-30 MHz. (10 dB S+N/N).
AM: Less than 4.0µV, 118-137 MHz. (1000 Hz, 30% Mod).
FM: Less than 4.0 µV, 87-108 MHz (20 dB S/N) (monaural).
Frequency Stability:
±10 ppm, 0° to 50° C.
Frequency Accuracy:
Better than ± 100 Hz, @ 25° C.
Selectivity - SSB, AM:
6 kHz @ -6 dB. less than 12 kHz @ -60 dB.
4 kHz @ -6 dB, less than 9 kHz @ -60 dB.
2.3 kHz @-6 dB, less than 5 kHz @ -60 dB.
IF Frequencies:
AM/SSB: 1st IF 55.845 MHz. 2nd IF 455 kHz.
FM: First IF 10.7 MHz (Single Conversion).
Image Rejection:
Greater than 60 dB 0.1 to 30 MHz.
Greater than 60 dB 118 to 137 MHz.
Greater than 50 dB 87 to 108 MHz.
IF Rejection:
Greater than 80 dB, 55.845 MHz.
Greater than 80 dB, 455 kHz.
IP3 - Intercept Point:
Greater than + 10 dBm @ 100 kHz spacing. (@ 50 Ohm Ant. Input, Attenuator OFF),
Greater than - 20 dBm @ 5 kHz spacing.
AGC Performance:
Threshold: 1.0 mV. Attack Time: 1 millisecond.
Release Time: SLOW 3 seconds, FAST 300 milliseconds.
Less than 6 dB change in audio output for 90 dB RF input change (referenced from
the AGC threshold point plus 3 dB).
Internal Antennas:
56 3/4 inches (1.414 meters) telescoping whip (for use on all bands).
Ferrite rod antenna (for use from 100 kHz thru 1800 kHz).
External Antenna Inputs:
0. 1 - 30 MHz: 50 Ohm SO-239 connector or 2 terminal compression connector for:
500 Ohm input with ground.
87 - 108 MHz and 118 - 137 MHz: 75 Ohm “F” type connector.
External Speaker Output:
1 Watt each nominal into two 4 Ohm speakers with 9 VDC supply voltage.
External jack:
Two-way for Stereo output.
Line Audio Output:
300 mV, 4.7K Ohms.
Headphone Jack:
1/8 inch (3.175mm) stereo/mono type.
DC Power Requirements:
Input: 7-10 VDC @ 1 Amp. supplied from
AC ADAPTER, external DC Power Supply or 5.7 to 9.0 VDC supplied by (6)
internally mounted “D” cell (1.5V)
batteries (not supplied).
Current requirements:
From 9.0 VDC Supply or Batteries with 1/4 W average Audio Output, Mode
Dependent:
510 mA minimum with lamp off, 830 mA maximum with lamp on.
Operating Temperature:
0° to +50° C.
Weight:
14.55 lbs. (6.6 kg), including AC adapter, (batteries NOT included).
Size:
Width: 20 7/8 inches (53.575 cm).
Height: 9 1/4 inches (23.495 cm) with handle retracted.
Depth: 8 1/2 inches (21-59 cm) including front handles.
Supplied AC Adapter:
Input: 110-127 VAC or 220-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz (selectable).
Output: 9 VDC @ 1 Amp maximum.
This model is expected 02/25/00. We are accepting orders now. As always; your credit card will not be billed until we actually ship. We suggest that you order this model early if you have an interest. You may cancel the order without penalty at any time.
___________________________________________________________
The above information is collected from Universal Radio's excellent
web: http://www.universal-radio.com/ A well-known supplier of radio gear. Please also check "DXing.com" ,their resource for the Radio Hobbyist: http://www.dxing.com/
_____________________________________________
- Satellit 800 description (from Radio Netherland)
( http://mw.nl/realradio/satellit800.html )
The long-awaited Satellit 800 began shipping to North America dealers in December 1999. It is a big radio (somewhat akin to the Satellit 650), measuring 52 cm wide, 23 cm high and 20 cm deep, and weighs 6.6 kg. Designed by the Lextronix and Drake engineering departments, the receiver is manufactured in the Peoples' Republic of China.
