Herculodge

Tim Compares Two Similar Table Radios: The Sangean WR-1 with the WR-11.

(Re-post)

Addressing some of the issues raised in Radio Russ' comparison of the Sangean WR-1 and WR-2, Tim writes:

 I bought a Sangean WR 1 and was very pleased with it. Yet, I could see how people complained about its "boominess." When the WR 11 came out as a replacement, I bought one, intending to replace my WR 1 with it. The WR 11 is less boomy and a bit brighter. But in the end, I preferred the WR 1, so I actually sold my WR 11! The lower end of the WR 1 is naturally affected by the immediate environment. 

I suppose in a kitchen or bathroom, and in solid settings in general, the bass could become annoying. I have it, however, on a shelf in my study where it sounds full and well-rounded. Yes, tone controls would have been tremendously helpful. But in the end, I'm quite pleased with the WR 1, and I think it offers a rich sound and decent reception, more so than most other tabletop radios in production.

Addressing some of the issues raised in Radio Russ' comparison of the Sangean WR-1 and WR-2, Tim writes:

Manly Watch Sighting: Invicta Offers a New Russian Diver: The Lefty 7271

Continuing its Big Man on Campus theme, Invicta offers the Russian Diver Lefty 7271. Bezel is huge at 53mm. Amazon sells it for $178 with free shipping. eBay seller has it at same price. Big watches have come down in price and made even more popular by Food Network star Guy Fieri, they could be on their way to fashion obsolescence. Still, it's nice to have a few oversized Russian Divers around. 

Dan's Review of the Automatic Radio Model FTC-2008 FM/TV Converter

 

 

I wonder how many Herculodge readers remember FM converters similar to this Automatic Radio Model FTC-2008. These converters were popular in the late '60s and enabled owners of cars equipped with AM-only radios to listen to FM broadcasts.

 
 

Today, classic car enthusiasts like me continue to use these small, under-dash units to maintain the originality of a vehicle's factory-installed AM radio while adding the ability to receive FM stations.

 

I believe this is the first online review of the Automatic Radio Model FTC-2008 FM/TV Converter. Installation in my 1965 Rambler American convertible was easy. I drilled two small holes under the ashtray and securely bolted the converter's mounting bracket to the car's dashboard. This also provide a stable ground connection to the Rambler's negative-ground electrical system.

 

Next, I connected the FTC-2008's single power lead to a spare terminal on the car's fuse panel under the dash. Then, I unplugged the car's antenna coax cable from the factory radio, plugged it into the FTC-2008 converter, and plugged the coax cable from the converter into the car's radio. It took only a minute to affix the converter to its bracket.

 

The FTC-2008 utilizes one integrated circuit, two FETs, six transistors, and nine diodes in a superheterodyne-type circuit to drive an AM (1400 kHz) oscillator converter. Thus, FM signals received by the car's original antenna are converted to an AM signal, passed to the car's radio via coax cable, and tuned by dialing the car's AM radio to 1400 kHz.

 

With Rambler's fender-mounted whip antenna extended to 31 inches, the FTC-2008 receives FM signals very well -- with sensitivity comparable to the factory-installed Bose audio system in my SUV. On the road, the FTC-2008 delivers rock-solid reception with no noticeable fading of my favorite oldies station while driving up and down hills on rural roads.

 

My only gripe is that audio quality is compromised due to the frequency-response characteristics of the Rambler's 45-year-old AM radio and its single in-dash speaker. However, this is a disadvantage that I'm prepared to live with in order to preserve the car's originality. Also, the FTC-2008's ability to receive and convert TV audio signals is a thing of the past; television broadcasts are all-digital today.

 

 

Overall, I would recommend the FTC-2008. It's quick and easy to install, and it locks onto FM stations as well as any contemporary mobile FM receiver. Put the top down, crank up the oldies, and you won't even notice the mediocre audio quality. Suddenly, it's 1965 again.

 

 
 

Hugo Upgrades the Ferrite Antenna of His CCRadio SW

 

INTRODUCTION
The CCRadioSW (aka Redsun RP-2100) is often mentioned among DXers as a powerful DX radio and in fact it is very sensitive, but it's a little bit behind famous radios like Panasonic RF-2200, CCradio Plus, Superadio 1 or 2 and some others... inspecting this radio I've found that it has a 6 inches ferrite antenna and a poor tracking varactor system (in other words, you can have maximum sensitivity from the AM band low section but the upper frecuencies from 750 Khz and up mistrack (become less sensitive), and viceversa, you need to compromise the end frecuencies to get a so so alignment.

