- Deluxe shortwave radio features supremely accurate tuning and advanced features
- 6 x 3.5-inch multifunction LCD panel displays all the radio's functions and tuning parameters
- Tuning via up/down buttons, auto-scan, memory scan, and a numeric keypad
- Tunes AM/FM, shortwave and VHF aircraft bands
- Features traditional analog signal strength meter
Technical Details
Product Details
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Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
Take one look at the Grundig Satellit 800 AM/FM shortwave radio and you'll know it means serious business. From the easy-to-read liquid crystal display and traditional analog signal strength meter, to the silky-smooth tuning knob that creates absolutely no audio muting, this radio defines shortwave at its best. Continuous frequency coverage of 100-30,000 KHz gives you broadcasts from every corner of the globe. Even listen to ham radio operators, or planes as they take off and land at your local airport.
Design and Controls
Weighing in at a hair over 14 pounds, the Satellit 800's sleek, modern cabinet is 20.5 inches across and eight inches deep. The sturdy cabinet has metal guards, much like a rack-mounted component. A built-in antenna on the top of the device handles AM, FM and shortwave reception. To the right of the full-range speaker on the front of the unit, a massive 6 x 3.5-inch multifunction LCD panel displays all the radio's functions and tuning parameters. The display offers up to 100 Hertz accuracy on the AM, SW and VHF aircraft bands. An evenly lit backlight enables display viewing under all lighting conditions. To the left of the screen is an analog signal strength meter that helps achieve perfect tuning accuracy. A keypad below the LCD screen allows illustrious shortwave listeners to directly enter their shortwave band of choice, giving instant access to known broadcasts. Meanwhile, a selectable automatic gain control (AGC) offers fast and slow modes.
Tuning options abound; you can choose from a variable-rate tuning knob, the aforementioned direct keypad frequency entry method, up/down buttons, or programmable memory scan. And when you have your station locked in, you can tweak the sound quality with separate, continuous bass and treble tone controls. A bridged type audio amplifier provides high output power, even when the radio is operating on battery.
Tuning and Bands
The Satellit 800 is designed to receive a broad range of signals in the 100-30,000 KHz range, which includes shortwave, medium wave AM broadcast band and longwave. FM reception is robust, with tuning available in the 87-108 MHz ranges. VHF aircraft band reception is also supported. While you make your broadcast discoveries, you can add them to the Satellit 800's programmable memory, which features 70 frequency entries. As an added bonus, entries are immune to power loss, ensuring that your favorite tunings are never lost.
For tuning precision, the unit offers selectable bandwidths (7.0, 4.0, and 2.3 kHz) for excellent selectivity. And to top it all off, the Satellit 800's high dynamic range tuner allows for detection of weak signals in the presence of strong signals. And for those who enjoy tuning into far-flung AM stations, the Satellit 800 features a single sideband synchronous AM detector.
Connections and Power
The Satellit 800 is packed with connectivity options, including a stereo line-level output for recording or connecting the unit to a home stereo. There's also a stereo headphone jack for private listening (high quality headphones are included with the radio).
For the truly dedicated, the Satellit 800 offers vital external antenna connections. Take your pick -- professionally engineered shortwave antennae, long-wire shortwave antennae, specialized AM broadcast band antennae, FM broadcast band antennae, and air band antennae can all be connected. The unit can be powered with the included AC adapter, or via six "D" batteries. A low battery indicator is provided, as well.
Extras
Grundig thought of everything, so they've included dual programmable clocks. You also get a dual-event programmable timer that can be used for timing a recording or as an alarm clock.
What's in the Box
Satellit 800 radio, stereo headphones, AC adapter, and owner's manual.
Product Description
100 kHz to 30 MHz Frequency range / Synchronous signal detection / Selectable sideband
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
84 of 84 people found the following review helpful
This is a very good shortwave receiver but somewhat difficult to review since it may be viewed differently depending on the user--where they live, primary usage, etc. If you're really only interested in AM or FM, I'd consider it way too expensive. FM reception is incredible but it's not stereo--it's mono unless you plug in stereo headphones. It's not particularly good for pulling in distant AM signals--without any external antenna, my GE Superadio pulls them in just as well (although not any better). However, I bought it primarily for shortwave and it just flat out shines compared to the portables I've used.
