Anyone listen to "distant" AM stations at night?

[Patch42]

I checked out that Sony. It gets great reviews, but I'm confused. It seems that the Sony ICF-S10MK2 is the one to get. Would you happen to know if there is any difference between them? Could it be a repackaged radio? It IS cheaper by a few bucks and seems to have a little larger, but sturdier case. Who knows, they both recieve great I'm sure.

I believe the SRF-59 is a newer model. The ICF-S10MK2 has been available for a few years. One big drawback on the ICF-S10MK2 is that it only receives to 1650kHz on MW. I have to think this is an engineering error because I thought the FCC mandated all MW radios in the US to receive to 1700kHz years ago. The ICF-S10MK2 also has a built in speaker and a whip antenna for FM. The SRF-59 is headphone only (which is probably how it lasts over 100 hours on a single AA battery) and uses the headphone cord as the FM antenna.

From the sounds of it, both models have the same rather stiff analog tuning. I'm also pretty sure that both models -- you're not going to like this -- are made in China. There's just no other way Sony could make these radios so cheaply.

Why don't you buy both? It would be less than $25 delivered from Amazon. (You'd have to throw in a third item to get the free shipping.)

Oops, I see in another message you've already picked up the ICF-S10MK2. Sears for $10, huh? Might have to check that out. I like this shirt pocket radio stuff. It's a LOT cheaper than collecting the bigger models.

 

[Zaratsu]

I believe the SRF-59 is a newer model. The ICF-S10MK2 has been available for a few years. One big drawback on the ICF-S10MK2 is that it only receives to 1650kHz on MW. I have to think this is an engineering error because I thought the FCC mandated all MW radios in the US to receive to 1700kHz years ago. The ICF-S10MK2 also has a built in speaker and a whip antenna for FM. The SRF-59 is headphone only (which is probably how it lasts over 100 hours on a single AA battery) and uses the headphone cord as the FM antenna.

From the sounds of it, both models have the same rather stiff analog tuning. I'm also pretty sure that both models -- you're not going to like this -- are made in China. There's just no other way Sony could make these radios so cheaply.

Why don't you buy both? It would be less than $25 delivered from Amazon. (You'd have to throw in a third item to get the free shipping.)

Oops, I see in another message you've already picked up the ICF-S10MK2. Sears for $10, huh? Might have to check that out. I like this shirt pocket radio stuff. It's a LOT cheaper than collecting the bigger models.

Yeah I saw that the SRF-59 has no speaker, which is a deal-breaker. And the SRF-59 is the replacement model as well, so that is why I was itching to pick one up before they dissapear. I was going to order one online on payday.

DX UPDATE!!!

12:30a.m. last night, I got WSM in Nashville.
From Connecticut. Thats 850 to 900 miles as the bird flys and over the appalachains.
Sounded closer than NYC stations I was getting.
I know WSM is probably the easiest AM station to Dx and can be heard on the entire continuous 48 states. Ive been to the studio and to their transmitter facility when I was about 13. Also got backstage at the Grand Ole Opery too.:lol: Should I scan my pics of me with Porter Wagoner?:lol:

I was also getting overlapping STRONG FM signals on the exacet same frequency that would alternate full-strength stations depending on antanna orientation.

Over morning coffee my fiance looked at me like :roll: and then :lol: when I excitedly told her of my Dx reception.

Analog tuning is quite a bit more fun than digital "all-or-nothing" rigidity. Usually i'm seaching for a new station before I get any drift anyways.

.


I know they are built in China, but it i'm trying to convince myself that the IC is at least Japanese desinged, if not built I have no problem with buying "cheap" chinese electronics, but if I am buying something that is "premium" I dont want chinese build. This is a cheapo radio, but I have no doubt that it will last as long as I want it to.

 

[n8emr]

I noticed WLS mentioned a few times in this thread.

Being from Chicago I recall that WLS = World's Largest Store (Sears)

Others?

