[IRCA] Chinese Analog AM Portable Craze

[D1028Gary@xxxxxxx]

Hello All,
 
The first wave of the Chinese analog portable invasion has hit the west  
coast, and the Tecsun-manufactured models like the R911, R9012 (and others) are  
being received eagerly. DXers are having fun nulling out their semi-locals and  
even locals, receiving other stations right on the fundamental  frequencies.
 
For those of you who have ordered one of these extremely  cheap (around $10, 
or under $17 shipped) but highly capable portables, here  are a few tips to 
help you get the maximum performance.
 
1) Place the whip antenna in the vertical position, before attempting  AM 
DXing! This is EXTREMELY important in obtaining maximum  sensitivity!
 
2) Perform the alignment procedure according to the pictorial uploaded  to 
the Yahoo group site "Ultralightdx," in the photo section ("Chinese Analog AM  
Radio Alignment"). The procedure is extremely simple, and will help you not 
only  get maximum AM sensitivity and selectivity, but also have coverage extended 
to  1700 kHz.
 
3) When using these radios' amazing nulling ability, use the tuning LED  
control to ensure that the local is fully nulled. When the LED goes out  
completely, the local is nulled. Tilting the radio slightly can  sometimes improve 
nulling of the local.
 
4) Although locals and semi-locals can certainly be nulled in the daytime,  
your chances of receiving another station on your pests' frequencies increases  
at night, when the pests can have serious competition.
 
5) When fully aligned (AND with the whip antenna in the vertical position),  
these radios typically have sensitivity and selectivity comparable to the Sony 
 SRF-59 and SRF-39FP analog models.
 
5) By the way, these $10 radios also receive FM, and have multiple SW band  
coverage. Be thankful for the demographics of the Chinese domestic market, 
where  Tecsun finds it profitable to sell these highly capable analog radios for a 
 ridiculously low price.
 
73 and Have Fun,
Gary DeBock 
 
     
**************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make meals for Under 
$10. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000002)
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