Grundig Satellit 400 (1986–1989)

The Grundig Satellit 400 arrived in 1986 as a complete reengineering of the disappointing Satellit 300. It has the same cabinet dimensions, same weight and same control layout, but the circuit inside was thoroughly redesigned. The 300 had been dogged by feature omissions, so Grundig's development labs worked to restore what serious listeners expected. The result was a dual-conversion, microprocessor-controlled portable covering FM, LW, MW, and shortwave. German telecommunications regulations capped the home-market "Professional" version at 26.1 MHz on shortwave for those without an amateur license. The "International" version sold elsewhere extended coverage to 30 MHz.

For its era, the receiver is genuinely well equipped. It has digital PLL synthesis with a 1 kHz-resolution LCD frequency readout, direct keypad entry, 24 memories, scanning modes, a clock/timer, and an analog S-meter calibrated in an unusual 1-10 scale. A BFO control handles CW and SSB intelligibility. The audio section is a beefy 6-watt amplifier with slider potentiometers for volume, bass, and treble. Those sliders are also the set's known weak point, since their contacts can become unreliable over time. An external antenna socket (coaxial, 75 ohms, DIN 45425) disconnects the telescopic whip when in use. Power comes from six UM-2 (C) cells for the radio plus three UM-3 (AA) cells to keep the clock, memories, and microprocessor alive, or from mains (110-127 or 220-240 V) or external 12 V DC.

The double-conversion design was singled out for good rejection of intermodulation products and spurious signals. The set carries a reputation for reliable performance and the strong audio expected from the Satellit line. DXing.com rated it a full five stars and noted a used price of $150-200. It's not especially common on the used market, and the fact sheet notes that finding a Satellit 700 might be easier, if pricier. A service manual exists (14 pages, English, with schematics). The radio also has a basic hidden test mode, documented in the service literature: press AUX, enter 30652, then STORE.

Dimensions are 30.4 × 18 × 7 cm and it weighs 2.1 kg.

Specifications:

- Bands: FM, LW, MW, SW (1.6-26.1 MHz Professional / 1.6-30 MHz International)

- Modes: AM, CW/SSB, FM

- Double conversion: IF 54.5 MHz / 450 kHz

- Selectivity (-6/-60 dB): 4.6 / 7.2 kHz

- 24 memories, 1 kHz digital tuning, clock/timer

- Audio output: 6 W

- Power: mains 110-127 or 220-240 V; 6 × UM-2 + 3 × UM-3 batteries; 12 V DC external

- Dimensions: 30.4 × 18 × 7 cm; 2.1 kg