The Satellit 800 has continuous coverage from 100 kHz to 30 MHz, FM 87-108 MHz (stereo through included headphones), and VHF aircraft 108-137 MHz. There are 70 memories, USB and LSB capability, and synchronous detection. A dual (220/110) voltage A.C. adaptor is included; the unit also operates off 6 size D batteries.
The USA-suggested retail price is US$700; street price, US$500. The Media Network team has not yet reviewed this receiver. Grundig told us in December 1999 that, for the time being, they have no plans to introduce the receiver into Europe. This is partly because it will have to go through a European type approval process before it can be sold in countries like Germany.
_____________________________________________
- Satellit 800 sample has arrived ! (from Universal Radio)
Grundig Satellit 800 Comes to Universal
Universal Radio was the first dealer in America to get a peek at an actual production unit of the long awaited Grundig Satellit 800. Representing the Grundig-Lextronix USA office was Mr. E.A. Hozour (far right). From the Tecsun General Electric Manufacturer Company of China is its Managing Director Mr. Liang Wei (left) and Chief Engineer Mr. Zhou Lian (center). Also with the Tecsun group was Ms. Lin Lin (not shown). Although the radio was available for examination for only a few hours the Universal staff and customers were impressed with its many features and unparalleled audio quality. Grundig USA plans to start shipping this model to Universal Radio and two other dealers at the end of March. For more information on this product see the Universal Radio on-line catalog.
_________________________________________________________
Tecsun /Hong Kong (The Grundig Satellit 800 manufacturer)
_____________________________________________
- Comparison Satellit 800/Sony 2010 (by Gary Arnold)
From the newsgroup "rac.radio.shortwave ,may 4.th - 2000
In article <8heath$l79$1@sshuraab-i-1.production.compuserve.com>,
"Bucky Hydal" <gohydalNOJUNK@cs.com>
wrote:
> Has anybody posted an objective side-by-side comparison of the 800 and
>2010?
>
> Thanks.
Satellit 800 has superior sound. Sat 800's sync detector is every bit
as good as the 2010's, and easier to use, and doesn't drift. Sat 800's
3 bandwidths are superior to Sony's 2 bandwidths. The 800's wide (6.0)
bandwidth can be used most of the time, and the 4.0 is not muffled or
muddy sounding like Sony's narrow bandwidth. Both have excellent
sensitivity. 2010 probably better on MV, and 800 better on FM. The
800's analog meter is calibrated and meaningful. Overall impression -
the Grundig Satellit 800 is by far the better receiver, but the Sony is
fine for portability.
garyarnold@aol.com
_____________________________________________
Some Newsgroup messages on the Satellit 800
The following are messages found in the newsgroup "rec.radio.shortwave" since friday april 21'st '00:
Got mine last night..waiting on my doorstep, a long wait but definately
worth it. I was too excited (we are all kids inside) to wire it up to my
MFJ, et al and just used the supplied whip. Impressive performance, size,
ergonomics and a worth successor to the Satellit line. Warning, it is MUCH
bigger than I anticipated.
Worth the wait?
Definately!!
Craig
--
Craig Joseph Poff, Esq.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Craigpoff@hargray.com
<mailto:Craigpoff@hargray.com>
***********
Boys (and girls too, I guess), I am listening to New Zealand on the Sat
800 which arrived this very afternoon...just using the supplied whip
antenna, which is "transoceanic" huge...I cannot extend it full
length,
vertically, without touching the ceiling. Awesome, huge set...ACG, Am Sync
and, the best, the three bandwidths...so far I am in Heaven, but really
haven't had time to really DX with it.
Using the "fast" AGC to help that flickering NZ signal on 17765.
Yessiree, it was worth the wait.
I am surprised by how much I like it. As large as you thought it might be,
it seems even bigger. Happy day!!
