AM DX NewsFlash 5-16-96
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AM DX NewsFlash 5-16-96
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WELCOME TO IRCA's AM-DX NEWSFLASH - May 16 1996
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Deadline for next issue = Thursday, May 23 1996 @ 2300 UTC (1600 PLT)
Send all contributions to Phil Bytheway @ bytheway@xxxxxxx
The AM DX NewsFlash is sent weekly from Alliant Techsystems in Mukilteo WA
All contributions will be used
Comments regarding content are appreciated
With your submission, please include as a minimum:
Your name, location and email address
Tell your email friends about "AM DX NewsFlash"
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to bytheway@xxxxxxx
Folks who's bulletins are returned twice in a row are dropped from the list.
If your email address changes, please let me know!
Information appearing the the NewsFlash can be quoted provided the original
author and "AM DX NewsFlash" are given proper credit.
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A day late 'cause I was on a business trip to Manassas VA 'til Friday
afternoon. Sorry... but not much to report anyway!
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Don't forget to send in your info for the member data base... please send
your statistics in the following format to me at bytheway@xxxxxxx
Phil Bytheway - Seattle WA - bytheway@xxxxxxx
RX: Drake R-8, ICOM R-70, R-390A, SPR-4, R-392, etc
Ant: KIWA MW loop, Sanserino 15" air-core loop, 70' longwire, etc.
Other: Mini-MWDX-6 phasing unit, reel-to-reel tape recorder
Other bands DX: none
Other comments: ??
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CONVENTION - MEETING INFO (corrections/additions welcome)
IRCA - Ocala FL, July 19-21 1996. Hotel: Ritz Historic Inn - Full Suite
$75, Regular Suite - $65, Standard Suite - $55 less 15% discount -
reservations (904) 867-7700. Contact: Lee Freshwater, 414 SE 3rd St.,
Ocala, FL 34471, (904)732-6408, FAX (904)732-7223 or email:
LFreshwate@xxxxxxx
(IRCA is an AM DX club)
WTFDA - Estes Park CO, August 2-4 1996. Hotel: The Dripping Springs B&B
Inn and Cabins, Estes Park CO - rates $74 - $89 (room for 2) - reservations
1-970-586-3406. Registration - $5.00, banquet (all you can eat) - $12.50.
Contact: Jim Thomas, 4437 S Stover, Apt 3, Ft Collins CO 80525 (info
packet $1.00).
(WTFDA is the FM/TV DX club)
MADISON RADIO/DX GET-TOGETHER. The date of the annual Madison radio/DX
get-together is now set: Saturday, August 17. Bill Dvorak (DXERak@xxxxxxx)
( 501 Algoma Street, Madison WI 53704-4812) is the host. This is the third
annual GTG--the big one with the goal of attracting as many hobbyists as
possible, whether from Madison or elsewhere. Mark in on your calendar!
Details will follow as the date draws nearer.
NRC - Knoxville TN, August 30 - Sept 2 1996. Hotel: Ramada Inn - $48.50
double occupancy. Contact: Steve Francis.
(NRC is an AM DX club)
MT Expo - Atlanta GA, October 18-20 1996. Hotel: Atlanta Airport Hilton
- $76 single or double - reservations 1-800 HILTONS. Registration - $55.
Contact: expo96-info@xxxxxxxxx, (800)438-8155 or FAX (704)-837-2216.
(Monitoring Times publishes their all band magazine monthly)
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CPC DX tests summary
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Lynn Hollerman - Huntsville AL - gmholler@xxxxxxxxxx
Here's a reminder of upcoming DX tests from IRCA and NRC. If anyone has any
additions or corrections, please contact me.
Please note: Also, the QSL addresses for these stations are posted in
rec.radio.shortwave. All times EST. * - new this week
6/ 2/96 Sun - 0200-0215 - 690 - HCJB - Quito, Ecuador
Please remember, what's listed as being on, say, Monday "may" be what you
consider Sunday night!
If you try for (or hear) any of these tests, PLEASE post a message letting
me know! Also, for brevity's sake, I didn't post the QSL addresses; if you
need these, let me know!
ATTENCION!
It's not too early to get started thinking about the next CPC season....
Both major MW clubs (IRCA/NRC) sponsor Courtesy Programs Committees. CPC
members arrange DX tests from various AM stations throughout the DX season.
Donations of money, stamps and target station lists are one way everyone can
get involved with this effort. Canvasing for the upcoming season is underway.
Send your donations to the committee chairmen, whose addresses follow:
IRCA: JD Stephens NRC: Jeff Tynan
1155 Old Monrovia #3E 10359 Severance Dr
Huntsville AL 35806-3510 Parker CO 80134
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HOT STUFF
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1996 M STREET RADIO DIRECTORY
Latest update... book is currently at the printers and is expected to be
shipped by mid-May. At that time, this offer will be discontinued!
The IRCA Bookstore is proud to announce that the 'M Street Corporation' has
agreed to offer a discount on their 1996 'M Street Radio Directory' to
NewsFlash members ordering through the IRCA Bookstore. The Directory
contains a complete listing of over 15,000 radio stations (AM/FM, US/Canada)
including the following information: facilities, ownership, formats, LMAs,
station personnel, phone numbers (and FAX), addresses, ratings, as well as
information on almost 400 radio markets in the US and Canada. Stations are
listed by location (complete info), frequency (frequency, call, location,
power and pattern) and call (call, frequency, location) and market
(frequency, call, location, rating, format). It also includes a former call
reference (old call, location and current call). Major network information
(addresses/phone numbers/etc) and several interesting radio articles are
included as well.
The pre/post-publication price to US and Canadian NewsFlash members ordering
through the IRCA Bookstore is $38.00 post paid (UPS address required). The
book is expected to be out by the end of April (usual disclaimer on date
'cause we can't be sure!).
Europe - add $5.00 for surface, $19.20 for airmail delivery.
Australia/New Zealand - add $5.00 for surface, $27.25 for airmail delivery.
IRCA Bookstore, 9705 Mary NW, Seattle WA 98117-2334
Please make checks payable to: Phil Bytheway.
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INDIVIDUAL LOGGINGS
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Klaus-Peter Schreiber - 100414.3637@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Klaus-Peter Schreiber
Berlin,Germany
Grundig Satellit 650, Loop
Berlin: On 693 khz there is a 24 hours relay of Voice of Russia World
Service for the Berlin and Brandenburg area. German from 09.00-10.00 and
15.00-19.00 UTC.This frequency was used by RadioRopa Info from Daun,Germany
before.
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MISC ITEMS
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Guy Atkins - gatkins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
AOR AR7030 INITIAL IMPRESSIONS: On Monday 5/6 I received my AR7030 receiver
via FedEX from the communications retailer Javiation in the UK. The 695 UK
pounds price to the States (including shipping) worked out to $1066 US. This
puts the AR7030 in the same price class as a Drake R8A in the USA, although
I have yet to receive the bill from the customs agent for the 3% import
duty. This will put the total at approximately $1098. If one doesn't mind
the risks involved with overseas purchases this is the way to go, as the
cost from US outlets reportedly will be around $1299 street price. (Jonathan
Clough at Javiation is excellent to deal with, however, and regularly sells
to US customers. This is the second time I've bought a receiver through
Javiation without a hitch.) Note the missing "i" in "Javiation" if
e-mailing: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Due to my schedule I haven't had the time to do a thorough shake-down of the
AR7030. A DXpedition--for trans-Pacific mediumwave and tropical bands--is
planned later this month for the purpose. The following points are strictly
initial observations.
CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN: Aesthetics are certainly a personal matter, but in my
opinion the AR7030 is quite good looking. The overall appearance resembles
current British audio equipment-- it does not have that "military
industrial" look common to many shortwave receivers.
The all-metal front panel and case are excellently finished and extremely
robust. The front panel is at least 5/16" thick and the large main tuning
knob is solid anodized metal and very comfortable for bandscanning. The two
smaller rotary controls are not as comfortable or attractive, being rather
tiny knobs attached to mechanical encoders with quite "stiff" click-stops.
It helped to refasten the knobs a bit further out on their 1/4" diameter
shafts, but I may try to modify the encoders' internal click-stop spring or
detent mechanism (as I did successfully on a Grundig Satellit 500 some years
ago).
The display is very readable and the soft green backlight is easy on the
eyes. I very much appreciate the AR7030's ability to display nearly every
parameter of the receiver-- even the bass and treble adjustments are shown,
in plus or minus decibels. Decades from now, will we fondly remember the
dot-matrix displays of the 1990's, just as many now get nostalgic at the
mention of glowing pilot lamps and slide-rule dials? Hmmm...
The supplied infrared remote control is handicapped with small rubbery
rectangles masquerading as pushbuttons (common practice on many remotes).
Fortunately, 100% of the keystrokes "take" on my unit and it is very
forgiving when aiming it anywhere in the general vicinity of the radio. I
initially thought the silkscreening on the remote was defective, but the
fuzzy appearance went away when I discovered and peeled off the clear
protective plastic! A more ergonomic remote controller may be possible by
programming a larger, "universal" remote and modifying with appropriate
labeling. However, the supplied remote controller works as advertised and
I'm starting to get used to its feel.
Speaking of ergonomics, it took a couple hours of use to become comfortable
with the operation of the AR7030. When used in conjunction with the remote
keypad it handles and operates easily. I'll stress here that this is
strictly MY opinion, and others may be just as adamant that they consider
the ergonomics poor. The receiver should be given a fair chance, though,
because its full operation is not learned quickly. The custom "setup" menu
is nice and really aids quick switching to favorite parameters for tropical
band DXing, general SWLing, mediumwave DXing, etc. I almost feel as if I'm
operating a laptop computer when using the AR7030, such is the effect of the
remote, the software menus and the alphanumeric dot-matrix display. Those
who cannot bear to operate anything that doesn't feel like the large,
classic rigs of yesteryear will view the AR7030 as mere gadgetry. In my
opinion it is not an unusual or difficult receiver to operate, but rather
fun to control after the initial learning curve.
MANUAL: The excellent manual is one of the best around, among contemporary
rigs. Curiously it lacks the British colloquilisms found in other UK
equipment manuals. It almost reads as if it was written by an US writer.
Particularly interesting are the discussions about the filter calibration
routine and the automatic-tuning synchronous detector. The section on filter
calibration explains why actual measured values vary from nominal/minimum
passband and stopband figures for ceramic and mechanical filters.
PERFORMANCE
Here are some thoughts & impressions of the AR7030 after only a few days of
use.
OVERALL: Impressive on weak DX. Intelligibility seems a notch above that of
other receivers I've owned (R7, R8, Europa, etc.), aided no doubt by the
AR7030's low noise level and high dynamic range. However, I'm going on
memory here as I have not yet made direct comparisons to other receivers. (A
friend and I will be doing an A/B test against a WJ HF-1000 receiver... that
should prove interesting!)
On various Indonesian stations on 90 and 75 meters, the AR7030 provided
reception at least as good as that from my previous rigs. The true test of
the radio's calibre will be trans-Pacific MW DXing from the Washington coast
later this month.
I like the wide range of the passband shift; it helps to push many offending
hets right off the edge of the passband. For stubborn hets I have an audio
DSP unit available to automatically notch out hetrodynes. AOR has an
optional notch filter planned for the AR7030 later this year.
