Of the recommended list, only the e100 has 1 khz tuning.
The CCrane SWP has 1 khz tuning: it was initially a Turkey, but Gary DeBock recently reported that later production models seem to be much better.
Also, the Tecsun PL-450, a new model, has not yet been tested/evaluated, although since Tecsun made the e100, and the PL-450 seems to be the replacement for that model, I bet it's about the same.
For the CCrane SWP and Tecsun PL-450 verdicts, I think Gary is about to issue the 2009 Shoot-out results in the coming days/weeks, so you may want to wait until then. I am guessing that the PL-450 is going to do really well...
Kevin
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Kevin
Great explanation. Any other than E100 recommended recievers ULR, starting with lowest price first and then up that have 1khz increments ?
TX
rob --- In ultralightdx@..., satya@... wrote:
Hey Rob:
The M37V and DT400W tune in fixed 9 or 10 khz increments (you select either one depending on where you're at in the world). As you push the
tune button, the receiver tuning jumps up and down in those increments
(1120, 1130, 1140, etc.). Analog receivers like the SRF-59, however, tune
continuously, so you could dial up whatever frequency you like, limited
only by your fine motor skills. The Eton e100 and others tune in 1 khz
steps, so while it isn't continuous like the analog SRF-59, the control is
much finer.
Why would this be important? If you are trying to listen to, say, 1530
khz, and a strong local on 1520 (say, WWKB's 50,000 watts...) is stomping
all over 1530, it would be nice to nudge over to 1531 or 1532 to get further away from the problem on 1520. The station on 1530 will generally be much more readable, and perhaps be free of "slop" from 1520
altogether. Depending on the filtering involved, you may be able to get
over to 1533 or 1534 before you start losing the desired station on 1530.
The e100 could do this, but the M37V and DT400W could not.
This ability to tune away from problems is especially important on TA
signals, since they will generally be quite close to a domestic station.
For example, 1134-Croatia competes with domestic channels on 1130 and
1140, so it would be nice to be able to tune to 1133 or 1135, away from
whatever domestic channel is giving you the most problems.
So, the M37V and DT400W would not be able to be detuned either way - you're stuck with a fixed on-channel frequency. For domestic DXing without a strong local to contend with, this may not be a big problem. If
you're out in Newfoundland, it's REALLY not a problem. However, in your
situation, you would probably have serious problems on a few channels like
1510 and 1530, and strong regional stations from Montreal, New York, etc.
will make adjacent channels more difficult to hear.
Kevin
Kevin:
As I posted before I just missed out on Durham radio E100 sale a few
weeks ago by minutes or hours. But to show my newness what does ".....unable to tune in 1 khz increments ..." mean? What does the Sony M-37 or Sangean 400W tune in increments?
rob
--- In ultralightdx@..., satya@ wrote:
Hey Rob:
The DT400W is the sensitivity champ, although it is unable to
tune
in 1
khz increments and the stock selectivity is rather broad, especially for
TA work. There is a filter mod posted at DXer.ca, but it sounds like you
may not be in a position to do that (I know I wouldn't even think about
it...). As for the ability to tune away from the standard 9/10 khz
channels, I personally would want that capability for serious DXing, even
domestic, although the judicious use of a passive loop antenna
can
really
help.
If you're ready to step up, given that you have wielded a soldering
iron,
a suggestion is to get an Eton e100 (within the correct serial number
range) and put the slider antenna on it. I have VERY modest soldering
skills, and I managed to do the mod fairly quickly. The stock filter in
the e100 is already top-of-the-class for Ultralights, and so you could see
how it goes before deciding whether or not to put a narrower filter
in. I
see e100's on eBay quite a bit, and making sure what the serial number is
before buying would make sure you're getting what you need.
The stock-filtered e100 is an absolute terror on the domestic MW band, and
in Buffalo you should be able to hear a fair number of TA's.
$.02 from Kevin S. Bainbridge Island, WA
Only having the SRF-59 for 1 month as my first ULR, looking for a
digital readout ULR. Apperars from summer shootout that the Sangean
DT400W is best bet. However, can anyone comment on actually
using
that
set long term. OR, any other suggestions for my second set?
rob
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