From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

My friend is looking for a replacement small AM/FM radio. There seems
to be no shortage of small, cheap radios, mostly unbranded that seem
to be made for a global market. I know the US standard for FM is
different to the European standard. Is this a consideration or would
it not be noticable in a small unit or would the equipment supplied
match the territory? The specifications seem to make no mention of pre-emphasis.
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From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

On 13/04/2026 20:47, Scott wrote:

My friend is looking for a replacement small AM/FM radio. There seems
to be no shortage of small, cheap radios, mostly unbranded that seem
to be made for a global market. I know the US standard for FM is
different to the European standard. Is this a consideration or would
it not be noticable in a small unit or would the equipment supplied
match the territory? The specifications seem to make no mention of pre-emphasis.

Given the size and quality of the speakers in cheap pocket radios,
you'll never notice the difference.
--
Tciao for Now!

John.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

On Mon 13/04/2026 21:36, John Williamson wrote:

On 13/04/2026 20:47, Scott wrote:

My friend is looking for a replacement small AM/FM radio. There seems
to be no shortage of small, cheap radios, mostly unbranded that seem
to be made for a global market. I know the US standard for FM is
different to the European standard. Is this a consideration or would
it not be noticable in a small unit or would the equipment supplied
match the territory? The specifications seem to make no mention of
pre-emphasis.

Given the size and quality of the speakers in cheap pocket radios,
you'll never notice the difference.

The difference between the US and Europe is twofold.
AM has 10KHz spacing between AM stations, Europe and other civilised
countries use 9KHz.
FM has de-emphasis which is 50uS in the US and 75uS for other non-US
attracted stations.
What is de-emphasis? As a means of reducing background noise on almost
all radios but particularly FM, pre-emphasis is added at the
transmitter, that is the frequency response is boosted as audio
frequency rises rather like a treble control. When it gets to the
receiver de-emphasis is applied which (at least in theory) acts like
turning the treble control down so that the high frequency end of the
audio should end up overall as a flat response. But, having turned the
treble down to achieve that flat response you have also turned down the inherent system background noise which makes the overall result sound 'cleaner.'
Essentially this is what Dolby B does save that the frequency above
which the pre-emphasis is applied depends upon how loud the overall
audio is - the louder the sound the higher the frequency at which the pre-emphasis starts. The pre and de emphasis can be achieved by a simple resistor and capacitor in series with the audio, so multiplying the cap
and resistor values gives a time (50uS or 75uS) figure and that is how
it is stated. Hope that makes sense.

For radios look at Majority Audio; if you want a bit better quality look
at Roberts Radio, and the most sensitive with good audio is Sony.
However hold onto something before you look at the price!
John Lewis is always a good place to look for these sort of things.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

On Mon 13/04/2026 21:36, John Williamson wrote:

On 13/04/2026 20:47, Scott wrote:

My friend is looking for a replacement small AM/FM radio. There seems
to be no shortage of small, cheap radios, mostly unbranded that seem
to be made for a global market. I know the US standard for FM is
different to the European standard. Is this a consideration or would
it not be noticable in a small unit or would the equipment supplied
match the territory? The specifications seem to make no mention of
pre-emphasis.

Given the size and quality of the speakers in cheap pocket radios,
you'll never notice the difference.

The difference between the US and Europe is twofold.
AM has 10Kz spacing between AM stations, Europe and other civilised
countries use 9KHz.
FM has de-emphasis which is 50uS in the US and 75uS for other non-US
attracted stations.
What is de-emphasis? As a means of reducing background noise on FM, pre-emphasis is added at the transmitter, that is the frequency response
is boosted as audio frequency rises (to a limit of 15KHz) rather like a
treble control. When it gets to the receiver de-emphasis is applied
which (at least in theory) acts like turning the treble control down so
that the high frequency end of the audio should end up overall as a flat response. But, having turned the treble down to achieve that flat
response you have also turned down the inherent system background noise
which makes the overall result sound 'cleaner.'
Essentially this is what Dolby B does save that the frequency above
which the pre-emphasis is applied depends upon how loud the overall
audio is - the louder the sound the higher the frequency at which the pre-emphasis starts. The pre and de emphasis can be achieved by a simple resistor and capacitor in series with the audio, so multiplying the cap
and resistor values gives a time (50uS or 75uS) figure and that is how
it is stated. Hope that makes sense.

