Herculodge

Tim Gives Thumbs Down to the Sangean PR-D5's "Stereo Capability"

Such muted sound from "stereo speakers." That's always been my impression of the Sangean PR-D5. Addressing similar issues in Greg's commentary, Tim writes:

The CCRadio2 has a tone far superior to the PR-D5 for both talk and music. Plus, it has bass and treble controls that actually affect the sound. The only advantage the PR-D5 has is its stereo capability, which, in the end, doesn't compensate for its poor speakers and generally muffled tone. In fact, I would say even the little PR-D7 sounds better.

Vegetarian Meal #10: Veggie BLT on Jalapeno Cheddar Toast

I toast two slices of jalapeno cheddar bread and microwave a garden burger with veggie "bacon" strips. I slice tomato and use Havarti light cheese slices. I'll add some aioli mustard. Maybe some spinach. Sometimes I'll replace the mustard with pesto.  

Gary's Impressions of His Newly Acquired Sangean PR-D5

Responding to my Sangean PR-D5 "Report Card," Gary writes:

I received my PR-D5 yesterday. I find the sound is excessively heavy in the upper bass and muffled in the treble, making voices on AM hard to understand. Other than this flaw, the radio would be fine for my purposes.

I wish Sangean would have included separate bass and treble controls on the PR-D5, like they did on the WR-2. This would have been able to compensate for the poor tonal balance on the PR-D5. I guess I'll have to wait until the CCRadio 2 goes on sale, since it has reception equal to the PR-D5 and includes bass and treble controls.

My final thoughts on Gary's comment:

I agree that the sound coming from those two speakers is not as clear and loud as I'd like. I'm hoping the Sangean PR-D9, if it's not vaporware, will be a big speaker version of the PR-D5. 

Vegetarian Meal #9: Tofu Chili with Rice, Beans, and Enchilada Sauce

First I sauté spinach; then add a package of firm tofu. I add chili powder, cumin, salt. Then I add leftover brown rice and pinto beans. Then I add enchilada sauce. Finally, I add green salsa and have with tortilla chips. Very easy. 

Tips for Tuning SSB on SW Radios

Thanks to "3/4 Blind" for this helpful info:

Here's a tip for tuning SSB on SW radios with coarse digital tuning steps and a fine tuning BFO "clarifier." Tune to a WWV time signal on 5, 10, or 15 mHz. etc. whichever signal is strongest, then switch to SSB mode. Fine tune the BFO (On an Eton E5 it's the "fine" knob on the right hand edge.) to zero-beat the audio. As you adjust the BFO the audio changes from a tone to a "thump, thump, thump" until the beat frequency is zero, no tone, no "thump thump...". Then, while still in SSB mode and without further adjusting the BFO, tune to the frequency of interest. If that station is broadcasting right on the kHz. and not a fraction of a kHz. the radio will be properly tuned. For inexpensive portables you may have to repeat the above steps to fine tune the BFO until the tuner stabilizes; things should settle down after about a half hour. A "broadcast" station one might try in American Forces Network on 10320 kHz. evenings PST and 6350 kHz. around 3 a.m. PST. One last point, radios which do not have separate lower sideband (LSB) and upper sideband (USB) filters receive LSB and USB simultaneously. This is usually not a problem as most broadcasters do not use the same frequency for both LSB and USB. I have heard hams do this. It could have been an experiment to test their receivers' filters, or it could have been that two parties wanted to use the same frequency and neither party would move.

Thanks to "3/4 Blind" for this helpful info:

Upgrading Your Radio with AM Stereo Decoder Boards

Thanks, Paul:

Of interest, from the Redsun Yahoo Group, posted by Adrian

AM Stereo and Redsun RP2100

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/redsun-shortwave-radios/message/2041

I ordered a couple of MC13028A based AM stereo decoder boards from amstereo@meduci.com a few weeks ago. $25 (US) each, plus postage. One went in my wideband AM tuner, connected to the hifi.

I connected the other one to the AM IF out on my RP2100 on the weekend. Worked straight away, the two local AM stereo stations, 2CA and 2CC, coming through loud and clear, especially with the wide AM setting on the RP2100. I scanned the whole band, hoping I could pick up a few more, but the only other nearby station that used to be AM stereo is 2GN, 85km away. It looks like it no longer uses a stereo modulator on the transmitter.

One interesting anomaly was that I found a clear sounding image of a local station, 2RN (846kHz), on 1260kHz that caused the stereo pilot to light up! This is interesting since 1) 2RN doesn't transmit on 1260 anywhere in Australia and 2) they don't transmit AM stereo anywhere, either! The sum 846+450(IF)=1296 is in the right ballpark, but I don't understand how the 25Hz pilot tone for AM stereo got created to make the led light up.

Adrian.

Huge Price Cut on the JBuds J2 Premium Earbuds: $14 with Free Shipping on Amazon

I bought my JBuds J2 Premium Buds for $30 a few months ago. Today Amazon is selling them for $14. That's quite a deal. 

 

Three Vintage Radio Recommendations in the $100 Ballpark

Radiophiles can appreciate some of the better radios made today, but none of these radios have the majesty of the apex performing vintages in way of build quality, speaker depth, and that coveted AM background of silence. 

But a Panasonic RF-2200, a Sony ICF-5900, or a Zenith Trans-oceanic can get pricey. Mint models can run well over $250. Or take a Sony CRF-320. That might cost you $600 or so. 

Let's get back down to earth. Let's look at some radios that offer great sound and sensitivity in the $100 ballpark.

Recommendation #1: Panasonic RF-888. Huge sound. Heavy and rugged. Great AM. It's the radio I use in my office. 

Recommendation #2: Sony TFM-8000. I had the privilege of testing Ed's several months ago. It grabbed every AM and FM station with ease. Huge speaker. He bought his for $100 in very good condition with no scratch or crackle sound in the volume or tuner. 

Recommendation #3: The GE Super Radio II. Amazing sensitivity on both bands, big sound. The build quality isn't as heavy duty and inspiring as the aforementioned radios, but the GESRII is still a keeper. I believe they always sold for $60 back in the 1980s. Spending $100 in today's money is still a great value.

 

Dan Recommends DeoxIT for Vintage Radios

Thanks, Dan:

When it comes to cleaning dirty switches and potentiometers on old radios, it's common knowledge that DeoxIT-brand contact cleaner is the best product available. Problem for me has been where to get it. Yes, you can buy miniature containers of DeoxIT at Radio Shack, but I found the cost-per-spray to be very expensive and the tiny, 14-gram spray cans empty quickly.

I've done some poking around and discovered that Guitar Center stores across the country sell DeoxIT products. You can buy a 5-ounce can of DeoxIT D5S-6 Spray at your local Guitar Center retail store for $14.99 -- a very reasonable price.

To check it out online, go to:   http://www.guitarcenter.com/

Use the search utility at the www.guitarcenter.com website to search for DeoxIT D5S-6. If you want, you can go a step further and check to find out if a Guitar Center store near you has DeoxIT contact cleaner in stock.

A 5-ounce can of DeoxIT should be enough to clean all the contacts in a dozen old radios. Hope this info is helpful.

From Cape Town, South Africa, the Vintage and I Daresay Rare Sony ICF-35 Multiband Radio

Very intriguing Sony ICF-35. I've never seen one before.