It is designed to use either the supplied whip antenna or may be hooked to external antennas. I have only used the whip so I cannot comment on external antennas. The reception out of the box with the whip is the best I've encountered and I live in the shortwave challenged American West. (Unlike Eastern USA, we have trouble pulling all but the most robust signals in the West.) Weak signal sensitivity is excellent. The synchronous selectable sideband (which I've not had before and now I wouldn't waste money on a radio without it), adjustable bandwidth, AGC, and bass/treble controls really allow you to "clean up" the signals and the large speaker and included headphones provide very good audio--it's not nearly as tiring to listen to as those tiny shortwave portables. (Ditto on AM.) Also, I should note that I live in a framed wood house--shortwave is tougher to pick up in brick or metal buildings.
The air band and SSB both work well but I haven't listened to them much since my interest is primarily AM/FM/Shortwave. However, if you're interested in airport traffic or hams, it performs very well.
The controls work very well--ergonomically correct and easy to use even with my big hands and fingers. Solid craftsmanship and workmanship on my unit--no slopping fittings or loose knobs.
Some drawbacks: it's more a tabletop than a portable. (Think two shoeboxes end-to-end, filled with rocks--that's the size and weight.) I don't like the "outboard" transformer brick that runs the AC power--would have preferred it built into the radio. And it does not have "station seek" or scanning feature which even the cheapest portables have and are particularily useful for shortwave. (It will scan the settings put into the memory--memory holds 70 settings.) These are relatively minor quibbles--all in all, it is an excellent radio.
One final note: I was somewhat reluctant to order from Amazon because I was worried they wouldn't package it well for shipping. (In the past, I've had some articles arrive without adequate packing.) Not a problem--the radio retail carton was enclosed in heavy corrugated shipping carton wrapped with plastic bands and that whole package was enclosed in another shipping carton with plenty of "air pillows" all the way around. Everything arrived in excellent condition.
It is designed to use either the supplied whip antenna or may be hooked to external antennas. I have only used the whip so I cannot comment on external antennas. The reception out of the box with the whip is the best I've encountered and I live in the shortwave challenged American West. (Unlike Eastern USA, we have trouble pulling all but the most robust signals in the West.) Weak signal sensitivity is excellent. The synchronous selectable sideband (which I've not had before and now I wouldn't waste money on a radio without it), adjustable bandwidth, AGC, and bass/treble controls really allow you to "clean up" the signals and the large speaker and included headphones provide very good audio--it's not nearly as tiring to listen to as those tiny shortwave portables. (Ditto on AM.) Also, I should note that I live in a framed wood house--shortwave is tougher to pick up in brick or metal buildings.
The air band and SSB both work well but I haven't listened to them much since my interest is primarily AM/FM/Shortwave. However, if you're interested in airport traffic or hams, it performs very well.
The controls work very well--ergonomically correct and easy to use even with my big hands and fingers. Solid craftsmanship and workmanship on my unit--no slopping fittings or loose knobs.
Some drawbacks: it's more a tabletop than a portable. (Think two shoeboxes end-to-end, filled with rocks--that's the size and weight.) I don't like the "outboard" transformer brick that runs the AC power--would have preferred it built into the radio. And it does not have "station seek" or scanning feature which even the cheapest portables have and are particularily useful for shortwave. (It will scan the settings put into the memory--memory holds 70 settings.) These are relatively minor quibbles--all in all, it is an excellent radio.
One final note: I was somewhat reluctant to order from Amazon because I was worried they wouldn't package it well for shipping. (In the past, I've had some articles arrive without adequate packing.) Not a problem--the radio retail carton was enclosed in heavy corrugated shipping carton wrapped with plastic bands and that whole package was enclosed in another shipping carton with plenty of "air pillows" all the way around. Everything arrived in excellent condition.