For radios look at Majority Audio; if you want a bit better quality look
at Roberts Radio, and the most sensitive with good audio is Sony.
However hold onto something before you look at the price!
John Lewis is always a good place to look for these sort of things.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

On Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:22:54 +0100, Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com>
wrote:

On Mon 13/04/2026 21:36, John Williamson wrote:

On 13/04/2026 20:47, Scott wrote:

My friend is looking for a replacement small AM/FM radio. There seems
to be no shortage of small, cheap radios, mostly unbranded that seem
to be made for a global market. I know the US standard for FM is
different to the European standard. Is this a consideration or would
it not be noticable in a small unit or would the equipment supplied
match the territory? The specifications seem to make no mention of
pre-emphasis.

Given the size and quality of the speakers in cheap pocket radios,
you'll never notice the difference.

The difference between the US and Europe is twofold.
AM has 10KHz spacing between AM stations, Europe and other civilised >countries use 9KHz.
FM has de-emphasis which is 50uS in the US and 75uS for other non-US >attracted stations.
What is de-emphasis? As a means of reducing background noise on almost
all radios but particularly FM, pre-emphasis is added at the
transmitter, that is the frequency response is boosted as audio
frequency rises rather like a treble control. When it gets to the
receiver de-emphasis is applied which (at least in theory) acts like
turning the treble control down so that the high frequency end of the
audio should end up overall as a flat response. But, having turned the >treble down to achieve that flat response you have also turned down the >inherent system background noise which makes the overall result sound >'cleaner.'
Essentially this is what Dolby B does save that the frequency above
which the pre-emphasis is applied depends upon how loud the overall
audio is - the louder the sound the higher the frequency at which the >pre-emphasis starts. The pre and de emphasis can be achieved by a simple >resistor and capacitor in series with the audio, so multiplying the cap
and resistor values gives a time (50uS or 75uS) figure and that is how
it is stated. Hope that makes sense.

For radios look at Majority Audio; if you want a bit better quality look
at Roberts Radio, and the most sensitive with good audio is Sony.
However hold onto something before you look at the price!
John Lewis is always a good place to look for these sort of things.

My friend wants a radio with a mechanical dial so she can use it in
bed just by feel without having to get her glasses or turn on the
light. This should take care of the AM spacing. I did look at the
Roberts Sport but I did not realise that Majority was respectable.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

On 2026/4/14 17:29:37, Scott wrote:

On Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:22:54 +0100, Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com>
wrote:

On Mon 13/04/2026 21:36, John Williamson wrote:

On 13/04/2026 20:47, Scott wrote:

My friend is looking for a replacement small AM/FM radio. There seems
to be no shortage of small, cheap radios, mostly unbranded that seem
to be made for a global market. I know the US standard for FM is
different to the European standard. Is this a consideration or would
it not be noticable in a small unit or would the equipment supplied
match the territory? The specifications seem to make no mention of
pre-emphasis.

Given the size and quality of the speakers in cheap pocket radios,
you'll never notice the difference.

The difference between the US and Europe is twofold.
AM has 10KHz spacing between AM stations, Europe and other civilised
countries use 9KHz.

I'd forgotten about that aspect; since JW's friend is looking for an
analogue tuning (dial) one, that should be less relevant.

(Do US AM stations use a slightly higher audio bandwidth cutoff?)

FM has de-emphasis which is 50uS in the US and 75uS for other non-US
attracted stations.

ISTR that the FM sound for our TV (system I - possibly B and G as well)
used the 50-|s one. I may be wrong, but that's academic anyway with the
demise of analogue TV.

What is de-emphasis? As a means of reducing background noise on almost
all radios but particularly FM, pre-emphasis is added at the
transmitter, that is the frequency response is boosted as audio
frequency rises rather like a treble control. When it gets to the
receiver de-emphasis is applied which (at least in theory) acts like
turning the treble control down so that the high frequency end of the
audio should end up overall as a flat response. But, having turned the
treble down to achieve that flat response you have also turned down the
inherent system background noise which makes the overall result sound
'cleaner.'

