Sangean A heat-sensitive receiver

[GB46]

Something I've discovered about the Sangean ATS-909X:
When I'm using my radios I'm always facing our balcony, which is on the south side of the building, so as winter approaches, the sun glares right into the room. Today it was shining on the Sangean, and although the balcony door has solar film and was closed at the time, the radio's cabinet got quite warm. When I brought up an SSB station from one of the memories, it was way off frequency. The R75 was dead on frequency under the same conditions, so apparently the Sangean is quite sensitive to heat. When I took it out of the sun's glare, shut it off for a while, then switched it back on, the station was back on the frequency I had programmed into memory.

Guess I'll have to be more careful from now on.

 

[ka3jjz]

This really isn't all that uncommon. Electronics hate heat - this is a good rule of thumb.

Did you get your 909X from Anon in Hong Kong? They have a very good reputation, despite their location...Mike

 

[GB46]

No, I got it from Radioworld.ca in Toronto. I've purchased quite a few products from them since buying my R75, and have always been happy with their service and the products themselves. Radioworld, as I understand it, doesn't ship outside of Canada.

As for that heat factor, I was always aware of it after accidentally causing thermal runaway in a solid-state device way back in the sixties, and burning my finger on one of the transistors in the process. I guess I underestimated how hot things can get in this apartment on a sunny day, even in winter.

Also, it doesn't seem wise for electronics to be housed in black cabinets, considering how much heat is absorbed by black. For the same reason, I'm amazed how many people wear black clothing during the summer, when this semi-desert valley is usually sunny and can get very hot at times. I've seen temperatures as high as 40 Celsius (104 F), sometimes even higher, without sufficient shade. Inside it's unthinkable to do without air conditioning.