[IRCA] Kchibo KK-D6110

["satya@xxxxxxxxxxxx" <satya@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Dave Hascall/all:

Below is what Gary DeBock learned about the Kchibo
KK-D6110 earlier this summer (message 9964 on the
UltralightDX Yahoo board).  Based on this, I would
stick with the PL-310, 380 or 606?

Kevin S

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

Those DXers (including me) who had thought that the
new KK-D6110 model was a serious attempt by Kchibo to
upgrade the D96L model now have serious evidence to
the contrary. After multiple reports of lackluster
performance on both the AM and FM bands, a detailed
investigation and disassembly of the KK-D6110 model
has revealed that the new radio is not an Si4734 DSP
chip radio after all, but apparently uses the same
DSP chip powering the Kchibo KK-D680, KK-210B,
KK-D202 and KK-D220 models. This certainly explains
the drop off in AM performance relative to the D96L
model, a true Si4734 DSP chip receiver.
 
The KK-D6110's lower AM sensitivity specification and
much lower eBay selling price (relative to the D96L)
created doubts about this from the beginning, but the
sole eBay seller's KK-D6110 listing (obviously
translated by Google from the original Chinese on the
Kchibo web site) certainly doesn't make the DSP chip
identity very clear. 
 
The KK-D6110 has a DSP filter selection switch which
mimics the Si4734 models quite well (although the
filtering selections are backward, like in the D92L),
and other functions also are apparently designed to
resemble the D96L, such as the green display light
and memory operations. But AM-DXing performance falls
well short of the D96L, and full disassembly of the
KK-D6110 brought the truth to light.
 
The stock loopstick has a single coil with an
inductance measured at 630 uh, which would certainly
be an unusual value for an Si4734-chip radio with no
LW-band responsibility. Subtracting coil turns on the
stock loopstick did not significantly improve X-band
performance on the KK-D6110, as it would with a true
Si4734-chip radio having a 630 uh loopstick coil. The
digital board copper shield was simply tack-soldered
at a few places, resulting in a slight digital
whining noise bleeding through to the loopstick
(which also affected all upgrade loopsticks, both
internal and external). Removal of the copper shield
(photo at http://www.mediafire.com/?xy2u3wnjvyn)
revealed various IC's, but certainly no Si4734 DSP
chip. After the earlier indications, it wasn't a big
surprise.
 
The Kchibo model numbering system apparently gives an
indication whether the Radio is a true Si4734 DSP
chip model, or not. Those models with a DxxL
numbering system (D92L, D95L, D96L, etc.) are the
true Si4734 chip radios, while those with the KK-Dxxx
numbering system (KK-D6110, KK-D680, KK-D220, etc.)
are not. Kchibo advertises both types as DSP radios,
and the Chinese documentation (with rough English
translations) is confusing at best. Sorry for any
inconvenience because of this, but those DXers who
had planned to order the new KK-D6110 model as a
upgraded replacement for the D96L should not proceed.
The KK-D6110 is a decent radio for the money, but
should not be confused with true Si4734 DSP receivers
like the D96L, PL-310, PL-380, PL-360 etc. The
detailed disassembly photos will be uploaded to the
KK-D6110 photo album on the Ultralightdx site.


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