1000+ Members - Group for Radio Shack DX-394 Users

[Tom Holden]

This group has the most complete collection of modifications, usage tips,
links to related websites, documentation, and photos along with a user
survey and a message forum (4000+ messages archived) to help you get the
most
fun and DX out of your Realistic / Radio Shack DX-394, DX394, DX 394.

Over 90 mods and tips now listed plus a dozen on the To Do or Wish List.
More mods than for any other general coverage receiver! Thoroughly
documented with a Master Index. If you like to tinker with radios, I know of
no other recent model that lends itself to as much fun in this arena as the
DX-394. Great platform for learning radio-electronics. Always 1 or more FA
on eBay.

Active & friendly user community now with over 1000 members. Some members
are
keen short wave listeners; others are into AM DXing and a few enjoy long
wave. Many experiment with antennas and some are ardent modifiers -
customising and souping up the rig as hot rodders would do with cars. You'll
find lots to interest you and help get the most out of your radio.

All here at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/­RADIOSHACKDX394/

Subscribe on line (for full access privileges to the extensive collection of
Files, Photos and Links) or by email:
RADIOSHACKDX394-***@yaho­ogroups.com (for message posting/receipt
only).

73, Tom

[RHF]

TH - The Group's Link/URL got truncated/cut.

Radio Shack DX-394 User's Group
RadioShack DX394 {DX 394}
DX-394 => http://tinyurl.com/o6rgr

Radio Shack DX-394 User's Group
RadioShack DX394 {DX 394}
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADIOSHACKDX394/

Radio Shack DX-394 User's Group
RadioShack DX394 {DX 394}
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADIOSHACKDX394/>

RigPix DataBase listing for the
Radio Shack DX-394 [DX394 DX 394]
http://www.rigpix.com/rs-realistic/realistic_dx394.htm

ABOUT - Radio Shack DX-394 Shortwave Radio
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.radio.shortwave/msg/73a2da4123a74125



just my two cents worth - jm2cw ~ RHF
.
.
. .
.

[Han]

Congratulations Tom

that is an impressibe amount of subscribers. i think mostly US in
europe this is not the most poppular receiver.

With kind regards


Han The Netherlands.

You can also visit my website with a lot of recordings of rediostations
under 30 MHz.


http://home.wanadoo.nl/hanhardonk/indexengels.html

[Jack Ricci]

The addresses to subscribe to this group do not work from Canada. Any
mistakes? I get the message that this group does not exist...

Jack

Post by Tom Holden
This group has the most complete collection of modifications, usage tips,
links to related websites, documentation, and photos along with a user
survey and a message forum (4000+ messages archived) to help you get the
most
fun and DX out of your Realistic / Radio Shack DX-394, DX394, DX 394.
Over 90 mods and tips now listed plus a dozen on the To Do or Wish List.
More mods than for any other general coverage receiver! Thoroughly
documented with a Master Index. If you like to tinker with radios, I know of
no other recent model that lends itself to as much fun in this arena as the
DX-394. Great platform for learning radio-electronics. Always 1 or more FA
on eBay.
Active & friendly user community now with over 1000 members. Some members
are
keen short wave listeners; others are into AM DXing and a few enjoy long
wave. Many experiment with antennas and some are ardent modifiers -
customising and souping up the rig as hot rodders would do with cars. You'll
find lots to interest you and help get the most out of your radio.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/­RADIOSHACKDX394/
Subscribe on line (for full access privileges to the extensive collection
only).
73, Tom

[Jack Ricci]

TH - The Group's Link/URL got truncated/cut.

Radio Shack DX-394 User's Group
RadioShack DX394 {DX 394}
DX-394 => http://tinyurl.com/o6rgr

Radio Shack DX-394 User's Group
RadioShack DX394 {DX 394}
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADIOSHACKDX394/



OOOoooopps! Correction noted. Thanks.

