If the 9 Kc. steps were selected, would it be on frequency for the trans ocean signals?

I am disappointed the loop stick is not larger.

I did not get the English manual included. I emailed Amazon, and they said contact the MFG. Since the controls are in Chinese, I thought perhaps Kaito wrote the manual, so I emailed them. No answer, but it's a Holiday week end here. You don't have the CR-1100 English manual scanned do you? - FARMERIK

--- In ultralightdx@yahoogroups.com, D1028Gary@... wrote:
>
> Hello Farmerik,
>
> All of the radios you mentioned (G8, PL-380, CR-1110 and PL-600) are on
> hand here, in this overcrowded shack.
>
> The CR-1110 is a rather odd bird that has far better AM sensitivity on the
> high frequencies (especially the X band) than on the middle and low band.
> It was tested extensively against an aligned Sony ICF-S5W on all frequencies
> from 530-1700 kHz, and was found inferior in sensitivity to that classic
> model on most AM frequencies, but clearly superior on the X band. It also
> did not suffer from the ICF-S5W's severe image reception issue, of course.
>
> I did a mini-review of the CR-1100 back in June, which may be of interest
> to you. Some of the information is dated (such as the praise of the
> PL-300WT, the only DSP model available at the time), but the rest should give you
> detailed impressions on the model. Hope you enjoy it!
>
> 73 and Have Fun, Gary
>
>
>
> Hello All,
>
>
>
> Very impressed with the performance of the new Tecsun PL-300WT DSP-enhanced
>
> Ultralight radio on medium-wave, it was a natural decision to place an
>
> order with Amazon.com for the new full-sized Tecsun CR-1100 AM-FM
> portable,
>
> which uses the same innovative Si430/31 DSP chip from Silicon Labs. Today
> my
>
> new CR-1100 portable arrived from Kaito Electronics after a 4-day delay,
>
> and payment of $69.99 plus $13.00 shipping (by USPS Priority Mail).
>
>
>
> The CR-1100 is strictly a Chinese-market portable, to the extent that all
>
> of the controls are labeled only in Chinese. Despite this, Kaito has
>
> provided a very basic (and poorly translated) English manual, as well as
> the
>
> standard and far more thorough Chinese manual. The AM frequency steps have
> also
>
> been reprogrammed to 10 kHz, matching the North American market.
>
>
>
> Immediately after arrival, the radio's out-of-the-box AM performance was
>
> tested against a fully aligned Sony ICF-S5W portable (which has had the
>
> frequency coverage extended to 1700 kHz). The comparison of these two
> radios
>
> proved to be very interesting, and showed that while the CR-1100 has some
>
> good DXing potential on AM, it also has some puzzling shortcomings.
>
>
>
> In comparison to the PL-300WT's sharp DSP-enhanced selectivity, the CR-1100
>
> had a tough time going up against the ICF-S5W, with its common 455 kHz
>
> Murata filter. Local slop on the CR-1100 was more troublesome than on the
>
> PL-300WT, making it seem like Tecsun programmed the DSP chip to provide a
>
> wider selectivity setting on this music-oriented receiver. The ICF-S5W was
> able
>
> to weakly receive KPQ-560 in the null of semi-local KVI-570 in the early
>
> afternoon, while the CR-1100 could only produce KVI splatter. Low-band
>
> sensitivity on the CR-1100 was very good, but not quite up to the
> class-leading
>
> ICF-S5W standard. Although the CR-1100's low-band sensitivity will match
>
> that of the PL-300WT, unlike the PL-300WT, the CR-1100 cannot tune in 1
> kHz
>
> steps, making it impossible to chase TP's on the 9 kHz splits.
>
>
>
> The CR-1100 versus ICF-S5W contest became much more competitive on the high
>
> band, however, and on the X-band the new Tecsun was clearly far more
>
> sensitive than the classic Sony portable. In fact, the CR-1100 sets a new
>
> standard for X-band sensitivity among portables, having weak signal
> performance
>
> never experienced in extensive testing here. Weak fringe stations that were
>
>
> barely audible on the ICF-S5W had solid audio on the Tecsun.
>
>
>
> Also notable in the CR-1100 was the complete freedom from image reception
>
> of local stations, a major shortcoming of the classic ICF-S5W. The Sony's
>
> image reception detracts greatly from its otherwise stellar performance,
> but
>
> the Tecsun DSP chip appears to have solved the problem entirely.
