{"id":24817,"date":"2017-03-26T01:35:36","date_gmt":"2017-03-26T05:35:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=24817"},"modified":"2018-05-06T06:03:43","modified_gmt":"2018-05-06T10:03:43","slug":"tecsun-s-8800-the-birdie-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/03\/tecsun-s-8800-the-birdie-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"Tecsun S-8800 – The Birdie Problem"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>[UPDATE: This issue has now been solved. Click here to read our full review.<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recently, Tecsun announced and released onto the market the new S-8800 receiver. Thomas Witherspoon has indicated<\/a> that sensitivity, selectivity and audio fidelity are very good for this new unit.<\/p>\n

BUT…..in his post on February 12, 2017, entitled Tecsun S-8800 Update<\/a>, Thomas discovered that his new S-8800 has a serious fault, one that\u00a0could potentially drive radio enthusiasts mad! In tuning around the dial, he found the radio has many “birdies”. In the same post, he notes that Bertrand Stehle F6GYY also found birdies on 4 spots in the mediumwave band and 63 frequencies across the entire shortwave spectrum. Not good!<\/p>\n

In reading the comments that followed Thomas’ post, I noted that a few writers seemed a little confused about what a birdie is and how it differs from radio frequency interference. Hopefully, the following explanation will shed some light.<\/p>\n

The term “birdie” is, I guess, derived from the type of sounds that are emitted from a receiver having this problem. It can take on a variety of forms, like a squealing or whistling sound, or perhaps a warbling sound, or a hash noise, or indeed, even a silent carrier. In a particular radio, a birdie could appear on one or many frequencies across longwave, shortwave, mediumwave or into the VHF spectrum. And it will usually be permanently there on the same frequencies every time.<\/p>\n

Occasionally, you will find birdies smack bang on the very frequencies where\u00a0you might want to do some listening. But, unfortunately you can’t really do anything to get rid of these nuisances because the design faults are in the the receiver itself. You can test to see if what you are listening to is a birdie by simply disconnecting the antenna. If the squealing\/whistling\/warbling\/hash\/silent carrier is still there without any antenna, then it’s a birdie – an internally generated carrier by the receiver’s own circuitry.<\/p>\n

Click here to continue reading the full story.<\/a><\/p>\n

Rob Wagner, VK3BVW, is the author of this post and a regular contributor to the SWLing Post. He also blogs at the Mount Evelyn DX Report<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[UPDATE: This issue has now been solved. Click here to read our full review.] Recently, Tecsun announced and released onto the market the new S-8800 receiver. Thomas Witherspoon has indicated that sensitivity, selectivity and audio fidelity are very good for this new unit. BUT…..in his post on February 12, 2017, entitled Tecsun S-8800 Update, Thomas […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[8,26,1],"tags":[453,5955,6051],"class_list":["post-24817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles","category-radios","category-uncategorized","tag-rfi","tag-s-8800-birdies","tag-tecsun-s8800"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-6sh","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":24111,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/02\/tecsun-s-8800-update\/","url_meta":{"origin":24817,"position":0},"title":"Tecsun S-8800 update","author":"Thomas","date":"February 12, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"UPDATE: Click here to read our full review of the re-engineered Tecsun S-8800. Note that the post below refers to the first production run units only. If you're considering purchasing the Tecsun S-8800, this is an important post. I've had the S-8800 for about two weeks and\u00a0had planned to have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Manufacturers"","block_context":{"text":"Manufacturers","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/manufacturers\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Tecsun-S-8800-WWV-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Tecsun-S-8800-WWV-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Tecsun-S-8800-WWV-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":27762,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/video-daytime-mediumwave-shootout-with-the-tecsun-s-8800\/","url_meta":{"origin":24817,"position":1},"title":"Video: Daytime mediumwave shootout with the Tecsun S-8800","author":"Thomas","date":"August 28, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"About a week ago, I received a re-engineered version of the Tecsun S-8800 from Anna at the excellent online retailer, Anon-Co. If you recall, I evaluated an early production unit of the S-8800 in February and while putting it through the paces, I discovered loud, warbling DSP birdies throughout the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The Tecsun S-8800","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/IMG_20170823_191416757_HDR-1024x690.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/IMG_20170823_191416757_HDR-1024x690.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/IMG_20170823_191416757_HDR-1024x690.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":27791,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/video-shortwave-shootout-with-the-tecsun-s-8800\/","url_meta":{"origin":24817,"position":2},"title":"Video: Shortwave shootout with the Tecsun S-8800","author":"Thomas","date":"August 29, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"After enjoying an afternoon testing the Tecsun S-8800 on the Blue Ridge Parkway\u00a0this past weekend, I decided to return to the parkway yesterday and test the S-8800's shortwave performance. I carved out about two hours of my afternoon and spent the entire time comparing the S-8800 to the Tecsun PL-880\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Products"","block_context":{"text":"New Products","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/new-products\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Tecsun-S-8800-shortwave-dial-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Tecsun-S-8800-shortwave-dial-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Tecsun-S-8800-shortwave-dial-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28164,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/tecsun-s-8800-anon-co-publishes-listing-and-price\/","url_meta":{"origin":24817,"position":3},"title":"Tecsun S-8800: Anon-Co publishes listing and price","author":"Thomas","date":"September 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"We now have a price for the Tecsun S-8800. Anna at Anon-Co has notified me that they've published the listing for the new Tecsun S-8800. The price is $268.00 US with free shipping to the USA. She also noted that the S-8800 won't actually be available until some time next\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Products"","block_context":{"text":"New Products","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/new-products\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Tecsun-S-8800-AM-Local-Dial-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Tecsun-S-8800-AM-Local-Dial-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/Tecsun-S-8800-AM-Local-Dial-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28139,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/a-review-of-the-tecsun-s-8800-shortwavelwam-mwfm-portable-receiver\/","url_meta":{"origin":24817,"position":4},"title":"A review of the Tecsun S-8800 shortwave\/LW\/AM-MW\/FM portable receiver","author":"Thomas","date":"September 8, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Earlier this year, Tecsun released its long-awaited newest large portable: the Tecsun S-8800 portable shortwave\/LW\/AM-MW\/FM receiver. Though I fully intended to buy a Tecsun S-8800 for review, our friendly Hong Kong-based Tecsun retailer, Anon-Co, sent an S-8800 to me before I could. I\u2019ve worked with Anna at Anon-Co for at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tecsun-S-8800-Angle.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tecsun-S-8800-Angle.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Tecsun-S-8800-Angle.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23578,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/another-review-of-the-tecsun-s-8800\/","url_meta":{"origin":24817,"position":5},"title":"Another review of the Tecsun S-8800","author":"Thomas","date":"January 22, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"UPDATE: Click here to read our full review of the re-engineered Tecsun S-8800.\u00a0Note that the review below refers to a first production run S-8800e model.\u00a0 In reply to our Tecsun S-8800e overview, SWLing Post contributor,\u00a0Hymefly, comments: I own this radio. Its performance on AM and shortwave is better than my\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Products"","block_context":{"text":"New Products","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/new-products\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Tecsun-S-8800.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Tecsun-S-8800.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Tecsun-S-8800.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Tecsun-S-8800.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24817","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/70"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24817"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24817\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}