IRST LOOK F CONSUMER AND ELECTRONICS A Revolution – Eton E1XM By Larry Van Horn, N5FPW MT Assistant Editor

here is a radio revolution tak- ❖ Antennas ing place and the leader of that You can choose from the internal T revolt is a new entry into the antenna (whip) to an external antenna, shortwave portable market, the Eton using one of two slide switches on the E1XM. side of the radio. One switch is for FM The E1XM, part of the new Eton and one for HF (LW/MW/SW). Elite Series, is the world’s first radio The manual states that a PAL to fe- to combine AM, FM, Shortwave, and male F adapter is included for external XM * technology into antenna connection. This was not the one unit. The E1XM offers reception case in the initial shipment from Eton. through a digitally synthesized PLL Mr. Hess says anyone wanting the tuner with a synchronous detector, adapter can contact Eton and they will passband tuning, and selectable band- be supplied with one. But if you don’t width filters. Manufactured in India (not want to wait on Eton for the adapter, China) it has 1,700 station presets, and you can pick one up from Radio Shack a robust memory scan function. (#278-265B) or buy a cable from Uni- But more importantly, and what versal Radio that has an F to SO-239 sets this radio above any other portable MT Rating: 3 3/4 Stars connector. in the marketplace today, is the plethora And one final antenna note: this ra- of features, level of performance, and of nearby local stations, AM Sync allowed me to monitor weaker AM signals as close as 10 dio does not have a built-in ferrite loop antenna inclusion of the XM satellite reception capabil- for LW/AM broadcast reception. According to ity, all in one neat and trim package. kHz away from the local station. Another nice surprise was the Pass Band Mr. Hess, the display was generating a lot of noise and they decided not to incorporate an ❖ Tuning (PBT) control. This is well implement- Inside the Box ed, with a numeric indication on the display of internal antenna for those bands. Instead, you The first thing I noticed when I took the where the control setting is set. It also does its will be using the whip antenna or an external E1XM out of the box was a sleek, well-built job very well. antenna (not included) if you want improved portable radio. Gone are the huge boom box The AGC has a Slow/Fast and Auto mode reception in those bands. and quality control issues of its predecessor, which keep the AGC in fast mode while tun- the Grundig Satellite 800. The case appears to ing so you don’t miss weak signals. Though ❖ The Display be made of a type of hard plastic. The ergo- it works well, I would have liked to see an Speaking of the display, it is a dot matrix nomics are good, though some of the buttons additional setting of “off.” type (which might explain the noise issue on the front of the radio are a bit on the small Single Sideband (SSB) reception is also noted above), and it is nice, big and clear. You side. good. And as an extra bonus, there is a feature can adjust the brightness and contrast, or turn Applying power and tuning around in in the radio’s menu system that allows you it off completely. You can choose between off, the AM/FM bands, I was impressed with the to enable or disable Enhanced SSB. When dim, medium or bright, using a multi-purpose excellent and clean audio. Tuning through both enabled, it adds another 30dB image rejection, switch on top of the unit. The display defaults broadcast bands, I noted that signal levels were which is a very nice feature. to dim when turned off or you can turn it off good (especially in the FM broadcast spec- As I mentioned above, the E1XM has completely when the AC adapter is used. With trum). The base and treble controls allowed for 1,700 memories that can be used to store and batteries, the display will turn itself off to save a wide range of adjustment to set the audio just recall commonly monitored frequencies. The energy. And when it is off, it will display either right for the station being received. The use of first 500 are called “memory” channels and the the local or UTC time (if set). selectable filters (2.3, 4.0 and 7.0 kHz) regard- remaining 1,200 are referred to as “Country” less of mode is something you don’t normally channels. These 500 memory channels can be ❖ XM Radio see on most portable radios and is a welcome scanned using the “seek” function which can XM Radio is a subscription service, and feature. A DX soft key turns on a preamp to stop on any stored channel with a predeter- improve reception on weaker signals. mined squelch level. As I dug deeper into the operation of the The “Country” feature is used to enter MT First Look Rating (0-10 scale) radio, I sensed the feel of a Drake design. A call all known signals from countries you listen Audio Quality ...... 