Grundig Radio Boy - Review of Satellit 500

Radio Boy

Satellit 500 review

The Satellit 500 is a general coverage communications receiver. Launched onto the market in early 1989, it was thus part of the silver jubilee celebrations of the Satellit range, which first appeared in late 1964. The facilities offered in 1989 were innovative. Even after the turn of the century, a decade later, they are still virtually class competitive for a radio of this size.

Its successor, the 700, outclasses it (and everything else) in terms of facilities, and is noticeably better in terms of reception performance, though for audio quality, it is a close contest. Which you would choose depends on several factors, which we will try to sum up at the end, but first, lets take a look at what it does.

Reception.

On FM, this set receives more stations, with more quality, than any other portable I've come across, bar the Satellit 650 & 700, the latter of which is probably similar in its FM detector circuitry. Production tolerances may be responsible, but my 500 is slightly less sensitive than the 700, it picks up all the stations the 700 does, but weak ones are noticeably weaker. Stations that other sets can not detect though, can sometimes produce a usable stereo signal in the 500. A nice touch, typical of Grundig thoroughness, is the fact that, when using the internal speaker, the decoder is not engaged, allowing you to ignore the Mono/Stereo setting on weak stations. Only when using the headphone or speaker sockets does the decoder come into play, requiring you to sometimes switch to mono on weak signals. A mono indicator exists, so you know if mono is selected, rather than there being no stereo signal present.

On AM, similar high levels of performance are delivered. Doubtless expensive table top models can outperform it, but at what price and size? For many users, massive sensitivity is not required. This is a radio for the bulk of shortwave listeners, not DX’ers who will doubtless happily spend more for more sensitivity. However, this is a very sensitive set. Among portables, only the Sony ICF 2010/2001D (same radio, different countries), and the Satellit 600/650/700 have a reputation for more sensitivity, but, in the Sony's case, with a reputation also for delicacy of the input stages. I suspect the two go hand-in-hand, and that Grundig have made a decision, that at this price level, you cannot get reliability without sacrificing a little sensitivity. The bottom line? Having compared the 500 & 700 across a range of frequencies, sensitivity is similar. The 700 has a touch more sensitivity, with the advantage varying according to what frequency range you are in, and background noise from the circuitry makes some stations less listenable on the 500 than they are on the 700. Of course, the 700 also has the advantage of a Synchronous Detector that does strengthen weak signals, this is one thing the 500 doesn't have.

Synchronous demodulation is what the 500 has. Press the “SYNCH” button and no audible change occurs. This is because, on AM bands, it is permanently on unless LSB or USB are selected, the switch merely changes the tuning step from 1 kHz to 100 Hz. Unfortunately, it isn't full synch. There is also no sideband selection in Synch mode, so although it doesn't harm the performance, relative to not having any form of Synch., it does little to enhance it. In fact, many people believe that there is nothing different about the way the 500 receives AM signals, than any other AM receiver. However, I believe there is, for 2 reasons. Firstly, when you hit the frequency at the currently selected bandwidth edge, the 500 makes a distinct noise, like something is disengaging, and the tuning meter reacts at this point too. Secondly, the radio handles reduced carrier single sideband signals differently. Try HCJB's 21455kHZ (publicised as USB, but the carrier is present). On the 700, this is received best using Upper Sideband. On the 500, it is better using AM, with the synch indicator either on or off. To me, this implies there is more going on internally than just AM detection.

SSB performance with voice signals is good, remarkably so given the lack of a clarify (Fine Tune) control, resulting in a maximum potential 50Hz discrepancy in tuned frequency. This may affect performance for those wishing to receive RTTY, Weather/Fax etc. but for voice based signals such as ham operators, it's not a problem. Unfortunately, the omission of a clarifier control, as fitted to the 700, means that SSB can't be used to enhance reception of broadcast stations by using the side away from strong, interfering stations, unless the station is exactly on frequency. Even then, it can only be used if the BFO has been adjusted, using the process on the Satellit 500 section of the hints and tips page, (click here to see the adjustment). So whereas the 700 can be easily fine-tuned to have the BFO coincide exactly, even on off-frequency stations, thus avoiding beat tones between BFO and carrier, the 500 cannot be adjusted.

It's worth bearing in mind that after selecting a frequency, pre-selector peaking is important on weak signals. (The Satellit 500 uses Varacap preselector tracking) The software does track the necessary changes, but cannot be exact at all points on the dial. Some would likely criticise this as a weakness, but it's probably true that not using this system at all would give an inferior performance anyway. In fairness, the 500 I have seems to track slightly better than my 700, but only with fresh batteries.

A point worth mentioning here is the slightly greater sensitivity of the 500 to interference in AM mode from nearby sources, like TV's or computers, compared with the Satellit 700. Although the 500 is not bad in this respect, the 700 will certainly tolerate closer location to such equipment before it has an audible effect.

Audio.