WSM Nashville, National Life and Accident Insurance Company, "We Shield Millions"

 

[mikepdx]

From here in the the Pacific Northwest:

Oregon, Washington, Idaho, of course, along with an occasional Montana station.
A great many from Northern/Southern California & Nevada.
Several from British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.
Now and again a couple of Mexican stations (X call signs).

Next to nothing heard east of the Rockies
with the exceptions of Montana and Alberta.

 

[Shortwavewave]

LOLLOLLOLLOL... I love how RadioIntel compared a S10MK2 to an R75 with a +40db gain antenna, sony did 94% more huh? only cause +40db gain with preamp 1 on is +55db THATS ALL NOISE FOLKS, switch the antennas around and the sony couldnt hear a tower right next to you.

No offence to DanTSX's radio but Radio Intel is a bit far-fetched, sony does make good stuff though

ALSO how do you attach a loop to a handheld like that with out taking the radio apart?? Im assuming theres no external ant. jack
A loop is a closed circuit which would require a good ground...on a handheld?

 

[k9rzz]

DX UPDATE!!!

12:30a.m. last night, I got WSM in Nashville. .

When I visited my sister in KY last year, I got a kick out of listening to WSM during the day.

After 40+ years of hearing them night after night ... I was now hearing them at NOON! Well, that got a temporary memory spot on the car radio.

That's no big deal to the locals, I know, but what a hoot!

 

[ka3jjz]

The loop element itself does not require a seperate ground - that's one of its advantages for cave dwellers, who quite often cannot get a good RF ground. However, the tuning mechanism may be another issue althogether

As to coupling with radios without antenna jacks, often you can wind a simple pickup loop and put it next to or around the internal ferrite bar in the radio. This is a very old trick that works just fine.

Comparing a micro radio to a R75 - with or without a preamp - is like comparing apples to grapes. Absolultely ridiculous comparison. Two different receivers entirely. You would be better off comparing it with a small Sony or Grundig portable - that would be a much fairer comparison. RadioIntel isn't the one that's farfetched - I sometimes wonder about the reviewers that post there, though

73 Mike

 

[joe_disco_electronics]

Wow! Im surprised no one mentioned listening to AM rockers WKBW Buffalo and CKLW Windsor.
Also fondly remember Shep on WOR telling stories about Flick and getting a buzz doing aspirin and coca cola.

 

[Zaratsu]

LOLLOLLOLLOL... I love how RadioIntel compared a S10MK2 to an R75 with a +40db gain antenna, sony did 94% more huh? only cause +40db gain with preamp 1 on is +55db THATS ALL NOISE FOLKS, switch the antennas around and the sony couldnt hear a tower right next to you.

No offence to DanTSX's radio but Radio Intel is a bit far-fetched, sony does make good stuff though

ALSO how do you attach a loop to a handheld like that with out taking the radio apart?? Im assuming theres no external ant. jack
A loop is a closed circuit which would require a good ground...on a handheld?

Well, if I wrote the article, I would not have compared it to an R75. Although I think that what the article says is that the Sony detected 94% of what the ICOM did. Not 94% more. I doubt anyone would be confusing the differences between the two units. The article describes the S10 as being a cheap "throwaway" with some unique properties. No more, no less.

I went back to the store and bought their last S10mk2. For $10 I would be foolish not to buy it. It goes in the closet until I find a reason to open it.

The "connection" between the radio and loop is inductive coupling. No wires needed. They just have to be nearby, and alligned. Couldnt describe it with any more detail than that. I "get" how it works, but dont thoroughly understand it enough to show you. It is as old as radio itself.

 

[chrismol1]

I heard a Pitssburg station on a mini boom box radio from up here in Upstate NY with just a 10'' telescopic

 

[Shortwavewave]

The "connection" between the radio and loop is inductive coupling. No wires needed. They just have to be nearby, and alligned. Couldnt describe it with any more detail than that. I "get" how it works, but dont thoroughly understand it enough to show you. It is as old as radio itself.

