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New E100: First impressions
Stephan Grossklass
After the report of the new, all-different E100s, I decided
to finally snatch one up before it was too late to get an "old" version. I received my sample (Lextronix branded over here) today, which was originally bought in March this year and only saw one vacation of use. Old enough, I thought. After an initial performance check, I compared the serial number to the others given - 0709032118, which means that it's a new sample, unfortunately. This was later confirmed by opening up the set. (Getting it back together was not that much fun since sliding the volume control wheel back in is not entirely trivial.) BTW, you can basically leave the antenna screw alone. My initial impressions are that while this set won't win any awards with regard to audio fidelity (channel balance seems noticeably off, and judging by noise level there's the usual CXA1622 amp IC), it is a pretty decent performer. Pitted against a Sony ICF-SW7600 on mediumwave, it didn't come in far behind, just a little more noisy audio. Shortwave sensitivity compares well to a DE1102, and the 3-step attenuator is neat. The IF filter seems to be a 6-element job with a medium bandwidth, judged by ear. While background noise levels tend to be higher, AGC range seems better than on the DE1102 (which is a little weak in this regard). AM audio is similar to the DE1102, so I assume the TA8132/CD8132 IC also found use here. (No idea what that big squarish IC on the old E100 could be.) AM is nice and clear over the speaker. The carry pouch is nice, similar to what the Redsun RD1220 has on the outside but with more padding. The rubberized coating also feels nice, but I'll be careful with it since it has been reported to wear off. System settings are non-volatile, while the clock is not kept if power is removed for too long. Frequency entry has no apparent way of cancelling other than waiting. Timeouts seem more user friendly though. Then I started chasing LO hets in order to determine the IFs. Nothing. Really nothing. Not at +/-450 or +/-455 kHz, not at +/-10.7 MHz, not at +21.45 MHz. No traces of 10.25 MHz, 21 MHz or 21.9 MHz crystals either. There is some internal oscillator around 11.15 MHz but it's always on regardless of waveband and not especially stable. This can only mean that the new E100 is DUAL CONVERSION with a high 2st IF, presumably the standard 55.845 MHz. No wonder that the MW section had to be changed, it is now wideband. It is to be assumed that the set is more related to Tecsun PL450 and PL600 than to older concepts, my guess would be that it's a shrunk-down PL450. Image rejection on shortwave appears to be better than average - not as bulletproof as the DE1102, but better than the ICF-SW7600. Overall, this means good news for shortwave listeners (which now have another small and well-performing set to choose from) but not so good news for ultralight MW DXers. Looks like distribution in North America is quite slow. Stephan
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Re: Grundig G6
John H. Bryant <bjohnorcas@...>
Thanks, Steve! That was an excellent review.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
The G6 sounds like a winner, though I was disappointed to learn that the AM band only used the ferrite bar antenna, where SW was provided with an external antenna input port. I suspect that I'll be opening the back and installing an inductive loop from the ferrite bar to the antenna input port..... might even shorten the ferrite bar as I'm not interested in using the G6 Barefoot. John B. At 12:24 AM 8/16/2008 -0500, you wrote:
John,
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Re: Grundig G6
Steve Ponder <n5wbi@...>
John,
Read the G6 review by Ann E. Revelle on the Amazon webpage ... http://www.amazon.com/Grundig-G6-Aviator-aircraft-Shortwave/dp/B0014T5UM4 <snip> "Unlike some other radios, SSB tuning is also available on the G6 on the AM band as well as on SW which is a very useful feature. The separate ability to step tune in very small increments with the jog dial setting is also excellent in my opinion once a signal of interest has been located." <snip> Sounds like this person may have answered your questions! 73, Steve N5WBI Houston TX
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Grundig G6
John H. Bryant <bjohnorcas@...>
Even though the G6 does not fit the definition of an ultralight, I'm very tempted to buy one as a spotting receiver to use on my upcoming trip to Peru. I'm going to be on the northern coast of Peru for several nights and a hotrodded E100 is going with me. I have very limited packing space, so the tiny G6 seems a perfect choice. I've looked over the specs and the manual and I can't find the answer to two burning questions:
1: What is the tuning resolution on MW.... surely, its at least 100 hertz to be able to resolve SSB on SW 2. For sure, does the SSB mode work on MW. Help would be appreciated. John B.
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New file uploaded to ultralightdx
ultralightdx@...
