The UltraLight Radio Gallery
Units Recognized by the Definitions Committee as of 9/26/2009
Performance criteria evaluated: Sensitivity, selectivity, null depth,
AGC, audio quality, defects (images, spurs/birdies, bleed-over),
digital tuning noise and quality control record.
What the grades mean:
A Best of Any Ultralight
B Very Good
C So-so
D A Definite Liability
F Disaster
Kchibo D96L
Tecsun PL-310
The sensitivity AND selectivity co-champion
Sensitivity and selectivity co-champion, great on all bands
Sen
Sel
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
Sen
Sel
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
B+
A-
A-
A-
Grundig G8 (Tecsun PL-300WT)
Eton e100 (Tecsun PL-200)
Great DSP selectivity, FM Champion
Good all-around receiver, shines when modified **
Sen
Sel
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
A-
A-
A-
Sen
Sel
B+ *B+
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
B+
A-
Sangean DT-400W
C Crane SWP (Redsun RP-300)
Very sensitive, great audio
Capable receiver, shines when modified
Sen
Sel
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
Sen
Sel
A-
*C+
A-
A-
B+ *C+
Sony SRF-T615
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
B-
Sangean DT-200VX
Very sensitive, luxury DXing
Good all-around receiver
Sen
Sel
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
Sen
Sel
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
A-
*C+
A-
A-
A-
Kaito WRX-911 (Tecsun R-911)
Tecsun R-912/R-9012
Nulling champion, budget DXer's delight
Nulling champion, budget DXer's delight
Sen
Sel
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
Sen
Sel
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
B-
A-
n/a
B+
B-
A-
n/a
SRF-M37V/W
Sangean DT-210V
Excels outside of urban areas
Good all-around receiver
Sen
Sel
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
Sen
Sel
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
B-
B+
B-
*F
B+
*F
A-
Degen DE1123
Kchibo D92L
DSP and MP3, but insensitive
DSP selectivity, but compromised sensitivity
Sen
Sel
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
Sen
Sel
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
B+
A-
B-
A-
B-
SRF-39
SRF-85
SRF-49
SRF-59
The Sony SRF-39 Series
Sen
Sel
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
QC
B+
B-
A-
A-
n/a
SRF-S80
SRF-S83
SRF-S84
SRF-87
The Sony Ultralighter Group
Sen
Sel
Null
AGC
Aud
Def
Noise
QC
B-
A-
n/a
Best In Class Summary
Most Sensitive
Kchibo D96L
Most Selective
Kchibo D96L
Best Nulling Ability
Tecsun R911/R912, most Sony SRF units
Best AGC
Sony SRF-T615
Sony SRF-T615, SRF-S84 and M37V,
Sangean DT-200VX, 210V and DT-400W
Best Audio
Least Defects
Least Digital Tuning Annoyance
Eton e100, Sangean DT-400W
Sony T615, Sangean DT200VX/DT400W, Degen DE1123
Sony SRF-M37V and SRF-T615
Kchibo D96L, Degen DE1123
Best Quality Control Record
Untested Ultralights
Degen DE-312
Tecsun DR-920/G1100
Grundig Etraveller VII
Kaide KK-9702
Kaito KA-802
Kchibo KK-225
Nexxtech 201-9001
Sangean ATS-202
Sangean MS-101
Sangean SR-2, 25V, 3
Sangean DT-300
Sangean SR-33
Tecsun R919/Grundig 300
Tecsun R-9701/9702/9710
Tecsun R202T, R212T
Turkey Ultralights
COBY CX-CB90
CountyComm GP-4L
Degen DE-205
Grundig Mini 100/200
Grundig Mini 300
jWin JX-M14, JX-M16
Kaito/Degen KA-11, KA-1101
Kaito KA 208
Kaito KA 105
Kchibo KK-989
Kchibo KK-E200
Panasonic RFP50
Radio Shack 12-467
Redsun RF-1201
Sangean DT-110, 120, 180, 220V
Sony SRF-M97
Sony ICF-S10MK2
Sony SRF-M85V
NOTES
* DXers have retrofitted this unit with a new filter to substantially improve performance see Dxer.ca and Yahoo group for more details
** Newer e100 sets (serial numbers starting with the digit 7 rather than the 4 or 5) should be avoided as they are actually electronically
very different from most e100s and are not amenable to modification.
The Shoot-Out results upon which this is based, plus tips on using and modifying Ultralights,
are available on the Yahoo UltralightDX group and on Dxer.ca.
