Re: [IRCA] FM DXing with Ultralights-- The Top Models

["HASCALL, DAVID CIV DFAS" <DAVID.HASCALL@xxxxxxxx>]

Thanks Gary for the info on these ULR's FM DX tendencies.  I'd be very
interested in seeing their performance in high RF enviornments, in terms
of image rejection.  I'm less than 4 miles away from four powerhouses
and on my Accurian HD radio ($6 Goodwill find), I get images on lots of
frequencies.   I only have a set of low end rabbit ears but if the
dipoles are extended out too far, I get images, galore.

73,
Dave


------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:59:05 EDT
From: D1028Gary@xxxxxxx
Subject: [IRCA] FM DXing with Ultralights--  The Top Models
To: ultralightdx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <c4f.31126b68.35b11aa9@xxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hello Guys,
 
     Although we were all originally attracted to  Ultralight radios
because 
of their overachieving AM-DX capabilities, it has  recently become
abundantly 
clear that many Ultralight AM-DXers are also  Ultralight FM-DXers (like
me), 
and there have been several requests for a "quick  and dirty"
recommendation of 
the FM-DX capabilities of the top  models.  So, in order to show that
these 
portables' amazing capabilities  are not limited to medium wave, here is
the 
"executive summary" of the top  performers:
 
1)  Sangean DT-220V    This silver-colored model with  built-in stereo 
earphones is an absolute turkey on AM, but is a screaming eagle  on FM
(I always 
wondered what the $53.26 price was for).  The FM  sensitivity is
amazing, with 
decent reception of both Victoria, BC stations  (98.5 and 100.3), and
passable 
reception of some Vancouver, BC (95.3 and 101.1)  stations, as well as a
couple 
of Portland, OR stations (101.9 and 103.3).   It has only five memory
presets 
and no bass-boosting system, but audio quality  is not bad (although
plug-in 
stereo headphones are far more comfortable).   Using a whip antenna, for
raw 
FM sensitivity, it is tops in the pocket radio  class. It retails for
$53.26 
from Amazon, with free shipping.
 
2)  Sangean DT-400W    This is a new yellow-colored  model that will be
fully 
reviewed in the Midsummer Shooutout for AM  capabilities, but its FM 
performance is definitely worth noting.  Just a  shade less sensitive
than the 
DT-220V, it can provide decent reception of the  two Victoria stations
(98.5 and 
100.3), but reception of the Vancouver, BC  or Portland, OR stations
depends on 
your propagation luck. It has outstanding  audio quality and no fewer
than 16 FM 
memories, and for stereo music  enthusiasts, is a runaway winner in
listening 
pleasure.  Unique among the  top FM-DXing models, it uses the plug-in
stereo 
headphones as an antenna  (not a built-in whip antenna).  For this
reason, a 
substitute plug-in  antenna is provided for speaker operation.  For
those 
considering a  purchase, the AM capabilities are identical to those of
the DT-200VX 
(not bad at  all, although not up to the level of the SRF-T615 in 
sensitivity, or E100 in  selectivity).  It retails for $54.75 from
Amazon, with free 
shipping.
 
3)  Sangean DT-200VX   This black colored-model has great  FM-DX 
capabilities, using circuitry apparently identical to the DT-400W, but
Sangean has either 
improved the alignment or components in the new 400W model,  providing a

shade more FM sensitivity (at least in my review model).   Otherwise,
the 
performance is identical to the above 400W description, with  decent
capabilities for 
both AM and FM DXing.  It retails for $49.99  from Amazon, with free
shipping.
 
4)  Eton E100   As long as you don't care much about audio  quality,
this 
somewhat overdesigned (and discontinued) portable will provide a  lot of
FM-DXing 
excitement.  With a built-in whip antenna and more  memories than you'll
ever 
need, it provides FM reception fairly similar to that  of the DT-200VX, 
although the reception can be improved dramatically by placing  the whip
antenna 
next to a decent FM external antenna lead-in wire.   Stock sensitivity
is 
sufficient for reception of Victoria, BC (98.5 and  100.3), with
ghost-like 
reception of Vancouver, BC and Portland, OR  powerhouses.  The big
drawback of this 
model is somewhat nasty audio, which  is not really helped by the
pedestrian 
high-low switch control.  FM  stereo-headphones plugged into this model
cannot 
improve the harsh  audio, which borders on the irritating.  Aside from
this, the 
E100 has  the FM sensitivity to provide a few thrills, especially for
those 
who think  FM-DXing should not be confused with FM-stereo listening.
The E100 
has  been discontinued by Eton, but is still routinely available as an
NOS 
unit from  many sources (including a current Durham Radio promotion on
dxer.ca at 
$44  U.S.)
 
     Hopefully this basic information will be a helpful  starting point
for 
those interested in FM-DXing with Ultralights.  If there  is sufficient 
interest in this Ultralight FM-DXing concept, a more detailed
"Shootout" might be 
possible in the future.
 
                                                              73 and
Best 
Wishes,
 
                                                              Gary
DeBock     
 

_______________________________________________
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