GE Superadio 7-2880B Classic AM FM Portable Radio Review

[@todderbert]

▶ The GE Superadio at Ebay: bit.ly/GESuperadio (paid link) As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase. There are no additional costs to you.

[@user-ih6xt8mw7b]

Todd, I have self taught myself over the last 40 years or so, to open these and tweak the diodes ...These units are capable of 10 times the amount of stations you got. I live in Atlanta, and can easily pickup WSM, WLAC even in the summer during the day about 224 miles..The problem with most of the SE is ground conductivity on AM, the sky wave signal takes over in the evening. But after I tweak them, the daytime sounds better than your nighttime scan. It only takes me about 20-30 minutes to do it as well. I also tweak the FM for more sensitivity and selectivity. And at night, especially in the Fall and Winter, the radio is so overloaded with stations it is just insane. For instance I live about 10 miles from the WSB tower here in Atlanta, I can receive 740 Zoomer and 760 WJR with out even moving or swiveling the radio ...Again I got in to dxing about 16 years old I am now almost 60 and have had easily 70 of these radios. The first Superadio was by far the best the II was also very good but the Superadio III was a disaster.

[@arainadiaz9219]

Do you bias the detector diodes or replace them?

[@wheelhorseman2306]

Just joined the Superadio 1 fan club. Thanks for making this video, and for including the sticker photo. Like you, I now understand the affection and respect that this radio has earned. I live in WI, and the first night I tried it I got Phoenix, I got Toronto, Boston, stations in New Jersey, Tennessee, and lots of others I didn't stay tuned to for long enough to get a station ID, but they were just packed together and this radio could pick them up, tune 'em in, and give me a quiet enough/low hiss noise floor to listen to- I was impressed to say the least. I used the helpful directions of RadioJayAllen to take the front off without pulling the power switch apart. After I deoxyed the controls and cleaned the dust out of the cabinet and front of speaker, the fun started and I just love it. It sounds great on FM, too, and I was hearing many more stations in better fidelity than ever before. What a gem!

[@chriscrichton98]

Good solid well-built radio. I had one. I had a long external wire antenna connected to my tree outside. At night time I would pick up stations in Chicago and Wyoming and I live in California. Only problem with the super radios there's no fine tuning knob or night light. But if you find one of these at a swap meet or yard sale buy it they're good radios. They really pull the stations at night!

[@jakeleach5994]

I just found one of these in the dumpster yesterday and am in the process of cleaning it up. It works great and is cleaning up pretty good

[@rachellyons2469]

Just happened upon this looking for a date and info on mine. I actually got mine at Goodwill for $5.00 and if I would have waited one more day for half off could have gotten it for $2.50 but I had to work the next day and loved the look of it. It is in nearly perfect condition and am sure it has tons of good memories on it with many more to come. Thank you for the info on it. I came across it with love at first site without knowing anything about it , but now I really love it.

[@FlashSilverEagle]

The GE Superadio was my favorite back in the day for sure. .. Still have it in my sis's attic somewhere.

[@focus82grothm.84]

What a beautiful varm rich sound. A awesome DX'er.

[@marktaylor8315]

They are usually $20 or so at flea markets, but I did snag one for $10 once. I add an 18650 battery holder to these so they can run on those rechargeable batteries. They will run for DAYS on an 18650.

[@todderbert]

Good to know Mark, lots of room where the 6D cells normally sit. $20 sounds like an awesome deal. I would pick them up at that price all day long.

[@wheelhorseman2306]

@@todderbert No kidding, $20? These things sell for $60 plus shipping all the time on the Bay...

[@OcFishHooked]

Time to get another Radio, it never ends (and I'm ok with that)! Thank you for the exceptional reviews.

[@todderbert]

Your Welcome OcFishHooked, This radio is a must have..out of all the radios I own, this is the last one I would part with...it is that good.

[@OcFishHooked]

Well I got the GE SuperRadio 1 (thanks to your review), and the Sound Quality is the best I have ever heard on AM. I will have to compare this to my CCrane 2E and EP Pro as far as sensitivity/selectivity, but I really didn't know AM can sound that good. Local Stations are amazing. Thanks for all your work and reviews!

[@todderbert]

Your Welcome! I feel my original EP is the best AM DXer for me, but the GE is my go to radio for anything audio :)

[@5roundsrapid263]

I just found one at Goodwill for $20. I tried it, and got stuff I never heard before. Stations right next to locals, even. I tried a longwire antenna and started getting AM stations 3-4 deep. I got lots of 5000W, and even some 1000W nighttime stations!

[@makarov138]

I have one of these. My favorite AM DXer!!

[@rkmklz7562]

I had one in the 1990s ...I want another one....to DX Australia from my area in the Pacific.....these are the best ever 😮

[@bucket3041]

One of my mother's friends has this radio and it has lasted him over 30 years!

[@clockworkbike]

Just got a Super Radio 2 today for $20. It is a rebranded model sold here by Canadian Tire under their Pulser name. It works great!

[@rkmklz7562]

I remember KOA 850 Denver...got that in Riverside County California at night doing the 1970s and 1980s😊

[@1ramirocco]

Originally branded GE, Super Radios are prized for their sensitive AM tuners that are bolstered by a larger-than-average ferrite core antenna inside. Super Radios also feature a large 6.5″ woofer and 2″ tweeter that put out very nice quality sound for a mono radio, particularly well tuned for listening to AM.

[@olradguy]

This version is probably the best of the SR's. What makes them so special is Tuned RF amplifier on A.M., large a.m. antenna. Plus no skimping on the audio, bass & treble controls and loudness compensation not just a volume control. The SR3 took away the loudness and had just a volume control they are not the same, also the front end is different SR3 is varactor tuned but did have wide / narrow bandwidth. The SR3 would have been unbeatable if it stuck with the SR2's front end and audio but added a.m. wide/ narrow bandwidth.

[@todderbert]

Thanks for that info, I love this radio and have used it every day since I saved it from ebay.

[@P_RO_]

Mine's something of a 'beater' unfortunately and it could use recapping, but it is by far my favorite and most used portable radio. My single beef is that the tone and volume controls are not linear- a volume change require readjusting the tone- but it's got a great sound. There's a ton of info online about these because it is one of the best AM/FM portables ever made which is exactly what GE meant it to be. Be careful with the power switch- there's 11 pieces to it and it's a bit fragile but otherwise this is the very best of 'old tech' and quality from a time where that mattered more than price.

[@todderbert]

I've noticed myself adjusting the bass/treble all the time. I'm good with it. The power switch on mine seems well made and very strong. I can't see how it could come apart easily. I've heard of people having trouble with the SRII's power switch.

[@mikemcmanus3918]

I got one of these five years ago. The AM is excellent. It is as sensitive as the CCrane digital at least.

[@todderbert]

An Amazing radio, that responds very well to a passive loop.

[@eddiedowning2571]

I'm getting super radio 2 today for only $35 working in excellent condition

[@jeshely]

Did anyone else noticed the prominent role the GE Super Radio plays in the movie A Silent Place Part 2?

[@kennethflorek8532]

Here's my superadio story. I hope it isn't tedious. About 1980 I bought a GE radio, so-called superadio, as a present for my brother, who had a personality quirk so he didn't feel right with fewer than two things going on at the same time. So he had this absolute trash tiny transistor radio going around the clock, with the most rough sound quality no one could possibly bear. At the time I had several thousand dollars worth of hifi equipment (in 1980 dollars.) That is how I came to make a present to my brother of the nicest sounding radio, out of a few dozen, in the radio aisle of a discount appliance store. I possibly had some motive besides philanthropy, because I didn't have to hear the ear-grating sound any more. I would say the sound of that GE went deep evenly, without the usual booming, which was very flattering to music with electric bass and drums. (It was in no sense hifi. Just nice.) I came to appreciate its sound. Many years later, about 2000, when I decided to get a radio to keep me me company while working in the garage, or around the house, I remembered that old radio, and got the later superadio, out of just a couple of radios at the big box store. I don't know what they did, or why they did it, but it doesn't have that deep, solid sound. It's was OK for the price. I still have the year 2000 radio. It does have Superadio on the front, not just on a stick-on. MODEL NO. 7-2887A on the back.

[@digarz4537]

Kenneth Florek I'm w

[@MichaelsHomeCooking]

I have been watching a few of your videos for the last three days. I kinda wish I had not found you, I have ordered this radio off of eBay and will get it some time next week. Mine that I ordered certainly does not look as nice as yours, maybe it will clean up nicely. It's all your fault I have spent this money!! haha. Love your videos!

[@todderbert]

Blame Todderbert... I have heard that before :) My Superadio had to be cleaned up also. The front panel comes off and you can remove the speaker easily. Just be careful of the power switch. I found that making sure it is in the On position helps.

[@michaelgilbert8794]

I have a GE SuperRadio 3 with external antenna terminal options on the back. Could you please recommend a video, or better yet make a video about setting up a good external AM and FM antenna package?

[@thomasniner001]

Went back and reviewed your review on the SR1 compared to my new (old) SR2. The difference inside I don't know but outside other than the twitter-- earphone jack changed to headphone (both ears). Knobs are all chrome, battery door has three tabs to hold those 6 batteries in the case. What a radio! Works great with the loop- the loop makes a great radio an outstanding radio. Have not used the antenna connections on the back yet. I now know why this radio has a loyal following.

[@todderbert]

Great, The internals are about the same, though some complain about the power swtich on the SRII if you have to take the radio apart. I just saw a new in box SR II sell for $265 on ebay :O www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-General-Electric-GE-Super-Radio-2-SUPERADIO-II-AM-FM-MINT-IN-BOX-NOS/362319583518

[@P_RO_]

Do NOT take the power switch apart without a tutorial- you will destroy it. In fact do not even take the case apart without a tutorial as the switch can disassemble itself if it's not done correctly. There are plenty of vids and written tutorials of how to work on this radio. It's a real bugger to do an alignment job on and with it's age now many need re-capping, but when it's world is right this is an amazing radio. Mine's not pristine but it's still not for sale and never will be.

[@EzeeLinux]

Wow! You can really hear all the trash generated by the "HD" signals around WM on that radio. :)

[@todderbert]

I love the sensitivity on this radio. It remains one my most used radios for the past six months.

[@IRadioWaves]

I found a NOS version of this radio. It looks brand new and is the best radio I've ever owned. AM booms out of it. It even had the marketing stickers on it. There's a video on my channel of it. Only thing wrong was that it was missing the volume knob. If anyone has one give me a shout out.

[@markh.2899]

I have this same "Super Radio" radio, and it's like new, but I just wish they had included a backlight in it to see the channels at night...

[@barrypromo]

I recently bought both a Superadio i and ii off eBay. The i works awesome on both bands and I love it. The ii was a lemon. It randomly distorts (depends on the day and weather I think) and the tuning for station alignment is off. I took it to a local repair shop and was quoted $250 to fix with no guarantee that the random distortion problem will go away. I decided not to invest further. When it does work without random distortion, I found the addition of the tweeter made the sound of the ii more harsh as compared to a warmer sound off the i. Do others prefer the i or ii and why?

[@craignehring]

I have the fever for this radio Great review I have one coming, I cant wait

[@craignehring]

The GE Superadio 7-2880B I have is not the best looking but it is a very solid performer. I listen to it with the lights off anyways HAHAHA

[@Eccadairius]

I have my GE Superadio III and it works great!

[@todderbert]

Nice, I don't own one of those yet.

[@Eccadairius]

@@todderbert You need to get one!

[@atrain818]

@@Eccadairius I have both. 2 is better. Actually 2 is the best of all 4 (counting the rca version) , from what I have heard. But, 3 is still a great radio. I live near Chicago and can get wlw in cincy. Tmj in Milwaukee. Kmox (st Louis) wwl (New Orleans, at nite). With my SR 3.

[@techguy9023]

I started dxing with a Zenith Transoceanic from 1946. I have a JRC 535 that I wish I had back in the 70s or 80's when there still a lot of SW stations. I did a lot of MW dxing growing up. How is the Superadio on FM? I live in a remote area and most newer radios have terrible sensitivity on FM even if an outside antenna and preamp is possible to connect. I've tried a couple of FM stereo tuners but haven't been happy with the performance. I missed the end of your video where you demo FM. Thanks

[@todderbert]

FM is good, not the best. The Panasonic RF-2200 is a beast on FM.

[@AussieTVMusic]

I bought an EA7-2880B radio with the stickers on it that looks like it was made yesterday. But it's missing the volume knob grr. Anyone know where I can get on from?

[@profkarafit]

Just found one at Goodwill for 5 bucks, its great!

[@buyidaho]

would love to see you use this radio with the passive loop antenna, I did it years ago with incredible results.

[@todderbert]

I'm thinking of doing a daytime AM bandscan with a lot of my radios...that and paired with a passive loop may be really interesting.

[@RobertNES816]

These are awesome radios! I've been on the hunt for one of these or a Super Radio 2 for a while.

[@todderbert]

This radio is on all the time. I can't get enough. Let me know when you get one!

[@anthonymccarthy4164]

Makes me wish I'd bought one of those thirty years ago or so.

[@mickeybrumfield764]

Impressive radio. KOA out of Denver is a real powerhouse station I can pick it up in Las Vegas area.

[@todderbert]

I figure its the elevation of the station's tower in Denver, for me to get this station clearly from 900 miles without a loop or external antenna.

[@martz1191]

I can receive it in the middle of the night in NJ, only during freak propagation usually.

[@todderbert]

I think in this video I hear 1010 am which is a New York station. Fun to find call letters in the ether.

[@jeffking4176]

I remember the SR-1. Last year I found a near perfect SR-3 for $ 50.oo including S&H. Of course the 1 And 2 are far better, but the 3 is still a SuperRadio,and does a fantastic job for DXing. (As long as it’s the G.E.) I found a board that has a turntable and will hold a fair amount of weight. Perfect for radio. You got a real find. 🙂📻🙂❗️ That’s about the best AM radio one can get.

[@todderbert]

I'm loving it. So good! I still use my EP, because its smaller.

[@makarov138]

I have all three radios. I use the SRII the most for AM DX. A little less basey.

[@todderbert]

I would love to get a SR II to hear the difference. Some say the SR II is perfect and some say the tweeter is too much on the highs.

[@jpozenel]

I had one of these. Why can't they make them like this anymore?

[@marcosmza1962]

Beautiful and effective. Thanks for sharing!

[@DriveInFreak]

If you want to see what she'll really do try it in the daytime....even better if you're away from any RFI such as at a park or anyplace away from electricity. That's how to find out how well a radio truly performs. I can pull in WWL New Orleans here in Central Florida (and quite a distance from the coast) via groundwave (i.e. during the day) with mine. Give it a try, and I'll bet you'll be amazed at what you can pull in.

[@todderbert]

I will do that, thank you for the idea.

[@mojavedesertsonorandesert9531]

I still use mine!

[@robertway2858]

I know this was posted a year ago...... in you opinion Todderbert are there any radios currently being made that would be good for AM dxing? I think I'd like to avoid dsp radios. Thanks!

[@todderbert]

To be honest, it is hard to think of a current analog radio that I would call good for DXing. There is the Panansonic RF-562D kzbin.info/www/bejne/opXVi6KGgJymr6c which isn't half bad. I personally would save up for a classic Superadio.

[@kofthebaskervilles]

I have a model 3. If you use your radio with a loop antenna you"ll be able to seperate those stations better.

[@garyjohnson9196]

Nice video on my favorite radio that unfortunately no longer works, it had an awesome awesome run. Since this no longer be bought new, have you reviewed/like a current radio that offers similar performance to this gem? Must thanks for your response.

[@todderbert]

Well, as far as performance goes the CCRadio-EP Pro is fantastic kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXq0d3aupqasptE . I love the audio and it is very capable on range, I would say it is equal on the AM band, and better on the FM band...though I miss being able to turn the AFC off on FM. That is nice on the GE. There are others to consider, like the Sangean PR-D15 which is awesome kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZjbmn6GjJl4gsU , and the CCRadio-2E, which is great, but expensive. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWTaiqNont-lopY

[@garyjohnson9196]

@@todderbert Thank you so much for the fast response and recommendations, I will check your links indeed.

[@todderbert]

Nice. You will like the sound on the EP Pro.

[@StephenFedak]

Always wanted a GE Super Radio. Never Bought one. Some years later I bought A Super Radio But RCA was making them. Have you ever compared these two Radio's?

[@todderbert]

I own the original and the II, but not the III. Hopefully one day I will come across a good deal on one to try out.

[@mickeybrumfield764]

Well the elevation factor is a little confusing I am actually able to pick up KOA out of Denver with my Sangean PR-D4W from Southern California well on the other side of the Continental Divide.

[@wheelhorseman2306]

I've read that you get skipping off the ionosphere, and sometimes from the ice crystals in a jet plane contrail- almost like satelite- so the range can be unbelievable

[@arnairbalkhobar2929]

Can you please make a review on grundig minerva (ocean boy 820) radio

[@jadedoldguy5233]

Beautiful job on the restoration. Looks pristine and that sound is outstanding. Just picked up one of these of eBay as well and it's on its way. What did you use to clean it up so well? The one I've ordered is not at all in bad shape, but it has its dust and some light scuffs here and there, so I'm thinking just some TLC time with some q-tips, maybe a toothbrush and a few drops of vinegar here and there might be the ticket. Anyway, thanks for sharing this.

[@todderbert]

Thank you Simon. I took apart the radio, dropped the speaker and was able to clean the front grill with some warm water and a toothbrush. The back I used a microfiber cloth with windex, works well. The dial was clean after its bath and I removed some scratches on it by using Mother's Carnuba car wax. I used qtips and windex to clean the center of the speaker cone...makes me smile seeing that shined up. I enjoy this radio everyday.

[@jadedoldguy5233]

I would have thought about Windex...eventually. I love it, great multi-purpose stuff. Good idea with the carnauba wax too! I'll have to do the same. I take it that it's fairly easy to disassemble then? Assuming a sliver of know how that is. And, I'm sure you do enjoy it. I am looking forward to enjoying mine, which is going to replace an old Grundig Melody Boy that I picked up so very long ago while I was living in France. I also enjoy that C Crane Pocket too. I've loved their stuff for quite a long time now, from way back when I used to hear them plugged by Dr. Bill Wattenburg on KGO810. A great product and great company.

[@todderbert]

Very easy to get the front panel removed, knobs come off and you just have to watch the power switch as your removing and reinstalling the case front. I left the back panel alone because everything was bolted down to it and I didn't want to risk breaking anything. The nice thing is you will be able to clean the dial plate if it it dusty.

[@jadedoldguy5233]

Just wanted to follow up. Mine arrived. Did not need a great deal of cleaning actually, but I did some anyway, polished it up a bit and am absolutely loving it. Such a wonderful DXer.

[@todderbert]

Cool, did you get this version, or the SR II? Either is awesome.

[@lacrossewieas2411]

so i found all 3 models of these for 100 dollars on craigslist should I buy them? or 45 dollars for each

[@todderbert]

Depends on condition. If tney are mint and all tune and sound great then 100 for all three is a decent deal.

[@todderbert]

If I could only choose one, I would pick the first edition of the Superadio. The SR II is nice with the tweeter, but I love the warmer and richer tone from my SR I.

[@FrozenDoberman]

The most sensitive AM MW radio in the world will be insensitive when compared to an average sensitivity radio which is inductively coupled by a quality loop antenna. The portable radio front-end RF noise figure (dB) is in practice lowered by an inductively coupled loop. I place more emphasis on portable AM radio IF selectivity, and overload / IMD spurious signal rejection. Digital tuning readout is highly desirable. Hence, why I use a Sangean PR-D15 AM/FM portable radio coupled to a medium size 40 inch side length tuneable PVC box loop. This combination enables evening MW DX out to circa 4,600 miles (783 and 909 KHz China) every evening. 1580 KBLA Santa Monica, CA, USA is heard some evenings at 7,500 miles. I can easily hear 558 KHz 10 kW Fiji at 2000 miles. As sensitive as the GE Superadio undoubtedly is, the long distance AM reception performance is greatly sub-par compared to a PR-D15 + 40" loop.

[@FarooqF-g2x]

Who is the manufacturer?

[@makarov138]

I have one of these. My favorite MW DXer!! Not for sale!!! Ever!!

[@knpstrr]

Not counting the "cool factor" that the SR has - is the AM reception noticeably better on this SR versus say an icf-506 or icf-19?

[@todderbert]

Yes it is. The tuner on this is incredible. Holds its own very well. A 200mm ferrite antenna, plus an open air variable capacitor help it along. One of the most accurate dials as well.

[@atrain818]

Awsum radio. I bought it for the specific purpose of pulling in WTMJ. For brewers games. What u have on at 10:00. This must be during the day? Or ur close to Milw. They turn the power down at nite

[@todderbert]

Fifty miles from Milwaukee.

[@atrain818]

@@todderbert I'm bout 160 miles from. Milwaukee. Tmj comes in perfect (on both my SR2 and 3) till about 8 pm. When they crank down the power.

[@felixnauta]

In Hi Fi a booming bas sound is not a good thing. But it's a good radio.

[@roberthughes8355]

Great Vid!

[@AMDXplusplus]

What Travelers info stations on 1620

[@arupian666]

Just bought one, same model, ebay $90 shipped... it's in PRISTINE condition, let's hope it works, lol Also picked up a nice condition Patrolman SW-60 at the same time... I have the usual suspects, Sangean ATS 909, Grundig Satellit 750, Tecsun PL 880 and a handful of pocket models, but there's something about these vintage radios, looking at getting all 3 Superadio models and all the Patrolmen in the course of time...

[@leonardprovost2634]

Just put radio on cake turntable and then it will turn and is stabilized

[@todderbert]

Can you recommend one that moves silently and has a grip type surface so the radio doesn't slide about? I've tried a couple but they were noisy, and the radios would slip off.

[@leonardprovost2634]

Went to the local store and tested the cake turntable for size and functional quality. I love the way you can pick up far away stations

[@timteevin4517]

I have one of these, doesn't work for sour owlsh

[@wheelhorseman2306]

Mine didn't work either when it arrived. Only after I'd cleaned the six "switches" (three rotary pots, two sliders and the power switch) with Caig DeOxy could I get it to work, and now it's fantastic. Good luck