{"id":62518,"date":"2025-04-06T07:34:58","date_gmt":"2025-04-06T11:34:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=62518"},"modified":"2025-04-06T07:34:58","modified_gmt":"2025-04-06T11:34:58","slug":"bobs-radio-corner-buttons-knobs-and-switches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/04\/bobs-radio-corner-buttons-knobs-and-switches\/","title":{"rendered":"Bob\u2019s Radio Corner: Buttons, Knobs, and Switches"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Source: The Great International Math on Keys Book, Texas Instruments Inc., Dallas, Texas, p. 4-7, 1976.<\/p><\/div>\n

Pressing Buttons. Twirling Knobs and Throwing Switches<\/h1>\n

By Bob Colegrove<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Move along.\u00a0 Nothing informative to read here, just the wandering of an idle mind scheming with meandering fingers on a keyboard.\u00a0 On the other hand, if your curiosity can\u2019t be controlled, consider that a significant amount of enjoyment in this hobby is the mere operation of the radio \u2013 seeing what all the buttons, knobs, and switches do, both separately and in combination.\u00a0 It\u2019s always been this way.\u00a0 Beginning in the Amplifiozoic Epoch there was continual rotation of the knobs.\u00a0 This occurred before the discovery of ganged capacitors, when each circuit had to be tuned independently to resonate at the proper frequency.\u00a0 Otherwise, nothing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>It could be quite confounding for a non-radiofile trying to break into the sport.\u00a0 Just getting some sound out of a two-knob radio could be a challenge.\u00a0 My late mother solved this problem on all our radios by painting a dab of red nail polish at the points on the dial where each local station came in.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Complexities of Shortwave<\/h2>\n

Later, with the humble entry-level shortwave \u201cset\u201d there was conundrum in the way the bandspread interacted with the main tuning control, and the curious effect of the BFO switch.\u00a0 Even the venerable Hallicrafters Company, which catered to the hams and SWLs of the time, recognized the problem. They tried to solve this by prescribing a default<\/i> setting in installation and operating procedures for model S-40 receiver<\/i>, The Hallicrafters Company, Chicago, USA, p. 4, 1946:<\/p>\n

\u201cNOTE. – Some of the control markings are in RED. This is an added feature incorporated for the convenience of the listener who is not familiar with radio terminology as an aid in setting the controls most used for the reception of standard broadcast stations.\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

That was the nice way of saying it.\u00a0 After many years, I still chuckle to myself thinking of an old ham radio mentor of mine who insensitively explained that the purpose of these markings was for certain members of the household who could not otherwise make the radio work.\u00a0 On my S-40B, the \u201cconvenience\u201d markings are white dots.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Modern Radios<\/h2>\n

Modern radios have many buttons, which can work in different ways.\u00a0 A short press will do one thing while a long press will do something else.\u00a0 Some buttons do one thing with the radio turned off and another thing with the radio turned on.\u00a0 On many radios you can lock the buttons and knobs, in which case they won\u2019t do anything.\u00a0 You must get it right.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Hidden Features<\/h2>\n

Today, the possibilities with all these variables are boundless, even beyond the control of the manufacturers who incorporate the complex TEF6686 30-pin IC chips in their designs.\u00a0 Qodosen has set the bar high by making a plethora of user-adjustable functions available on the DX-286.\u00a0 An uncommonly informative 40-page manual has been included with each radio and is highly recommended as an essential tool to assist with its operation.<\/p>\n

In recent years, Tecsun has capitalized on this by incorporating \u201chidden features\u201d in some of their models; that is, their operation and even their very existence are not revealed in the manual.\u00a0 In computer gaming parlance, these features are called \u201cEaster eggs\u201d for which one must hunt.\u00a0 Originally, the inclusion of hidden features may not have been intentional, but with the introduction of the PL-880 in 2013 they became a veritable sensation, as testified by the countless owner postings on the PL-880 Yahoo users\u2019 group of that time.\u00a0 A prize of unbounded esteem and self-satisfaction went to the intrepid listener who discovered and solved a hidden feature.\u00a0 This interest went on for several months as Tecsun tweaked the firmware and the \u201cfeatures\u201d migrated somewhat.\u00a0 But unfortunately, a spoiler has been introduced.\u00a0 Hidden feature data sheets are now packaged with current models.\u00a0 In case you are missing any, here is a sampling.<\/p>\n

For the Tecsun PL-368 see https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/troys-tecsun-pl-368-hidden-features-quick-reference-sheet\/<\/a><\/p>\n

For the Tecsun PL-990 see https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/johns-pl-990-hidden-features-quick-reference-sheet\/<\/a><\/p>\n

For the Tecsun PL-880 see https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/10\/40072\/<\/a><\/p>\n

For the Tecsun S-8800 see https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/bill-discovers-a-number-of-tecsun-s-8800-hidden-features\/<\/a><\/p>\n

SDR<\/h2>\n

The complexity of radio operation is compounded still further by the advent of SDR, wherein combinations of various hardware and software components result in a host of possibilities.\u00a0 Features and their placement seem endless as they are distributed on multiple menus.\u00a0 As my personal experience is limited to WebSDR, I leave the pursuit of this point to others.<\/p>\n

Manual Power Generation<\/h2>\n

Finally, the inclusion of some elementary form of leverage and dexterity is present in some radios.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t the hand-powered crank on today\u2019s emergency radio akin to the vintage treadle-operated transcription machine pictured at the beginning of this posting?\u00a0 Perhaps we have come full circle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

