- Receives AM, FM, continuous shortwave, and SSB (single sideband)
- Tuning via up/down buttons, auto-scan, and a numeric keypad
- High-quality circuitry and a digital PLL tuner
- Dual clocks allow you to track the time in two time zones
- Can be powered with the included AC adapter, or via six "AA" batteries
Technical Details
Product Details
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Product Description
Amazon.com Review
If you're in the market for a small, high-quality shortwave radio, the Grundig YB-400PE just might be what you're looking for. While the radio doesn't offer the spit and polish of newer models like the E10, or even the smaller E5, the YB-400PE has a solid track record for accurate tuning, durability and good features.
YB-400PE radio, AC adapter, stereo ear plugs, wind-up antenna, vinyl carry case, user's manual, operating instructions, and warranty card.
Design and Controls
Weighing in at one pound, five ounces ounces, and measuring 8 x 5 x 1.5 inches (W x H x D), the YB-400PE falls squarely in the portable radio category. While it's certainly not pocket-size, you can pack it in your suitcase with ease. The silver plastic case isn't awe inspiring, but it feels durable and ready to handle a few rough and tumble trips.
Most of the action can be found on the front of the unit, where you'll find a direct frequency entry keypad, as well as buttons for controlling the timer, auto-scanning, up/down station selection, band selection, memory control, and SSB mode.
On the left side of the YB-400PE you'll find a 3.5mm connector for an external shortwave antenna. Grundig generously includes a handy wind-up antenna that can be plugged in here to enhance signal reception -- although there is a telescoping antenna on the top of the unit. In addition to a power port and stereo headphone jack for FM listening, the side of the radio also sports an antenna gain switch that lets you choose between DX and local modes, allowing you to tone down excessively strong AM or shortwave stations if need be. When in FM mode, another switch selects FM stereo or mono modes. When in shortwave mode, the switch offers wide and narrow bandwidth selectivity. The narrow position offers maximum signal selectivity, while the wide position affords higher audio fidelity.
Dials are provided on the right side of the YB-400PE for fine tuning and volume. The fine tuning knob is great for really homing in on those SSB broadcasts. You'll also find an SSB mode switch, as well as a tone switch, which lets you choose between bass and treble, but provides no adjustment for either one. We assume the switch is intended to enhance the lower or upper music ranges when selected, but the difference between the two settings wasn't that noticeable. In addition to AC power, the the YB-400PE can run off of six AA cells, which are not supplied. For the sake of comparison, the E10 and E5 models only require 4 AA batteries -- and they can charge rechargeable AA cells.
LCD Display
The G4000's backlit display is crisp and clear, with a clean layout that makes it easy to control the radio's tuning, clock, and timer functions. We do wish the backlight were a tad brighter, but this is a minor quibble. A separate space in the upper left portion of the screen is provided for the clock display so you can view the time and tune the radio at the same time -- a nice touch.
Selecting shortwave meter bands on the YB-400PE requires manually typing the meter band number with the numeric keypad and then hitting the meter select button. A more straightforward solution here, and one that is employed on the newer E10 and E5 units, would be to simply scroll through the meters with each successive key press of the meter select button. Fortunately, though, the radio's memory functions are easy to browse and recall on the display.
Tuning Options
Tuning the with YB-400PE is straightforward and simple, but it's important to note that -- once again, unlike the E5 and E10 -- this radio does not offer direct digital tuning. Instead, you get synthesized digital tuning. This means that the frequency readout is digital, but the radio actually uses an analog tuning mechanism. Some people do prefer the "feel" of analog tuning to direct digital.
The radio tunes AM, FM, shortwave, and SSB signals, and you can choose from auto-scan, manual up/down, or direct keypad entry modes. If you're new to shortwave, auto-scan will quickly become your friend. With it, we quickly made a lot of discoveries, and heard stations from all over the world -- although our limited language skills made it difficult to always know exactly to whom or what we were listening! We also tried some SSB tuning, which is designed to capture ham radio and two-way radio communications. SSB is notoriously difficult to tune, but with a little time and effort --(including standing outside for a good while -- we were able to pick up some faint signals).
