Specifications

November 2005 MONITORING TIMES 71
therefore is not free. But this radio is XM
capable and all that is needed is to pay the
activation and monthly subscription fees, buy
the optional $50 XM antenna/module, and you
are in business. Once you open up the world
of XM satellite there are a lot of neat services,
and the feature does add a lot of additional
value to the listening capability of this radio.
Music, news, and sporting events (including
all Major League Baseball games) are some of
the many services on XM. For more informa-
tion on this, see John Figliozzi’s Programming
Spotlight column in the October 2005 issue of
Monitoring Times.
❖ Overall Rating and Final
Thoughts
Overall, I like the E1XM. As I mentioned
previously, this is a major improvement over
the now discontinued Grundig Satellite 800.
But as is the case with most radios, there is
room for improvement.
I was disappointed by the lack of DRM
capability. Given the push by major shortwave
broadcasters toward DRM, I felt Eton missed a
golden opportunity by not including this mode
in their flagship radio. I would gladly pay extra
to have the DRM mode in the E1XM.
No carrying handle. Yes, this is a moder-
ately large portable without a carrying handle.
Also, the adjustable stand (adjustable to one
position at 45 degrees) is disappointing. They
used a soft plastic for the stand and we noted
during our testing time that it tended to bend.
Bottom line – don’t lean too hard on the radio
when you are steadying your hand on it while
tuning around. We pointed this out to Eton and
it has been relayed to the engineers.
We did note something very strange dur-
ing our test. The external antenna adapter got
warm. In fact, it got very warm. So much so,
we contacted Eton immediately and they also
verified the problem. It isn’t anything that will
harm you, but I have to wonder how long it
will be before that heat loosens up the external
antenna jack in the unit.
The backlight display is entirely too dim.
Even with lights turned out and the contrast at
maximum, it is too faint. You will really notice
this when you place the unit in ambient light
and are using the adjustable stand.
Probably my biggest beef with the E1XM
is that it uses double instead of triple conver-
sion. We didn’t see a lot of resulting problems
here in Brasstown, but I am not sure that will
be the case for other end users in more robust
RF environments.
The Exalted Carrier Single Sideband
(ECSS) seemed a tad off. I have seen at least
two more reports that back up what we saw
in our test unit (serial number 00528). It isn’t
extreme, but to an old AM broadcast band DX
hound like me, it is noticeable enough.
Finally, while most of the manual is well
written, the Appendix gets an “F.” It is loaded
with errors, wrong frequencies and much
more. We sent Eton several pages of changes
and they promised that they would be included
in future editions of the manual.
Overall, we are very pleased to see Eton
MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Range:
Band Mode(s) Frequency Ranges
Longwave AM, LSB, USB 100 - 500 kHz
Mediumwave AM, LSB, USB 500 - 1800 kHz
Shortwave AM, LSB, USB 1800 - 30,000 kHz
FM Broadcast FM 76 - 108 MHz (range is selectable: 76 - 90 MHz or 87 - 108 MHz)
XM Digital Digital 2.3325 - 2.3450 GHz (Optional)
SIGNAL STRENGTH METER
< 3 MHz to > 5 GHz
MODEL
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00
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locates cable leaks and RFI, monitors power levels.
