[IRCA] Tecsun R9012 Lemon Variants-- More Info

[D1028Gary@xxxxxxx]

Hello All,
 
Rob Ross and I have both received yellow/ orange colored R9012 analog  models 
from the eBay seller "tquchina," which have proven to be substandard in  
comparison to the black R9012 models from "dpmega." The lemon models have very  
poor AM performance out of the box (typically receiving only two or three  
locals), and cannot be aligned up to the sensitivity level of the black  R9012's.
 
Further investigation reveals that all the lemon models received so far  were 
made in 2005, and have a serial number of 0892005xxxxxxx. The  Tecsun R9012 
date of manufacture is actually stamped on the circuit  board, below the 
loopstick mounting position (but usually hidden with  tape).
 
In addition, the loopstick coils and coil forms are different in  the "good" 
black models, manufactured in 2008. Tecsun has apparently  improved the AM 
sensitivity in the more recent R9012 models, but the  substandard (at least on 
AM) R9012's from 2005 continue to be sold.
 
For those of you performing an R9012 alignment according to the pictorial  
just posted on DXer.Ca and the Yahoo groups Ultralightdx and ODXA, please note  
the date of manufacture stamped on the circuit board below the loopstick  
position. If your R9012 was manufactured in 2005, you may have a lemon, and  may 
not be able to get frequency coverage from 530-1700 kHz, or bring up  
sensitivity to a high level.
 
Tecsun R9012 purchasers are requested to check the serial numbers, and  
report lemon models ASAP. In the interim, please avoid purchasing any R9012  models 
from the eBay vendor "tquchina."
 
73, Gary DeBock
 
 
   
**************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make meals for Under 
$10. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000002)
_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca

Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers

For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org

To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx