Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic sound. Not for the bedside.
Review: I have many shortwave radios around the house and use them primarily for easy access to many regular AM and FM stations. I use a Sony SW7600G (black version) as a clock radio because it only has 10 presets per band. It's how you switch the stations that's important and the YB400PE requires you to key in two digits plus the enter key to change stations--if the memory preset is two digits, why do you have to press enter? The Sony takes one keystroke (granted, though, the new silver-colored Sony doesn't do this either). Surely if you're looking for programs on the same shortwave frequencies this is useful, but the frequencies change so much I always use the WRTH and PTWBR books and never use the presets.
The sound is much, much better than the Sony. It has deep bass and clear sound for both speech and music.
Aside from choosing memory presets, this radio would be more perfect if it had synchronous detection where the carrier is discarded and a sideband is used for better audio. The Sony has this and it completely removes interference form RFI sources like computers and fluorescent lamps.
Bandscanning is okay if you don't mind the muting every time the frequency changes (some people call this "chuffing"). The automatic seek stops on the noisiest frequency, not just one with a carrier.
The radio is made in China and has been re-branded as Eton recently. I have one of the pre-Eton Chinese-made models but I wonder how much better the old Taiwanese version was.
Rating: 
Summary: YB 400PE Excellant Performer
Review: I have own a YB 400PE for two years and it does an excellant job on shortwave. The 400PE can handle broadcast as well as SSB signals. Also, nice audio for a portable. All around excellant performer.
Rating:
Summary: Great performance + moderate price = Good Value
Review: I looked at a lot of shortwave portables before purchasing this unit, and I have been very happy with it's performance. I got my feet wet in shortwave with a Sangean SG 622, but quickly outgrew it. I bought the YB 400pe with the idea that I would use it for a while, and then transition into something bigger and better, but it has performed so well I don't see that happening. This unit is a KEEPER! I really like the fact that everything you need is included in the box. AC adapter, external antenna, earphones, and carrying case. You can buy this radio for this price anywhere. Save yourself the wait (and possible damage) of UPS shipping. Just drive to your local Radio Shack and pick one up.
Rating:
Summary: YB 400 is good but why leave out dual voltage?
Review: I purchased the unit prior to deploying to Iraq so that I could receive VOA and the BBC news. The unit has not disapointed. I can receive both broadcasts 24 hrs a day although swapping sw bands occasionally is required. Signal strength is 4 or 5 out of 5 nearly always. The controls are easy to learn and more importantly to remember. I run on batteries and a set usually lasts 20 to 25 hrs. The leatherette case is nicely padded and is capable of protecting the unit from minor bumps. Its ability to eliminate jamming of slightly off frequency sources is very good although jammers are getting better at tuning the frequency dead on and if they have sufficient power there is nothing any radio can do to save the intended signal. I only have two gripes with the unit. First, the speaker is not great. For this kind of money it should be as good as the tuner. Instead it sounds like something out of a $15 transistor radio. Don't try to use this unit if you are seriously into music. Second, it comes with an AC adaptor that is only good for 115v 60Hz. Why would I buy this highly portable unit for use in the states? It should have an auto adaptive transformer. If Norelco can make one for a shaver these guys should be able to handle it. What could it possibly cost, an extra $3. There is my two cents worth. For my intended use this radio is excellent. Portable, light, great reception, beeper or radio alarm, and reasonable battery life.
Rating:
Summary: Great Radio
Review: I work in two very bad reception areas where even the strongest signals from NYC have trouble getting through. I use to buy high-end radios from an Asian electronics company, but the last radio I purchased was not as good as the older models I have owned. This Grundig model surpasses my needs.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent beginner's SW
Review: I've had a Grundig YB400PE radio for several years, and it has become my bedside alarm/radio. The SW performance is pretty good out of the box, and the unit ships with a retractable longwire that can help improve reception. It does receive SSB transmissions, but does not have a selector to specify LSB vs. USB...you have to compensate with the fine-tune knob. This is probably the greatest weakness of the radio, along with the almost useless (in SW) scan function. An adjustable squelch or carrier detect would be nice...... I have successfully received RTTY and WEFAX transmissions using this radio and my Mac, so if you are interested in utility monitoring this is a cheap way to get started. You'll need a computer and software, of course.......
Rating:
Summary: Great SW Radio At A Reasonable Price
Review: I've had my YachtBoy 400 for about a week now, and I love it! [the 400 is identical to the 400PE, but the newer PE comes with an AC adaptor.] Within minutes of putting the batteries in the unit I was listening to stations from all over the world. To maximize your listening, especially as a newer listener, buy a good guide like Passport to Worldband Radio. I have read all the reviews, and I believe the tone quality is better than the naysayers lead you to believe. The tuning is very simple, and once you try all the functions, the operations are intuitive. I considered the Sony and the ATS-909 among others. I read hundreds of reviews, and I was convinced that the biggest weakness of the Yacht Boy is SSB reception. I have been satisfied with that feature on mine, and since it works ok for me, I'm not sure what the grumbling is all about. If I had it to do all over again, which radio would I buy? This one. I'm perfectly satisfied with it. By the way, if you have questions or ever need help, I have found that the Eton (Grundig U.S) customer service and technical folks are extremely helpful.
Rating:
Summary: Great SW Radio At A Reasonable Price
Review: I've had my YachtBoy 400 for about a week now, and I love it! [the 400 is identical to the 400PE, but the newer PE comes with an AC adaptor.] Within minutes of putting the batteries in the unit I was listening to stations from all over the world. To maximize your listening, especially as a newer listener, buy a good guide like Passport to Worldband Radio. I have read all the reviews, and I believe the tone quality is better than the naysayers lead you to believe. The tuning is very simple, and once you try all the functions, the operations are intuitive. I considered the Sony and the ATS-909 among others. I read hundreds of reviews, and I was convinced that the biggest weakness of the Yacht Boy is SSB reception. I have been satisfied with that feature on mine, and since it works ok for me, I'm not sure what the grumbling is all about. If I had it to do all over again, which radio would I buy? This one. I'm perfectly satisfied with it. By the way, if you have questions or ever need help, I have found that the Eton (Grundig U.S) customer service and technical folks are extremely helpful.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Radio with One Glaring Weakness
Review: I've had the opportunity to compare the Grundig YB400PE to several premium radios, the Tivoli PAL, the Sony ICF SW35, the Grundig S35, the Sangean 505, and the Kaito 1102. How does it rank? It ties for second with the aforementioned radios for FM. First place goes to the Kaito 1102. For AM, it takes a tie for last place with the Sangean 505. Even the reception strength meter shows a weak signal for 790 AM, a major Los Angeles station. In contrast, my Kaito 1102's meter shows "full strength" in its signal. And you can hear a HUGE difference too. The YB 400 does have a good speaker, clear and adequate for a radio its size, but it's not exceptional. I'd give the nod to the Kaito 1102. Since the Kaito 1102 is similarly sized and is fifty dollars cheaper than the YB400, I say it's a no brainer: Get the Kaito 1102.
Rating: 
Summary: Beware
Review: It's nice looking, end of story. I do not usually respond to reviews, but I felt compelled to do so. If you are looking for SW to the UK this totaly sucks. A total waste of money. I bought this direct from Amazon and will never trust them again in any form of electronics. They are good in books and the like, but not sw radios
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