Yes - boost the treble, then cut it in the receiver, cutting the hiss at
the same time (perceptible noise on broadband FM tends to be at the high
end).

Essentially this is what Dolby B does save that the frequency above
which the pre-emphasis is applied depends upon how loud the overall
audio is - the louder the sound the higher the frequency at which the

I never knew that; I always thought it was just a bandlimited AGC (i. e.
an AGC that operated only at the treble end).

pre-emphasis starts. The pre and de emphasis can be achieved by a simple
resistor and capacitor in series with the audio, so multiplying the cap
and resistor values gives a time (50uS or 75uS) figure and that is how
it is stated. Hope that makes sense.

For radios look at Majority Audio; if you want a bit better quality look
at Roberts Radio, and the most sensitive with good audio is Sony.
However hold onto something before you look at the price!
John Lewis is always a good place to look for these sort of things.

My friend wants a radio with a mechanical dial so she can use it in
bed just by feel without having to get her glasses or turn on the
light. This should take care of the AM spacing. I did look at the
Roberts Sport but I did not realise that Majority was respectable.

Me neither.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

On Tue 14/04/2026 18:35, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

On 2026/4/14 17:29:37, Scott wrote:

On Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:22:54 +0100, Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com>
wrote:

On Mon 13/04/2026 21:36, John Williamson wrote:

On 13/04/2026 20:47, Scott wrote:

My friend is looking for a replacement small AM/FM radio. There seems >>>>> to be no shortage of small, cheap radios, mostly unbranded that seem >>>>> to be made for a global market. I know the US standard for FM is
different to the European standard. Is this a consideration or would >>>>> it not be noticable in a small unit or would the equipment supplied
match the territory? The specifications seem to make no mention of
pre-emphasis.

Given the size and quality of the speakers in cheap pocket radios,
you'll never notice the difference.

The difference between the US and Europe is twofold.
AM has 10KHz spacing between AM stations, Europe and other civilised
countries use 9KHz.

I'd forgotten about that aspect; since JW's friend is looking for an
analogue tuning (dial) one, that should be less relevant.

(Do US AM stations use a slightly higher audio bandwidth cutoff?)

FM has de-emphasis which is 50uS in the US and 75uS for other non-US
attracted stations.

ISTR that the FM sound for our TV (system I - possibly B and G as well)
used the 50-|s one. I may be wrong, but that's academic anyway with the demise of analogue TV.

What is de-emphasis? As a means of reducing background noise on almost
all radios but particularly FM, pre-emphasis is added at the
transmitter, that is the frequency response is boosted as audio
frequency rises rather like a treble control. When it gets to the
receiver de-emphasis is applied which (at least in theory) acts like
turning the treble control down so that the high frequency end of the
audio should end up overall as a flat response. But, having turned the
treble down to achieve that flat response you have also turned down the
inherent system background noise which makes the overall result sound
'cleaner.'

Yes - boost the treble, then cut it in the receiver, cutting the hiss at
the same time (perceptible noise on broadband FM tends to be at the high end).

Essentially this is what Dolby B does save that the frequency above
which the pre-emphasis is applied depends upon how loud the overall
audio is - the louder the sound the higher the frequency at which the

I never knew that; I always thought it was just a bandlimited AGC (i. e.
an AGC that operated only at the treble end).

pre-emphasis starts. The pre and de emphasis can be achieved by a simple >>> resistor and capacitor in series with the audio, so multiplying the cap
and resistor values gives a time (50uS or 75uS) figure and that is how
it is stated. Hope that makes sense.

For radios look at Majority Audio; if you want a bit better quality look >>> at Roberts Radio, and the most sensitive with good audio is Sony.
However hold onto something before you look at the price!
John Lewis is always a good place to look for these sort of things.

My friend wants a radio with a mechanical dial so she can use it in
bed just by feel without having to get her glasses or turn on the
light. This should take care of the AM spacing. I did look at the
Roberts Sport but I did not realise that Majority was respectable.