8 to Walter Hess, the technical support manager Audio Levels ...... 8 to regularly. These country memories can be Back light/Display ...... 5 at Eton, confirmed that Drake did have a major scanned using the T.SCAN function to selec- hand in the electronics of this unit. Battery Life ...... 7 tively monitor desired “memory” channels. Ease of use ...... 7 One of my chief complaints with many The following receiver controls and informa- Feature Set ...... 8 shortwave radios is their much-hyped “syn- tion can be stored in each memory channel: Keyboard/Button/Control Layout ...... 7 chronous detection” feature. The E1XM has a frequency, mode, , AGC and PBT Overall Construction ...... 8 Overall Reception ...... 7 selectable sync detector that actually works. In settings, and synchronous detector settings. fact, it worked very well indeed. In the shadow Overall Manual ...... 6

70 MONITORING TIMES November 2005 therefore is not free. But this radio is XM introduce a quality product such as the E1XM. *The E1 comes equipped with XM’s connect capable and all that is needed is to pay the It now becomes the benchmark which we and play technology. An optional satellite activation and monthly subscription fees, buy will use to judge other radios following in its antenna (VX300 $49.85), activation fee, and the optional $50 XM antenna/module, and you footsteps. a monthly subscription are required to listen are in business. Once you open up the world With the release of the Eton Elite, a radio to XM Satellite radio. of XM satellite there are a lot of neat services, revolution has truly begun and the E1XM is and the feature does add a lot of additional the leader. value to the listening capability of this radio. The E1XM is available from Grove Enterprises, Music, news, and sporting events (including Inc. for $499.95 plus shipping. all games) are some of MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS the many services on XM. For more informa- Frequency Range: tion on this, see John Figliozzi’s Programming Band Mode(s) Frequency Ranges Spotlight column in the October 2005 issue of AM, LSB, USB 100 - 500 kHz Monitoring Times. Mediumwave AM, LSB, USB 500 - 1800 kHz Shortwave AM, LSB, USB 1800 - 30,000 kHz FM Broadcast FM 76 - 108 MHz (range is selectable: 76 - 90 MHz or 87 - 108 MHz) ❖ Overall Rating and Final XM Digital Digital 2.3325 - 2.3450 GHz (Optional)

Thoughts Sensitivity: SSB (10 dB S+N/N) 3 Watts normal - operation from AC adapter. Overall, I like the E1XM. As I mentioned Less than .25 µV 0.1 - 30 MHz (DX on) Internal Speaker: 4 inch (10.16 cm) 8 ohms previously, this is a major improvement over Less than .5 µV 0.1 - 30 MHz (Normal) Line Audio Output: 300 mV, 47k ohms the now discontinued Grundig Satellite 800. Line Audio Input Jack: 1/8 inch (3.175 mm) But as is the case with most radios, there is Sensitivity: AM (10 dB S+N/N, 1000 Hz, 30% stereo room for improvement. ) Headphone Jack: 1/8 inch (3.175 mm) stereo Less than 2.0 µV 0.1 - 30 MHz (DX on) I was disappointed by the lack of DRM Less than 4.0 µV 0.1 - 30 MHz (Normal) DC Power Requirements: capability. Given the push by major shortwave Input 7-14 VDC supplied from AC adapter, broadcasters toward DRM, I felt Eton missed a Sensitivity: FM (20 dB S/N, monaural) external DC power supply or 3.6 to 6.0 VDC golden opportunity by not including this mode Less than 1.5 µV 76 - 108 MHz (DX on) supplied by four internally mounted “D” cell in their radio. I would gladly pay extra Less than 4 µV 76 -108 MHz (Normal) (1.5VDC) batteries (not supplied). to have the DRM mode in the E1XM. Frequency Resolution: 10 Hz in AM and SSB AC Power Requirements: No carrying handle. Yes, this is a moder- modes, 20 KHz in FM mode 120 VAC ±10% to 9 VDC, 15 Watt 1 Amp ately large portable without a carrying handle. Frequency Stability: ± 10 ppm, 0° to 50°C AC adapter. Center conductor of connector Also, the adjustable stand (adjustable