Grundig G4000A AM/FM Shortwave Radio

by Eton

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 2 inches ; 2.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000807GJK
• Item model number: G4000A
• Batteries: 6 AA batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,532 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #27 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Radios > Shortwave Radios
  • #61 in Electronics > Portable Audio & Video > Radios
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 13, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

If you're in the market for a small, high-quality shortwave radio, the Grundig G4000A 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 G4000A has a solid track record for accurate tuning, durability and good features.

Simple to operate and carry, the G4000A is great for tuning in the world wherever the notion strikes you. View larger.

On the right, fine tuning, volume, tone, and SSB mode controls. View larger.

On the left, a local/DX switch, power input, a wide/narrow bandwidth switch, and headphone and external antenna jacks. View larger.

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 G4000A 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 G4000A 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 G4000A 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.

A crisp, clear display and a keypad for direct frequency entry. View larger.

In addition to AC power, the the G4000A 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 G4000A 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 G4000A 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 G4000A'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

Cons

• Somewhat useless "tone" switch
• If you're looking for the latest technology, look to the E5 or E10

What's in the Box
G4000A radio, AC adapter, stereo ear plugs, wind-up antenna, vinyl carry case, user's manual, operating instructions, and warranty card.

Product Description

The G4000A is an enthusiast-quality world receiver, packed with the power to scan and lock-on to even the weakest Shortwave signals with rock-solid precision. The G4000A is capable of receiving AM, FM, continous Shortwave, and even SSB (Single Sideband) signals. Other features included: wide and narrow bandwidth filter controls, autoscan, direct keypad tuning, 40 customizable station presets, and sleep timer functions.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Made Me a True Believer, May 19, 2006

By 

M. JEFFREY MCMAHON "herculodge" (Torrance, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Grundig G4000A AM/FM Shortwave Radio (Electronics)

In this review I'm comparing the G4000 to its sleeker, more attractive cousin the Eton E10, the Kaito 1103, the Kaito 1102 and the big Grundig S350 DL. I'm even throwing in my Tivoli PAL and Tivoli Songbook. The winner? Much to my disbelief (I've been a big fan of my Kaito 1103 for over a year with its strong FM reception)the winner is the G4000. As I turned the stations here in Los Angeles, I didn't have to budge the antenna and I got perfect reception--for even the difficult stations like 88.9. Both AM and FM were stronger than the Eton E10 and the Kaito 1102. The G4000 beat the Kaito 1103 for AM and at least tied for FM, maybe even better because like I said, the G4000's FM strength is so impressive I don't even have to adjust the antenna for what are usually hard-to-get stations. I can't even say this about my big reliable Grundig S350 DL. Plus the speaker on my G4000 is far better than its small digital PLL sythnesized cousins, the Kaito 1102 and 1103 and the Eton E10. The only radios I have that have a nicer sounding speaker are my Tivoli PAL (my best)and my Tivoli Songbook but those radios have, relatively speaking, inferior reception. Plus they're fifty to sixty dollars more. On balance the Grundig G4000 is my best radio and I would argue the best radio for the money. Yeah, the Eton E10 is more attractive and has a better interface but its speaker isn't as loud and it costs 30 dollars more. If you can pick up a G4000 for a hundred dollars, as I did on Amazon with free shipping, you're getting a great deal.

Update: Gladly, I took my G4000 out of my office where the computer was creating a little interference, especially on AM. I love the G4000 so much I'm now using it in my bedroom as a "clock radio." In my office, I put what used to be my clock radio, my Sangean WR-2, a bigger table radio which doesn't get interference.

Second update on 7-15-06: Side by side comparison of the G4000 with the Eton E10 shows that the G4000 blows the E10 away in AM. The E10 gets AM overload on 1150 AM and sounds cold and distant whereas the G4000 locks in on 1150 perfectly and sounds warm and full. The G4000 even gets better AM separation than my Grundig/Eton S350. Get the G4000.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Radio For The Money, April 22, 2006

By 

Taylor Harrell "J.T. Harrell" (Morganton, N.C.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grundig G4000A AM/FM Shortwave Radio (Electronics)

This radio beats my other radios for AM reception, including the
Sony 7600GR. The 7600GR ranks 2nd. I also brought a Radio Shack DX396 for $45.00 and it ranks 3rd, and my Kaito 1103 ranks 4th. For SW reception it ties for 1rst with the DX 396. The FM is also
great, almost as good as the Kaito 1103. I also use this as my
clock radio. The timer is great because I can check to see how
much time I have left before shutoff. The dial light also gives
adequate light in the dark.

Update: 3/4/08 I just recently purchased the Sangean Sonido that gets even
better AM reception, knocking the Grundig down to 2nd place. This makes the Sonido the king of portable radios! You can get one on Amazon for $89.99 plus free shipping!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sleek radio for traveling, March 8, 2006

By 

P. White "Large Diesel" (Los Alamitos, CA. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grundig G4000A AM/FM Shortwave Radio (Electronics)

I own a S350 Grundig and was looking for something smaller but did not want to compromise on sound quality. The G4000A has very good speaker audio quality, especially considering the size of the unit. The access to controls and their functions are readily mastered with just a cursory review of a very logical manual that is included. The radios ability to function as a clock/radio and still provide high performance in recieving SW,FM,AM and SSB makes it that much more valuable to me, as I travel extensively in my work. I work at many remote locations here in the States as well as overseas.
While there seem to be more feature laden units on the market, this radio has a feel of quiet competence that is refreshing. No myriad of buttons, just what you need that will enhance performance but not overload the user. With the ease of use, well above average audio, nice balance of tuning features, and multi functions of the clock, I definitely consider this radio an excellent buy for the money.