Jack

Post by Jack Ricci
The addresses to subscribe to this group do not work from Canada. Any
mistakes? I get the message that this group does not exist...
Jack

Post by Tom Holden
This group has the most complete collection of modifications, usage tips,
links to related websites, documentation, and photos along with a user
survey and a message forum (4000+ messages archived) to help you get the
most
fun and DX out of your Realistic / Radio Shack DX-394, DX394, DX 394.
Over 90 mods and tips now listed plus a dozen on the To Do or Wish List.
More mods than for any other general coverage receiver! Thoroughly
documented with a Master Index. If you like to tinker with radios, I know of
no other recent model that lends itself to as much fun in this arena as the
DX-394. Great platform for learning radio-electronics. Always 1 or more FA
on eBay.
Active & friendly user community now with over 1000 members. Some members
are
keen short wave listeners; others are into AM DXing and a few enjoy long
wave. Many experiment with antennas and some are ardent modifiers -
customising and souping up the rig as hot rodders would do with cars. You'll
find lots to interest you and help get the most out of your radio.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/­RADIOSHACKDX394/
Subscribe on line (for full access privileges to the extensive collection
only).
73, Tom

[Caveat Lector]

Just FYI: I see a lot of these mods to increase sensitivity -- resulting in
trashing the dynamic range

Remember some of these mods are made by amateurs

The factory engineers designed the sensitivity for very good reasons
--
CL -- I doubt, therefore I might be !

Post by Tom Holden
This group has the most complete collection of modifications, usage tips,
links to related websites, documentation, and photos along with a user
survey and a message forum (4000+ messages archived) to help you get the
most
fun and DX out of your Realistic / Radio Shack DX-394, DX394, DX 394.
Over 90 mods and tips now listed plus a dozen on the To Do or Wish List.
More mods than for any other general coverage receiver! Thoroughly
documented with a Master Index. If you like to tinker with radios, I know of
no other recent model that lends itself to as much fun in this arena as the
DX-394. Great platform for learning radio-electronics. Always 1 or more FA
on eBay.
Active & friendly user community now with over 1000 members. Some members
are
keen short wave listeners; others are into AM DXing and a few enjoy long
wave. Many experiment with antennas and some are ardent modifiers -
customising and souping up the rig as hot rodders would do with cars. You'll
find lots to interest you and help get the most out of your radio.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/­RADIOSHACKDX394/
Subscribe on line (for full access privileges to the extensive collection
only).
73, Tom

[Tom Holden]

Post by Caveat Lector
Just FYI: I see a lot of these mods to increase sensitivity -- resulting
in trashing the dynamic range

Which of these mods do you think increase sensitivity at the expense of
dynamic range?

Post by Caveat Lector
Remember some of these mods are made by amateurs

Many of whom are electronics professionals. That's not to say that novices
at electronics do not carry out some mods. One of the virtues of the DX-394
is that it can be readily modified and doing so is a great educational
activity for someone getting into radio and electronics.

Post by Caveat Lector
The factory engineers designed the sensitivity for very good reasons

And made some mistakes in other areas, e.g., decoupling around the IF
filters, AGC time constant for SSB (factory corrected in the revised
versions), and some design trade-offs or decisions that owners want to
correct. That is true of every product.

Post by Caveat Lector
--
CL -- I doubt, therefore I might be !

And I was named after the biblical doubter.

Tom

[Caveat Lector]

I refer you to the Elecraft page
http://www.elecraft.com/K2_perf.htm

Sez
MDS = Minimum Discernible Signal (3db increase above noise floor). Larger
negative numbers are generally better, but too much sensitivity can reduce
strong signal dynamic range and Ip3. Pre-Amp On MDS numbers of -130 dBm or
more are more than adequate for most HF band operating, since band noise is
typically above this number. (Lower frequencies need less MDS (more +number)
due to an increase in atmospheric noise.)
--
CL -- I doubt, therefore I might be !

Post by Tom Holden

Post by Caveat Lector
Just FYI: I see a lot of these mods to increase sensitivity -- resulting
in trashing the dynamic range

Which of these mods do you think increase sensitivity at the expense of
dynamic range?

