Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeffhs
How can a radio such as your "Sangean" portable be better from an FM selectivity and sensitivity standpoint than any 50+-year-old Zenith radio?  Your set must have an FM section hotter than a firecracker if it can outperform most older tube-powered radios.
Most of today's FM radios are nowhere near that sensitive or selective. The digital FM tuner in my bookshelf stereo system, for example, is almost useless in my area, which is about 40 miles from Cleveland's FM stations. |
Development has not stood still for 50 years... semiconductor devices have continued to improve in terms of noise figure and gain. Crystal filter and DSP technology have expanded the limits of what is possible. Recently (June 2016 QST) hams have demonstrated earth-moon-earth bounce communication is achievable using fairly affordable equipment (and only 50 watts) ! This would not have been possible with devices available 50 years ago.
Don't get me wrong... I love and collect vintage tube devices and really admire them for what they were, but the arrow of time keeps moving forward.
Indeed, many radios sold today are designed to a low price point and are poor performers, but there are also a large number of great performing radios, if you know were to look.
jr