Two strategies to improve Sangean ATS-909X sensitivity

SWLing Post contributor, Moshe, writes:

“I would like to share something I noticed about Sangean sensitivity issue:
As I own the ATS909, I noticed that with fresh set of regular batteries (1.5V) or it’s power transformer, it is very sensitive.
When the voltage of the batteries drops, so does sensitivity! Which means that if one uses rechargeable batteries (1.2V), the radio will be much less sensitive to begin with.”

Many thanks, Moshe! That is a very good reason to keep fresh alkaline batteries for the 909X, or to run it on a quiet power supply. Moshe is correct–fresh rechargeable batteries can’t deliver full voltage.

Several weeks ago, a reader informed me about a modification that increases SW sensitivity by adding a 4:1 impedance transformer.

Click here to download a PDF that documents the 4:1 transformer procedure.

Note that I can’t remember who shared the PDF and am not sure who was so kind to document the procedure with photos. Any additional information would be appreciated.

Have any readers performed the transformer mod on the ‘909X with success?

Want a “new in box” Signal Corps BC-454-B?

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My buddy, Eric (WD8RIF) noticed a rather unique find on eBay this morning: a “new in box” Signal Corps Western Electric BC-454-B receiver. While BC-454-Bs are far from rare, it is certainly a treat to find one with its original box and in mint condition.

I have no plans to bid on this unit–I’m sure the ending bid will be a little too rich for me–but it will be fun to see how high the price climbs. Some day, I hope to acquire a functioning BC-454 of my own. (Santa…are you listening?)

Click here to view on eBay.

Orchestral music on shortwave?

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Photo: Thomas Fries / License: cc-by-sa-3.0 de

SWLing Post reader, Eric (w4OTN/3), asks:

Years ago I loved tuning in Radio Bulgaria and listening to their orchestra play. The ether would deliver the beautiful music to my ears with some fading at times but I loved listening to it. That is, of course, until they stopped broadcasting. I’ve tried to find an alternative without success.

I wonder if you know of any shortwave station that still broadcast orchestras?

Thanks,
Eric W4OTN/3

Any suggestions for Eric? Please comment with details!

Shortwave Radio Recordings: Radio Berlin International, Final episode of DX-tra

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Many thanks to Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Richard Langley, who writes:

[The following is a] recording of the penultimate English broadcast from Radio Berlin International (RBI) and the last broadcast in the particular time slot. It was also the last broadcast of the popular DX program DX-tra.

RBI ceased broadcasting at the end of the day on 2 October 1990, the day before German reunification took place.

In addition to the final episode of DX-tra, the recording features the news (in progress as the recording starts a minute or two after 00:45), Commentary, RBI Press Review, and Spotlight on Sport. There are several “goodbye” songs including “The Final Countdown” by the Swedish hard rock band Europe, and “Goodbye Blue Sky” by Pink Floyd and some announcer goodbye comments like “the voice of the disappearing German Democratic Republic,” “that was it,” and “the last day of the good old GDR.”

The 45-minute recording ends with the familiar RBI interval signal and, at 01:30 UTC, the first part of the German-language transmission, also the last in its time slot.

This recording was made in Hanwell, NB, Canada, with a Sony ICF-7600D receiver and supplied wire antenna draped around Richard’s home office. This recording begins around 0045 UTC, October 2, 1990 on a frequency of 9,730 kHz.

Click here to download this recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Special Radio Netherlands broadcasts starting January 17 and 18, 2015

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Peter De Groot writes:

A series of special Radio Netherlands broadcasts will begin on January 17th and 18th, 2015. Presenters will be John van den Steen, Jerry Cowan and Tim Thomasson. See frequencies and times below:

0100 to 0200 UTC on 7,570 kHz

0100 to 0200 UTC on 11,790 and perhaps 13700

Peter sent no more information than this, so I’m not sure where the transmissions will originate. Since RNW is no longer on the air, I’m certain these broadcasts aren’t coming from Hilversum.

Hopefully, someone will attempt to record these broadcasts in case I’m not in the broadcast footprint. Would like to add this to the SW Radio Audio Archive.

Charging the Tecsun PL-880 with the C. Crane Witness AC Adapter

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SWLing Post reader, John Case, comments:

“I bought a C. Crane Witness AC Adapter to try it out on the PL-880. It is rated at 900 mA, more than enough to handle the PL-880. I think it is more than reasonable at $14.95.

I am happy to say that it works very well on the PL-880 and does not introduce any noise in any mode , even when the PL-880 is recharging the internal Battery. I also ran the PL-880 in Shortwave without the battery with no problems off of this AC Adapter. All in all, it is very well filtered, and thus quiet. I can highly recommend it for use with the PL-880.”

Update–John adds:

“I should add that the idea to use the C. Crane Witness AC Adapter for the Tecsun PL-880 came from Dave Zantow, of “Dave’s radio Receiver Page”. He had looked at the Skywave adapter, but it is rated at a maximum of 300 mA, while the PL-880 is rated at > 300 mA. Dave originally tested the Witness Adapter on the Degen DE 1128H, and was pleased with the results. Unfortunately he no longer had his PL-880 test sample, so he could not test the adapter with that radio.

He did add one cautionary note that it may be necessary to add bypass caps to the power regulators to avoid picking up low level switching hum on a whip or other indoor antenna. I did not experience any of this, but it sound like a good idea easily implemented. Dave’s review is at the bottom of this page: http://webpages.charter.net/n9ewo2/ats909x.html“

Many thanks, John! I may pick up one of these myself–would be nice to have a regulated supply for many of my radios and digital devices. (Would come in handy if I ever decide to pull the trigger on the CC Witness, too!)

Click here to view the CC Witness Plus adapter at C. Crane.