Hello All,
Although John Washburn (VT) and Jim Zozzaro (MA) have also
ordered the Kchibo KK-D6110 model, apparently my radio was the
first to arrive from the Far East, so I hope they won't mind if I give
my initial impressions on the list.
The KK-D6110 model represents a serious effort by Kchibo to get
back in the Ultralight DSP receiver market, after having seen their
D96L model seriously outclassed by the Tecsun PL-310 and PL-380
radios. The KK-D6110 can essentially be described as a D96L with all
the quirky issues corrected, although with AM sensitivity somewhat
reduced from that provided by the D96L. It retains Kchibo's
Chinese domestic market identity (with Chinese label controls and a
Chinese owner's manual), and with length and height slightly
exceeding that of the PL-310, seems right on the borderline of
the current Ultralight radio standards based on size
and weight (I'll defer to the Definitions Committee on that
decision).
Despite earlier impressions, the KK-D6100 is indeed an
Si4734 DSP chip model, and features the full range of DSP
filtering options (1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 kHz). The digital "chuffing
noise" and RF hash of the D92L and D96L models have been corrected in
the KK-D6110, and Kchibo has ditched the rechargeable batteries
in favor of standard AA types (three total). The beveled
cabinets of the D92L and D96L have been replaced with a
rectangular cabinet in the KK-D6110, making the model appear like a
Tecsun PL-310 with a Kchibo label.
A quick check of the KK-D6110's AM-band performance was made
against the D96L and PL-310, and provided an interesting glimpse
into where this model may eventually fit in the Ultralight niche
market (assuming that it is approved by the Definitions Committee).
Kchibo has retained the relatively pleasant audio of the D96L model,
as well as the bright green digital display whenever a control is
changed (which stays on for 4 seconds, and causes no digital "chuffing
noise" like in the D96L). For those who have complained about the
quirky dual tuning rate of the PL-310 and PL-380 based on tuning knob
rotation, the KK-D6110 comes to the rescue with a selectable
1 or 9/10 kHz tuning rate, making DXing very predictable.
The new Kchibo model has numerous digital tuning functions, although
it will take a Chinese expert to completely figure them out from the
manual (my own Chinese reading ability is basic, although
probably better than that of most ULR DXers :-)
The KK-D6110 model tested today has AM
sensitivity somewhat weaker than that of either the D96L or
PL-310 models, and this disadvantage extends throughout the AM
frequency range from 530 to 1700 kHz. Further testing against other
ULR models should give an accurate picture of where this model stacks
up in the highly competitive genre, although the mediocrity of a
stock loopstick in the KK-D6110 would not be a deal-breaker for
transoceanic DXers with effective external antennas, especially
considering the effective 1 kHz DSP selectivity and other superb
features. The Tecsun PL-380 also has a stock loopstick that
is quite underwhelming, but it has managed to become quite
popular among 9-kHz split DXing fanatics because of its effective
1 kHz DSP filtering. Like the PL-380, the KK-D6110 also has a
flat, rectangular top cabinet surface ideal for attaching 7.5"
loopstick frames, and other such fanatical antenna attachments-- but
that's another story :-) Suffice it to say that the KK-D6110 would
provide extremely stiff competition for the PL-380 among transoceanic
DXers with effective external antennas, assuming that the Definitions
Committee gives its nod, and that the DXers could tolerate the Chinese
labels on the radio. The Kchibo KK-D6110 is offered by the eBay seller
"hygt369" for $51.99 with free shipping (which takes about 2 weeks,
from Singapore), a significant bargain in comparison to the
Tecsun PL-310 and PL-380 models. The radio will be fully featured in
the upcoming 2010 Ultralight AM Shootout, along with the PL-310,
PL-380, PL-360 and a couple of analog models.
73 and Good DX,
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