Hello,
This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the ultralightdx group. File : /1431Sawa - Djibouti-081508.mp3 Uploaded by : vo1_001_swl <vo1_001_swl@...> Description : Radio Sawa Djibouti on 1431 khz with the SRF-M37V You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ultralightdx/files/1431Sawa%20%20-%20Djibouti-081508.mp3 To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.htmlfiles Regards, vo1_001_swl <vo1_001_swl@...>
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New file uploaded to ultralightdx
ultralightdx@...
Hello,
This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the ultralightdx group. File : /720KNR Greenland-81508.mp3 Uploaded by : vo1_001_swl <vo1_001_swl@...> Description : KNR Greenland on 720 khz with the SRF-M37V You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ultralightdx/files/720KNR%20Greenland-81508.mp3 To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.htmlfiles Regards, vo1_001_swl <vo1_001_swl@...>
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New file uploaded to ultralightdx
ultralightdx@...
Hello,
This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the ultralightdx group. File : /1521BSKSA -Saudi Arabia-081508.mp3 Uploaded by : vo1_001_swl <vo1_001_swl@...> Description : BSKSA 1521 Saudi Arabia on the SRF-M37V You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ultralightdx/files/1521BSKSA%20%20-Saudi%20Arabia-081508.mp3 To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.htmlfiles Regards, vo1_001_swl <vo1_001_swl@...>
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Loggings
Allen Willie
All new Yahoo! Mail - Get a sneak peak at messages with a handy reading pane.
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Warning: DT-400W AM Alignment NOT Like the DT-200VX
Hello Guys,
When performing a routine AM alignment on the new
Sangean DT-400W unit in preparation for the Summertime Shootout, it was
discovered that the 1400 kHz trimmer and AM IF transformer have been relocated
to an almost inaccessible position under the digital circuit board.
Whereas previously these adjustments were barely
possible on the DT-200VX either by desoldering the speaker wires (or rotating
the front panel while pulling all available slack from the speaker wires), the
only current option is to run about 14 jumpers from the RF board to the digital
circuit board, thereby providing both digital and RF functions while the
technician separates these boards to provide enough space to make the alignment
adjustments. This assumes that the technician will not induce alignment
errors because of the RF jumpers acting like stray "antennas." For
all practical purposes, this makes high-band (and IF transformer) alignment
of the DT-400W a technical boondoggle which should be avoided.
The loopstick may still be easily peaked for
low-band sensitivity, and this adjustment is recommended for a moderate (in my
test unit) boost in low-band performance. For a design which already had a
reputation for suffering from limited AM sensitivity bandwidth (enabling the
technician to either peak low band or high band), however, this new design of
the DT-400W may well condemn it to mediocrity in high-band DX
performance.
73, Gary DeBock Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos.
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SONY E10W
lrdheat
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Re: BIG OOPS!!! Over !00 Ultralight Awards Conferred!
bbwrwy
John:
I knew when I saw the an award for six provinces someone had been left of the list. I was just about to send you an email. Maybe some day, but to date I've only heard six Canadian stations with an ULR, half in Saskatchewan. Good DX everyone. Richard Allen.
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BIG OOPS!!! Over !00 Ultralight Awards Conferred!
John H. Bryant <bjohnorcas@...>
In a very kind way, Rob Ross let me know that I had run his
awards together with Richard Allens and compounded the error by leaving
Rob's name out entirely!!!
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
We both are smiling at the thought of Richard wandering around north central Oklahoma mumbling to himself, trying to figure out how he got all those awards that he didn't even apply for! My apologies to all parties, including the mailing list for making you deal with multiple versions of this compilation. The version below, in blue, has been corrected. John Bryant Wandering Around Orcas Island, Confused as Usual!
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:38:19 -0700
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Over !00 Ultralight Awards Conferred!
John H. Bryant <bjohnorcas@...>
As you may recall, the Ultralight Awards Committee and
Gary DeBock previously announced four Founder's Awards to Paul Logan,
Robert Ross, Dennis Vroom and Allen Willie for their unique contributions
to the Ultralight DXing hobby. Following those special awards, on July
15th, the Awards Committee announced the general Awards Program for
Ultralight MW DXing.