A widely acknowledged strong point of Grundig radios, this is excellent considering the size of the speaker, about 4 inches / 10 cm. diameter. Bass is not as strong maybe as on some older Grundig Satellits with bigger drive units and separate tweeters, but few would find much to criticise. Compared with the 700, there is slightly less clarity, more than likely due to the speaker grille arrangement not being as “transparent” acoustically. It is slight though, and should not put you off this radio.

Listening on good headphones to an FM broadcast of a CD, is CD quality to my ears, barring slight unavoidable FM hiss in silent passages. I consider it to be Hi-Fi, and the equal of the 700. Unfortunately, only mono line-out was available, one of the major omissions of the Satellit 500, along with the inferior external speaker arrangement, which was that when using the external speaker socket, the internal speaker became the right channel, and the external one the left. This was flawed thinking, and quickly corrected when the 700 appeared just under 3 years later. The error was compounded by Grundig not marketing the optional matching speaker in America, possibly the radio's biggest market. Anyone who has one of these speakers, which was apparently available in Europe, (Though I've never seen one, even on Ebay!) is sitting on a valuable commodity, doubtless sought after by completists.

One advantage with this radio is AM quality. Hi-Fi tuner manufacturers generally skimp on the AM sections, knowing few users will make much use of the AM bands. But those are what this set was built for! How many Hi-Fi tuners offer bandwidth, switchable AGC/MGC or SSB, let alone all 3 and more? On AM, a mono line-out is not a disadvantage.

On balance, the compromise of audio quality against portability is a good one, and it is hard to think of any recent comparable radio, bar the 700, able to compete, regardless of size.

Ergonomics.

The LCD display is excellent, logically laid-out with large, easy to read characters and good contrast. Lighting brightness seems inferior to the 700, particularly when mains powered, but is adequate, though the switching arrangement (the lights are activated every time you use the numerical keypad) is wasteful of batteries and bulb life. The latter is further compromised by the lack of an option to deselect permanent lighting when using external power, another area addressed with the introduction of the 700. The numerical keypad and On/Off key were also lit, those keys being surface printed on clear plastic, but this was largely pointless, the lighting being inadequate. This was deleted for the 700 also.

Controls are well thought out, the keys fairly logically grouped. The knobs and side switches are spot on, some have criticised Grundig for not putting the volume by the tuning knob to make the set a “one-handed” operation, but to be honest, using a set this price, I’d keep two hands near it at all times anyway! The function lock switch looks nicer than the 700’s, but is more likely to be moved accidentally when in transit.

Like the 700, the rear stand/telescopic (whip) aerial arrangement could have been better. The aerial tilts and locks into a detent at 45 degrees, so it would have been nice if the stand had held the radio at 45 degrees too, so keeping the aerial vertical. In addition, this radio would have benefited from a small fold-away clip to secure the tilted aerial so it doesn't rotate under its own (considerable) weight, this would have made operation so much less of a worry.

However, its too late to change it now, and such problems are small compared to the pleasure in owning or using this set.

Facilities.

It's easy to forget that, when introduced, this radio set new standards for facilities. In the early days, only the German market benefited from the 156 frequency/40 broadcaster ROM table, but this eventually reached other markets too. 42 user programmable memories are commonplace now, but back then were exceptional, as was user name-tagging.

Tuning options are plentiful, with search (FM), scan (AM), (and unfortunately, the AM scan works at 5kHz intervals on SW, even in the amateur bands, the 700 and even the YB500 have more sophisticated software in this respect, scanning amateur bands at 1kHz intervals), direct entry and step tuning (MW & LW) all available, plus memory scan. But in addition to all these options is the large manual tuning knob for those who like the old fashioned way. And an excellent control it is, though maybe a little stiff, and prone to muting when turned quickly, a less than ideal arrangement.

Sum-up.

Many people don't need or want all that is offered here, but for those who do, this is a first class radio, an excellent receiver, with first-class sound, generous facilities, and reliability and build quality that reassures a new owner. Arguably, it comes closest to being all things to all men, a portable radio or a mobile comms receiver. Understated, stylish and distinctive in appearance, (It's a subjective thing whether you prefer the appearance of the 500 or the 700, the styling being the same, with different colours and full glass over the LCD), this is a great radio with the added kudos of having two of the most important names in modern radio folklore, “Grundig” & “Satellit” written bold upon the front.

Owners of Satellit 700’s should be grateful for the existence of this 500, without which, the 700 would not have been the radio it is. As a matter of interest for those unsure of whether to buy a 500, saving some cash, or a 700, the 6 main advantages of the 700 (barring it's slightly superior performance as an AM receiver) are, in my opinion: RDS, Stereo line-out, a proper external speaker arrangement, SSB clarifier, a proper Synch detector, and the massive memory facilities. To put it another way, If you intend using it as a SW receiver first and foremost, and don't need or want lots of memory slots, buy the 500 and save some money. If you intend using FM a lot, particularly with a hi-fi or recorder of some kind, or you want all the memory too, buy the 700, and benefit from stereo line out & RDS.