--
Craig Joseph Poff, Esq.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Craigpoff@hargray.com
<mailto:Craigpoff@hargray.com>
***********
Hello Folks, Recieved Satellit 800 a couple of hours ago via UPS.After hastly
unpacking it, turned it on.First impression...wow...Not bad for 500 bucks.I am
listening to BBC on 5975 KHz as I am typing this message with AGC
"fast"
setting.Good news is that SYNC Detector seems to be effective. Build quality,I
would say a couple of notches below original SAT 650(Which I am also a proud
owner of).Sound quality GOOD.Overall its a beauty.Comes in a light blue color
box enclosed in another white box.Universal added another TWO boxes(Total four
layers).I will commend Universal for doing that...While I do more vigerous test
on reception,I thought this real story "so far" might be of interest
to you
guys out there waiting for their SAT 800's. Atleast its here...ordered on
9-20-99,received it on 4-20-00(Exact seven months later).....Best regards,Nisar
Ahmad,N.Y.
**********
Good luck with your new receiver. I am curious if the HF reception holds
true to the SW8 form: just OK on it's
built-in whip but excellent on an external antenna.
Brian Denley
**********
For everyone's info, the May issue of Monitoring Times has a review of
the Satellit 800. May issue is available online today for subscribers
to MT Express.
**********
I wonder how objective this article will be! Doesn't Grove Enterprises
publish MT and sell the 800?
**********
Yes to the above, but I've found them to be pretty objective over the years
that I've been both buying from Grove and subscribing to MT. I've seen them
praise units that they didn't carry that competed with units they did.
Reputation means a lot in this business, and word gets out quickly--via
groups like this one--when somebody gets screwed.
Just my $.02.....
Donald Reeve
**********
You can just about bet it will get rave reviews. Think I would rather check
the
reviews here in the NG.
Rob Mills ~~~
**********
Thanks for the info. Please give us a more detailed report later, and
enjoy your new toy!
Regards, Randy.
**********
WHERE TO BUY THE SATELLIT 800?
I'm new to shortwave. I have a small YB-305. The new Grundig 800 has
caught my eye. It seems that Universal Radio is the place to be put on
a list to buy one. Anyone know of any other place that will have a
good chance of receiving any shipments.
BTW ,does anyone know what the holdup is on these radios?
Thanks,
Leslie KB2UAL
**********
I suppose that Grove Electronics carries the rig since Bob Grove just
reviewed it in the latest edition of "Monitoring Times". But then
again, he mentioned a few problems that could have been unique to a prototype;
you may have to contact Grove for the latest info. Perhaps the holdup could be
due to the numerous "birdies" that were mentioned in the review.
Al
<http://www.grove-ent.com/>
Leslie Santoro wrote in message ...
>I'm new to shortwave. I have a small YB-305. The new Grundig 800 has
>caught my eye. It seems that Universal Radio is the place to be put on
>a list to buy one. Anyone know of any other place that will have a
>good chance of receiving any shipments.
>BTW ,does anyone know what the holdup is on these radios?
>
>Thanks,
>Leslie KB2UAL
**********
Actually, Grundig states the "hold up" were delays in tooling the
factory properly, to make sure everything was proper. Now the problem
is there is a backlog of orders which will take time to fill. Universal
Radio has already received their SECOND shipment of 800's.
Sent via Deja.com <http://www.deja.com/>
Before you buy.
**********
Try RadioShack.
I got mine today, and got an extra YB100PE as a "thank you for your
patience" gift.
You may want to do a web search - many manufacterers will be carrying
them, but due to shear buying power, my guess is RadShack and Universal
will be given some preference.
Good luck! [It was worth the wait!]
Darren.
**********
SATELLIT 800 IN THE UK ?
I was intersted to see if the 800 would become available in the UK so I
sent Grundig an email and received this response-bad news;
'Thank you for your e-mail. Unfortunately there are not plans to
release
this product outside of the USA.
Once again thank you for your interest in Grundig.
Kind regards'
It will cost me a fortune to have one sent over here-taking into account
the additional weight and cost. A Sony 2010 is looking more tempting.
Rob
UK
**********
When I look at UK magazines, I frequently see prices which are the
same in pounds as what we are paying in U.S. dollars. Perhaps some of
this is VAT tax which you will undoubtedly pay anyway but there's an
awful lot of room there for ordering from the U.S. or Canada.
You might want to check out what it would cost. Perhaps you could also
try some outlets in the European Union.
