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Re: [IRCA] Long-term Breakdown of the Sony SRF-59 Tuning Capacitor
Well, whaddya expect for $30-some? (insert smiley here). So far my two are working. But to be fair one of them (unmodified) is one I gave my girlfriend, and she hasn't used it much. I haven't used my modified one much, preferring the FP version because I find it easier to tune. I am finding, however, that my FP skips off frequency, by one or two whole channels, all on its own, occasionally. Which is a pain in the %&* because it's a pain in the %$* to figure out where on the dial you are in the first place. Not that it stops me...it's my radio of choice at certain times under certain conditions and circumstances. (I'm not reporting much lately, BTW, because cx have been poor - the relatively and consistently low A-K numbers have not IMO translated into a superior DX season - and I generally don't keep track of relogs).
Still, I find this whole exercise worthwhile, and am glad I have the Sonys that I have. Some of you have purchased other ULR radios that have turned out to be superior, both in terms of manufactured quality and ease of DXing (some with digital readout, for example - I've seen Robert Ross' Sangean in action and am impressed). On one hand, you do get what you paid for. On the other, you can get amazing reception on cheap, puny li'l things -- this whole effort has proven that, and it's been a great contribution to the hobby.
So to folks like Gary, I simply say keep it up...
Saul Chernos / Toronto-Burnt River ON
From: D1028Gary@xxxxxxx
> Date: Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:24:53 -0400
> To: ultralightdx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; am@xxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [IRCA] Long-term Breakdown of the Sony SRF-59 Tuning Capacitor
>
> Hello All,
>
> A problem that presented itself occasionally among new SRF-59 units in late
> 2007 has now, unfortunately, become somewhat of an epidemic.
>
> The "scratchy tuner" problem was originally observed in about 10% of new
> SRF-59 units in late 2007, which is caused by the breakdown of the dielectric
> material inside the tuning capacitor. The problem only was evident when
> the SRF-59 was tuned on AM, especially when tuned quickly from one side of
> the band to the other.
>
> Evidence now strongly indicates that this SRF-59 issue is congenital, due
> to a low quality tuning capacitor used by Sony to cut manufacturing costs.
> My original three SRF-59 units from late 2007 were all free of this problem
> when purchased and aligned, but all three have now developed the "scratchy
> tuner." This includes the unit which received JOAK-594, JOIB-747 and
> HLCA-972 in November of 2007, which motivated me to write the SRF-59 review.
> Apparently over a period of several years, the SRF-59 tuner component
> inevitably breaks down
>
> The Sony SRF-39FP and other Sony analog CXA1129N IC chip-based radios
> apparently do not have this tuning capacitor issue, due to a higher quality
> tuner component used in manufacturing. For those with an SRF-59 enjoying great
> DX, you may wish to secure one of these other Sony analog units for a
> backup.
>
> 73, Gary DeBock
>
>
>
>
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