The compromise of portability against audio & reception quality, referred to in those two sections above, should be borne in mind when considering what you are going to use the radio for. While I rarely use my Satellit 500 away from home, the option is there. I also have the choice to use it in any room or in the garden, or even out in the car should I wish. A long summer evening in the garden, with a drink and a faraway station drifting in is a very pleasant way to spend your time. A tabletop receiver, or even worse, web radio, isn't able to complete.

Those thinking of buying a 500 will have to be extra careful to ensure the set they are considering is in good condition, given the age of them now, but, once satisfied that you are looking at a good one, don't hesitate. You won't regret it! Incidentally, if you are sure the NR90 power supply accompanying a 500, 700 or YB500 is the original one that came with the radio, you can check the date by looking on the underside on the NR90. A 4-digit number appears, the first 2 are the date of manufacture, eg, 89 is 1989, 92 is 1992, and so on.

Grundig Radio Boy

For those interested in the identifiable specification differences between the 500 and 700, here they are:

Line-out sockets: the 500 has only mono, the 700 has left & right channels.

External speaker socket: the 500 outputs the left channel in FM stereo, keeping the right channel on the internal speaker. On AM, both the external and internal speaker are fed with the same signal. The 700 has full, two speaker output, with the internal speaker disconnected. To use the 500 with 2 external speakers, you will need active (internally amplified) speakers.

Lock Switch: The 500 has a large knob below the volume control to lock the radio, more stylish, but more easily knocked to “unlock” in error. The 700 has a recessed slider switch, with illumination control built in (more on that later)

SSB clarifier control: Fine tuning in effect, the 500 doesn't have it, the 700 does.

LOC/DX switch: larger on the 700, and with LCD indication of its position, which the 500 doesn't have.

Int/Ext antenna switch: larger on the 700, and with LCD indication of its position, which the 500 doesn't have.

AGC/MGC control: LCD indication of its position on the 700. The 500 doesn't have this.

ACCU switch: LCD indication of its position on the 700. The 500 doesn't have this.

RDS: not present on the 500. The 700 was the world's first portable thus-equipped.

Alpha name tagging: 4 character on the 500, 8 character on the 700.

LCD illumination: On the 500, it comes on every time a direct-entry key is pressed, whether you want it or not, extinguishing 10 seconds after the last key is pressed. On AC, it is permanently lit. On the 700, you activate it with a switch when required, On AC, you can choose to have it permanently or just switch selected. When switch selected, it extinguishing 10 seconds after the last key is pressed, or the tuning knob is turned.

Memory capacity: The 500 has 42 user-programmable memory positions, plus, on the Professional model, and on International and Italia models after August 1990, a 156 frequency/40 broadcaster ROM (Read-Only Memory). The 700 has 64 x 8 user programmable memories, expandable to 256 x 8, plus, in 9kHz AM mode, a 96 frequency/9 broadcaster ROM, expanding to 120 frequency/22 broadcaster ROM when set to 10 kHz AM mode.

AM mode (9kHZ/10kHz) selection: On the 500, selected using a switch in the battery compartment. On the 700, selected via the menu button.

Synchronous detector: On the 500, permanently active, but not full Synch detection, no sideband selection available, the Synch button merely changes the tuning steps from 1kHz to 100 Hz. On the 700, the Synch button selects the Synch detector, and the sideband is chosen using the tuning control.

Short term battery back-up: Neither radio loses memory settings if battery power is removed, but the 500 will lose clock and last-station-memory settings when batteries are removed. Apply external power and switch on before changing, or use NiCD’s with the internal charger to avoid this. The 700 has a long term backup, allowing a few weeks between removal and reinsertion of batteries without loss of settings.

Footnote:

The above review is based on a late model 500, one I would guess to be made in the last 6 months of the 500 being in production. Consequently, it is not a big surprise that it compares reasonably with the 700, which was nearing final design at this time. The 500 probably received more development and change during production than any other Satellit model. There are different circuit diagrams for the early and late models, and late models have 3 lamps fitted, early ones only 2.

While controls and hardware could not change much (The problem of ACCU, Loc/DX, Ext. antenna and AGC/MGC switches not being flagged in the display was addressed for the 700 after press and customer comments, but could not be modified in production as the LCD was already "set in stone", so later instruction manuals draw attention to the problem) internal circuitry was modified a lot, and even Passport to World Band Radio's RDI White Paper for the 500 comments on improvements measured in later models, such as better front end selectivity, and improved sensitivity below 5MHz due to changes in AGC threshold. Other comments in the past about poor signal to noise ratio on AM bands, and clock noise leaking through to the audio, are absent from my particular set. The bottom line: f you have an early model, you may disagree with some of the above review. If you are buying a 500, try and get a later model.