107 of 114 people found the following review helpful
When I first obtained this radio I was skeptical based on its shakey start (the first batch of units had problems). I am a fussy customer and I have a fascination with portable high quality radios. I also own a Satelitt 700. The sound on the 800 is a little fuller than the 700. The 800 is huge, and heavy, and not, truly portable. The manual tuner can be used without muting the amplifier which is very helpful on SW. The FM tuner pull in stations from out of my market area and sounds great for a radio. The volume can be turned up almost all of the way without distorting the speaker. The FM sound stacks up with any other radio I own, including two Panasonics with huge 6 1/2" speakers.
The tuner is very easy to program and use. Stations are just a push of a button away. Although this radio is manufactured in China, it is of very high build quality. Remember when transistor radios were first built in Japan and we-all questioned that? Well, the Chinese are building good stuff!
The tuner is very easy to program and use. Stations are just a push of a button away. Although this radio is manufactured in China, it is of very high build quality. Remember when transistor radios were first built in Japan and we-all questioned that? Well, the Chinese are building good stuff!
I truly enjoy listening to this radio.
43 of 43 people found the following review helpful
The Grundig Satellit 800 combines top-notch performance with ease of use, and a price that can't be beat. A superb performer on shortwave, this radio will allow you to listen to all of the major shortwave stations, and also bring in many of the smaller, lower-powered, and harder-to-hear stations. This unit has superb audio, good sensitivity, and mulitple selectivity settings. Another plus is that the radio is easy for beginners to figure out, yet has enough features (memory presets, timers, scanning functions) for fussy listeners like me. Nice big digital display and controls, too.
Though nominally a portable, it's one big, butch radio: as big as a microwave oven and absolutely eats batteries. You'll want a permanent place in your home for it, and mostly run it off A/C power.
If you live anywhere other than the eastern part of North America or Europe, you will need to put up an external antenna. It's well worth it, though; with a proper antenna this radio will bring you the world.
The FM tuner is very good; mediumwave AM performance is also better than average, although there are other models you should consider if long-distance AM is your primary interest. Airband reception is only fair; I don't know why it's a feature of this radio.
The Sat 800 did have some quality control problems in the beginning (2000) those seem to be resolved now. For this price, you will not find a better performer on shortwave.
If you spend any time at all tuning the shortwave bands, this is your radio.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
...but it is NOT worth more than $2,000 !!!!!
This is a fine consumer-grade radio, with very good performance and lots of nice features, including a big nice-sounding speaker and R. L. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bruce H. Jensen
Excellent Reciever
This is a fantastic reciever! I have had many sine the 70s and I can say it is the best I have owned. Read more
Published 9 months ago by A. McDonald
Absolute junk as far as reliability goes.
Nice looking radio, sounded good for about 3 hours total use. THEN..power on/off selector, except for counter clock, will not power up ANY functions. Should be easy to fix, right? Read more
Published on April 26, 2010 by Marin M. Krupp
very good radio
Your a fool if you pay over 400.00 for a used one. They sell all day on ebay between 325 and 400 dollars. Someones on some serious mushrooms pricing it USED at 685.00. Read more
Published on March 26, 2009 by Lori L. Costa
great product and service!
Grundig Satellit 800 Millennium Shortwave Radio
I was amazed by the product and the service. My only complaint:
I had to use a US address, and luckily I have relatives... Read more
I was amazed by the product and the service. My only complaint:
I had to use a US address, and luckily I have relatives... Read more
Published on June 18, 2008 by Charalampos G. Filis
My wife Likes the buttons
I bought this radio for my wife when we moved. I figured she could tune into her favorite stations and it works. Read more
Published on March 16, 2006 by Ronald Cowie
Best on the market
I have had several sw receivers over the years - currently have a Sony ICF-SW2010, Sony ICF-SW77, and this Grundig (second genereation). Read more
Published on April 16, 2005 by SW Fan
Great Value in a High-End Receiver
If you're after a high-end SW receiver but don't have the thousands for a Yamaha or Frog, this is a great alternative and an excellent value. Read more
Published on February 22, 2005 by B Doors
A gift from the gods of geekdom
Before I say anything, premit me to state that the term "portable" here is used in a very general sense. Read more
Published on February 19, 2005 by STEVEN F. SCHARFF
Nearly Perfect
What you have here is a general-coverage shortwave receiver that approaches, or perhaps equals, the performance of communications receivers costing twice as much or more. Read more
Published on February 10, 2005 by Bill
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