Shortwave radio catching up with cell phone technology

[minimus]

Check out this tiny world band receiver. Its the latest from China with the help of American technology i.e., the DSP (digital signal processing) chipset.

China's Tecsun, Degen, Kaito and Kichibo manufacturers are in a race to dominate global multiband radio markets, all have invested heavily in large contracts with EMS Systems Ltd.'s (NASDAQ: EMSIF) subsidiary -- DSP Technology Corporation, America's premier builder of digital signal processors.

This micro receiver sure isn't your dad's Zenith Transoceanic ...

Notice the complete lack of tuned circuits, the radio requires no tuning alignment. The PLL (Phase Lock Loop) tuning is also American technology.












DSP chip "RoHS"









Features :

* FM/AM/SW radio
* DSP chipset
* Signal strength indication
* LCD display
* Perpetual calendar and digital clock
* Wake-on-radio
* 3 tuning options - manual, auto and 90 memory presets
* Auto scan and store
* FM stereo
* Sleep function
* Telescoping antenna
* Built-in loud speaker
* Standard earphone jack (earphone included)

Specifications :

* Frequency Range
o FM 64-108 MHz
o AM 522 - 1710 KHz (9K tuning step)
o SW 2.3 - 21.85 MHz
* Memory presets
o FM , AM, SW ( 3 x 30)
* Noise Limit Sensitivity
o FM <= 3.5uV
o AM < = 2.5V/m
o SW <= 80uV
* S/N ratio
o FM > 45dBu
o AM> 40dBu
o SW>40dBu
* Single Signal Selectivity >=40dB
* Power : DC 3V or 2 x AA batteries (not included)
* Speaker : 45mm/12ohm/0.25W
* Earphone jack : 3.5mm 32ohm
* Measurement : 97 x 65 x 18mm
* Weight : 95g (excluding batteries)

[Unclad Lad]

How many FRNs for one of those?

[minimus]

Do a search on ebay for model number and make on the radio. I found one for about $23 including shipping. I'll tell you how it works out compared to the other cheap analog mini shortwaves, the Wrx911 and the Grundig mini 300.

[minimus]

Well. I just got the model KK-D202 in from the factory today. I would advise to hold off until the E202 (American version) gets the DSP chip set, they might be available on Ebay.

One issue, the KK-D202 only has the European 9 khz step tuning for AM. Not the US standard 10 khz step ! Its not a big deal to me because most mini AM receivers do a lousy job at reception because of the tiny internal antenna coil. So get the E202 if you absolutely have to have AM reception.

On to the radio. This is the first metal faced pocket receiver I've seen since my RCA, 9 volt pocket AM radio from 1970. It nice to see quality once in a while. The LCD window has a magnifying lens for the tiny display. A silver background assist the view.

This tiny receiver is not an export radio so all the buttons are in Chinese. Not a big issue because it programs just like the E202, instructions are available in PDF format online.

It has a 24 hour clock function with alarm and sleep modes, year, month and date. Sleep mode is selectable up to 90 minutes.

I have not tried to program stations yet just scanning the bands. It has the extended FM band. FM sensitivity is as good as any portable but more selectable than an analog receiver. Hooking up the 15 foot long wire antenna helps grab distant FM stations.

Shortwave is as good as any single conversion PLL digital tuned receiver but the DSP chip set really cuts the background noise, much more than my Grundig YB300PE table radio.

You can scan the entire swl band from 2.3 to 21.85 mhz uninterrupted or, use the step button to jump from segment to higher segment then search. Each band can be manually searched for weak stations. I like the fact it receives portions of the swl band the analog radios leave out.

Campared to my analog Grundig mini 300pe or the Tecsun R911, this digital receiver has zero heterodyne whistle, no image issues or cross band bleed over. It does not seem to suffer from overload but I do not live close to a powerful station, I'll get back with you on that when I test it later this week.

So far, I'm impressed with the DSP/PLL technology, that's all for now.

[Unclad Lad]

I bought the Grundig "Porsche" a few years ago at a yard sale. The reception on it is great, but it is a real battery hog--I'd hate to rely on it during an emergency. Minimus, I want a power consumption report when you can.