In the first several weeks have conferred an even 100 awards on some of the outstanding DXers in the hobby. These remarkable achievements have been accomplished using entertainment grade shirt pocket portable radios. You will note that there are two radio classes listed: Barefoot, connoting DX achievements accomplished by a totally unmodified radio unassisted by any external antenna or other device. The Unlimited Class radios are Ultralight receivers that have been modified in some rather limited ways or have been attached to larger, more complex antennas and, possibly other peripheral devices. In either radio class, the accomplishments recognized below are outstanding, and many would be classed as "unbelievable" before the development of the Ultralight segment of the Medium Wave DXing hobby. There are separate groups of awards and separate serial number series for the two Ultralight radio classes. Congratulations to all those Ultralighters listed below: DXer Radio Class Award Serial Number Allen Willie Barefoot Canadian Prov. Heard: 4 0001 Canadian Prov. Heard: 6 0001 Continents Heard: 3 0001 Continents Heard: 4 0001 Continents Heard: 5 0001 Countries Heard: 05 0001 Countries Heard: 10 0001 Countries Heard: 15 0001 Countries Heard: 20 0001 Countries Heard: 25 0001 Countries Heard: 30 0001 Countries Heard: 35 0001 Countries Heard: 40 0001 Countries Heard: 45 0001 Countries Heard: 50 0001 Master Dxer: Canadian Prov 0001 Master DXer: International 0001 Master Dxer: Trans-Atlantic 0001 Ross Challenge: 07 Day 0003 Stations Heard: 100 0002 Stations Heard: 200 0002 Trans-Atlantic DXer 0001 TA Stations Heard: 10 0001 TA Stations Heard: 20 0001 TA Stations Heard: 25 0001 TA Stations Heard: 30 0001 TA Stations Heard: 40 0001 TA Stations Heard: 45 0001 TA Stations Heard: 50 0001 TA Stations Heard: 60 0001 TA Stations Heard: 70 0001 TA Stations Heard: 80 0001 TA Stations Heard: 90 0001 TA Stations Heard: 100 0001 TA Stations Heard: 110 0001 TA Stations Heard: 120 0001 TA Stations Heard: 130 0001 US States Heard: 10 0002 US States Heard: 20 0002 Dennis Vroom Unlimited Countries Heard: 05 0002 Gary DeBock Barefoot Trans-Pacific Dxer 0001 Gary DeBock Unlimited Trans-Pacific Dxer 0001 Gil Stacy Barefoot Countries Heard: 05 0004 Latin AM DXer 05 0002 Gil Stacy Unlimited Countries Heard: 10 0002 Latin Stations Heard: 10 0001 Guy Atkins Unlimited Continents Heard: 03 0002 Countries Heard: 05 0003 Trans-Pacific Dxer 0003 TP Stations Heard: 10 0002 John Bryant Unlimited Continents Heard: 03 0001 Countries Heard: 05 0001 Countries Heard: 10 0001 Latin AM DXer (05) 0001 Trans-Pacific Dxer 0004 TP Stations Heard: 10 0001 TP Stations Heard: 20 0001 US States Heard: 10 0001 John Cereghin Unlimited Stations Heard: 100 0001 US States Heard: 10 0001 US States Heard: 20 0001 Lorne Harnum Barefoot Canadian Prov. Heard: 4 0003 Continents Heard: 3 0002 Continents Heard: 4 0002 Countries Heard: 05 0003 Countries Heard: 10 0002 Countries Heard: 15 0002 Countries Heard: 20 0002 Trans-Atlantic Dxer 0002 TA Stations Heard: 10 0002 TA Stations Heard: 20 0002 TA Stations Heard: 30 0002 TA Stations Heard: 35 0002 TA Stations Heard: 40 0002 TA Stations Heard: 45 0002 Richard Allen Barefoot Latin AM DXer 05 0003 Latin Stations Heard 10 0002 Latin Stations Heard 20 0002 Stations Heard: 100 0003 Stations Heard:200 0003 Canadian Prov. Heard: 4 0002 Canadian Prov. Heard: 6 0002 Countries Heard: 05 0002 Latin AM DXer (05) 0001 Latin Stations Heard 10 0001 Latin Stations Heard 20 0001 Latin Stations Heard 25 0001 Latin Stations Heard 30 0001 Master Dxer: Canadian Prov. 0002 Ross Challenge: 07 Day 0001 Ross Challenge: 30 Day 0001 Stations Heard: 100 0001 Stations Heard: 200 0001 Stations Heard: 300 0001 Stations Heard: 400 0001 US States Heard: 10 0001 US States Heard: 20 0001 US States Heard: 25 0001 US States Heard: 30 0001 One of the reasons for the very large number of awards is that all DXers making award submittals were conferred awards as if the awards program was in effect from the beginning of the Ultralight movement. For instance, Rob Ross, whose station count is nearing 500, received awards for !00, 200, 300 and 400 Stations Heard. This retroactive policy will continue in effect for DXers who have not yet submitted their loggings. It should also be noted that several DXers in the list above have yet to make submittals for the majority of awards that are their due. Information on Ultralight DXing in general and the Awards Program in particular is available from the Ultralight Files area of dxer.ca. Awards submittals go to Rob Ross of the Committee at va3sw@... Our hearty congratulations to all the Ultralighters listed above. Bravo and Well Done! John H. Bryant for the Ultralight Awards Committee Gary DeBock, Rob Ross, John Bryant
