DX-300 RealisticWhat is the make and model of the receiver?
DX-300 RealisticWhat is the make and model of the receiver?
Hi, my receiver is a DX-300.. In response to your check list. Confirmed that I stripped the Long Wire at the connection and connected to the center solid wire of the coax... I soldered this connection.. I grounded the coax shield to an earth ground rod before the coax enters the house. GEWhile, I agree, a 9:1 balun can be used for optimum performance he shouldn't have a problem picking up signals with the center connector hooked directly up to the end of a 70' antenna. Two of my end fed wire antennas work fine this way.
My questions to the op would be:
Did you strip the insulation off of the wire antenna and physically connect it to the coax?
If you did, did you hook it up to the center conductor of the coax or the shield of it or both?
Hooking it up to the center conductor and leaving the shield of the coax open would be proper.
Hooking it up to the shield or both would short it to ground(I had a friend of mine do this).
You also didn't mention what receiver you are using.
If you are using a portable receiver, 70' of antenna could be too much for it, zapping the front end. Some portables have protection for this while others do not.
Jim
Sorry Tom, your post wasn't up when I started posting.
Yes, DX-300 Realistic. GEOP, are you using a desktop receiver?
Hi, The crazy thing is this radio was purchased by the original owner back in the 80's and was never used. Actuially when I bought it, the box was still sealed and the radio was packaged in its styrofoam. Absolutely mint. I probably just don'y know how to tune it yet. Thanks GregMuch as I hate to say it, according to reviews on eHam, this radio is so old that it may need some serious overhaul (new electrolytic caps, etc.) to put it into working shape. It is also very sensitive to static buildup which may have blown the front end (much like the well respected Sony ICF-2010). Have you tried tuning your local MW station? If you can't hear it, my guess is that the radio is a junker.
I hope I'm wrong....Mike
You are probably right. Either I have a little to learn and maybe there just is nothing to hear right now.This receiver is like the the early Yaesu FRG-7 - do you know how to tune the radio? It's not easy like a 'normal' receiver. I bought an FRG-7 a few years ago for spares at a local auction for NZ$10 as it was labelled 'doesn't work'. Well, it worked perfectly - in fact better than the one I already had!
If all else fails - RTFM.
Now we are getting somewhere. Sounds like you have the antenna hooked up correctly.
Like Martin said above it must be tuned correctly. My brother had one of these when they first came out.
Make sure the preselector setting coincides with the frequency you are trying to listen to. It is a pretty sensitive receiver but a lot of local BCB stations can be heard up in the shortwave frequencies. In that respect it wasn't a very good receiver. If you live out in a rural area it might be okay.
I'm hoping Mike is wrong , too
Good luck,
Jim
Thanks Jim. I will try tuning to an AM station, never thought about thatWhile your 70' antenna will work better on some frequencies than others it's not super critical as it is signal to noise ratio. You should be able to hear signals on most frequencies.
A general rule of thumb is above 10mhz for daytime listening and below 10mhz for nighttime listening. Right now we are at the low end of the sun spot cycle so daytime listening on the higher frequencies suffer.
If you have a local AM station near you try matching your preselector and frequency to it. That will confirm that your receiver is working okay. The AM band will open up to more distant stations at nighttime.
Jim
Jim, Thanks.. I tuned into 830 which is out of Minneapolis St Paul. I began to work the switched and tuner(s). Whalla ... I figured it out.. It was operator error all along. Thanks for the help. GregWhile your 70' antenna will work better on some frequencies than others it's not super critical as it is signal to noise ratio. You should be able to hear signals on most frequencies.
A general rule of thumb is above 10mhz for daytime listening and below 10mhz for nighttime listening. Right now we are at the low end of the sun spot cycle so daytime listening on the higher frequencies suffer.
If you have a local AM station near you try matching your preselector and frequency to it. That will confirm that your receiver is working okay. The AM band will open up to more distant stations at nighttime.
Jim
Why close it? Let it ride so folks can learn from your thread. I have been following it and glad you've come out of this ready to really enjoy your radio nowOne last question, How do I close this thread ?
Will do... Open it isWhy close it? Let it ride so folks can learn from your thread. I have been following it and glad you've come out of this ready to really enjoy your radio now
.... Probably would help if I knew what band width is relative to the 70ft longwire and when I should be listening. I guess thats what makes this a hobby... I got some learnin' to do.