Herculodge

Upgrading My Sangean U3's FM Performance with an Inexpensive, Effective Mod

(Re-post)

I'm no techie, but one of the advantages of keeping this blog going is that people with more tech experience than I, like Russ, give me good mod tips. I explained to Russ, also the owner of a Sangean U3, that it's my favorite radio but that for indoor use I wish it had a more versatile FM antenna. Its 6-inch rubber one doesn't rotate and in spite of the FM tuner's strong sensitivity, I need to rotate the FM antenna from time to time, as one would do with any radio, even my amazing Sony ICF-5900.

Russ explained I'd have to take out the rubber antenna and replace with a washer, a screw and a dipole wire antenna. The only thing to do was get the measurements. Russ found out. Use a quarter inch 4mm (metric) screw. That's it. The cost of the materials? About $5. I paid nothing since Russ was kind enough to send me the bundle. 

The result is excellent. All my FM stations come in loud and clear. Now I can workout with my U3 on with MAXIMUM STRENGTH. In case you don't know this, my U3 delivers better AM than any radio I've used. Go get one and use the mod for indoor use. 

Cheers. 

The Redsun RP2100 and Its CCrane CSW Clone Going the Way of the Dinosaurs

 

 

 

Thanks, Gary:

According to Tao Qu (eBay tquchina) in the Yahoo redsun-shortwave-radios group, Message# 2374, the Redsun RP2100 is at end of life:

"Hi All,

The RP2100 is EOL because the main chip is stop production...

Regards,
- Tao Qu"

Presumably this applies to the CCRadio-SW as well, which is currently on sale at C. Crane for $125.

Use of specialized chips that go out of production will prevent some repairs on newer radios, while many vintage radios using discrete components can be repaired indefinitely.

Manly Ferrite Antenna Sighting

(Sorry for another re-post; this 111-degree weather has left me fatigued)

Hugo has apprised us of these Goliath-size ferrite antennas. 

When the Soul's Demands Compel You to Relinquish Security and Comfort

 

I have a student from mainland China. He is in his mid-thirties. He left his country to pursue a doctorate in psychology here in the States. He's starting from scratch even though he already has an engineering degree, which he received in China. He worked for about ten years as an engineer, made good money and lived in relative prosperity and security.

But the rub is that he hated his job, which he described as tedious and monotonous. So he gave up everything, wrote an apologetic resignation letter to the Chinese government, and now lives on his savings as he tries to re-invent himself.

He engineering came easy to him and he assumed that the work would be rewarding but that he grew to hate what he did. I told him I had the deepest admiration for his courage and his decision to change his life. I'm not sure I could, under his circumstances, do the same. 

Facebook Member Wins First CCRadio-EP

 

 

Thanks, Paul:

CCRadio-EP serial number one has shipped!

http://www.facebook.com/CCraneCompany

 

Some Old Radios Prove Highly Collectible

Thanks, Paul:

Old radio sets are still the cat’s whiskers as some are highly collectable

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/article-1315196/Old-radio-sets-cat-s-whiskers-highly-collectable.html

 

Why Are Conservatives Targeting Muslims? And Why Now?

Addressing some of the tensions felt between the French and Muslims in Paris by one of my students, Paul sends us the following link: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sara-robinson/why-are-conservatives-tar_b_737007.html

Radio Russ Compares the Sangean WR-1 and WR-2

 

Addressing my Sangean WR-2 update, Radio Russ writes:

I had both the Sangean WR-1 and the WR-2. The WR-1 was too boomy with no tone controls but it had a great analog tuner which performed well on AM and FM. I plugged the bass port on the back with a wad of removable foam which cut down on the bass noticeably. The WR-2 had tone controls but it just never sounded as good as the WR-1. I was also disappointed with its AM section and found it unusable without a Select Antenna sitting on top. I sold my WR-2 because I was so unimpressed with it. I still have the WR-1 and I'm very curious about the new Sangean WR-11 to see what changes they made to it. 

 

Manly Watch Sighting: Seiko SKZ255 Automatic in Black Gunmetal

Known as the black Frankenmonster, the Seiko SKZ255, with 47mm bezel (not including crown) is on my short list for my next watch. These typically sell for around $270. 

Reader Finds Parisians Pleasant in the Midst of Tensions

 

One of my students, recently back from a study abroad course in Paris, complained that everyone was rude to her and her classmates. Perhaps a group of rambunctious youth proved chafing because one reader, "KE7CYT," writes:

My wife, Son and I spent a memorable Christmas 2006 in Paris and the locals, from shopkeepers, gendarmes, and a wonderful stranger who helped us find our hotel (hotel Castix) were uniformly considerate and kind. I'd be in Paris right now if I had paying Sys Admin work there.

Were there any threats? Yup. In order:

1) Somali grifters outside Sacré-Coeur. Tried to stop us to tie bogus "Friendship Bracelets" on us while groping for our wallets. We gave them the "Parisian glare" and said "No!". We kept our money and moved on.

2) Kurdish beggars on the perimeter of the Eiffel Tower. Showed us pictures of a brother that was in hospital and needed their money. We left behind a couple Euro for the quality of their performance.

3) French dark rum. Sweet, musky and unforgettable. The worst threat of all, it caused the three of us to lose several hours we'll never get back. Still have a duty-free bottle of it awaiting our son's college graduation or other occasion of equal magnitude.

Sadly, all of Europe - and Scandinavia - is dealing with a new Muslim Conquest that will forever define the regions' history and culture. It's already happened across the Pacific Rim; us Americans were occupied with the Soviet Threat while that happened so we're only now appreciating it's extent.

Unfortunately, wherever you have angry, poorly educated people ready to be exploited by a mullah/pastor/rabbi with ambitions there'll be bloodshed. This situation hasn't changed in millenia.

One can only hope that a rational, civilized minority will prevail.