Humm...I guess you learn somthing everyday, I didnt know that could be done

 

[57Bill]

Many years ago, I purchased one of those inductive loops similar to what C.C. Crain offers. It's about a foot in diameter with a "tuner" in the center, and works great with portables with ferrit bar antennas. Just place it at a right angle next to the portable. It's very selective and can help pick a station out of the hash that would not be monitorable without it. Mine is called a "select-a-tenna".

 

[Zaratsu]

Many years ago, I purchased one of those inductive loops similar to what C.C. Crain offers. It's about a foot in diameter with a "tuner" in the center, and works great with portables with ferrit bar antennas. Just place it at a right angle next to the portable. It's very selective and can help pick a station out of the hash that would not be monitorable without it. Mine is called a "select-a-tenna".

yup. They are like $40-$40 and work really well. The select-a-tennna + is a powered unit that is supposed to work even better. Turns it into an "active" versus a "passive" antanna. Terk also makes a good passive loop for $40 that can be bought at mostly any electronics store.

my next radio hobby purchase is either going to be a Terk am loop or the Sony ANLP-1 active antanne.

 

[ka3jjz]

The Sony LP1 has long since been discontinued, sadly - it's become the gold standard to which a lot of active loops have been compared. Good luck finding one :.>>

73 Mike

 

[kb2vxa]

Hi again,

Just to clarify and straighten out a couple of things;

"The loop element itself does not require a separate ground - that's one of its advantages for cave dwellers, who quite often cannot get a good RF ground. However, the tuning mechanism may be another issue altogether."

Let's not confuse ground with earth here. A loop is a closed circuit in which one end is circuit (chassis) grounded and the other the input to the receiver. On the other hand a "long wire" is an open circuit with the wire going to the receiver input and the receiver's circuit (chassis) ground earthed.

This from "Joe" Disco Electronics;

"Wow! I'm surprised no one mentioned listening to AM rockers WKBW Buffalo and CKLW Windsor.
Also fondly remember Shep on WOR telling stories about Flick and getting a buzz doing aspirin and coca cola."

Did I fail to mention my favorites in my previous post or did you overlook them? Obviously from the Springfield NJ area you heard them booming in and could pick up WOR (then transmitting from Carteret) 24/7 on a crystal set. Now it's WWKB Talk Radio (UGH!) and CK went directional E-W to protect PJB Bonaire. Ironically PJB the former half megawatt non directional monster lowered it's power to 50KW and also went E-W so back then CK dominated, PJB started an RF war and now neither can be heard worthwhile.

Just FYI for those who never visited Joe's junk store (;->) it was (is?) Disco Electronics but everybody just called it "Joe Disco". I never knew his last name and never asked. Funny how Pat moved around, last I saw him he was at Greenbrook Electronics but that was 9 years ago, then I moved "down the shore" as we say it here in Jersey.

Alas, Joe was the last dealer on the Rte. 22 strip which was New Jersey's answer to Radio Row in New York, both very familiar to Jean Shepherd K2ORS. His stories on WOR were almost pure fiction with very little truth to them, neither he nor anyone else ever got high on aspirin and Coca Cola and anyone who tried it got a belly full of gas Mythbusters style. Shep simply exploited a popular myth as he was in the habit of doing when he wasn't doing his unique style of commercials the writers never intended.

"New Jersey, the most American of all states. It has everything from wilderness to the Mafia. All the great things and all the worst, like Route 22."
Jean Shepherd

You can find a lot of great info on one of the most famous (or infamous?) radio personalities heard coast to coast and in every part of the world at one time or another right here;
http://www.flicklives.com/

 

[Patch42]

I know WSM is probably the easiest AM station to Dx and can be heard on the entire continuous 48 states. Ive been to the studio and to their

I know they are built in China, but it i'm trying to convince myself that the IC is at least Japanese desinged, if not built I have no problem with buying "cheap" chinese electronics, but if I am buying something that is "premium" I dont want chinese build. This is a cheapo radio, but I have no doubt that it will last as long as I want it to.