 
 
In my quest to get my own grial (To Receive KVNS from Harligen, Tx. USA at NOON INSIDE my house of Veracruz, Mexico (distant about 600 miles) I've been doing some experimentation with varios brands of radios like, Superadio 1,2,3 Panasonic's RF-2200, RF-1150, RF-1170, RF-1180, RF-2600, RF-2800, CCradio, Sony's ICF-5900, ICF-7201 andNONE of them has achieved this goal, some of them receive this station but OUTSIDE the house, so now is the turn for Redsun RP-2100 for a little experimentation.

 
 
TRANSPLANTING A 10 INCHES ANTENNA
This was very easy to acomplish, I just took the old 6" one and change it for the 8" (See pict 2) but....The mistrack problem I've mentioned before now got worse !... I had much more signal than before but if I adjust the coil for the traditional 600 Khz the radio becomes deaf past 1100 Khz and if adjust for 1700 Khz (KVNS from Harlingen,Tx) the sensibility in the low channels is severly diminished.

 
 
After thinking some days I understood that I need more capacitance in the low channels to track with more precision and minimal in the upper band, normally this is the job of the Varactor Diode VD1 (the black one that is close to the blue preset see pict 4) but apparently this capacitance isn't enough to track so I put a second one in parallel to duplicate the capacitance (I installed underside of the board (see Pict 3) and now the radio track with more precision from 540 to 1700 Khz with some minor variations, in fact the radio now tracks better than before with the old ferrite (Are you listening Redsun Engineers ?...)

 
 
Anyway after aligning the radio (570 Khz antenna coils and 1600 Khz the Blue trimmer capacitor pict 4) I was ready to make some tests.... and the result was.... It is now the first radio to receive KVNS INSIDE my house at NOON !!! NO one radio as ever done this, it receive it with 2 bars (Pict 5 shows this). The radio is in general more sensitive across all the band at about 15-20 % 

 
 
SOME THOUGHTS
I think that I hit the noise floor with this project as the KVNS signal is a very faint one, further I'm going to take this radio to the beach far from the citiy's noises to prove this, and after that NO MORE RADIOS FOR ME !.

 

Neil's Review of the Kchibo D96L DSP Portable Radio

Neil does an excellent job of going over his Kchibo D96L DSP radio's sensitivity, speaker sound, and ergonomics on his blog FOFIO!.

If Doug Could Have Only One Analog Radio Powerhouse, He'd Keep His Panasonic RF-2200

 

I have a Grundig S350DL, a Sony Earth Orbiter, and a Panasonic RF-2200. If I could keep only one, I would instantly pick the 2200, a magnificent radio with the best audio and strongest reception of the 3. Ditto selectivity and sensitivity and shortwave reception off the whip. I love the military look and heft and controls layout of the 2200 and the rotating gyro AM antenna makes DXing a delight. 

The Sony is also an excellent radio but it just really (for me) isn't up to the performance levels of the 2200 on any of the bands. The 350 is good value for the money, solid audio and excellent SW off the whip, but it's just not up to the other 2 in build quality. Be patient and you can score a solid specimen on eBay for under $200.

FM Tuner Records Your Favorite Shows and Weeds Out Commercials: Abbee Commecial-Free Music System

Thanks, Paul:

Abbee Commercial-Free Music System

Automatically records songs from your favorite FM stations while removing commercials and DJ talk.

Amazon reviews

RadioIntel's Jay Allen Restores and Evaluates a Panasonic RF-4900

Are you a radiophile who always assumed the Panasonic RF-2200 was the Holy Grail of Panny's? Think again, at least in terms of SW reception, and read Jay Allen's restoration and evaluation of a Panasonic RF-4900. 

A Most Curious and Rare Panasonic Radio Bidding on eBay: RF-979LB

At a Buy Now price of $199 plus $17 shipping, this excellent condition Panasonic RF-979LB looks like a real powerhouse with one of the most unusual faceplates I've ever seen. On the right, we read "Doppel PS" with 3 FM tuner switches. On the right are 4 bands, UKW, LW, MW, and KW. 

This looks like a compelling find for anyone looking for a powerhouse analog radio. 

Blake Looking for a Powerhouse Analog AM/FM/SW Radio for Under $400

I am curently shifting my discovery to the old radio technology. I am discovering that analog tuned radios can really be a joy to use. The key thing I like about them is the the low noise floor. I am considering getting another analog radio that does the following: - Multi band including short wave. - Important SW frequencies include 3150 to 4000, 4800 to 5100, 5800 to 6200, 7000 to 7550, 9200-10000, 11600 to 12200. - Decent size radio. Perhaps size of Grundig YB400 or larger. I like the size of the Grundig 350DL and am considering that one. - Nice speaker sound - Backlighting so you can see tuning in the dark. - Antenna inputs - Under $400 - I may get a new or possibly my first used or vintage radio. I am not experienced at repair yet. If any of the Herculodge readers have recommendations it would be much appreciated. Thanks ... Blake