JCastro
Signal in the House, Peace in Your Life
I reviewed the W3 indoor radio signal repeater as I use it to boost the reception of my HRD-A330 radio. The W3 is essentially a tiny hype man for your radio signal. It works with MW, SW and LW frequencies, has a range of up to 35 m under optimal conditions and is small enough to wall mount, all powered by AA or lithium batteries (no more being stuck next to a wall jack like it's 1999). Things I liked: It was easy to set up, small and easy to position where it could get a decent signal and I could hear a difference in stability of weaker signals (when my radio was no longer singing through a sock) Things I didn't like: Like most such devices, it is highly dependent on positioning and interference mitigation so if you're expecting miracles off of any old wall in any apartment, you may be let down. Also, being battery powered; you'll want to keep an eye on power if you intend to use this device daily. Simple practical function: It does exactly what it says on the tin. It boosts and extends the antenna signal for MW, SW and LW frequencies, useful for any radio in a home where walls and distance can take away reception and It is specifically compatible with HRD-A330 radios, not a generic all-purpose gadget. Value for money: For the price of a couple of duds for a new antenna, if you have spotty HRD-A330 reception, this is good value as you will notice a difference in clarity. Durability and capacity: It feels like it's sturdy enough for indoor use, the capacity is to boost and extend the signal when conditions align. How I used it: I positioned it on a wall spot where I thought it would boost the signal, then tested off of various MW, SW and LW stations before and after and left it on for a few sessions to test if the difference in quality was stable over time.