C Crane CCRadio-SW (Model CSW-TCF) by C. Crane
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Digital camera reviews of C Crane CCRadio-SW (Model CSW-TCF)
Digital camera Review: CC Radio SW A super DX performer!
Summary: 5 Stars
The CC Radio SW is a superb performer for the DX radio enthusiast. The receiver has exceptionally good sensitivity along with extremely good selectivity on the AM functions including SW reception. The audio fidelity is exceptional as well. I have been a broadcast band DX enthusiast for nearly 50 years and I have used many good radios for that purpose. The CC radio SW really meets or exceeds all of my expectations. The only feature that is missing is a BFO for sideband reception. In addition, The FM reception is exceptional as well. Great sensitivity and selectivity as well. Stereo reception with the headphones is a real plus also. Thanks for a great radio at a time when most new products leave much to be desired. Buy the CC Radio SW, You will love it to!
Norman R. Smith
Digital camera Review: CCRADIO-SW
Summary: 5 Stars
Great radio. AM reception is super, I live in area that has bad AM reception. This radio pulls many, many more signals in. FM reception is great, with external antenna connections on back the reception can be improved even more for all bands. User controls took some getting used to but once familiar they aren't bad. If I hadn't been new to SW I would have known to order radio with SSB capabilities, the TG37 SSB adapter connected to IF OUT is available for about $40. The built in battery charger is nice feature. Very good/great radio, sound quality is good/great, good overall radio; portable enough to be taken camping or outdoors. Nice product, only time will tell as to qualityDigital camera Review: CCRadio SW
Summary: 4 Stars
Its a pretty decent radio, not quite as good as I'd hoped but pretty good nonetheless. Good selectivity. I live in a pretty remote area but can still get stations on AM at night about 350 miles away depending on the weather etc. On FM I can only get 2 stations with other radios, with the CCRadio, I can get about 6 more. There are a lot of electrical emissions here that I think inhibit signals or the radio would perform even better. I like that you can have AA, D batteries in the radio and use them or use the cord. Batteries can be recharged in the radio. You can easily connect external antanaes and/or ground etc. Read the manual to be able to use your radio for best use, but pretty easy to figure out by "trial and error" as well. $10 cheaper at Amazon than from the manufacturer and free shipping, pretty quick delivery too.Digital camera Review: CCRadio SW - aka Boomer
Summary: 5 Stars
Owning a "few" radios provides one with some perspective to judge a radio. This one is over all the most pleasing of all to me. And that includes the GE Superadio III, Grundig S350DL, Sangean Sonido and PRD7, amongst others.
Sound:
The 5 inch speaker delivers very nice full rich sound - particularly the bass. The treble and bass controls provide the adjustments that enable tuning to your pleasure. Actually, the bass is more rich and full than even the Superadio with it's 6 1/2 inch speaker. Amazing!
Quality:
Despite some of the denigrating review remarks, after 6 weeks of about 3 hours of use per day and jumping around the dials, this radio is well put together and eminently functional.
It did take three tries to get the quality desired. The first two had defects - with the first the display light was dim and it had tinny sound, and on the other the speaker rattled. So that would indicate a weakness in quality control. But if you get a good one, it appears to be really good.
Amazon was above and beyond cooperative and helpful and expeditious with the at-no-cost exchanges. Well worth the effort for this radio.
Bells and whistles:
- While it has short wave, it's not that interesting to me. Wish this one would have been just an AM/FM radio. Probably their way of jacking up the price.
- The Fast, Slow and Stop options for the tuning dial are neat and useful.
- Yes it would be nice to have a button for each preset. But the ten presets for each band are quite adequate. And you can actually get used to working with the Memory button and the Fast tuning dial setting. I've gotten reasonably good at jumping around the dial to my heart's content.
- In-radio battery charging is a practical addition. Also, there's an option to use AA or D Cell. I normally use the Eneloop AA rechargeable batteries. They are easy to charge in the radio and last for quite awhile - haven't timed it yet.
- There are a number of other options/bells/whistles that make this radio a fun radio.
So if you want my opinion about whether to purchase this radio or not, it's a definite yes. This baby pleases me!
UPDATE: We've had Boomer for about three months now and it's still performing pleasingly. Listening to music is a pleasure - especially the full rich bass. And I'm a bass nut! Years ago, Radio Shack had a good sale on a pair of Optimus stereo speakers with excellent range and 15" woofers - 15" woofers! Headed to the store so quickly there was a sucking sound as I left the house and started my car about half way there. Those things provide chest-vibrating bass. Clearly Boomer doesn't approximate that, but for a cigar box size portable it can't be beat.
A few tips:
- The buttons have a slight delay, as has been mentioned in other reviews. Pushing them harder doesn't help anything other than possibly damaging the mechanism. Push them lightly with a slight hold and they work just fine. It took a little practice, but now it's natural.
- The in-radio charging is nice. They may be being charged in series - probably are. That means they may not all be charged equally. So it might be a good idea to charge them in a charger that charges batteries individually every now and then. I plan to do it after about the fifth charge (have only done three or four so far).
- For standard and daylight savings times, the local and world time on the clock can be set for each and then just change the default time when the change comes. Thus no time setting required. (If you have the radio and have read the instructions, you'll easily figure this out.)
- The knobs at the bottom - volume, bass, treble and AM RF Gain - have no markings on them to enable visual setting indication. I cut some small pieces of trusty light gray duct tape into approximately 1/8 inch (maybe 3/32) squares. Then, using a tweezer, placed them on the front of the knobs over the little supposed-indicator crack so they look like a diamond with one corner acting as pointer. And Voilà, now the settings are visible. And they look factory installed.
So, if you have one of these gratifying radios - enjoy. If you don't - consider giving it a try.
And by the way, Boomer's AM reception is at least as good as my Sangean Sonido radio.
UPDATE UPDATE: Wow! This is a long review. Reminds me of the guy who wrote his friend a long letter and apologized for it's length. Said he would have written a shorter letter had he had the time.
Digital camera Review: CCRadio-SW review 1 year later
Summary: 4 Stars
I've had this radio for a year now. I enjoy this radio more that most of all the radio's I've ever owned. The strongest point regarding this radio is the broadcast AM/FM radio band reception and the battery life. I enjoy the lighted dial when tuning; which helps in low light conditions. The sound quality is great in spite of the single speaker configuration. I have yet to hook up the stereo output. (I'm afraid that might open can of worms.) The Shortwave reception is good considering my location. (There are many broadband DSL hubs in the building as well as brick walls). I've enjoyed the ease of use, slimline retro design and mostly the digital tuning accuracy.