KB2GOM
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I bought it for MW DX.
Pulled the trigger on a C Crane 2E . . . any advice before it arrives?
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TailGator911
Silent Key/KF4ANC
A good friend bought one last year and he was very disappointed with it. His display cut out and came back, did this several times before it finally just crapped out not even 3 months into ownership. He also complained about the buttons being semi-responsive to the point of aggravation trying to navigate thru the menu. Maybe just a lemon among oranges, but his experience with this CCrane 2E (Enhanced) was not so good. I wish you luck and hope yours is better. I had a CCrane portable years ago with a wood cabinet and it was a darn good little radio. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw.
KB2GOM
Active Member
If I recall correctly, there is supposed to be a one-year parts and labor warranty, no?
KB2GOM
Active Member
My understanding is that the GE SuperRadio I and II were pretty darn impressive in terms of sheer RF performance.
A turntable/lazy-susan will make turning the radio to null unwanted signals much more pleasant. Home Depot has a suitable swivel base intended for making your own lazy-susan for under $5. The CCR2E will sit very securely on it.
When you first get it, let the radio run for an hour or so to be sure it's well warmed up, then do the auto-alignment procedure described on page 24 of the manual. This will ensure you get the best performance from it.
The automatic antenna tuning that occurs when you change the channel will sometimes not work quite right. You can get it to re-tune by changing the channel up or down one notch and then immediately back to where you were. You should hear it do the auto-tune. This is sometimes useful if you need to rotate the radio to get the best signal. Once you think you have the antenna aimed properly, click the channel up and then back. You'll often find you get a stronger signal doing this.
If you have any problems with it, such as the display issue described above, call Crane. They're very good about dealing with manufacturing defects. The first CCRadio I bought had some kind of defect with the display lighting. (It was a long time ago and I've forgotten the specifics.) I spoke to someone at Crane. They were great. She grabbed another one from the warehouse, verified it didn't have the same problem, and sent me the replacement along with a label for sending back the defective one. Everyone would prefer no defects, but they dealt with mine in a totally satisfactory way.
When you first get it, let the radio run for an hour or so to be sure it's well warmed up, then do the auto-alignment procedure described on page 24 of the manual. This will ensure you get the best performance from it.
The automatic antenna tuning that occurs when you change the channel will sometimes not work quite right. You can get it to re-tune by changing the channel up or down one notch and then immediately back to where you were. You should hear it do the auto-tune. This is sometimes useful if you need to rotate the radio to get the best signal. Once you think you have the antenna aimed properly, click the channel up and then back. You'll often find you get a stronger signal doing this.
If you have any problems with it, such as the display issue described above, call Crane. They're very good about dealing with manufacturing defects. The first CCRadio I bought had some kind of defect with the display lighting. (It was a long time ago and I've forgotten the specifics.) I spoke to someone at Crane. They were great. She grabbed another one from the warehouse, verified it didn't have the same problem, and sent me the replacement along with a label for sending back the defective one. Everyone would prefer no defects, but they dealt with mine in a totally satisfactory way.
KB2GOM
Active Member
Thank you for your encouraging and informative post.
Here's a link to the lazy-susan turntable I was talking about. I cut a couple pieces of that rubbery shelf liner and put one under it so it doesn't slide on the table and one on top so the radio doesn't slide at all. It works very well. Perhaps some day I'll get some rubber feet and screw a board to the top.
If you're into MW DXing, you've made a good purchase. The CCR2E is the best current production portable MW radio on the market and it compares very favorably to the gems of the past too. You'd have to move into a higher end tabletop shortwave to get clearly better performance.
If you're into MW DXing, you've made a good purchase. The CCR2E is the best current production portable MW radio on the market and it compares very favorably to the gems of the past too. You'd have to move into a higher end tabletop shortwave to get clearly better performance.
N8FNR
Member
I second the turntable. Makes nulling/peaking stations al lot easier.
Also get some headphones. When you are listening to a weak station they are indispensable. This is the #1 DXing accessory in my opinion. I got the following for making cell phone calls and it works great with my radios too. For $20 they are a great value; https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Stereo-Headset-Cancelling-Microphone/dp/B07D8GSSZ4/ref=sr_1_29?crid=3U0KA5A1WZUDH&dchild=1&keywords=logitech+headset&qid=1612930528&sprefix=logitech+,aps,184&sr=8-29
Also get some headphones. When you are listening to a weak station they are indispensable. This is the #1 DXing accessory in my opinion. I got the following for making cell phone calls and it works great with my radios too. For $20 they are a great value; https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Stereo-Headset-Cancelling-Microphone/dp/B07D8GSSZ4/ref=sr_1_29?crid=3U0KA5A1WZUDH&dchild=1&keywords=logitech+headset&qid=1612930528&sprefix=logitech+,aps,184&sr=8-29
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