grundig yacht boy review

The Yacht-Boy 400PE Portable Receiver

Overall descriptions:

The YB is roughly 8x5x1.5", and tunes 144-353 kHz and 520 kHz to 30 MHz in 1 kHz steps (5, 9 and 10 kHz steps are also available depending on the band and settings), as well as FM. It has the usual clock and alarm as well as 40 memories. There are two IF filter settings, and SSB can be monitored using a "fine tuning" control to clarify the USB or LSB signal being received. Tone switch, a bar-graph S-meter, DX/local switch, external antenna jack, headphone jack and external power jack round out the features. (As you will know from other reviews, the ICF-2010 has a few more features as befits its greater cost. The principal features are synchronous AM detection, a switchable choice of LSB or USB rather than a fine tuning control, readout and tuning to 0.1 kHz, and a tuning knob rather than up/down tuning buttons.)

Sensitivity (using the DX position of the front end attenuator):

In order to try to level the sensitivity playing field, I placed each radio in the center of an unamplified 3-foot air core box loop, with the loop lobes lined up with the internal loop lobes. The sensitivity difference between the two radios is not so pronounced under these circumstances, and most signals heard on the 2010 were also heard on the Yacht Boy, but when the received signal was marginal, as 1580 kHz was above, the YB400 still didn't deliver quite as solid a signal as the 2010 did. Both receivers have external antenna jacks, but only the 2010 switches out the internal ferrite loop when that jack is used. Not only does the Yacht Boy continue to use its internal antenna, it seems to attenuate an external signal quite severely below 1600 kHz. In fact, below 1400 kHz, it was impossible to tell whether an external antenna was plugged in or not; presumably this is to prevent strong MW signals from overloading the set when it is tuned to shortwave using an outside antenna.

The only way to couple a random wire to the set at MW and LW frequencies was to wrap a few turns of wire around the case, and feed the antenna and ground to either end of the wire. The external antenna connector does work fine for the tropical bands and above however.

Selectivity:

It's sometimes difficult to tell how much of a radio's performance is due to its selectivity and how much is due to signal handling capabilities, but the YB400 is capable of separating out most 10 kHz domestic channels quite nicely, even using its wide filter. Channels next to my two 10kw locals were more difficult, but that was as much due to the sheer volume of the splatter and to signal handling problems as to lack of selectivity (see further comments below). The filters on the Yacht Boy and on the 2010 seem comparable when I used the test of tuning past a local and noting where the signal became readable as the carrier was shifted into the IF passband, then became unreadable again as the carrier was shifted out. For example, the narrow filter on the YB400 delivered readable audio on my 900 kHz local between 898 and 902 kHz (i.e. tuning to 897 or 903 yielded just loud splatter) while the 2010 showed a readable signal between 897.3 and 902.8 kHz. Conditions lately have not been good for overseas stations, but I would imagine that there shouldn't be too much problem hearing split frequencies within 4 or 5 kHz of domestic channels.

Strong signal handling:

Using its internal antenna, the Yacht Boy was able to hear a mixing product from my two locals at only one spot, and that was in the longwave band. Those with many more locals may not be so lucky, and plenty of MW overload was found on longwave if an external random wire was coupled into the set through turns around the case as described above. (See "Spurious Responses and How To Recognize Them", IRCA reprint T10 for details on calculating second and third order products)

More importantly, without any external antenna I was able to get muddy but readable audio from local CKMO-900 (10 kw at about 3 miles) on top of semi-local KIXI-880, when maximizing CKMO's signal by rotating the radio. If one uses the YB400 inside an air-core loop, this effect is not noted, as long as one tunes carefully to make sure the loop is tuned to the same frequency as the radio is. That's a good general rule in any case as overload can certainly occur in the Yacht Boy if the box loop antenna is mistuned to a strong signal. An image 0 kHz below my local on 1070 kHz was found on the Yacht Boy, but the 2010 has that problem also, and overall image rejection seemed good enough that there were no birdies heard on 10 kHz channels below 790 kHz (1700 kHz-0 kHz), as has been a problem on some other portables tested including the ICF-7600G. Interestingly, there wasn't much evidence of images on the lower end of the MW band even with an external wire coupled in. Finally, there were no internally generated "birdies" found in the LW and MW bands.

S-meter and memories The S-meter on this radio is not quite as impressive as it looks at first glance. Although there are 21 bars in the display, they are actually illuminated 4 bars at a time, so there are really only 5 gradations in signal strength, not quite as impressive as the 2010's 10 LED display, but good enough to indicate loop nulls in most cases.

The 40 memories store frequency only, as the filter passband and SSB on/off are controlled by slide switches and can't be "remembered". What is more of a concern to me is the delay (a good portion of a second) going from one memory to the next, effectively making the memories useless for checking parallels. I've been spoiled by the virtually instant response of the individual push button memories on the ICF-2010.