**********
We pay far too much for electrical goods here.
You're right, as a general rule if i see an item on sale for $35 in the US it
usually means that it cost £35 pounds here ($55).
**********
Do not forget US-prices are without taxes normally!!! European prices do
include the 16% tax already. Had to pay additional $10 customs fee on a
package from US billed with $60... :-((
greets,
odo -germany-
**********
This advice of yours is well worth bearing in mind.
If anyone from Europe wishes to buy equipment from the US, then be careful.
You need to take into account all the added extras that you will be charged.
I live in the UK and I purchased an AN-LP1 from Universal Radio for $79.95 +
$20.00 shipping (this would be about £64 ukp in total). I was then charged
an extra £19.86 by customs (£11.98 in VAT, £2.63 in Import Duty, and a
further £5.25 clearance fee).
So in effect, I ended up paying around £84 ukp ($130) for an item costing
just short of $80 !
Regards
Jeff.
**********
GRUNDIG SATELLIT 800 REVIEWS?
Any and all who have the new Sat 800, reviews and comments are requested.
Especially welcome would be comparisons against other high-end portable such
the the Drake SW8 and Sony 2010 in terms of sensitivity, sync detector,
audio, etc.
Thanks.
**********
For those interested, I got the new Monitoring Times today and there's a
review of a pre-production 800. Overall, they seem to have liked it. God,
it's a BIG sucker!
Donald Reeve
**********
I just read the Monitoring Times review of a pre-production 800 and except
for the sound quality, controls and the analog S meter it sounded like a
review of my DRAKE SW8 - 100%.
At 499.95 it's a steal if you have the room for it. It is definitely not a
trans-portable like the SW8 is.
I wonder how it will effect the sales of the SW8 at $779.95?
centerpoint
**********
Received my Satellit 800 on Monday. Here are my observations:
1 - MW performance of my CCRadio is superior to that of the Sat 800.
2 - FM performance of the Sat 800 is superior to the GE SuperRadio III.
3 - The Sat 800's sync detector is every bit as good as the Sony 2010,
and easier to use. It works great.
4 - In a side by side comparison, the Sat 800 is MORE sensitive and has
BETTER selectivity than the YB-400 or the Panasonic RF-2200. Weak
signals masked by noise on the YB-400 and RF-2200 were ABOVE the noise
level on the Sat 800.
5 - The sound of the Sat 800 is very good, but lacks the deep bass that
the Sat 650 has. However, the Sat 650, even though it has a separate
tweeter, is weak on treble on shortwave, and the Sat 800 has good treble
on shortwave.
6 - The AGC is great on the Sat 800. The FAST mode is good for band
scanning, and the SLOW is excellent for listening to a station.
Sent via Deja.com <http://www.deja.com/>
Before you buy.
**********
*AGC is automatic gain control. It adjusts the gain of the receiver in
proportion to signal strength to try to even things out.
Even if you don't have a switch to let you adjust how quickly it responds,
the odds are incredible your receiver has an AGC circuit built in.
*********
In article <8e4jts$ief$1@nnrp1.deja.com
<mailto:8e4jts$ief$1@nnrp1.deja.com>>,
garyarnold@aol.com <mailto:garyarnold@aol.com>
wrote:
> 3 - The Sat 800's sync detector is every bit as good as the Sony 2010,
> and easier to use. It works great.
When you are using SSB in sync mode, can you hear any leakage from the
unwanted sideband? [esp. if the unwanted sideband suffers from
interference]
> 6 - The AGC is great on the Sat 800. The FAST mode is good for band
> scanning, and the SLOW is excellent for listening to a station.
Can you switch the AGC off and does it have a manual RF gain control?
Thanks.
Ramon Khalona
**********
Hi all!!
Well! My new shiny 800 arrived a day early, and boy - am I thrilled!
First impressions: BIG!!! This IS a real radio, man! I was a bit disappointed
about the sensitivity of the whip - my YB400PE blows it away in that regard. I
may be a bit insensitive in the S-meter, or maybe the YB400 is too sensitive, so
I'm going to call Grundig...