>
>
>
> After the out-of-the-box performance test, the CR-1100 was disassembled to
>
> check the loopstick construction, and the possibility of alignment. Both
>
> the PL-300WT and CR-1100 were designed to have a "no alignment" RF system,
> in
>
> which the DSP chip ensures maximum performance without loopstick peaking,
>
> or adjustment of a 1400 kHz trimmer. In the CR-1100, there is a 4.25" x
>
> .36" single-coil loopstick in the middle of the cabinet, which seems
> rather
>
> odd because of the extensive cabinet space on both sides which would allow
>
>
> placement of a much longer ferrite bar, if desired. Alignment was attempted
>
>
> by shifting the coil, but this had no effect on the CR-1100's sensitivity
> on
>
> any AM frequency. Apparently DXers will need to accept the CR-1100's
>
> sensitivity as delivered, unless they wish to transplant a larger ferrite
> bar
>
> with a coil of equal inductance (which is certainly possible with all the
>
> extra cabinet space).
>
>
>
> The CR-1100 also has a sensitive FM section, although again, for some
>
> unknown reason it seemed slightly less sensitive than that of the PL-300WT.
>
>
> Perhaps there is a greater impedance mismatch with the CR-1100's short whip
>
>
> antenna, but in any case the PL-300WT Ultralight can receive more weak FM
>
> fringe stations here than the CR-1100.
>
>
>
> The CR-1100 has a large music-oriented speaker and excellent audio, with
>
> analog tone and volume control knobs. The 8-ohm speaker has a 1-watt rated
>
> output. The radio also has 300 memories, and various digital tuning
>
> capabilities. It operates on 4 "D" batteries, and comes in an attractive
>
> black-brown cabinet. It is available from Amazon.com (via Kaito
> Electronics) for
>
> $69.99 plus $13.00 shipping.
>
>
>
> So after the full evaluation, what would be the CR-1100 verdict for a
>
> dedicated medium-wave DXer? If you are a domestic DXer that concentrates on
> the
>
> upper frequencies (especially the X-Band), the new CR-1100 would be tough
>
> to beat. Its upper-band sensitivity (and generally good selectivity) is
>
> likely to set a new standard for contemporary portables. Urban DXers will
>
> appreciate the complete freedom from image reception, and general freedom
> from
>
> spurious products. Hobbyists who enjoy music reception will not be
>
> disappointed in the CR-1100's audio qualities. However, if you wish to
> chase
>
> transoceanic DX, or wish to experience the maximum potential of the
> exciting new
>
> Silicon Labs DSP chip, my recommendation would be to pass on the CR-1100--
>
> and go for the new PL-300WT Ultralight model. Its 1 kHz tuning ability and
>
> stellar selectivity (plus superior FM sensitivity) make it the obvious
>
> choice for most medium-wave DXers.
>
>
>
> 73 and Best Wishes,
>
>
>
> Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *
>
> * _farmerik@..._ (mailto:farmerik@...) writes:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> OK, now I get it. Sort of like the audio version of the screen break-up on
> digital video. I can see why it would be a problem for really weak signal
> DXing, however on my G8 I don't think I will miss any station strong enough
> to actually listen to.
> Both the G8 and CR-1100 hear weak stations with less noise and
> interference than my analog radios, but miss all the really weak signals entirely. The
> CR-1100 is significantly more sensitive and has less noise on its weak
> stations though. Anyone have a PL-380 AND a CR-1100 to compare? My new PL-600
> seems MUCH more sensitive than the CR-1100. - FARMERIK
>
> --- In _ultralightdx@ultralightdxult_ (mailto:ultralightdx@yahoogroups.com)
> , Richard Berler wrote:
> >
> > The soft mute occurs when tuned exactly on frequency on weak signals
> that vary between s/n's of 0, and s/n's that rise above zero...instead of a
> smooth rise or fall in the audible signal, the signal sounds like it is
> flickering. The set, if soft mute is the default mode (as it is on the G8 and
> PL-310), will semi mute the signal of a station that falls below (or rises
> above) a certain threshold of signal strength, resulting in the flickering of
> the audible signal.
> > Â
> > Heatwave
> >
> > --- On Sat, 1/2/10, farmerik .> wrote:
> >
> >
> > From: farmerik .>
> > Subject: [ultralightdx] Re: G8 vs CR-1100 preliminary AM BCB
> report-FARMERIK
> > To: _ultralightdx@ultralightdxult_ (mailto:ultralightdx@yahoogroups.com)
> > Date: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 9:49 AM
> >
> >
> > Â
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I used to use WICC as a test for a good radio in the daytime. It is much
> closer to Westport than I am in the Northeast of CT, while Westport and
> Naugatuck [WICC] are in the Southwest part of the state. Since you used to
> live in the area, I'll mention some call letters next time.