Synchronous detection:

It's hardly fair to evaluate the YB-400's lack of synchronous detection, but unfortunately, the ICF-2010's sync detector really does make a difference to the readability of medium strength signals which are suffering from interference. It substitutes for a steeper sided filter, and allows one to monitor the sideband which is affected less by adjacent channel splatter. For example, only traces of audio were noted when tuning the YB400 to the Calgary station on 1060 kHz next to my local on 1070, but using the 2010's synchronous detector on the low side of 1060 yielded a readable signal in the splatter, even though the IF filters on both radios had similar passbands. In addition, non-synchronous heterodyne detection (using USB/LSB positions to demodulate AM) is not possible on the Yacht Boy because the continuously variable SSB fine tuning control does not tune to the edges of the passband of the narrow IF filter, so tends to receive both sidebands of an AM signal at once.

Overall, audio quality on the YB400 is crisper than on the ICF-2010, even when using the narrow IF filter.

Conclusion:

Unsurprisingly, the Grundig Yacht Boy YB400 is not a replacement for the Sony ICF-2010, but its narrow IF filter, 1 kHz tuning steps, good quality audio, and relatively good sensitivity and signal handling capability make it a reasonable starter radio for a MW DXer, particularly one with shortwave interests. However, it does suffer from an external antenna input which doesn't switch out the internal MW antenna, and attenuates severely MW signals from an outside antenna. In addition, the lack of synchronous AM detection means that it is not as capable as it could be in demodulating weak signals next to stronger ones.

Of course, if I'd been offered this radio for MW DXing in the 60's, at the comparable 60's price, roughly equivalent to that of an "all-American 5", I would have been in DXer's heaven. We've come a long way in that time.

(Thanks to Colin Newell for the loan of his Grundig YB400PE)

Nick Hall-Patch is a Victoria resident and radio expert - In the last 30 years he has contributed greatly to the telecommunications knowledge base and helped promote solidarity and cooperation among radio enthusiasts.

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Grundig Yotboy yb400pe

• Thread starter jbsarandolphmonitor
• Start date Aug 27, 2004

jbsarandolphmonitor

Air band monitoring jbsa-randolph.

• Aug 27, 2004

Is the Grundig Yotboy yb400pe a good radio? I am thinking about buying one. Donald Harkins  

Maybe ya wanna lookee here for reviews on all kinds of HF radios http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/8 73, Phil  

donhark said: Is the Grundig Yotboy yb400pe a good radio? I am thinking about buying one. Donald Harkins Click to expand...

thank you very much. I will look for a good price on one. Donald Harkins  

• Aug 28, 2004

OR GO WITH THE KAITO 1102 FOR UNDER 100 DOLLARS GREAT RADIO CHEAP SSB RADIO!! GOOD LUCK!  

You could also try www.grove-ent.com . They also carry the Sangean 505p, a similar radio when compared to the Yacht Boy 400 PE.  

• Aug 29, 2004

thanks I will check the site out. Donald Harkins  

Active Member

I don't think you can go wrong with the Yacht Boy 400PE. It's very sensitive, relatively immune to overloading, and it's a nice small package. It does a better job on most frequencies than my RS DX440, which is a pretty good radio but it's the size of a tank compared to my YB. I've seen the YB on sale for as low as $149 and it's a steal at that price.  

I have looked at other radios and I still like the yb400pe. Donald Harkins  

• Aug 30, 2004

I also have a YB 400 PE (have had it since last Christmas). It's a good radio with good sensitivity, and I think it was worth the money. I've lately been using it to monitor the Hurricane Watch Net (14325 kHz) for each hurricane that comes around. It performs decently on SSB but requires patience and practice using the fine tuning knob. It also has very good FM and commercial AM (mediumwave) reception. The internal AM antenna is nearly 6" long, and the telescoping FM/SW antenna is 36" long, plus you can use an external antenna (a ~20ft reel antenna is included). This is my second SW radio (my first was an analog tuning RS DX-397 that I bought a couple of years ago in college).  

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Friday 20 March 2020

Grundig yacht boy 210.

7 comments:

An amazing radio. I came across this page as I am playing with my faithful 210. I am forever in awe of this great radio that has a presence that no other has. I have all sorts of vintage radios, from Philips to Roberts, Hacker or Sonys, but this one has a special place, and I miss its sound and a build quality that is felt when you use it.

Hi there and thanks for the visit and nice comments. Yes, it's a lovely old radio and I enjoy it most every day. Regards, Tom, M7MCQ.

