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The Electro Brand 2971 multi-band cassette player is an impressive, moderately large portable stereo that features a ten-band radio receiver, battery charger, P.A. function, digital quartz clock, graphic equalizer, world time map/wheel, and tape deck.
The 2971 receives AM, FM, CB (all channels), PB, AIR, TV1/TV2 (analog television audio), SW1/SW2, and NOAA weather (WB) bands. It tunes 4-12 MHz shortwave and 59-216 MHz VHF, not including the CB and AM bands. Reception is good on all ten bands.
Its shortwave and weather band reception don't match those of some expensive units, but it's good enough to pick up one weather station in most areas and major shortwave broadcasters from around the world. Stereo FM is quite good and it has a mono/stereo switch.
Unlike most radios, the Electro Brand 2971 boasts three antennas; two telescoping, plus a horizontal rotating AM antenna. It also has a 1/8" antenna jack, as well as audio input and earphone jacks. Other features include a signal meter and squelch control.
All of the 2971's controls are located on the front, including a large tuning knob and a fine tuning control, among others. A dial light is activated by pushing a red button below the analog tuning scale. A 12-volt DC power jack is positioned on the side.
The Electro Brand 2971 may also be powered using a built-in AC cord or batteries. It has two fairly large speakers on the front panel, with metal grills. They produce high-quality sound up to high volume levels, though some distortion occurs at the highest levels.
There are mounts near the top on both sides for attaching a shoulder carrying strap. The digital clock is set using two small buttons; it can also keep the current date. The clock draws power from a small battery so it doesn't lose the time when unplugged.
Based upon its technology, band coverage, and appearance, the Electro Brand 2971 was probably manufactured during the 1980s. It has about the same band coverage and functions as the Rhapsody RY-611 and Worldstar MG-6600, but the 2971 has several more features.
The only downsides of any significance are that the Electro Brand 2971 lacks a cassette rewind button or a carrying handle. Otherwise, it's one of the rare multifunctional units in which all of the features perform well and a high level of quality is maintained.
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