> >
> > Maybe I need some help understanding exactly what the dreaded soft mute
> sounds like. Is it only a problem when tuned one or two Kc. off? Or is it
> the mute which happens before you couple an external loop, and you have to
> change frequency, and come back after the loop is in place? Maybe something
> else entirely? - FARMERIK
> >
> > --- In ultralightdx@ yahoogroups. com, Richard Berler wrote:
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > > ÂÂ
> > > Also, check to see if there is a pumping on marginal-weak daytime
> signals (the dreaded soft mute).
> > > ÂÂ
> > > I used to live in Westport, CT. From there, I needed a good radio to
> get WBZ and WPRO during the daytime, and to get WCAU, KYW, and WFIL?(560)
> from Philly.
> > > ÂÂ
> > > Heatwave
> > > Streets of Laredo, TX!
> > > ÂÂ
> > > --- On Fri, 1/1/10, farmerik wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > From: farmerik
> > > Subject: [ultralightdx] Re: G8 vs CR-1100 preliminary AM BCB
> report-FARMERIK
> > > To: ultralightdx@ yahoogroups. com
> > > Date: Friday, January 1, 2010, 7:21 PM
> > >
> > >
> > > ÂÂ
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I'll see what I can do. I usually don't listen in the daytime.-
> FARMERIK
> > >
> > > --- In ultralightdx@ yahoogroups. com, Richard Berler
> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Happy New Year!
> > > > ÃÆ'‚ÂÂ
> > > > Can you do some mid-day testing, and post your observations?
> > > > ÃÆ'‚ÂÂ
> > > > Thanks!
> > > > ÃÆ'‚ÂÂ
> > > > Heatwave
> > > >
> > > > --- On Thu, 12/31/09, farmerik wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > From: farmerik
> > > > Subject: [ultralightdx] G8 vs CR-1100 preliminary AM BCB
> report-FARMERIK
> > > > To: ultralightdx@ yahoogroups. com
> > > > Date: Thursday, December 31, 2009, 11:31 PM
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ÃÆ'‚ÂÂ
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > I've had the G8 for a couple months, since joining here, but just
> got my CR-1100 today. Both have the same DSP chip I believe. The CR only
> tunes in 10 Kc. steps on the AM BCB, but I believe it can be programed for 9
> Kc. steps too.[You can not 'slope tune' it off a Kc. or two to escape an
> adjacent much stronger station.]
> > > >
> > > > The CR-1100 is rated by Tecsun at 0.5mv/M with its larger ferrite
> and the G8 is listed as 1mv/M. The CR-1100 is not really so much different
> than a modified DSP ULR with larger ferrite, but I don't think it qualifies
> for competition.
> > > >
> > > > I placed the two radios side by side, facing the same direction,
> running both on good alkaline batteries. I tuned three ten 'channel' bands,
> 700-790, 1000-1090 and 1500-1590, and took notes on each station I heard.
> I'll summarize here. The CR is noticeably better on about 50% of the
> frequencies, and about 1/3rd of those are substantial improvements. I got stations
> on all but 6 of the 30 frequencies on both radios, so it is a good night
> here in Connecticut.
> > > >
> > > > As expected, the audio bandwidth on the CR sounds noticeably wider,
> but what I didn't expect is that when ever there is back round noise, or a
> second weak station is also heard, it is much quieter on the CR. I expected
> wider selectivity to hear more noise and other stations not less. The
> narrower G8 bandwidth seems to hurt, NOT help with interference.
> > > >
> > > > Also, I looked at the meters for dBa and s/n. Both numbers scrolled
> all the time on strong and weak stations. The CR had +5 to +10 more units
> on the dBu scale on average, and sometimes the differences were much
> greater. The G8 ran +10 to +15 units on the s/n read out. I don't know what to
> make of that, but probably they are not 'calibrated' or 'standardized' , so it
> does not mean a thing. If anyone can explain it, I'm all ears.
> > > >
> > > > I tried the TERK with both radios, and as before with the G8, it can
> lower back round noise,but it does not seem to ever dig a weak station out
> of noise like it does on a cheap portable.
> > > >
> > > > -FARMERIK
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
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