The 210 is awesome, isn't it? I've restored a couple and have one in our kitchen. It's used everyday and sounds just great! Like you, I remember relatives having one when I was a kid. Fond memories. https://www.flickr.com/gp/9927085@N03/i1215h

Looks nice that Tony! Thanks for the visit. 73, Tom, M7MCQ

Hi, Nelson here from Portugal. Really nice to find your blog, i have one of those beauties myself, and i love it, not only for the sound, the looks, but also for the nostalgia, it have been in my family since forever, and i have pictures listening to it as a baby :-) I proudly display ti in my living room. I was wondering about your echo connected to it, can you use this radio to play music from Alexa/Spotify? I would love to to so, to listen to my collection/playlists trough this little baby :-) Thanks a lot in advance and keep your good work Best regards

Nice this to read have the 210 today like new price 20Euro great sound have also all the Grundig Satellit s one by one Art thx anyway gl 73, de ON3MK Mor

Lovely to see all your appreciative comments on the 210. I too have one that I bought new in about 1972. Still works beautifully on a home made power supply of a similar date. Only problems have been a cracked volume knob, which I replaced from a scrap Ferguson TX9 TV, and the loss of the top extension of the aerial. It can still thump the floor so I assume all its electrolytic are in good order despite having a few periods of disuse. The major bus word has already been mentioned, and that is -------------------QUALITY! I even love just looking at it. I'm getting on a bit now so I suppose it's next event will be my kids or grandkids chucking it in the bin. UGGGGGH! Best wishes to all you lovers of truly good things. Peter.

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Reviews For: Grundig Yachtboy 400

Category: receivers: general coverage, email subscription.