The YB-400PE's memory system also deserves mention. With it, you can store up to 40 frequencies for later retrieval. Once stored, recalling all these memories is pretty easy, thanks to a fairly straightforward on-screen interface that lets you scroll through them. You can also directly enter the number of your stored memory -- if you keep a record of it.
Pros
- Solid construction, good sound quality
- Small enough to take anywhere
- Addition of SSB is a nice touch
- Somewhat useless "tone" switch
- If you're looking for the latest technology, look to the E5 or E10
YB-400PE radio, AC adapter, stereo ear plugs, wind-up antenna, vinyl carry case, user's manual, operating instructions, and warranty card.
Product Description
The Grundig YB400PE, with its sleek titanium look, is packed with features like no other compact radio in the world. The YB400PE does it all; pulls in AM/FM-stereo and Shortwave, with continuous tuning from 1711-29,995 KHz. SSB circuitry allows for reception of Single Sideband two-way communications such as amateur radio (HAM radio).
Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
84 of 85 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A portable with full size sound.,
By Dan "toujoursdan" (Gatineau, Québec) - See all my reviews
This review is from: ETON YB400PE AM/FM Shortwave Radio (Electronics)
This, along with the Sony ICF-7600G are among the two best portable shortwave radios offered by Amazon at this time. Both have their advantages and it is up to the user what is most important. The Grundig YB-400 is a fairly easy to use radio that allows the user to punch in the desired frequency, enter it into one of 40 memories, or scan desired bands to find a station of interest. The Grundig's best asset is its great audio. It is definitely the best audio I've heard from a shortwave portable and makes listening a real pleasure. If you live or travel to any part of the world other than Europe or eastern North America the Grundig YB-400 is the best you can buy. If you live in one of those two places consider the Sony, which has a synch. detector that allows you to reduce interference from adjacent stations. This is important in areas where there are a high number of strong stations crowded next to one another. In any case, both are well worth the money.
74 of 77 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very complete radio,
By
This review is from: ETON YB400PE AM/FM Shortwave Radio (Electronics)
Among the best consumer world band radios available today, and the finest low-cost radio I have owned in over twenty years of listening.This is great all-around radio. If you are new to short-wave, this is an very good radio to start with. For beginners, the lock-on tuning and scanning functions make listening easy. For more experienced and adventurous listeners, there is the ability to access single sideband transmissions. All current and proposed medium-wave, FM, and short-wave bands are available. The speaker sound is excellent, and one can also attach stereo speakers to the YB400's headphone jack; my YB400 does double duty as an FM tuner and short-wave. The Grundig YB400 comes as part of a very complete package. Included with the radio is an AC adapter, stereo earbuds, carrying case, and an external reel antenna that plugs into the radio itself. The manual is brief but clear, and a listening guide is also included.
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best shortwave I've owned,
By Virgil "Virgil" (Chapel Hill, NC) - See all my reviews
This review is from: ETON YB400PE AM/FM Shortwave Radio (Electronics)
While I'm not exactly a shortwave hobbyist I've used shortwave radios on every one of my travels overseas. That being said the YB 400 PE is the best SW I've ever had. This Grundig brings a lot of features to the table such as digital tuning, forty presets, great capture of stations and above average sound. I've really enjoyed using the 400 and its great features. One complaint I had was that the manual that accompanies it does an inadequate job of explaining some of the functions and the pre-sets are all inclusive, that is it's forty pre-sets for all bands FM/SW/LW/MW rather than per band. But these are small things that shouldn't take away from the overall excellence of the radio. I'm getting ready to go on an extended trip to the third world and the Grundig YB 400PE is at the top of my packing list.
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