Me neither.

Maybe not {that} respectable.
I have a Sondstrom (ex Currys) at the side of me. FM and DAB/DAB+. Works
quite well. An almost identical unit is the Majority ? (we have one in
the caravan which is away for annual service ATM.) Has dimmable small
LCD display and about 20 memories. Not sure if it is portable as such
though. Also has 3.5mm headphone socket.
Worth a look?

Per Dolby, it is necessary to calibrate the (cassette?) machine at some
point to ensure that you get the same audio level on playback as you did
when you recorded it. The circuit is effectively a straight amp circuit
but with a parallel branch that adds (?dB) gain after a HP filter the
turn over frequency of which is controlled by the main audio path - the
higher the level the higher the start frequency. Ergo if the audio is
running close to or at 0dB level there will in effect be no side-path additional audio to mix as the filter turn over will be above the
maximum frequency the tape can handle. At very low audio levels the
turnover frequency of the side path (ISTR) can be as low as 2KHz.
It relies upon (a) the replay machine having similar characteristics to
the recorder for the given tape in use so that audio levels on playback
are roughly the same as when recorded and (b) the fact that most people
cannot hear the subtle changes if there is an audio level error.


--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

On 14/04/2026 17:29, Scott wrote:

My friend wants a radio with a mechanical dial so she can use it in
bed just by feel without having to get her glasses or turn on the
light. This should take care of the AM spacing. I did look at the
Roberts Sport but I did not realise that Majority was respectable.

I usually listen to my Roberts radio in bed, I select channel etc by connecting to the radio from my tablet or mobile phone using UNDOK.


--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

On 14/04/2026 17:23, Woody wrote:

On Mon 13/04/2026 21:36, John Williamson wrote:

On 13/04/2026 20:47, Scott wrote:

My friend is looking for a replacement small AM/FM radio. There seems
to be no shortage of small, cheap radios, mostly unbranded that seem
to be made for a global market. I know the US standard for FM is
different to the European standard. Is this a consideration or would
it not be noticable in a small unit or would the equipment supplied
match the territory? The specifications seem to make no mention of
pre-emphasis.

Given the size and quality of the speakers in cheap pocket radios,
you'll never notice the difference.

The difference between the US and Europe is twofold.
AM has 10Kz spacing between AM stations, Europe and other civilised
countries use 9KHz.
FM has de-emphasis which is 50uS in the US and 75uS for other non-US attracted stations.
What is de-emphasis? As a means of reducing background noise on FM, pre-emphasis is added at the transmitter, that is the frequency response
is boosted as audio frequency rises (to a limit of 15KHz) rather like a treble control. When it gets to the receiver de-emphasis is applied
which (at least in theory) acts like turning the treble control down so
that the high frequency end of the audio should end up overall as a flat response. But, having turned the treble down to achieve that flat
response you have also turned down the inherent system background noise
which makes the overall result sound 'cleaner.'
Essentially this is what Dolby B does save that the frequency above
which the pre-emphasis is applied depends upon how loud the overall
audio is - the louder the sound the higher the frequency at which the pre-emphasis starts. The pre and de emphasis can be achieved by a simple resistor and capacitor in series with the audio, so multiplying the cap
and resistor values gives a time (50uS or 75uS) figure and that is how
it is stated. Hope that makes sense.

It makes sense, when the speaker is 3 inches across, in a box that fits
in your pocket and is mostly full of battery...

I'm happy if I get comprehensible speech on mine.
--
Tciao for Now!

John.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

On Tue 14/04/2026 20:13, John Williamson wrote:

On 14/04/2026 17:23, Woody wrote:

On Mon 13/04/2026 21:36, John Williamson wrote:

On 13/04/2026 20:47, Scott wrote:

My friend is looking for a replacement small AM/FM radio. There seems
to be no shortage of small, cheap radios, mostly unbranded that seem
to be made for a global market. I know the US standard for FM is
different to the European standard. Is this a consideration or would
it not be noticable in a small unit or would the equipment supplied
match the territory? The specifications seem to make no mention of
pre-emphasis.

