#342

Contents:
00:00 Introduction
00:59 Overview of improvements over GP-5/SSB
01:57 Weight, Battery and Volume Control differences
03:57 Lets try out some features: Shortwave reception example
04:08 Band Selection Controls
04:47 Ham Radio Band Selection
05:04 Tuning Controls and Step Size
05:52 Auto-scan in VFO Mode
06:18 Direct Frequency Entry
06:53 Ham Radio goodies - step size and filter bandwidth
07:17 Filter BW example on CW
08:46 View filter BW using FFT on an oscilloscope
10:29 SSB Reception example on 40m band
10:50 Available filter bandwidths by band/mode
11:16 Regular Memory/Preset operation and Auto Tuning Storage (ATS)
13:20 Enhanced Tuning Mode (ETM) operation
16:47 What's in the box
17:11 Optional Accessories
17:40 Closing
Short video review and demonstration of the new County Comm GP-7 / SSB handheld receiver. This unit operates on Longwave (LW), Medium Wave (MW - AM broadcast), Shortwave (SW), HF Ham Radio (AM/SSB/CW) as well as FM Broadcast bands. Some really great features and improvements over the previously reviewed GP-5/SSB (see links below) - including direct frequency entry, multiple receiver bandwidth selections, enhanced scanning and memory modes and much more. Here are the links to my videos on the GP-5/SSB, as well as a link to the County Comm website for the new GP-7/SSB:
GP-5/SSB Review:
• #188: Mini review / de...
GP-5/SSB Memory operation:
• #189: Programming & us...
CountyComm webpage on the new GP-7/SSB:
countycomm.com/products/count...

[@vineyardsaker6195]

This was *VERY* useful for me, a new owner of this radio (well, the Tecsun variant, same difference), thank you!

[@johnharris1846]

what a great tutorial! I just received the radio and have referred back to this several times to learn and get familiar with it. thank you!

[@BillyLapTop]

Thank you for your thorough and insightful review. Your programming video in the past helped me to operate my Tecsun model. FBOM

[@RadioHamGuy]

Thanks for the review. Looks like a fun little radio with some useful features!

[@canyondan]

What a wonderful review. Just excellent. Thank you so much for posting

[@warrencaldwell8753]

Good job! I have learned some new things about the radio. I bought the PL-368 before there was an English manual for it. I have just recently downloaded the English manual, but have not been through it yet. What I learned about my radio was from the hunt and peck method so this video clears up a lot for me. I also made the mistake of getting the yellow version. The mistake is that they use white lettering. Not easy for these old eyes to see on the yellow and at that size of lettering . I have to admit it is probably my most favorite radio to use, and for less than a hundred dollars you have yourself a very good deal.

[@stewpot3971]

Subscribed! Awesome videos, looking forward to going through your oscilloscope Vids. 73 from the U.K.

[@gretalaube91]

I was like "eh.." until you explained the hour-based memory scan! Woo!

[@jimborambo958]

Just bought one after watching your review. Got a 10% discount on my first order from countycomm. Bought the radio, extra battery/ charger and desk stand and free shipping! Thanks for your review

[@STR82DVD]

I have one as well, you'll love it.

[@MyTube4Utoo]

Nice looking radio. Thanks for the video.

[@Ziferten]

Nice! This was already on my Christmas list, but it looks like I had better move it up a notch!

[@TKomoski]

Just bought one Alan, this is my first radio and I look forward to using it. They offer 10% off at this time.

[@sn00pm0nk3y]

the The SWLing Post & subscribers would be interested in yr video....as might Countycomm...clearest explanation I've seen yet on the functions of this exceptional radio

[@w2aew]

Thanks. The guys over at CountyComm have seen it, and told me that they really liked it. I don't know the folks over at SWLing Post...

[@allenlutins]

Yet another good use for a radio like this is hunting down sources of RFI.

[@tav9755]

Great review. Thanks for sharing. Seems that this nice little device has what my sony 7600 doesn‘t have which is the variable if bandwidth filters.

[@Radiowild]

I really want to look into this one since there have been significant improvements on the GP-7. Hope you are enjoying the holiday, and missed you last night at the FLARC auction. I have the video up on my channel. Take care!

[@w2aew]

Sorry I missed the auction - I'll definitely check out your video Bob!

[@stationvictormike3415]

I have the exact same one and green case. Love it.

[@JohnUsp]

Very nice radio, thanks.