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Get air tickets almost for nothing
senni.cindrella <senni.cindrella@...>
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Sony ICF-4900/4920, ICF-SW20 and ICF-SW22
Stephan Grossklass
Hi all,
has anyone tried these little analog-tuned Sony sets? They should all be CX20091 based (later versions of the IC: CXA1191, CXA1691). The '4900 is the largest of the bunch, at a "whopping" 130 x 76 x 25 mm, with the others being no larger than 110 x 71 x 24 mm. A guy on another group swears by his SW20 as it is one of few sets that will not give trouble with birdies on a station at exactly 910 kHz, and I have read fairly positive comments on the MW performance of this model elsewhere. (My only CX20091 based set, the larger ICF-7601, is a pretty good performer but wouldn't mind a somewhat larger AGC range and is a touch hissy.) Stephan
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Re: Sony SRF-S84-- Tiniest of the CXA1129N Analog Family
Stephan Grossklass
Sadly, CXA1129 based radios are near unobtainium over here.
One can get a SRF-S84N (is that the same as the "regular" one?) for close to 50 EUR, but that's about it. Re: spam, I haven't had much trouble with unmoderated groups either. One only has to make sure that there is some moderation redundancy, which (a) ensures that spam can be deleted quickly if it does crop up and (b) should keep a group from ending up without any active moderator at all, since an abandoned group flooded with spam is about the most frustrating thing ever (and Yahoo! can do little more than delete it, which generally is not what one wants). Stephan
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Re: Sony SRF M37V image problem solved - Update
Stephan Grossklass
--- In ultralightdx@..., satya@... wrote:
BTW, you know what the reason for 450 kHz is? With a 3 or 9 kHz PLL reference frequency (and thus granularity), you'd never hit the 9 kHz frequency grid precisely when using 455 kHz. (Same goes for a 10 kHz reference in 10 kHz territory.) Stephan
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Re: Sony SRF-S84-- Tiniest of the CXA1129N Analog Family
Hello Stephan,
I was able to "export" a 530-1710 kHz SRF-59
and SRF-39FP (while it was still available) to Paul in Northern Ireland,
and would be willing to help other European Ultralight enthusiasts if
necessary. I don't know if your SRF-S84N model is comparable to my
SRF-S84 unit from Hong Kong, but it will be fully reviewed in the Summertime
Shootout, as well as the SRF-M97V, DT-400W, E100, and SRF-M37W units.
73,
Gary DeBock (N7EKX) Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos.
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Sony SRF-S84-- Tiniest of the CXA1129N Analog Family
Hello Guys,
If you like the SRF-59 and SRF-39FP analog
Ultralights because of their size/performance ratio, you will certainly
love the smaller (and less common) SRF-S84.
At 3" x 1.4" and weighing all of 1.7 ounces, the
smallest current member of the CXA1129N-based Sony models packs a lot of
performance in an extremely small package. With a 1.19" x .25" midget
loopstick and extensive FM stereo features, one might easily get the impression
that this model is useless for AM-DXing. But like almost all of its SRF-59
siblings, it is typically not aligned to full sensitivity at the factory, and
gains significant DX performance when its loopstick coil and high-band trimmer
are peaked by a caring technician.
After alignment of my Summertime Shootout model,
it can provide some surprising daytime DX receptions, although its tiny
analog tuning dial is not going to impress very many hobbyists.
This silver-colored overachiever can be purchased
on eBay for around $31.45 plus $5 shipping from various Hong Kong exporters
(hkequipment and ecbuy_shop), which is certainly smarter than going through
Amazon.com ($99.00 plus shipping via Wall Street Photo). Like all CXA1129N
analog units, free AM alignment will be provided here if you can ship it prepaid
to P.O. Box 1313, Puyallup, WA 98371, with $5 return postage.
73, Gary DeBock Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos.
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Re: Sony SRF-M37V/W alignment
bbwrwy
Thanks Gary:
I'd figured out everything but the CT2 adjustment. I give it a try on another day. Richard.
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