[GOLDZILLA]

I bought the Grundig "Porsche" a few years ago at a yard sale. The reception on it is great, but it is a real battery hog--I'd hate to rely on it during an emergency. Minimus, I want a power consumption report when you can.

Thats what I got and they do eat batteries big time.

[minimus]

My old Grundig YB300 eats batteries too. I was using for alarm clock because I could listen to my favorite swl stations but it kept running the batteries down and not waking me up in the morning.

I'm listening to 7.455 mhz while typing. This little radio does just as good a job as the Grundig and the computer doesn't seem to cause much static. I've got a long wire antenna strung across the room. I had to do that with the Grundig too.

After programming several swl stations it does scan only those stations instead of the entire band if you want, I like that. You can program up to 30 stations on swl, 30 on FM and I don't even try AM with the 9khz step.

There are two different models sold on ebay; the KK-E202 (no dsp but has 10 khz tuning steps for American market) and the KK-D202 (DSP and the 9 khz only AM tuning step for the Chinese/European market).

BEWARE, some ebay sellers are trying to pass off the E202 as the "American" D202. @$40

If you want the American AM band you don't get the DSP chipset. Honest seller. @ $30

If you want DSP you loose the American AM tuning steps. @ $23 <---- that's what I bought (includes shipping)

Other DSP shortwave radios run from $70 up.


mini

[wallew]

I have two different SW hand held sets...

Sony SW10

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ICF-SW10-.../dp/B00001P4OZ

Got mine off of ebay for about $30 each shipped.

MY OTHER pair of SW radios are Radio Shack DX-398 (same as the Sangean ats-909) - I've paid $75 & $125 shipped on these two

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/542

The interesting thing is they both work very well. You add a clip on antenna extender and the reception is 400% improved...

I've owned several Zenith Transoceanics over the years. I found a guy in NJ that used to work on the Zenith line when these radios were being built (yes here in the USA) and he refurbs them quite nicely. And then sells them on ebay and his member name is nuvista48 - 100% rating with 282 feedbacks.

His radios literally LOOK NEW on the inside. And they function like new. Or he will list the problems with the radio and the price is lowered accordingly.

[minimus]

I bought the Grundig "Porsche" a few years ago at a yard sale. The reception on it is great, but it is a real battery hog--I'd hate to rely on it during an emergency. Minimus, I want a power consumption report when you can.

Well, its still on its orgiginal set of batteries and still wakes me up at 5 AM every morning.

Original post was 4/20 .... its 7/5 now ...

[Unclad Lad]

That sounds promising. Do you do any listening, or just use the alarm clock?

[minimus]

Listen to the news about an hour in the morning.

[Unclad Lad]

Thanks. It's going on the list.

[keepitlow]

Will SW take the place of the net if the prez shuts the net down?

[AMforPM]

That's my guess. Very useful thread!

[kwdavids]

DSP chip "RoHS"

The DSP chip is the Silicon Labs 4734. You can see "SI4734" stenciled on the first PC board picture.

[kwdavids]

One issue, the KK-D202 only has the European 9 khz step tuning for AM. Not the US standard 10 khz step !

Actually, you can switch between 9 and 10 kHz on the D202. Basically you hold down the memory button (2nd button from the left, bottom row) until you see some numbers appear in the display. If you release the button and then quickly press the Tuning UP (purple) button twice, it will display "10 kHz" on the display briefly and the radio is in 10 kHz mode. The same procedure will set it back to 9. It's sort of tricky when to do the release. Sometimes when you do it, you will reduce the range of the volume control, so it might a few tries to get the right combination of volume and AM step; however, it is possible.

That said, the AM performance of this radio is so abysmally bad that it's hardly worth the bother.

[Goldhedge]

What would be the best all around radio to get? Something portable (batteries vs VAC) for a SHTF scenario?

[Somesilver]

I looked at the specs and noticed that the radio can't tune Upper or Lower sidebands. Radio might
be good for listening to powerful international (usually government) progpaganda stations but you miss
out on a lot of interesting action if you can't tune the sidebands. You have to spend a bit more!
Probably a good buy if you're just getting in to SW listening...it will probably whet your appetite for a
better more capable receiver.