Today\u2019s radios are a sort of Rubik\u2019s cube which can continually be manipulated to provide many hours of discovery and complement the listening and DXing experiences.\u00a0 So, the next time you crawl underneath the headset and unconsciously tune to the object frequency, zero beat on the necessary sideband, and adjust the proper bandwidth and volume, reflect on all the time and practice it took you to develop this useful skill.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pressing Buttons. Twirling Knobs and Throwing Switches By Bob Colegrove Move along.\u00a0 Nothing informative to read here, just the wandering of an idle mind scheming with meandering fingers on a keyboard.\u00a0 On the other hand, if your curiosity can\u2019t be controlled, consider that a significant amount of enjoyment in this hobby is the mere operation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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":[373,3781,3194,433,3,305,3196,288,26,43],"tags":[7988,10732,1302,4081,25],"class_list":["post-62518","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-am","category-fm","category-guest-posts","category-mediumwave","category-news","category-nostalgia","category-portable-radio","category-radio-history","category-radios","category-shortwave-radio","tag-bob-colegrove","tag-bobs-radio-corner","tag-radio-nostalgia","tag-radios","tag-shortwave-radios"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-ggm","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":49864,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/bob-colegrove-on-the-joys-and-challenges-of-tuning-analog-radios\/","url_meta":{"origin":62518,"position":0},"title":"Bob Colegrove on “The Joys and Challenges of Tuning Analog Radios”","author":"Thomas","date":"August 1, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bob Colegrove, who recently shared this excellent article and has kindly allowed me to share it here in the the Post. Bob prefaced it by saying, \"Being a retired technical writer, I started the attached article some time ago for my own amusement, but\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Books"","block_context":{"text":"Books","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/books\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Bob-Colegrove-Book-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Bob-Colegrove-Book-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Bob-Colegrove-Book-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Bob-Colegrove-Book-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":64316,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/10\/bobs-radio-corner-shortwave-multiplex\/","url_meta":{"origin":62518,"position":1},"title":"Bob’s Radio Corner: Shortwave Multiplex?","author":"Thomas","date":"October 19, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Reported by Bob Colegrove Incurable DXers are always looking for new challenges.\u00a0 So it was, I recently did some scanning between 42 and 45 meters (~6600 to 7000 kHz).\u00a0 Trenton Military on 6754 kHz and the MARS net on 6913 kHz are regulars here, as are a selection of pirates\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Fig.-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Fig.-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Fig.-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Fig.-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Fig.-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15771,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/james-restored-sony-icf-5800h\/","url_meta":{"origin":62518,"position":2},"title":"James’ restored Sony ICF-5800H","author":"Thomas","date":"November 24, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"SWLing Post contributor, James Patterson, has recently restored a Sony ICF-5800H. James sent me a few photos and I\u00a0decided to\u00a0post them here. I absolutely love the design of Japanese analog radios from this era. They have signal meters, large backlit dials, carry straps, and proper large controls--buttons, switches and knobs--that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sony Vintage radio ICF 5800H 001","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Sony-Vintage-radio-ICF-5800H-001.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Sony-Vintage-radio-ICF-5800H-001.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Sony-Vintage-radio-ICF-5800H-001.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Sony-Vintage-radio-ICF-5800H-001.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":60729,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2024\/09\/bob-talks-ergonomics-and-radio-buttons\/","url_meta":{"origin":62518,"position":3},"title":"Bob talks ergonomics and radio buttons…","author":"Thomas","date":"September 22, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Ergonomics and Radio Buttons By Bob Colegrove Am I being too picky?\u00a0 Are the buttons on some newer portable radios hard to press?\u00a0 I\u2019ve read many reviews and watched as many videos, but haven\u2019t encountered many complaints about this.\u00a0 Perhaps it\u2019s an age-related affliction. The most succinct description of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Fig-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Fig-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Fig-4.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":62550,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/04\/initial-impressions-of-the-tecsun-s-2200x\/","url_meta":{"origin":62518,"position":4},"title":"Initial Impressions of the Tecsun S-2200X","author":"Jock Elliott","date":"April 9, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM Bob Colegrove inspired this, with his excellent post \"Pressing Buttons. Twirling Knobs and Throwing Switches.\"\u00a0If you haven\u2019t read it, go do so now. And it was our Maximum Leader, Thomas, who some time ago was asked \u201cWhat\u2019s the best shortwave radio?\u201d His response (if I recall\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\/2025\/04\/S-2200x-800X800dpi-Test-1-e1744196031585.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/S-2200x-800X800dpi-Test-1-e1744196031585.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/S-2200x-800X800dpi-Test-1-e1744196031585.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/S-2200x-800X800dpi-Test-1-e1744196031585.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":56447,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2023\/04\/bobs-bespoke-rack-of-radios\/","url_meta":{"origin":62518,"position":5},"title":"Bob’s Bespoke “Rack of Radios”","author":"Thomas","date":"April 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bob Colegrove, who shares the following: A Rack of Radios by Bob Colegrove You simply cannot have enough radios \u2013 a principle I learned a long time ago.\u00a0 The difficulty occurs when it comes to storing them and yet having them at the ready\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image1-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image1-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image1-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image1-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/image1-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62518","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\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62518"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62518\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62526,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62518\/revisions\/62526"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62518"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62518"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62518"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}