Radio Boy
Special Design Award Chicago
International design Yearbook 1994
There are 3 versions of
this radio, although 2 of them are the same except for the AC adaptor.
The Standard version, (Part number 9.15056-8151/order number G.RC 2051)
featured here, the GB version, (Part number 9.15056-6251/order number G.RC
2051GB) which is identical to the standard one, and the Yacht Boy 500 Italia,
(Part number 9.15056-6151/order number G.RC 2051IB) with restricted LW
& SW coverage because of Italian legislation. The Italian set covers
LW, 150-302 kHz, and SW, 3950-26100 kHz. The GB version was only available
in the early days of production, and differed only by being supplied with
an AC adaptor fitted with a moulded on UK 3 pin mains plug. This AC adaptor
was also identified by the part number which appears at the bottom of the
faceplate, under the words "Made for Grundig in China", the part number
being 8140-601-503, whereas the standard adaptor which was fitted with
a European style 2 pin plug was part number 8140-601-502. Although the
GB version of the YB500 was labelled as GB on the typeplate under the tilt
stand, there is no difference from the standard model.
The waveband coverage
for the standard set quoted below is with the set aligned to European coverage.
Setting it to USA coverage via the menu, accessed via the "mode" button,
alters MW to 530-1710 khz, & SW to 1711-30000 kHz. Not only does this
change the MW scan steps from 9kHz to 10kHz, & the waveband displayed
on the LCD from SW to MW for the 1612-1710kHz range, but that range is
then received by the ferrite rod, instead of the telescopic "whip" aerial.
Sound quality for a set
this size is outstanding, given the size of the loudspeaker. I doubted
that such a speaker could sound this good, or cope with the power output
quoted, (see below) but it does. The speaker may only be a 3 inch/77mm
unit, but the magnet is huge, about 2.25 inch / 57mm, so no wonder it can
handle the power output! Short of removing the speaker from the set, it
also looks like the speaker cone has a rubber reinforcing seam around the
cone, like hi-fi woofers. This would explain the bass ability, I suppose.
On the subject of the
power output, this is only available via the internal speaker. The output
socket is for stereo headphones only. To get the output power quoted as
"BOOST", you have to slide the SOUND switch, last but one control down
right hand panel, to boost setting, this in effect "bridges" the 3 internal
amplifiers, the main mono amp and both headphone amps, (left & right)
giving the sum of the output. Plugging headphones in connects the two headphone
amps to the output socket, so power boost does not apply. The boost indicator
in the window merely indicates the switch setting, staying on if applicable
even when headphones are connected. The boost setting is not recommended
for long term use when using battery power, as it will empty the batteries
very quickly.
Unusual is the word, with a vertical layout, making it stand out from most other sets in the marketplace. Personally, I prefer it to the Porsche styled Yacht Boy P2000, (or G2000A as it is known in America), but they are aimed at different markets, the YB500 being about twice as expensive. Above the speaker grille is the keypad, above that the LCD display, and down the whole right hand side is a control panel covering most other functions apart from the light, fine tuning, and the snooze button. A kick-stand at the rear locks into position.
The telescopic aerial is hinged at the bottom of the set on the right, and has been criticised for getting in the way of right handed users. Fortunately, I'm left handed! I suspect it has been mounted there to keep the centre of gravity low, thus avoiding the set toppling over, particularly when used with the kickstand.
Styling was done by NPK, the same Dutch styling house who also styled the Yacht Boy 360, some other lower end analogue Yacht Boys, and the Satellit 900 which was displayed at the Berlin Audio/Video fair in 1995, but did not reach the market, due to a let-down by a component manufacturer. The YB500 first appeared at the Berlin Audio/Video fair two years earlier
Some reviews of the set made early on, during the first month or so, criticised the audio quality, but it turned out that early sets had a design problem. They were withdrawn, and the modified version is fine.
Country of manufacture: Portugal.
Size: 187mm high x 114mm wide x 41mm deep.
Weight (excluding batteries): 0.6 kg.
Power supply:
Tuning options:
Local/DX switch: No
Aerials: Ferrite rod for LW & MW, Telescopic for FM & SW
Dial illumination: Yes:
Sockets:
Tone control: Treble switch. Using "Boost" setting applies bass emphasis.
Clock/Timer: