Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Suggestions for the DE1108

7 views
Skip to first unread message

Ran

unread,
Apr 18, 2006, 12:48:40 PM4/18/06
to
I've reviewed tons of suggestions and most are great - but I have a
suggestion/request that I have not seen yet. Please include the ability
to keep the dial light on with batteries for more than 15 sec. Hey,
it's my batteries and if I want to run them down, give me that option.
It always seems that just about the time I reach to change the dial (on
most radio's I used) that the dial light goes out and I can't seen the
button I wanted to push. If nothing else, at least give us the ability
to keep the dial light on for about a minute before it goes out.

Everything else about the up coming DE1108 I love. Can't wait to get
one.

Ran

John S.

unread,
Apr 18, 2006, 1:08:22 PM4/18/06
to

Sounds interesting, but it will be hefty with 6 D cell batteries
installed. I hope that is a translation error.....

N9NEO

unread,
Apr 18, 2006, 2:29:56 PM4/18/06
to
Where can I read more about the DE1108?

I have just ordered the Kaito KA1103 yesterday. I'm of course already
thinking about my next radio after the 1103. Probably the Sony
ICF-SW7600GR that Mr. SeeingEyeDogg has been touting. But who knows.

John S.

unread,
Apr 18, 2006, 3:44:20 PM4/18/06
to

Radiointel.com has a January 2006 summary that was apparently
translated from a chinese website. If the specs are right it is about
14 inches wide and when packed with 6 D cells it ain't no pocket
portable. I would encourage you to enjoy the 1103 and just hold off
'till someone buys a 1108 and does a complete review.

RHF

unread,
Apr 18, 2006, 5:48:31 PM4/18/06
to
John S. - "it ain't no pocket portable."


Good a real full size 'portable' which human size Controls
large enough for my big old Fingers to opperate and my
tired old Eyes to see.

Plus a Set of Six (6) "D" Cells so that this Radio will run
on a set for weeks of normal every day listening.

Note -This is one of my personal requirements for a Super Radio.

Add in a Large Quality Speakers so that the Radio actually
'Sounds Good' and not cheap and tinny.

Note -This is another of my personal requirements for a Super Radio.

Good Tune-ability Selectivity and Sensitivity in AM/MW, FM
and Shortwave.

Note - Again this is another of my personal requirements for a Super
Radio.


SO THE QUESTION IS ? ? ?
The 'new' Degen DE1108 - Will It Be A Super Radio ?
Or just another 'portable' radio that missed the mark ?


READ - Details On The Future Degen DE1108
DE-1108 => http://www.radiointel.com/oldnews.htm
Featured on RadioIntel.Com => http//www.radiointel.com/


~ RHF
.
.
. .
.

RHF

unread,
Apr 18, 2006, 5:56:50 PM4/18/06
to
Ran,

As far as the issue of the Degen De1108's Dial Light Duration
goes have a Bright-&-Dim Dial Light Option {Key Function} :
* Bright-On {Hi-Full-Illumination} for 15 Seconds -or-
* Dim-On {Low-1/3-Illumination} for 60 Seconds
When using DC Battery Power.

Note - The Hi-or-Low Dial Lights feature is also nice
for AC Power Operation too.

John S.

unread,
Apr 18, 2006, 9:01:32 PM4/18/06
to
Near as I can tell from the Radiointel article it is transled from a
foreign (probably chinese) website. It may be just manufacturer specs.
I believe delivery is 4th quarter 2006 maybe? If so the radio would
seem to have potential, but I'll reserve judgement until it is no
longer vaporware and someone has really tested it.

14 inches wide and 6 D batteries is a bit too chunky for my taste.

dxAce

unread,
Apr 18, 2006, 10:05:11 PM4/18/06
to

"John S." wrote:

No muscle?

dxAce
Michigan
USA


bobme...@yahoo.com

unread,
Apr 19, 2006, 1:01:29 AM4/19/06
to
I love those nice big chunky portables. I have one of 1970's vintage
that is analogue with half a dozen bandspread bands on it. Sensitive
and sounds very rich. Also easy on those D cells.
I too am waiting for the 1108 . Based on the nice work that
Degen has done so far this radio should be great.
Bob

RHF

unread,
Apr 19, 2006, 6:10:52 AM4/19/06
to
John S.,

Yes 14 Inches Wide by 8 Inches High and X.x Inches Thick
makes it a LARGE 'portable' AM / FM Shortwave Radio
and places it in the general size range of other Large Size
'portable' AM / FM Shortwave Radios.

However, it has two 4 Inch Speakers for Stereo FM Sound.
- - - Subtract-out one of the 4 Inch Speakers and you have
a Radio that is now 10 Inches Wide by 8 Inches High :o)
- - - Hey - I Shrunk The Radio ! ;-}

FWIW - Larger Size 'portable' AM / FM Shortwave Radios :
* Tecsun BCL-2000 = 10 1/2" x 6 1/2" x 3 1/2"
* Sony ICF-2010 = 11 3/8" x 6 3/4" x 2 1/4"
* Sangean ATS-818 = 11 3/8" x 7" x 2 1/2"
* Grundig Satellit 700 = 12 1/4" x 7 1/4" x 3"
* Eton E1 XM = 13 1/8" x 7 1/8" x 2 1/4"
* * * Degen De1108 = 14" x 8" x ?"
* Panasonic RF-2900 = 15" x 9 7/8" x 4 3/4"
All use "D" Size Batteries for DC Power.

Some Large AM /FM Only Radios
CCRadioPlus+ = 11" x 6 1/2" x 4"
GE Superadio III = 12 1/2" x 10 1/2" x 4 1/2"
All use "D" Size Batteries for DC Power.

The Average Size 'portable' AM / FM Shortwave Radios :
Usually between 7"-9" Wide and 4"-5" High
* Grundig Yacht Boy 400-PE / G4000A
* Sangean ATS-909
* Sony ICF-SW7600
* Mini CC Radio (AM/FM Only)
* Kaito KA1103
Most use "AA" Size Batteries for DC Power.

time to tote my big old radios
and strut-with-style ~ RHF

John S.

unread,
Apr 19, 2006, 7:52:42 AM4/19/06
to
I read the comment about stereo speakers but wasn't sure if it was
removable. Also does anyone have an idea about pricing.

junius

unread,
Apr 19, 2006, 9:35:42 AM4/19/06
to

John S. wrote:
>
> Near as I can tell from the Radiointel article it is transled from a
> foreign (probably chinese) website. It may be just manufacturer specs.
> I believe delivery is 4th quarter 2006 maybe? If so the radio would
> seem to have potential, but I'll reserve judgement until it is no
> longer vaporware and someone has really tested it.
>
> 14 inches wide and 6 D batteries is a bit too chunky for my taste.

I'll be interested in seeing what finished product emerges. As it is
now, though, any details seem to be various rumors gleened from
internet message boards. And who knows what validity that stuff holds.
I wouldn't start holding my breath for a release date until at least
we begin seeing some prototype images floating about...

In any case, I don't mind the 6 D cells....consumption rate would be a
something I'd be interested in, though. I wouldn't simply assume that
the radio is going to be easy on batteries because of the number and
size used... The Sat 800, for instance, is a battery hog. I'd be
surprised, though, if the consumption rate were as excessive as that of
the Sat 800. Battery consumption rate was one of my first questions
when the E1 came out. Thankfully, it's okay on this account. But with
these types of radios, one shouldn't expect the sorta long battery life
as you see on something like the S350.

Ran

unread,
Apr 19, 2006, 11:15:31 AM4/19/06
to
RHF - man, you are right on...the 1/3 power dial light for 60 sec on
batteries would be fantastic - and keep me from fumbling around in the
dark. Of course, we would still like the option of full power dial
light for 15 sec. Like you, I sure hope the Degen DE1108 is as
suggested (created from consideration of user suggestions) and not just
another portable radio that missed the mark.

Ran

John S.

unread,
Apr 19, 2006, 11:22:21 AM4/19/06
to

Yes, I like those big bulky luggables too.
The audio from an older wood-cased Panasonic RF-5000 like this one is
wonderful:

http://i6.ebayimg.com/05/i/06/b3/66/10_12.JPG

cuh...@webtv.net

unread,
Apr 19, 2006, 2:18:37 PM4/19/06
to
Rechargable D cell (and other size rechargable batteries) batteries are
lighter weight than alkaline batteries and you can recharge rechargable
batteries and use them many,many times.With a 12 volt DC to 120 volt AC
inverter,you can use a battery charger and recharge the batteries from a
car battery.
cuhulin

James Douglas

unread,
Apr 19, 2006, 5:49:40 PM4/19/06
to
I want every radio to have a timer so I can go to sleep listening to it.
Funny but there are not a great number of radios with that simple thing.
Also, start making antenna's out of rubber, or some type of material
that does not break so easily. How many of us have broken antenna's I
broke mine on the grundig by trying to push it back into it's hole too
damm hard, snap!

Conan Ford

unread,
Apr 19, 2006, 8:56:45 PM4/19/06
to
cuh...@webtv.net wrote in news:6366-44467EFD-54@storefull-
3252.bay.webtv.net:

Too bad most Rechargable D cells are C-cells in D-cell cases, at best. I
have noticed a disturbing trend where AA rechargable NiMH cells have a
higher capacity than the D-cells.

m II

unread,
Apr 20, 2006, 12:47:07 AM4/20/06
to
Conan Ford wrote:

> Too bad most Rechargable D cells are C-cells in D-cell cases, at best. I
> have noticed a disturbing trend where AA rechargable NiMH cells have a
> higher capacity than the D-cells.

I wouldn't be surprised if many D cells were indeed using AA cells inside.

=================================
Summary: These batteries are a scam. Read on.


http://www.buybymail.com/catalogitem/ciB00000J47O.html
==================================


mike

cuh...@webtv.net

unread,
Apr 20, 2006, 1:44:35 AM4/20/06
to
I use Ray O Vac batteries.Second choice is Eveready
batteries.Rechargable batteries will not put out their rated
capacity/full power and recharge properly unless they are first
conditioned properly and maintained properly.By the way,yesterday
afternoon (Wednesday) I saw an interesting article at
www.gizmodo.com about hydrogen fuel cell batteries for cameras and
such like devices that have been available to reporters (and such like)
for two years.
cuhulin

HFguy

unread,
Apr 20, 2006, 4:54:59 AM4/20/06
to

You can tell by the weight of a rechargable D-cell if it's really a 'C'
or 'AA' inside. The *real* D-cells are much heavier. You can still buy
real rechargable D-cells but they're expensive. I have some Panasonic
D-cell NiCd's that cost about $12.00 each. They have a capacity of
5000-mah. They're about five years old and still going strong.

John S.

unread,
Apr 20, 2006, 12:50:25 PM4/20/06
to

FWIW the DE1103 has a sleep timer, and like you I find it useful for
those bedtime dx sessions.

I've never bent or broken an antenna, but I've seen enough of them to
figure out the solution. Just start from the bottom largest segment
and pull down. Don't push down from the top smaller segments.

cuh...@webtv.net

unread,
Apr 20, 2006, 1:15:56 PM4/20/06
to
I have an old radio that fell over and slightly bent the
antenna.Otherwise,I have never bent or broken an antenna before.But like
John S.says,always push down from the largest antenna segments.
cuhulin

bobme...@yahoo.com

unread,
Apr 20, 2006, 2:54:50 PM4/20/06
to
Junius makes a good point about battery consumption. The Degen 1101
is very easy on batteries but its much more sophisticated brother the
1103 wades through them. With all the bells and whistles on this
radio it may very well suck back a lot of juice.
Bob

junius

unread,
Apr 20, 2006, 3:17:31 PM4/20/06
to
Degen is entering the market for an entirely different class of radio,
if this '1108 is to be all that the internet rumor hypes it up to be.
It seems to me that with this radio the incentive to order directly
from Guangdong will be considerably eroded:
* the unit will be larger and will weigh more, so shipping from China
would be higher;
* a feature-packed radio would understandably cost a lot more than the
Degens we've seen so far, so wouldn't you prefer a warranty on that
(i.e. buy Kaito) and not have to deal with shipping back to China if
something goes wrong?
* there is to be a design for the Chinese domestic market and another
for export...I wonder if there will be any differences beyond the
merely cosmetic?

How is Kaito on dealing with repair/warranty issues? Has anyone ever
had a Kaito repaired under warranty? Seems like with any real
problems, it'd be cheaper for them to just send out a new one w/the
models currently available...although I guess that wouldn't be the case
with an '1108, if it's of the level of sophistication that seems to be
expected.

John S.

unread,
Apr 20, 2006, 3:34:58 PM4/20/06
to

Yes, if it has 2 speakers to drive then 6 d cells may be needed. Still
I'm amazed at how well Degen did with the other radio I'm familiar
with. The DE1103 is surprisingly easy on rechargable NIMH batteries
considering the good loud audio that comes from the speaker and
headphones. It would be even longer lived on regular alkalines I'm
sure. Degen may be able to wring some good loud audio from the 1108
and not eat through batteries too fast.

Buzzygirl

unread,
Apr 20, 2006, 11:28:50 PM4/20/06
to

"junius" <junj...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1145560651.4...@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...

> How is Kaito on dealing with repair/warranty issues? Has anyone ever
> had a Kaito repaired under warranty? Seems like with any real
> problems, it'd be cheaper for them to just send out a new one w/the
> models currently available...

I've had three Kaito/Degen models, and none of them have needed repair. But
if one needed repair, I'd probably just spring for a new one, rather than
send the busted one back to China.

Jackie


m II

unread,
Apr 20, 2006, 11:29:15 PM4/20/06
to
HFguy wrote:
>
> You can tell by the weight of a rechargable D-cell if it's really a 'C'
> or 'AA' inside. The *real* D-cells are much heavier. You can still buy
> real rechargable D-cells but they're expensive. I have some Panasonic
> D-cell NiCd's that cost about $12.00 each. They have a capacity of
> 5000-mah. They're about five years old and still going strong.


5000 mah? Impressive. Not even the curmudgeon 'Ace' could call that
limp wristed.


mike

HFguy

unread,
Apr 21, 2006, 6:27:13 AM4/21/06
to

I got the high capacity Panasonic D-cells primarily for a bicycle light
system. It uses five of them in series for 6-volts. They will power a
ten watt headlight for about three hours. In the off season I use them
for other things.

0 new messages