Given the size and quality of the speakers in cheap pocket radios,
you'll never notice the difference.

The difference between the US and Europe is twofold.
AM has 10Kz spacing between AM stations, Europe and other civilised
countries use 9KHz.
FM has de-emphasis which is 50uS in the US and 75uS for other non-US
attracted stations.
What is de-emphasis? As a means of reducing background noise on FM,
pre-emphasis is added at the transmitter, that is the frequency response
is boosted as audio frequency rises (to a limit of 15KHz) rather like a
treble control. When it gets to the receiver de-emphasis is applied
which (at least in theory) acts like turning the treble control down so
that the high frequency end of the audio should end up overall as a flat
response. But, having turned the treble down to achieve that flat
response you have also turned down the inherent system background noise
which makes the overall result sound 'cleaner.'
Essentially this is what Dolby B does save that the frequency above
which the pre-emphasis is applied depends upon how loud the overall
audio is - the louder the sound the higher the frequency at which the
pre-emphasis starts. The pre and de emphasis can be achieved by a simple
resistor and capacitor in series with the audio, so multiplying the cap
and resistor values gives a time (50uS or 75uS) figure and that is how
it is stated. Hope that makes sense.

It makes sense, when the speaker is 3 inches across, in a box that fits
in your pocket and is mostly full of battery...

I'm happy if I get comprehensible speech on mine.

THREE inch speaker??? That's a bit big for modern radios!
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

Woody <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote:

For radios look at Majority Audio; if you want a bit better quality look
at Roberts Radio, and the most sensitive with good audio is Sony.
However hold onto something before you look at the price!
John Lewis is always a good place to look for these sort of things.

Might also be worth looking at high quality models from the past. I've had Sony and National (Panasonic) travel radios from the 80s/90s and they felt better made than modern ones. If you don't need DAB then they should
receive the stations that new ones do.

Although worth watching for age-related faults - LCD displays which have
lost segments, I also had a Sony ICF-SW1 with the classic 'motorboating'
sound due to failing capacitors (fixed when I replaced them).

Theo
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

Op 14-4-2026 om 18:23 schreef Woody:

On Mon 13/04/2026 21:36, John Williamson wrote:

On 13/04/2026 20:47, Scott wrote:

My friend is looking for a replacement small AM/FM radio. There seems
to be no shortage of small, cheap radios, mostly unbranded that seem
to be made for a global market. I know the US standard for FM is
different to the European standard. Is this a consideration or would
it not be noticable in a small unit or would the equipment supplied
match the territory? The specifications seem to make no mention of
pre-emphasis.

Given the size and quality of the speakers in cheap pocket radios,
you'll never notice the difference.

The difference between the US and Europe is twofold.
AM has 10Kz spacing between AM stations, Europe and other civilised countries use 9KHz.
FM has de-emphasis which is 50uS in the US and 75uS for other non-US attracted stations.
What is de-emphasis? As a means of reducing background noise on FM, pre-emphasis is added at the transmitter, that is the frequency response
is boosted as audio frequency rises (to a limit of 15KHz) rather like a treble control. When it gets to the receiver de-emphasis is applied
which (at least in theory) acts like turning the treble control down so
that the high frequency end of the audio should end up overall as a flat response. But, having turned the treble down to achieve that flat
response you have also turned down the inherent system background noise which makes the overall result sound 'cleaner.'
Essentially this is what Dolby B does save that the frequency above
which the pre-emphasis is applied depends upon how loud the overall
audio is - the louder the sound the higher the frequency at which the pre-emphasis starts. The pre and de emphasis can be achieved by a simple resistor and capacitor in series with the audio, so multiplying the cap
and resistor values gives a time (50uS or 75uS) figure and that is how
it is stated. Hope that makes sense.

For radios look at Majority Audio; if you want a bit better quality look
at Roberts Radio, and the most sensitive with good audio is Sony.
However hold onto something before you look at the price!
John Lewis is always a good place to look for these sort of things.

Another difference is that USA frequencies are only on odd frequencies,
for example 88.1, 88.3, 88.5, etc

So a radio for the US market maybe cannot tune on even frequencies.

Rink
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