At least you're aware that while WSM is quite a distance from you, it's not very exciting as far as DX goes. One of the problems with equipment reviews from regular folks is they don't really know how to evaluate their radios. They turn it on at night, hear a flame thrower from 1000 miles away on a perfect night, and declare their new radio a DXing giant. Reality, of course, is that almost ANY radio would get that station in similar circumstances.

I first got interested in DXing when I heard a station from Boston sound just like it was a local on my crappy, mid-60s design, clock radio while sitting in my basement in Chicago. I'm sure it wasn't actually that big a deal, but it sure impressed me at the time.

As to the IC in the Sony, I think that's what makes it so good. Sony has some proprietary AM IC that's well known for having phenomenal reception. They've clearly managed to mass produce them at pennies a piece.

Regarding the Radio Intel comparison, the thing that made no sense to me at all was the criteria for measurement. The reviewer didn't see how many total stations could be heard on each radio. He just looked at the 113 available channel slots and did a yes/no determination, heard something or didn't hear anything. I dare say there are a lot more than 113 stations that can be heard if you just rotate the antennas a bit. That would have made a much better comparison and I'm sure the R75 would have faired much better.

 

[ridgescan]

All I can say as I am enjoying this thread is I feel bad for us radio lovers as we are getting squeezed aside like dinosaurs (speaking of here on the west coast-we literally only have radio shack or ham radio outlet) but thank God for the net! This medium is the only one keeping our past alive!

 

[Zaratsu]

At least you're aware that while WSM is quite a distance from you, it's not very exciting as far as DX goes. One of the problems with equipment reviews from regular folks is they don't really know how to evaluate their radios. They turn it on at night, hear a flame thrower from 1000 miles away on a perfect night, and declare their new radio a DXing giant. Reality, of course, is that almost ANY radio would get that station in similar circumstances.

I first got interested in DXing when I heard a station from Boston sound just like it was a local on my crappy, mid-60s design, clock radio while sitting in my basement in Chicago. I'm sure it wasn't actually that big a deal, but it sure impressed me at the time.

As to the IC in the Sony, I think that's what makes it so good. Sony has some proprietary AM IC that's well known for having phenomenal reception. They've clearly managed to mass produce them at pennies a piece.

Regarding the Radio Intel comparison, the thing that made no sense to me at all was the criteria for measurement. The reviewer didn't see how many total stations could be heard on each radio. He just looked at the 113 available channel slots and did a yes/no determination, heard something or didn't hear anything. I dare say there are a lot more than 113 stations that can be heard if you just rotate the antennas a bit. That would have made a much better comparison and I'm sure the R75 would have faired much better.

Heh, thats why I made the comment that I had been to their studio and transmitter before. (Family had friends high up in Gaylord Ent.) They had a coverage map from pre-war days and yeah, it pretty much covered the whole USA. I expected to hear WSM and kind of was looking for it specifically as it is a nice centrally located benchmark. Still not bad from inside a cinder-block apartment with an IBOC AM-HD station a mile away and nothing but Hartford, NYC, and Philly between me and Tenn. I probably wont mention anything Dx-worthy again until I hear a 5k watt from WV or maybe Newfoundland or Greenland.

 

[Patch42]

They had a coverage map from pre-war days and yeah, it pretty much covered the whole USA.

I recall reading a post from someone who said they'd been stationed in Germany during the '60s, working the radio room at night. He said he would regularly listen to KABC from Los Angeles. They're only a 5kW station. Before there were thousands of stations running 24/7, before CFLs, cell phones, microwave ovens, six TVs in every house and cable TV systems polluting every neighborhood, it was fairly common to hear comparatively low power stations at great distances. The 50kW stations like WSM were probably heard around the world with great regularity.

My current records are a 40W non-directional beacon at about 2100 miles and a Navtex station (nor sure on transmitter power) at just over 2500 miles. Both are longwave stations.

 

[ridgescan]

Neat stuff, Patch 42!