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Re: G8 traveler II stock ferrite antenna bllues

Gary DeBock
 

Hi Dave,
 
Thanks for your comments, and welcome to the Ultralightdx group!
 
We were all pretty excited when the first Tecsun PL-300WT/ Grundig G8's arrived in North America, introducing the Si4734 DSP chip's various innovations. At the time we thought that the fixed 3 kHz DSP filtering was quite a breakthrough in comparison to traditional AM radio designs, since selectivity was greatly enhanced.
 
When the Kchibo D96L, Tecsun PL-310 and PL-380 models came out, however, we quickly became spoiled with the full range of DSP filtering options available from the chip, including the 1 kHz filtering used by transoceanic AM-DXing fanatics (like myself) to chase TA's and TP's. As a result, a lot of the experimentation being done on the PL-300WT/ G8 models was shifted over to the newer DSP radios. Although the PL-360 also has fixed 3 kHz filtering, it is popular with tinkerers because of the plug-in antenna jack, which provides a perfect way to test out different antennas without the need to modify the radio circuitry. The PL-300WT/ G8 models remain quite popular as FM receivers, however, with sensitivity and selectivity far superior to that of most FM portables.
 
There has been quite a lot of experimentation with both the PL-360 and PL-380 models recently, in case you wish to try some tinkering with either model after they arrive from Hong Kong. Welcome again to the group, Dave, and good luck in your DXing!
 
73, Gary DeBock, N7EKX   (in Puyallup, WA) 
 
       
 

In a message dated 8/4/2010 1:10:23 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, dmccorm@... writes:
 

Hi Guys,

Just joined the group a few days ago and am in the process of getting up to speed again in the world of AM BCB DX again. I've been a SWL, AM, FM, scanner listener, and casual DX'er many a moon (and trips around the sun), but I'm just starting to dabble in the Ultralight DX world.

I picked up a G8 at the local RadioShack and discovered it was pretty much deaf on the AM band. After reading the primer on the G8 alignment procedure, I took it to task and cracked open the case. I was able to remove the wax and slide the coil, but to my dismay I found that the worst case scenario to be that the impedance mis-match was what the author found on the Tecsun PL-300WT. It was so far out that I ended up removing the ferrite rod and moving the loop off to the left side and repositioning the whole assembly to the right. Not the best way to re-enter the AM DX hobby IMHO, but I'll continue to experiment.

All and all, the G8 is not real impressive to me even with the optimized barefoot antenna, but I was able to log about 25 stations last night before sunset local. I'll take a look at the FM tonight and see what kind of DX can be found there. I can now say I have experienced the soft mute first hand. I was able to use a Eton Grundig AN200 phase antenna to help out immensely.

I'm in the process of gathering enough information to try Gary's custom external super-loops, but fell I may need to get a hold of an LCR meter to get the best results. Thanks to the group for all the knowledge in the central files location. I've been printing the articles out and putting them into a loose leaf binder for analysis.

I have also ordered the Tecsun PL-380 and PL-360 from Joyce at Anon-Co., so I'm eagerly awaiting shipment from HK.

In the mean time I'm enjoying all the DX reports I've been reading.

73's,
Dave, K9DV
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