Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rolf Snijder, who shares the following modification for the Sony ICF-SW35. The mod is very simple: remove one capacitor.
Rolf shows the capacitor location on the following images:
Click to enlarge.
Click to enlarge.
Thanks, once again, for sharing your modifications, Rolf!
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rolf Snijder, who writes:
I have added an external antenna capability for mediumwave on the XHData D-808.
Simply add a 27 pF capacitor on the backside of the PCB on C10 to the the ferrite antenna.
The mod causes no loss on FM or shortwave!
I also replaced the Ferrite antenna with a bigger one so I now have more performance on MW!
Longwave is not good in my radio, even with an external antenna, it is not performing well.
Thanks once again, Rolf! I must assume that the Digitech AR-1780 could be modified in the same way as the radios appear to be near identical. Perhaps someone can verify this at some point!
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rolf Snijder, who writes:
This is a simple LED backlight modification for the Sony ICF-SW35.
Simply add a 120K resistor and a bright LED:
Overview of resistor placement. (Click to enlarge)
Detail of Pin 10 (Click to enlarge)
Detail of resistor. (Click to enlarge)
Detail of Pin 10 (Click to enlarge)
Detail of LED placement–replacement of capacitor is not necessary. (Click to enlarge)
When you push the backlight switch, the light stays on.
When radio is turned off, the light goes off–then push light switch and backlight will stay on for 15 seconds or so.
Thanks for sharing this simple mod, Rolf!
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rolf Snijder, who writes:
Here are some pictures from my new XHData D-808.
It performs well, only a soft muting when I change the dial.Longwave is not great–it receives, but is too weak. Mediumwave and shortwave look great for this radio.
Have a great new year!
Thank you, Rolf!
I expect to receive my XHDATA D-808 within a week or so. I’m very curious how it will compare with the Digitech AR-1780!
The Tecsun PL-680
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rolf Snijder, who writes:
I did a modification today on the Tecsun PL-680 [which allows for an] external antenna on LW and MW.
The internal ferriet is also working, but on my active loop, MW and LW is now working !
So far away stations I can now receive on this portable radio.
It is only a560 pF capacitor added!
Click to enlarge.
Click to enlarge.
It works on LW and MW now with this mod.
FM is less now I think, maybe I will put it on a switch so I can turn it off.
And now also the ferrite is still working, so I hope to find a solution for that.
Many thanks for sharing your modification and photos, Rolf! Check out Rolf’s other PL-680 mod by clicking here.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rolf Snijder, who writes:
I have made the same modification to the Tecsun PL-680, that was done [by many on the] PL-660 earlier.
The PL-680 is now a great radio; I think now one of the best! I do not own a PL-660, so I cannot compare.
Overview of modification.
For disable soft mute you can see the 2 joints and you must scratch a path on the print near the switch. (same on a PL-660)
Closeup of joint #1 (click to enlarge)
Closeup of joint #2 (click to enlarge)
With the tone switch [on the left side panel of radio] you can turn the muting on and off. On FM I need to set it on for better results, but on LW MW and SW always off!
Frequency adjust is with the pot: adj1391 in the right corner. (for the 1 kHz off freq)
Click to enlarge.
Hope I can help someone with this on your great site.
Greetings,
Rolf Snijder
Netherlands
Many thanks for sharing this PL-680 mod, Rolf! This seems like a simple enough project and one that can be undone if you aren’t pleased with the results.
Post readers: Please comment if you’ve made this modification to your PL-680 or PL-660 or if you have other successful modifications to share!