Category:	Receivers: General Coverage
Product:	Grundig Yachtboy 400
Summary:
Rating: Time Owned: eHam.net Vision Statement To build the largest and most complete Amateur Radio community site on the Internet - a "portal" that hams think of as the first place to go for information, to exchange ideas, and be part of what’s happening with ham radio on the Internet. eHam.net provides recognition and enjoyment to the people who use, contribute, and build the site. This project involves a management team of volunteers who each take a topic of interest and manage it with passion. The site will stand above all other ham radio sites by employing the latest technology and professional design/programming standards, developed by a team of community programmers who contribute their skills to the effort. The site will be something of which everyone involved can be proud to say they were a part. . The eHam.net Team, Revision 07/2020. 151 IMAGES Grundig Yacht Boy 207 AM LW Shortwave Portable Radio Review Grundig Yacht-Boy 1100 AM/FM Radio Manual Grundig Yacht Boy 210 Grundig Yacht Boy YB 400 PE World Receiver AM FM SW MW LW Shortwave Grundig Yacht-Boy 600 Portable AM/FM Radio Manual Radio Grundig Yacht Boy 10 VIDEO Grundig Yacht Boy 500 vs Grundig Yacht Boy 400 real test in the 40m SSB band Grundig Yacht Boy 400. 7151kHz SSB. 00:45 MCK Grundig Yacht Boy 205a Grundig yacht boy 300.MP4 Grundig Yacht Boy 10 on LW GRUNDIG YACHT BOY 700 COMMENTS Reviews For: Grundig Yachtboy 400 Time Owned: more than 12 months. I have had my Yachtboy 400 since 2003; bought refurbished from Universal Radio for $99.00. I have used this radio at home and camping, with internal and external antennas, on MW, FM and SW bands; this radio has been great. It performs well beyond the expectations of a $99.00 radio. RECEIVER REVIEW: GRUNDIG YB400 The Yacht Boy 400 was launched at the end of 1993 in North America. In fact at £105 across Europe, the Yacht Boy 400 turns out to be a great value package. Our example is clearly made for Grundig in the Peoples' Republic of China. Grundig has designed the unit and supervised the quality control. The Yacht Boy 400 looks like many travel ... Reviews For: Grundig Yacht Boy 300 PE Reviews For: Grundig Yacht Boy 300 PE Category: Receivers: General Coverage. eMail Subscription Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted. Review Summary For : Grundig Yacht Boy 300 PE; Reviews: 5 Grundig YB-400PE, Grundig YB400 Portable Shortwave Radio The YB-400PE comes with: Grundig brand D35-09-200 AC adapter, stereo ear plugs, wind-up antenna, Owners Manual and vinyl carry case. Requires six AA cells (not supplied). The cabinet has a stunning titanium colored finish. The back of the radio even has a flip-out tilt stand. 8W x 5H x 1.5D inches 1 lb. 5 oz. (203x127x38mm 595g). Reviews For: Grundig Yachtboy 400 It's little portable that costs less than $200 and performs brilliantly in its intended use. I've owned my Grundig Yacht Boy 400 since 1996 and still use it frequently --mostly as a travelling companion. It's a darned good little radio. Its noise floor is low and selectivity and sensitivity amazingly high. Grundig YB-400 Grundig YB-500 Comments: Also called the Yacht Boy 400. The YB-400 is supplied with vinyl carrying case, wind-up antenna and stereo earplugs. Model YB-400 PE "Professional Edition" features a titanium colored case and is supplied with the Grundig AC adapter ($200-270 new). Both units have enjoyed wide acceptance. Portable Spy Station: Grundig Yacht Boy 400 By Joel Published March 9, 2004. 𝕏. JOEL JOHNSON — The Grundig Yacht Boy 400PE is ostensibly a portable marine device for tuning in AM/FM and shortwave radio stations (as the 'Yacht Boy ... RECEIVER REVIEW: GRUNDIG YB500 The Yacht Boy 500 appeared in most of the Grundig outlets in Europe in the course of October 1993. In North America the situation was different. Some of the US radio dealers we spoke initially disappointed that Grundig North America gave the exclusive distribution rights in the USA for the Yacht Boy 500 to a mail-order house called Willabee & Ward. Copper Talk: Short Wave Radio reviews The Grundig YB 400 'Yacht Boy' and YB 400 PE Review By Tech833 Introduced nearly 10 years ago, the Grundig YB 400 hit the shortwave receiver market filling a niche that did not yet truly exist. For a long time, you had full coverage large receivers and you had small feature-poor portables. Reviews For: Grundig YACHT BOY (Porsche) P 2000 Review Summary For : Grundig YACHT BOY (Porsche) P 2000. Reviews: 14. MSRP: 99.00. Description: Sterling silver World Receiver designed by F. A. Porsche. Frequencies and SW bands can be directly keyed in. 2 international times are adjustable. 14.2 x 9.2 x 3.5 cm small and 330 g light. (without batteries). RECEIVER REVIEW: GRUNDIG YB360 The Grundig Yacht Boy 360 is slightly larger than the SW40 at 178 by 120 by 40 mm and it is heavier, 598 grams including six penlight batteries that snap into the back. The radio comes complete with a simulated leather carrying case and a book about shortwave written by Deutsche Welle's engineering department. The Yacht-Boy 400PE Portable Receiver The Yacht-Boy 400PE Portable Receiver. I recently had a chance to try out the Yacht Boy YB 400PE, and to put it through its paces as a medium wave receiver in comparison with the venerable Sony ICF-2010. One might say outright that this could not be a fair comparison, as the 2010 lists for roughly twice the price of the YB400, even after over ... Grundig Yotboy yb400pe Aug 29, 2004. #9. I don't think you can go wrong with the Yacht Boy 400PE. It's very sensitive, relatively immune to overloading, and it's a nice small package. It does a better job on most frequencies than my RS DX440, which is a pretty good radio but it's the size of a tank compared to my YB. GRUNDIG YACHT BOY 210 Thought some visitors might like to see my olde-worlde radio from the 1970's.It's the beautiful (in my eyes) Grundig Yacht Boy 210. This was Grundig's flagship model and has been one of my favourite general-listening radios of all time.When I was a young lad, we had very basic listening options so when I went babysitting for my 'posh' auntie and uncle, I was bowled over by their amazing "Yacht ... Reviews For: Grundig YB-550PE Review Summary For : Grundig YB-550PE; Reviews: 7 MSRP: 99.00; Description: Grundig's newest AM/FM/SW portable digital receiver: Product is in production: ... Or the PL-230 would edge out the Yacht Boy just slightly. So I would rate the sensitivity on this radio as - VERY GOOD to EXCELLENT PL-230 SELECTIVITY Reviews For: Grundig Yachtboy 400 The Grundig likes 6 of them compared to the ATS-606 room for three, but the Yacht Boy has a better battery lifespan. Sound. No question the YB400 sounds better from the larger speaker, but the Sangean is much clearer because it's flat. This is more noticeable in a good pair of headphones. PDF Receiver Review : Grundig YB305 In Europe and North America, the Grundig Yacht Boy 305 is an entry-level portable set designed for the travelling market, but its significantly cheaper than the Yacht Boy 400 which was launched in late 1994. The Yacht Boy 305 is a different design inside, being single rather than double conversion, there's no single-sideband and the tuning ... World receiver Grundig Yacht Boy 230 A vintage world receiver (AM, FM, LM, SW) from Grundig made ca.1989Video done with Nikon Coolpix S 6300 in HD. Reviews For: Grundig Yachtboy 400 Grundig S350 (which is 10X better than the Yacht Boy), a vintage Radio Shack Patrolman CB60, and a cheap COBY. For one thing, with the antenna fully extended, it becomes top heavy and wants to sway (the antenna), and when it sways, the radio pops and crackles, it even pops and cracks with the slightest touch of my finger on the face. catamaran gulet powerboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht