Grundig GRUNDIG YB400 User manual

WORLD RECEIVER YACHT BOY 400 PE

NEED HELP?
CALL OUR SHORTWAVE HOTLINE
IMPORTANTNOTICE
QUICK SETUP
(But please read the rest of the manual later!)
1. Insert batteries or connect the included AC adaptor.
2. Set the DX/LOCAL switch to DX (left side of radio).
3. Turn the SSB switch OFF (right side of radio).
4. Fully extend the telescopic antenna.
5. With the radio off, press and release the AM button once.
6. Immediately press and release the STEP button.
“10KHz” now appears in the right side of the display, and
will disappear in a few seconds. (See page 4 for more
information about this procedure.
7. Turn the radio on by pressing the ON/OFFbutton.
If, after reading this owner’s manual, you need help learning to
operate your YACHT BOY 400 PROFESSIONAL EDITION,
call us toll free, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
PST at:
1-800-872-2228 from the U.S.
1-800-637-1648 from Canada
OWNER’S RECORD
This model is the GRUNDIG YACHT BOY 400 PROFES-
SIONAL EDITION, herin after referred to as the YB400PE.
The serial number is located on the sticker inside the battery
compartment. Refer to this number whenever you call GRUNDIG
regarding this product.
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1
2
3
4
5
6-8
9-10
11-12
13-14
15-22
23-27
26
28
29
SUBJECT
GRUNDIG TOLL-FREE PHONE NUMBER…………………………………………………………..............................
TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………….……………………............................
YOUR RADIO AT-A-GLANCE………………………………………………….…………………….............................
INITIAL SETUP…………………………………………………………………..……………………............................
SUPPLYING POWER…………………………………………………………….……………………............................
GENERAL RADIO OPERATION………………………………………………..…………………….............................
SHORTWAVE RADIO OPERATION…………………………………………...……………………...............................
STORING STATIONS INTO MEMORY………………………………………..……………………..............................
USING CLOCK, ALARM, AND SLEEP TIMER FEATURES..............................…………………….............................
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SHORTWAVE................................................……………………...............................
SIGNLE SIDEBAND (SSB) AND TWO-WAY COMMUNICATIONS..............……………………...............................
TIME STATIONS..................................................................................................……………………..............................
TECHNICAL INFORMATION............................................................................……………………..............................
INDEX TO THE RADIO’S CONTROLS (buttons, switches, and sockets)............……………………..............................
2

INITIALSET-UP
IMPORTANT!
SET-UP FOR NORTH AMERICAN USE
North America’s AM stations are exactly 10 kilohertz apart. At
the factory, the radio is set up for the 9 kilohertz spacing of
stations in Europe. To change this to the 10KHZ spacing:
1. With the radio OFF, press and release the AM button
once.
2. Immediately press and release the STEP button. “10
KHz” now appears in the right side of the display and will
disappear in a few seconds.
This change will be permanently in the radio’s memory as long as
batteries are not taken out for a period of ten minutes or more.
When traveling outside of the Americas, use the same procedure
as above to set the spacing back to 9 kilohertz.
ADDITIONAL SET-UP INFORMATION
1. On the right side of the radio, set the SSB switch to the
OFF position. This feature is described on page 23.
NOTE: the FINE TUNING control, on the right side of
the radio, is only activated and needed when the
YB400PE is in the SSB mode. You do not need to use
this control when listening to regular AM, FM, and
shortwave broadcasts.
On the left side of the radio, set the DX/LOCAL switch to the
DX position. DX allows for maximum sensitivity, the preferred
position.
4

SUPPLYING POWERANDUSING EXTERNAL ANTENNAS
NOTE:when using the adaptor, it is OK to leave batteries
intheradio.
HOW TO USE THE INCLUDED “REEL” ANTENNA AND
THE EXTERNAL ANTENNA SOCKET (left side of the radio)
The SWEXT.ANT.Socket is for shortwave antennas. Use it
with the included “reel” antenna. Always fully unroll the “reel”
antenna and place it as high off the floor as possible, next to the
windows.
PROFESSIONALLY ENGINEERED ANTENNAS
Professionally engineered, outdoor shortwave antennas, available
through specialized retailers, can also be used. Use the SW.EXT.
ANT. Socket mentioned above. The socket is a 1/8 inch mono
socket, used in conjunction with a 1/8 inch mono plug, such as the
plugs often used for mono earphones. If you would like advice
about shortwave antennas, please call Grundig technical support
at 1-800-872-2228 for U.S. and 1-800-637-1648 for Canada.
5
HOW TO INSTALL BATTERIES
Install six AA alkaline batteries. Follow the diagram imprinted on
the back of the radio near the battery compartment. With the
radio face down and the battery compartment toward you:
·The flat ends (-) of the bottom batteries
go toward the left.
·The flat ends (-) of the top batteries go
toward the right.
AC ADAPTOR USE
The Grundig adaptor supplied with this product is only for use in
the Americas, where household AC voltage is 110-120 volts AC.
Do not use this adaptor in countries with household AC voltage
of 220-240 volts AC.
USING YOUR GRUNDIG AC ADAPTOR
1. Plug the adaptor into a household outlet.
2. Insert plug into the radio’s DC 9 V socket.

6
GENERALRADIOOPERATION
HOW TO TURN THE RADIO ON AND OFF
Press the ON/OFFbutton.
HOW TO LISTEN TO YOUR LOCAL AM STATIONS
1. On the YB 400PE, the AM broadcast band is called
medium wave. When you are listening to AM, the letters
“MW” appear in the display.
2. Press the ON/OFF button to turn the radio on.
3. Press the AM button several times, until MW appears
near the center of the display.
4. If “STEP” appears in the display, press the STEP button
to choose 10 KHz tuning rate.
5. Automatically tune using the AUTOTUNINGbutton.
The radio will automatically stop on stations. A quick
press-and-release tunes up-frequency; a long press-and-
release tunes down-frequency.
6. Manually tune using the tuningbutton.
HOW TO USE THYE WIDE/NARROW SWITCH (left side
of radio)
Experiment with this switch and let your ears be your guide.
WIDEgives the best audio fidelity; NARROWbest minimizes
interference from other nearby stations. This switch is used for
AM, shortwave, and longwave listening.
HOW TO LISTEN TO YOUR LOCAL FM STATIONS
1. Press the FMButton.
2. Automatically tune using the AUTOTUNINGbutton.
The radio will automatically stop on stations. A quick
press-and-release tunes up-frequency; a long press-
and-release tunes down-frequency.
3. Manually tune using the TUNINGBUTTONS.

HOW TO USE THE STEREO/MONO SWITCH (left side of
radio).
For true stereo reproduction in FM, select STEREOwhen you
use earphones or headphones. When STEREO is selected, and
the broadcast is in stereo, two circles appear above and to the
right of the frequency in the display. Use the MONOposition
whenver reception is poor or marginal.
HOW TO USE THE TONE SWITCH
Experiment and let your ears judge which position, HIGH or
LOW, you like best.
DIRECT FREQUENCY ENTRY
If you know the exact frequency of the station you want to hear,
directly enter it using the keypad and immediatelypress the
FREQU./METERBUTTON. Pressing the FREQU./METER
button finalizes the entry. Be suretoincludethedecimal point in
FMfrequencies. Any kind of frequency may be entered regard-
less of what kind of frequency you are presently tuned to, e.g.
you can enter an FM frequency even if you are presently in
shortwave.
AM STATION EXAMPLE: to tune the frequency 810 kilohertz
in the AM band, press 8 1 0 , then press the FREQU./METER
button.
FM STATION EXAMPLE: to tune the frequency 105.7 mega-
hertz in the FM band, press 1 0 5 . 7, then press the FREQU./
METER button. Be sure to include the decimal point in FM
frequencies.
SHORTWAVE STATION EXAMPLE: to tune the frequency
5975 kilohertz in the shortwave 49 meter band, press 5975 then
the FREQU./METERbutton.
7

When the radio is off: Pressing the LOCKbutton locks all keys.
This will keep the radio from accidentally turning on when packed
in a briefcase, etc. When you want to listen to your radio, press
LOCKand then the ON/OFFswitch.
HOW TO USE THE AM BUTTON’S LAST STATION
MEMORY FEATURE
Pressing the AMbutton over and over steps through the last
station tuned in MW, SW and LW.
HOW TO USE THE VOLUME CONTROL KNOB
Use this to control the loudness of the radio.
HOW AND WHEN TO USE THE RESET FEATURE
If the radio operates erratically, gently poke an opened paper clip
into the RESEThole on the front of the radio. Normal operation
may be restored. Note that this procedure erases all memories
and resets the clock
8
HOW TO USE THE STEP BUTTON
In AM (MW), SW, and LW (see below), the STEPbutton
provides selection of the best tuning steps, in kilohertz. This
button is not functional in FM. The tuning step rate is indicated in
the lower right of the display, e.g. “STEP 5”. Use these guidelines:
AM(MW):10 KHz in the Americas; 9 KHz outside of the
Americas
LW(longwave):9 KHz for broadcast stations. Note: You will
probably not hear any stations in the Americas, as LW is not used
for broadcast stations. It is used in Europe and other parts of the
world for broadcasts to those areas.
SSB: 1KHz
HOW TO USE THE LOCK BUTTON
When lock is on, the word LOCK appears in the upper right area
of the display. Using this feature has no effect on alarm functions.
When the radio is on: Pressing the LOCKbutton locks all keys
except the ON/OFFbutton and the SNOOZEbutton.

9
HOW TO LISTEN TO SHORTWAVE STATIONS
If you already know the specific frequency of a shortwave station,
enter it, using the direct frequency entry technique described
earlier. For a complete list of shortwave frequencies, use the
major shortwave publications mentioned on page 22.
Evenif youdo notknow any specific frequencies ofshort-
wavestations, you can find themby goinginto ashortwave
bandandtuningaround,asdescribedbelow.
WHAT IS A SHORTWAVE BAND
If you have ever listened to AM or FM radio, then you already
know what a band is. The AM band is 530-1600 KHz; the FM
band is 88-108 MHz. A band is simply a frequency range where
stations are located. When you look for stations in these “bands”,
you simply tune around until you find a station you like. Short-
wave is similar, and the shortwave bands have names like 25
meters, 31 meters, 49 meters, etc. These are abbreviated 25m,
31m and 49m. Just like in AM and FM radio, one simply gets
into the shortwave band and tunes around, looking for stations.
For example, the 19 meter shortwave band encompasses the
frequency range of 15100 to 15600 kilohertz. Thebandchart
onthe backof the YB400PE shows thefrequency range
foreachband.
HOW TO ENTER A SHORTWAVE BAND
EXAMPLE: To enter the 25 meter band
1. Press 2 5
2. Press the FREQU./METERbutton.
HOW TO TUNE AROUND IN A SHORTWAVE BAND
AUTO TUNING: The radio will find stations for you within the
shortwave band you have entered. In shortwave, this feature
only works within the shortwave bands shown on the back of
the radio (see the chart titled “SHORTWAVE BAND AUTO
TUNING RANGES”).

MANUAL TUNING: Use the regular TUNING buttons to go
up or down frequency. Be aware that when using manual tuning, it
is possible to tune right out of the shortwave band you have
entered. You are in the band as long as the band’s number, e.g.
25m, is in the display.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST SHORTWAVE BAND TO
TUNE AROUND IN
This information and much more can be found in the section titled
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SHORTWAVE.
10
SHORTWAVE BAND AUTO TUNING RANGES:
90m: 3200-3400 KHz 22m: 13600-13800 KHz
80m: 3500-3800 KHz 20m: 14000-14350 KHz
75m: 3900-4000 KHz 19m: 15100-15600 KHz
60m: 4750-5060 KHz 17m: 18065-18170 KHz
49m: 5950-6200 KHz 16m: 17550-17900 KHz
41m: 7100-7300 KHz 15m: 21000-21449 KHz
40m: 7000-7099 KHz 13m: 21450-21850 KHz
31m: 9500-9900 KHz 12m: 24890-24990 KHz
30m: 10100-10150 KHz 11m: 25650-26100 KHz
25m: 11650-12050 KHz 10m: 28000-29700 KHz

1. Press 5975
2. Immediatelypress the FREQU./METER button
3. Press 3 2
4. Immediatelypress the STOREbutton. If the display
flashes, it means that a frequency is already stored into
this memory. To overwrite it, immediately press STORE
again. If you do not want to overwrite it, start over and
use a different memory.
HOW TO ACCESS WHAT YOU HAVE STORED INTO
MEMORY
1. To access one specific memory, e.g. memory 25, press 2
5then press either MEMObutton
2. To review all filled memories, press either MEMObutton
repeatedly.
3. To scan filled memories, press either MEMObutton for
about one second, and then release it. Scan starts. To
stop scan, press any button.
STORINGSTATIONS INTOMEMORY
To store a station into memory, you must be tuned to that station.
Then you must decide which of the 40 memories to store it into.
Follow the easy steps outlined below.
HOW TO TELL WHICH MEMORIES ARE EMPTY
·To determine the next available memory, press the FREE
button once. The memory number is shown in the lower right
hand corner of the display.
·To see all availably memories, press the FREEbutton repeat-
edly. The empty memory numbers are shown in the lower right
corner of the display.
HOW TO STORE A FREQUENCY INTO MEMORY
There are 40 memories. Here is a specific example. To store
BBC’s evening frequency to North America, 5975 kilohertz, into
memory 32, do the following
11

12
HOW TO ERASE THE CONTENTS OF A MEMORY
Enter the memory’s number e.g. 25, then press FREEtwice.

USINGTHECLOCK, ALARMAND SLEEP TIMERFEATURES
This can be done with the radio on or off. The YB400PE’s clock
is a 24 hour clock only, e.g. 6’oclock in the morning will read as
6:00; 6 o’clock in the evening will read as 18:00. There are two
clocks, TIME I and TIME II. Select one or the other by pressing
the TIME1/2button. TIME I or TIME II shows in the display at
top center. Set the time using the examples below.
EXAMPLE 1: If it is 06:00 hours press 6 . 0 0, then immediately
press the TIME 1/2 button.
EXAMPLE 2: If it is 15:32 hours press 1 5 . 3 2, then immedi-
ately press the TIME 1/2 button.
HOW TO SET THE ALARM CLOCK
The alarm time is shown in the upper left corner of the display,
under “ON TIME,” when the radio is off.
To set the alarm to activate at 6:30:
1. Press 6 . 3 0 (be sure to include the decimal point)
2. Immediately press and release the ONTIMEbutton.
3. Select the alarm mode using the AUTObutton.
HOW TO CONTROL THE ALARM CLOCK
·Press the AUTObutton several times while looking at the
upper left corner of the display.
· The “musicalnote” symbol wakes you to the radio playing the
last station it was set to.
· The “bell” symbol wakes you to a beeper sound.
· When both symbols disappear and -:— appears, THE
ALARMISDEACTIVATED.
HOW TO USE THE ALARM CLOCK’S SNOOZE FEA-
TURE (button on top of radio)
Once the alarm has activated, you can get 5 minutes more sleep
by briefly pressing the SNOOZEbutton. You can repeat this as
many times as you like. By pressing the SNOOZEbutton for
more than 2 seconds, you can completely shut off the alarm.
13

HOW TO SET THE SLEEP TIMER
Press the SLEEP button over and over. Each press changes the
amount of time the radio will play before shutting off automatically,
60 through 0 minutes.
HOW TO USE THE DIAL LIGHT (button on top of radio)
The LIGHT button causes the display to be illuminated. After 10
seconds, or when the LIGHT button is pressed again, the light will
go out.
14

Listed below are the characteristics of the major shortwave
bands. Follow these guidelines for best listening results. Because
shortwave signals depend on such factors as the sun, the iono-
sphere and the earth itself, signals cannot be heard on all bands
throughout the day. Some bands are best during the daylight
hours, and some are best at night. If the term “band” is new to
you, please read the section titled, “WHAT IS A SHORTAVE
BAND?” on page 9.
DAYTIME LISTENING
Shortwave listening is generally at its poorest during the daylight
hours of about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The major reason for this is that
the broadcasters are not transmitting to North America at this
MOREINFORMATIONABOUT SHORTWAVE
time. They assume that we are all either at work or at school, and
are not able to listen during the day. If you want to try daytime
listening, use the guidelines below. You will have some success,
but not nearly as good as during the late afternoon and evenings.
The best bands are BOLD.
DAYBANDS CHARACTERISTICS
13m Results vary. Worth trying.
16m Similar to 19m.
19m The best daytime band.
22m Similar to 19m (fewer stations).
25m Best around sunrise/sunset.
31m Similar to 25m.
15

EVENING/NIGHT LISTENING
This is the best time to listen, because the broadcasters are
deliberately transmitting to North America. These bands may be
extremely good around sunset and sunrise too. Best bands are
BOLD.
NIGHT BANDS CHARACTERISTICS
19m Summer Months
22m Summer Months
25m Best two hours before/after sunrise/
sunset
31m Good all night everywhere
41m Good all night in Eastern North America;
varies in Western North America
49m The best night band everywhere
NOTE: Getting close to a window may substantially improve
your reception. 16
The construction materials of some buildings simply do not let
signals in very well. Signals penetrate wood frame buildings
easiest, while concrete and brick buildings usually block signals. If
you are in a building with one or more stories above you, signals
can also be impaired in strength. In such a situation, position
yourself, and especially the radio’s antenna, as close to a window
as possible while listening.
On the following page is a list of the shortwave bands used for
international broadcasts and their corresponding frequencies.
Since some radios show frequency in megahertz and some in
kilohertz, both are shown here. The YB400PE shows shortwave
frequencies in kilohertz.

BAND MEGAHERTZ KILOHERTZ
11m
13m
16m
19m
22m
25m
31m
41m
49m
60m
75m
90m
120m
25.67-26.10
21.45-21.50
17.55-17.90
15.10-15.60
13.60-13.80
11.65-12.05
9.500-9.900
7.100-7.300
5.950-6.200
4.750-5.060
3.900-4.000
3.200-3.400
2.300-2.490
25670-26100
21450-21850
17550-17900
15100-15600
13600-13800
11650-12050
9500-9900
7100-7300
5950-6200
4750-5060
3900-4000
32003400
2300-2490
17
WHAT IS HEARD ON SHORTWAVE RADIO?
·International foreign broadcasts, many targeting North
America
·Long distance two-way amateur radio, maritime, and aeronau-
tical communications
WHAT COUNTRIES ARE HEARD ON SHORTWAVE
RADIO?
The next chart shows some of the countries targeting North
America with their broadcasts. Unless otherwise noted, frequen-
cies are for evening listening in North America. Other countries
do not deliberately target North America, but can be heard
anyway. Whether or not a country can be heard depends on
many factors, including signal strength, your geographic location,
and the condition of the earth’s ionosphere. Frequencies in
BOLD are mainly used for the country’s native language broad-
cast.

Australia (Radio Australia): 9580, 9860,15365,17795
Austria (Radio Austria International): 6015, 9655
Canada (Radio Canada International): 5960, 6120, 9755
China (China Radio International): 9690, 9780, 11680, 11715,
11840
Cuba (Radio Habana): 6060, 6080, 6180, 9510, 9820
Ecuador (HCJB-voice of the Andes): 9745, 11925, 12005,
15140
France (Radio France International): 5920,5945,9790,9800
Germany (Deutsche Welle): 5960, 6040, 6045, 6075, 6085,
6100, 6120, 6145, 6185, 9515, 9565, 9535, 9640, 9545, 9650,
9670, 9700, 9730, 9735, 11705, 11740, 11750, 11810, 11865,
13780, 15275, 15410, 17810, 1786015275, 15410, 17810, 17860
15275, 15410, 17810, 1786015275, 15410, 17810, 17860
15275, 15410, 17810, 17860
Holland (Radio Nederland) 6020, 6025, 6165, 9590, 9715,
9840, 9895, 11655
Japan (Radio Japan/NHK): 5960, 6025, 9610, 9680, 9725,
11885, 11895, 15230
Russia (Radio Moscow International): 7105, 7115, 7150, 7270,
9750, 9765, 11805, 11840, 12050, 15410, 15425
Taiwan (Voice of Free China): 5950, 9680, 11740, 11855,
15440
United Kingdom (BBC World Service)
Morning: 5965, 6195, 9515, 9740, 11750, 17840
Evening: 5975, 6175, 7325, 9590, 9640, 15260
For fully comprehensive listings of the broadcast schedules of all
countries, see the broadcast guides recommended in the section
titled SHORTWAVE GUIDES AND MAGAZINES on page 22.
18

IF A COUNTRY IS NOT TRANSMITTING ITS SIGNAL
SPECIFICALLY FOR RECEPTION IN NORTH AMERICA,
IS THERE ANY CHANCE OF RECEIVING IT?
Yes, with detailed research into broadcast time and frequency
and patience, it is possible but never guaranteed. A profession-
ally engineered outdoor antenna can make a major difference.
Call Grundig technical support for advice on such antennas.
WHAT ELSE CAN AND CANNOT BE HEARD ON
SHORTWAVE?
You can hear long distance two-way marine, aviation, and
amateur radio (ham). To receive such communications, an
advanced shortwave receiver with single sideband (SSB)
capability must be used. The more advanced Grundig radios can
do this. Local VHF/UHF air traffic, police, fire, ambulance, and
weather services CANNOT be heard. For these, use a VHF/
UHF scanner
IS THERE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING?
Yes! Many major international broadcasters incorporate English
programming.
WHAT IS THE PROGRAM CONTENT LIKE?
This can vary considerably from country to country; however,
programming usually consists of world news, local news from the
country of origin, news commentary, interview programs, cultur-
ally oriented programs, music oriented programs, and even
political propaganda.
ARE THE SIGNALS CLEAR?
Often, but not always. Today’s technology has greatly minimized
the fading, static and interference that are natural aspects of
international broadcast listening.
CAN I HEAR A SPECIFIC COUNTRY?
Yes, if that country is transmitting its signal specifically for listen-
ing in your part of the world. Otherwise, it may range from good
to impossible.
19