Sangean DT400W Frequency Drop-Out - Normal?

[MARKINAZ]

Hello,

I have a Sangean DT400W and I do enjoy it, with the exception of one little annoyance. When I change the frequency it causes the audio to drop out for about 1-2 seconds, then it comes back. Is this a normal quirk with this radio or do I have a faulty unit?

Thank you very much!
Mark in Mesa, AZ

 

[Boombox]

Hello,

I have a Sangean DT400W and I do enjoy it, with the exception of one little annoyance. When I change the frequency it causes the audio to drop out for about 1-2 seconds, then it comes back. Is this a normal quirk with this radio or do I have a faulty unit?

Thank you very much!
Mark in Mesa, AZ

I don't have a DT400W but I have several other Sangean radios and my guess is that it is normal. Some of the modern radios have about a one second pause before the DSP chip inside them tunes to the frequency. Two seconds seems maybe a bit long. One second? That seems like normal.

But I'm only guessing. I'll have to check my two DSP tuned radios when I get home from work, and time them.

I do have one analog tuned SW radio (digital tuning, analog chip inside it) that takes one second to tune to a frequency, and it's definitely normal for that radio, and that radio is made by Sangean (Realistic DX-375).

 

[Boombox]

I double checked my two DSP chipped radios, a Grundig and my Sangean PR-D5. The PR-D5 takes a little more than 3/4 or a second or so to click into another channel. The Grundig G2 is quicker.

If your Sangean has the same set up as my old DX-375 (a 1990's SW radio) it may be the way it's supposed to be; if it has a DSP chip it might be the way they set it up for optimum tuning.

You could always email Sangean (go to their website, and find their contact, and explain your issue). They always email me back about technical questions. They are very good about that.

My gut is if your radio tunes, and it's consistent (i.e. tunes the same way on both bands, or across the dial), it's acting normally and the slower tuning is just a function of the radio.

 

[majoco]

It's quite a common occurrence with digitally tuned radios, even some expensive commercial radios ( Collins 651s-1 !) do the same - it's to do with the settling time of the phase locked loops. There are mods on most radios to remove the muting but then you get an annoying 'chuffing' sound as you turn the tuning knob.