AGC: I don't know what magic John Thorpe has done, but the values invoked by
LSB/USB modes provide great performance. The three speeds of SLOW, MED,
FAST, plus OFF will all be useful in various signal situations while ECSS
tuning.
AUDIO QUALITY is great, typical of John Thorpe's designs. This can only help
to ID weak stations: coupled with the flexible & useful passband shift, AGC,
and tone controls it gives the DXer a good shot making the most of a weak,
difficult signal.
IF FILTERING is impressive although an intermediate width of 4.0-4.5 kHz is
missed. The narrow 2.0 filter is THE choice for the toughest DX when
operating in ECSS; it's truly excellent.
When used with the flexible passband shift, the wider intermediate filters
(measuring 5.4 and 6.5 on my unit) are definitely useable on a variety of
signals. I have Kiwa Electronics' CLF-D2K high performance ceramic filter
installed and it is a useful bandwidth. I also tried a couple of Kiwa active
filter modules I had on hand (3.5 kHz), but both were much too noisy. Craig
at Kiwa suspects the IF level in the radio is too low for proper operation.
Next week Craig will be doing some performance measurements on the AR7030
and he will be able to check the IF level also. The five filters currently
installed in my AR7030 measure: 2.0, 2.9 (Kiwa CLF-D2K), 5.4, 6.5, and 9.5.
The widest filter of 9.5 is suitable for a strong signal in the clear
(passband shift may have to be employed). However, on a shortwave signal I
cannot tell any audible benefit from opening up the bandwidth from the 6.5
kHz selection. The 9.5 width is mainly intended for narrowband FM.
A real plus is the optimum alignment of filters after the calibration
routine is run. When switching from LSB to USB or vice-versa I can detect NO
change in pitch or audio quality for any bandwidth.
SYNCHRONOUS DETECTION: This mode has the tenacity of a mountain goat, and
clings to signals weak and strong without problems. It is the best I've ever
encountered, period. Finally, a synchronous detector that a DXer can use!
The passband shift can be adjusted liberally in SNC mode without causing
squeals of complaint or loss of lock. My ears cannot detect any rise in
distortion in SNC mode (as reported in the RNMN review); in fact, audio
sounds definitely better than with the AM envelope detector. With passband
shift carefully adjusted, the Kiwa 2.9 kHz filter sounds very good using
synchronous AM mode.
My test signal for synchronous detection with any receiver is RNZI on 15115
kHz during my local evenings. It's often subject to annoying rapid fades
after sunset. The Drake R8 would lose lock frequently and "bend" musical
tones unmercifully, but there's no such problem when using the AR7030-- I
have not heard it lose lock even once on 15115.
DUAL WATCH is an unusual feature worth mentioning. It is similar to
"priority" scan on a VHF/UHF scanner. It allows the automatic monitoring of
a second channel at intervals, time delays, and squelch settings of your
choice. I anticipate using this while DXing an active station to
automatically check another frequency (say, once every thirty seconds) for
sign of a carrier or audio (indicating a DX station about to sign on, or the
fade-up of a wanted station).
I believe this radio is going to polarize radio enthusiasts, due to the
AR7030's radical approach to HF receiver design. Features like filter
measurement & alignment, auto-tune synchronous detection, and the
automatically-adjusting RF gain have not been seen before in consumer-grade
receivers. It's clear that this receiver is good; the question remains, just
HOW good is it? I think a consensus will rise to the surface within a year,
as more AR7030s make their way into DXers' shacks. In any event, John Thorpe
and the AOR staff are to be commended on their bold move with the
introduction of the AR7030.
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If you note any AM changes (call, format, slogan, etc), please send them to
the NRC Log coordinator (Wayne Heinen) @ nrclog@xxxxxxxxxxxx and the IRCA
Almanac coordinator: Rich Toebe, 2550 Hilborn Rd #34, Fairfield CA
94533-1070.
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END of May 16 1996 IRCA's "AM DX NewsFlash" - bytheway@xxxxxxx
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