FM sens is - wow! Even with the whip down - 30-40dB over S9 on local stations to
full scale. Nice.
MW sensitivity is reasonable so far, on par with a DX-394. I have yet to play
much on the whole spectrum, so I'll reserve judgement for now.
The Sync and SSB work extremely well at cleaning up a messy signal, and I have
noticed going to the slow AGC setting helps for weaker stns when using the SYNC.
...More later...
**********
Darren:
This radio still sounds like a SW8 clone right down to the mediocre whip
performance. Mind you, I am not knocking the receiver. To get and SW8 for
that price is a bargain. Plug an external random wire on that radio and you
will see why people have gladly paid $800 for the SW8.
Brian Denley
--
**********
Okay....
I talked to Grundig and they assured me that because of the extensive delays in
delivery of the radios, all units received after April 1, 2000 are improved over
the prototype that was initally evaluated by Universal Radio and R. Netherlands,
etc...
The S-meter IS calibrated to the industry standard: 50uV at S9, and 5dB/S unit,
vs 6dB normally - the dB over S9 is 10dB/unit.
The sync is awesome! I have never owned a radio with syncronous-selectable
sideband, and this REALLY helps knock out heterodynes, minimize fading, and
cleaning up a signal!!!
It's been a long while since I had a decent, calibrated meter for SWLing, so I
guess my "subjectivity" got the best of me initially...
The dynamic range of this receiver is very good. Even on weak signals, this baby
grabs them in nicely. Very clean audio, and even speaker copy is quite easy on
most of the middle eastern stns known to be tougher. I was easily able to
armchair copy Syria on 13610 even though 13615 was booming in. Sync on LSB made
a real difference - no heterodynes at all!
...more after an extensive series of tests...
Darren.
**********
Darren Hennig wrote:
>
> Okay....
>
> I talked to Grundig and they assured me that because of the extensive
delays in
> delivery of the radios, all units received after April 1, 2000 are improved
over
> the prototype that was initally evaluated by Universal Radio and R.
Netherlands,
> etc...
>
> The S-meter IS calibrated to the industry standard: 50uV at S9, and
> 5dB/S unit, vs 6dB normally
I've never used an S-meter. Please answer three questions for me:
1. Below S9, the S units should be 5dB apart, according to the industry
standard, but some radios or dials set these 6dB apart?
> - the dB over S9 is 10dB/unit.
I know what a dB is.
2. What does this mean "the dB over S9"?
3. On this radio, above S9, the S units are 10dB apart, and this is a
standard?
Thank you.
**********
Hi Ralph!
A long time ago, radios used to have analog signal strength or S-meters [some
still
do];some are a LCD or LED bar type now. In order to allow [primarily amateur
radio]
operators of the equipment to quantify the strengths of signals, an agreed OEM
industry standard of 50uV [antenna voltage] was designated S9 by many OEMs. The
meters
have/had units going from 1 to 9, then 10 to 40 or 60. Each unit below S9 used
to be,
according to this standard, 6dB, or 1/2 the antenna voltage [1/4 the signal
strength]
of the unit above it. Units beyond S9 were calibrated in dB over the S9/50uV
level.
This standard never really was adhered to much after about 1968 or so... only a
few
manufacterers ever tried at least to get a linear S-meter and have S9 [at least]
at
the 50uV level. Grundig claims to have done this, but each S unit is 5dB below
the
next unit up - instead of the 6dB standard; this makes more sense, actually, in
that
at least multiples of 5dB can give a better indication of relative signal
strength.
The difficulty in the past has been that most automatic gain control [AGC] lines
never
were decently logarithmic nor linear enough to really merit following the
standard.
One can imagine the extra cost in engineering a calibrated S-meter in cheaper
radios.
I hope this helps! Love my S800!!!!
Darren
**********
Also keep in mind that getting any two radio to show the same 'S' meter
reading for the same signal is nearly impossible (even if they are the same
model!) Use that meter only as a comparison of one signal to another -
don't try to compare it to other receivers....you'll go crazy!
Brian Denley
--
"There are only two ways to live your life: One is as though nothing is a
miracle. The other is as if everything is." - Albert Einstein
**********