COMPUTER WIRELESS: Super Wi Fi Sniffer,
detects Hot & Cold spots, measures baseline RF,
optimizes hub & satellite network sites, locates
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Ph: [phone], Fax: [phone]
Sensitivity: SSB (10 dB S+N/N)
Less than .25 µV 0.1 - 30 MHz (DX on)
Less than .5 µV 0.1 - 30 MHz (Normal)
Sensitivity: AM (10 dB S+N/N, 1000 Hz, 30%
modulation)
Less than 2.0 µV 0.1 - 30 MHz (DX on)
Less than 4.0 µV 0.1 - 30 MHz (Normal)
Sensitivity: FM (20 dB S/N, monaural)
Less than 1.5 µV 76 - 108 MHz (DX on)
Less than 4 µV 76 -108 MHz (Normal)
Frequency Resolution: 10 Hz in AM and SSB
modes, 20 KHz in FM mode
Frequency Stability: ± 10 ppm, 0° to 50°C
Frequency Accuracy: Better than ± 100 Hz at
25°C
Selectivity (AM and SSB):
7 kHz at -6 dB, less than 12 kHz at -60 dB
4 kHz at -6 dB, less than 9 kHz at -60 dB
2.3 kHz at -6 dB, less than 5 kHz at -60 dB
IF Frequency:
1
st
IF 45.0 MHz (AM and SSB)
2
nd
IF 455 kHz (AM and SSB)
1
st
IF 10.7 MHz (FM)
Image Rejection:
Greater than 70 dB, 0.1 - 30 MHz
Greater than 55 dB, 76 - 108 MHz
IF Rejection:
Greater than 80 dB, 45.0 MHz
Greater than 80 dB, 455 kHz
IP3 - Intercept Point 50 ohm antenna input):
Greater than +10 dBm at 20 kHz spacing
(Normal)
Greater than -20 dBm at 5 kHz spacing (Nor-
mal)
-30 dBm at 5 kHz spacing (DX)
AGC Performance:
Threshold: 1.0 V
Attack Time: 1 msec (Bandwidth dependent)
Release Time: Slow 3 seconds, Fast 300 msec
Less than 2 dB change in audio output for 90
dB.
RF input change referenced from the AGC
threshold point plus 3 dB.
Internal Antenna: 30 1/4 inch (1.003 meters)
telescopic antenna (for use on all bands).
External Antenna: 50 to 75 ohm, PAL type male
(PAL to F type adapter included)
External Speaker Output: 4 to 8 ohms, external
jack is 1/8 inch (3.175 mm)
Audio Power (internal or external speakers):
1.25 Watts - battery operation
3 Watts normal - operation from AC adapter.
Internal Speaker: 4 inch (10.16 cm) 8 ohms
Line Audio Output: 300 mV, 47k ohms
Line Audio Input Jack: 1/8 inch (3.175 mm)
stereo
Headphone Jack: 1/8 inch (3.175 mm) stereo
DC Power Requirements:
Input 7-14 VDC supplied from AC adapter,
external DC power supply or 3.6 to 6.0 VDC
supplied by four internally mounted “D” cell
(1.5VDC) batteries (not supplied).
AC Power Requirements:
120 VAC ±10% to 9 VDC, 15 Watt 1 Amp
AC adapter. Center conductor of connector
is positive, negative is connected to input
ground.
Current requirements (approximate) from 9.0
VDC supply
Worse case at maximum volume: 850 mA
nominal with backlight display off and 900
mA with it on.
From batteries with 1/4 watt average audio
output (normal battery currents):
FM mode – 175 mA backlight off, 225 mA
backlight on.
LW/MW/SW – 210 mA backlight off, 260 mA
backlight on.
XM – 350 mA backlight off, 400 mA backlight
on.
Operating Temperature: 0° to 50°C
Shipping Weight: 6 lbs (2.72 kg) (includes AC
adapter, batteries not included)
Size: 13-1/8 inch width (33.37 cm) by 7-1/2
inch height (19.05 cm) by 2-9/16 inch depth
(6.5 cm)
Note: Published specs subject to change
introduce a quality product such as the E1XM.
It now becomes the benchmark which we
will use to judge other radios following in its
footsteps.
With the release of the Eton Elite, a radio
revolution has truly begun and the E1XM is
the leader.
*The E1 comes equipped with XM’s connect
and play technology. An optional satellite
antenna (VX300 $49.85), activation fee, and
a monthly subscription are required to listen
to XM Satellite radio.
The E1XM is available from Grove Enterprises,
Inc. for $499.95 plus shipping.