[@edwardhughes352]

Nice review

[@Homer19521]

Perfect. Typical Alan quality youtube. 👍

[@2ftg]

Ha! Nokia BL-5C battery getting some fine use! That's pretty cool and very available lithium battery.

[@wadepatton2433]

Oh man, under 5 bucks on ebay. Spare ordered.

[@kevingray707]

Really a nice quick review. Well done but much prefer your repair type videos or knowledge sharing videos.

[@EnergySeeker]

nice video a question for you , is it possible to have a parallel resonance L1 and C1 and on the coil L2 of the parallel resonanace another coil connected in series with another capacitor and L3 , how do you go and adjust the resonance in both ? do you do the parallel resonanace first then adjust the C2 to be in resonanace too in series ?

[@TechneMoira]

Just a detail I'm wondering about, does this radio have a stereo headphone output and does it receive the FM band in stereo mode? thanks for a very informative video

[@w2aew]

Yes, it you plug in stereo headphones, earbuds, etc., you can hit the FM/ST button to receive in stereo.

[@researchandbuild1751]

Sweet, new toys. Can even do SSB? I have to get this

[@greggaieck4808]

The county comm Gp7 with mw lw SW fm ssb cw radio Receiver is cool

[@chriscomms.2399]

Good looking receiver with nice functionality. I purchased the GP-5 and although it worked great, it would drain batteries like crazy even when powered off. For instance, I would give it a full charge and have it off for 4 days. When I would power up to use it, it would be dead. I tried using different brands of rechargeable batteries and also alkaline, all with the same results. I contacted County Comm and they said because the warranty period had ended they couldn’t exchange it. Not sure if anyone else experienced this battery drainage problem. HOPEFULLY this is not an issue with this newer model. But at the same time, why do they offer an extra battery and charger kit ? 🤔

[@w2aew]

I have heard the same thing about the batteries in the GP-5/SSB, but I didn't experience that. I've had the same batteries in my GP-5 for weeks and weeks. I have heard that this was a recognized problem with the GP-5 though, and that it is NOT a problem with the GP-7/SSB. The spare battery and charger is offered because it will give you extended run time in case you run the batteries down, and since the battery isn't a typical drug store / convenience store item like the AAs are.

[@ErnestGWilsonII]

Thanks for making another video and sharing it with all of us! Question: What is the 24-m band on SSB? At approximately 5 minutes into the video, SSB mode and amateur radio bands are called out and cycled through, one of the bands shown apparently is a 24 m band at 13.149 megahertz, I don't recognize this ham band. What band is that? Who uses that? I am of course subscribed with notifications turned on and thumbs up! 73 W3GUY

[@w2aew]

I believe this is one of the global HF aeronautical bands which use SSB, so not a ham band, but a SSB band.

[@ErnestGWilsonII]

@@w2aew thank you for the reply, this band seems weirdly out of place when listed with all the other ham bands. I'm going to take a listen on my HF rig over the weekend and see what is going on at that frequency range.

[@ErnestGWilsonII]

@Alexej Svirid thanks for the reply, somehow there must be an easy way for me to link directly to a timestamp when using my phone, sorry I wasn't able to provide a direct link easily, thanks for linking directly to the timestamp for me!

[@CH_Pechiar]

Alan, hi. Very clever radio! The ETM mode makes a difference. Thanks for the video. PS: did you already do a video on the wolfwave (I dont remember) or will it come in the future :) ?

[@w2aew]

Haven't done a video on the Wolfwave yet...

[@W4TRI]

Sold out for now.

[@w2aew]

You may be able to find the Tecsun PL-368 which is the same radio

[@alanduncan3710]

@@w2aew Ordered mine (368) on Ebay, can't wait for December 6!

[@mike-gear2review]

Back in stock now 🎉

[@R2AUK]

Wait, no teardown?! 😨😉

[@GaryUtz]

Old Ham here that likes to play with new toys. I like the receiver's compact size and its filters. Good size for throwing in the travel bag, backpack, etc. Got the 'in stock alert' so my order is in. Thanks for the review Alan. This old geezer needs a brain dump like yours to kick start the grey matter after the fat man squeezes down the chimney. 73 de KE2Yk

[@w2aew]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@PapasDino]

I know it must have been a compromise for selecting SSB bandwidths but 2.2 is a little sharp; wonder why they didn't choose 2.4/2.6? Hey, for a under $100 I want it all! ;-) Thanks for sharing Alan, have signed up to be notified when they're available again. 73 - Dino KLØS

[@w2aew]

Yeah, not sure either. The filter isn’t very sharp, so still quite intelligible.

[@w2aew]

Also, you might look for the Tecsun PL-368 which is the same radio.

[@w2aew]

Available now!

[@PapasDino]

@@w2aew Just picked one up with accessories a few minutes ago...signed up for notification when available and was surprised it came in so fast. TNX again for the review and lead on another useful too. 73 - Dino KLØS

[@miker8379]

I hope the memory system is better

[@KrisSlyka]

Hey, great video! I just got a Tecsun PL-368 which is the same radio under a different brand and have noticed that on SSB the VFO is quite unstable in the higher tuning ranges, having a pronounced "wobble" with a period of 1-2 seconds that shifts the tuning frequency by roughly 80Hz once I get to 30Mhz and about half that at 15Mhz. I've heard others complain about the stability of the VFO (especially in relation to physical deformation of the PCB when pressing buttons) in this radio and wanted to ask if this is something you've noticed during your testing. Thanks in advance!

[@w2aew]

I haven’t tested it that extensively in the higher end of the HF band.

[@KrisSlyka]

@@w2aew Ahh alright, thanks anyways!

[@ligius3]

Those BL-5C batteries are a dime a dozen. They are the former Nokia batteries, to be found everywhere, if they still make them. Wow, was not expecting this to cost

[@hdofu]

Sound quality Sangean wins hands down, reception its a bit harder to compare as sometimes the Sangean will get a signal and it will be phenominal, other times it will amazingly fail, if discussing SSB Sangean has some serious sound issues even on the most recent models to. the point you better be prepared to have a huge antenna hooked up to it to get the most out of it for side bands.

[@paulfrancis8836]

I left mine on charge over night, and no charge, just to realize I for got the BATTERY ! GGGRRRRrrrrrrrrr !

[@W4TRI]

Will the radio operate off the USB jack with a good current? IE No battery installed?

[@w2aew]

I know it will run while charging, not sure about running without a battery and only on usb.

[@mike-gear2review]

🚨 Finally Back In Stock 🚨

[@askardyussekeyev908]

These radios look like re-branded Tecsun, compare with tecsun pl 365

[@w2aew]

It’s actually that same as the Tecsun PL-368 with a stronger (stainless steel) antenna.

[@sammin5764]

🌟🌟🌷🌟🌟

[@riccardopapi5992]

Does this radio suffer of the same chuff chuff listening effect while tuning, as other radios using the same chip do (XHADATA)?

[@w2aew]

Yes, it does mute while manual tuning, but it is pretty quick about it.

[@Mo_feezy]

Do you have a video on that Wolfwave?

[@w2aew]

Not yet

[@theepicpeguin]

Hello, I bought this radio and do not know to access channel 19, the cb channel used by drivers/everyone else do you know how I could do that?

[@w2aew]

With the radio set to the SW bands, you can directly enter 27185 into the keypad. This is CB channel 19.

[@wadepatton2433]

Forget the CountyComm discount, just buy a Tecsun 368. That's what I had to do.

[@robertwilliamson6121]

Yeah, but I prefer the upgraded sturdier stainless steel antenna of the County Comm version over the cheaper chrome plated brass antenna on the Tecsun version.

[@wadepatton2433]

@@robertwilliamson6121 I thought I could upgrade the antenna but it appears not. That's a change from the previous model. Also I use a clip-on wire mostly so far. I would own a CC right now if it hadn't taken a day to get the discount code and me with money burning a hole in my pocket.

[@cejaybee]

Actually... if there has to be a Li-Ion battery, a "Nokia" BL-5C is a good choice-- besides having several of them myself, they're widely cloned and cheap to acquire even today.

[@fwucku]

Does this have a signal meter like a regular transceiver?

[@w2aew]

Not a meter per se, but it does have a numeric signal strength indication. See the dBu value, near the upper right of the display.

[@thunderbuilt77]

Very nice unit. Too bad it's UNAVAILABLE on the website.

[@w2aew]

Look for the Tecsun PL-368, same radio.

[@w2aew]

Back in stock now

[@danishnative9555]

We seem to have an endless supply of Lithium and other alkali & rare earth metals for now. It won't last.

[@kaybhee6]

cannot catch airports huh

[@AndreyVarlamov]

Awful backlight algorithm.