to one Frequency Accuracy: Better than ± 100 Hz at is positive, negative is connected to input position at 45 degrees) is disappointing. They 25°C ground. used a soft plastic for the stand and we noted Selectivity (AM and SSB): Current requirements (approximate) from 9.0 during our testing time that it tended to bend. 7 kHz at -6 dB, less than 12 kHz at -60 dB VDC supply Bottom line – don’t lean too hard on the radio 4 kHz at -6 dB, less than 9 kHz at -60 dB Worse case at maximum volume: 850 mA when you are steadying your hand on it while 2.3 kHz at -6 dB, less than 5 kHz at -60 dB nominal with backlight display off and 900 tuning around. We pointed this out to Eton and mA with it on. it has been relayed to the engineers. IF Frequency: From batteries with 1/4 watt average audio st We did note something very strange dur- 1 IF 45.0 MHz (AM and SSB) output (normal battery currents): 2nd IF 455 kHz (AM and SSB) FM mode – 175 mA backlight off, 225 mA ing our test. The external antenna adapter got backlight on. warm. In fact, it got very warm. So much so, 1st IF 10.7 MHz (FM) LW/MW/SW – 210 mA backlight off, 260 mA we contacted Eton immediately and they also backlight on. verified the problem. It isn’t anything that will Image Rejection: XM – 350 mA backlight off, 400 mA backlight harm you, but I have to wonder how long it Greater than 70 dB, 0.1 - 30 MHz on. Greater than 55 dB, 76 - 108 MHz will be before that heat loosens up the external Operating Temperature: 0° to 50°C antenna jack in the unit. IF Rejection: Shipping Weight: 6 lbs (2.72 kg) (includes AC The backlight display is entirely too dim. Greater than 80 dB, 45.0 MHz adapter, batteries not included) Even with lights turned out and the contrast at Greater than 80 dB, 455 kHz Size: 13-1/8 inch width (33.37 cm) by 7-1/2 maximum, it is too faint. You will really notice inch height (19.05 cm) by 2-9/16 inch depth this when you place the unit in ambient light IP3 - Intercept Point 50 ohm antenna input): (6.5 cm) and are using the adjustable stand. Greater than +10 dBm at 20 kHz spacing (Normal) Note: Published specs subject to change Probably my biggest beef with the E1XM Greater than -20 dBm at 5 kHz spacing (Nor- is that it uses double instead of triple conver- mal) sion. We didn’t see a lot of resulting problems -30 dBm at 5 kHz spacing (DX) SIGNAL STRENGTH METER here in Brasstown, but I am not sure that will < 3 MHz to > 5 GHz be the case for other end users in more robust AGC Performance: The ZC 185 is an extremely sensitive Threshold: 1.0 V MODEL RF environments. Radio Frequency Detector operating over Attack Time: 1 msec (Bandwidth dependent) ZC 185 The Exalted Carrier Single Sideband Release Time: Slow 3 seconds, Fast 300 msec a broad range of frequencies. (ECSS) seemed a tad off. I have seen at least Less than 2 dB change in audio output for 90 HAM RADIO: Detects and locates Fox Xmtrs, two more reports that back up what we saw dB. far-field tune-ups of milliwatt to kilowatt rigs, RF input change referenced from the AGC measures antenna patterns, detects oscillations, in our test unit (serial number 00528). It isn’t locates cable leaks and RFI, monitors power levels. extreme, but to an old AM broadcast band DX threshold point plus 3 dB. COMPUTER : Super Wi Fi Sniffer, hound like me, it is noticeable enough. Internal Antenna: 30 1/4 inch (1.003 meters) detects Hot & Cold spots, measures baseline RF, Finally, while most of the manual is well optimizes hub & satellite network sites, locates telescopic antenna (for use on all bands). hacker sites, strengthens RF-signal links. written, the Appendix gets an “F.” It is loaded External Antenna: 50 to 75 ohm, PAL type male with errors, wrong frequencies and much (PAL to F type adapter included) SECURITY: Supersensitive covert camera $159.00 and bug detector, simplifies wireless installations, more. We sent Eton several pages of changes aligns antennas, verifies transmissions, identifies (+$7 S&H) and they promised that they would be included External Speaker Output: 4 to 8 ohms, external hacker sites, locates interference. jack is 1/8 inch (3.175 mm) WWW.ZAPCHECKER.COM in future editions of the manual. Audio Power (internal or external speakers): ALAN BROADBAND CO Overall, we are very pleased to see Eton 1.25 Watts - battery operation Ph: (650) 369-9627, : (650) 369-3788

November 2005 MONITORING TIMES 71