Post by Caveat Lector
Remember some of these mods are made by amateurs

Many of whom are electronics professionals. That's not to say that novices
at electronics do not carry out some mods. One of the virtues of the
DX-394 is that it can be readily modified and doing so is a great
educational activity for someone getting into radio and electronics.

Post by Caveat Lector
The factory engineers designed the sensitivity for very good reasons

And made some mistakes in other areas, e.g., decoupling around the IF
filters, AGC time constant for SSB (factory corrected in the revised
versions), and some design trade-offs or decisions that owners want to
correct. That is true of every product.

Post by Caveat Lector
--
CL -- I doubt, therefore I might be !

And I was named after the biblical doubter.
Tom

[Tom Holden]

Post by Caveat Lector
I refer you to the Elecraft page
http://www.elecraft.com/K2_perf.htm
Sez
MDS = Minimum Discernible Signal (3db increase above noise floor). Larger
negative numbers are generally better, but too much sensitivity can reduce
strong signal dynamic range and Ip3. Pre-Amp On MDS numbers of -130 dBm or
more are more than adequate for most HF band operating, since band noise
is typically above this number. (Lower frequencies need less MDS (more
+number) due to an increase in atmospheric noise.)
--
CL -- I doubt, therefore I might be !

Post by Tom Holden

Post by Caveat Lector
Just FYI: I see a lot of these mods to increase sensitivity -- resulting
in trashing the dynamic range

Which of these mods do you think increase sensitivity at the expense of
dynamic range?

You did not answer the question. The answer may well be 'none'. I'm not
aware of any aimed at increased sensitivity, unless adding an amplified
preselector counts as a mod. And that could arguably be for improved dynamic
range and sensitivity by improving front-end selectivity and noise figure.
Most regard the DX-394 as a very sensitive receiver that is outperformed in
that spec by few others. But itcould do with improved overload threshold and
IP3.

Methinks you might be trashing imagined mods rather than the ones
well-documented in the user group.

Tom

[clifto]

Post by Caveat Lector
Just FYI: I see a lot of these mods to increase sensitivity -- resulting in
trashing the dynamic range
Remember some of these mods are made by amateurs
The factory engineers designed the sensitivity for very good reasons

Problem is, many times those reasons have more to do with cost than
with performance.

[Never anonymous Bud]

Post by clifto

Post by Caveat Lector
Just FYI: I see a lot of these mods to increase sensitivity -- resulting in
trashing the dynamic range
Remember some of these mods are made by amateurs
The factory engineers designed the sensitivity for very good reasons

Problem is, many times those reasons have more to do with cost than
with performance.

My question would be...

WHAT does this have to do with scanning,
and WHY was it cross-posted to 6 newsgroups??






Lumber Cartel (tinlc) #2063. Spam this account at your own risk.

This sig censored by the Office of Home and Land Insecurity...

Remove XYZ to email me

[dxAce]

Post by Never anonymous Bud

Post by clifto

Post by Caveat Lector
Just FYI: I see a lot of these mods to increase sensitivity -- resulting in
trashing the dynamic range
Remember some of these mods are made by amateurs
The factory engineers designed the sensitivity for very good reasons

Problem is, many times those reasons have more to do with cost than
with performance.

My question would be...
WHAT does this have to do with scanning,
and WHY was it cross-posted to 6 newsgroups??

Because the original poster is a Canuck, and doesn't know any better?

Post by Never anonymous Bud
Lumber Cartel (tinlc) #2063. Spam this account at your own risk.
This sig censored by the Office of Home and Land Insecurity...
Remove XYZ to email me

[Caveat Lector]

Aplogies for the cross posting - I was just responding to the original
post'Gotta be more careful
--
CL -- I doubt, therefore I might be !

Post by Never anonymous Bud

Post by clifto

Post by Caveat Lector
Just FYI: I see a lot of these mods to increase sensitivity -- resulting in
trashing the dynamic range
Remember some of these mods are made by amateurs
The factory engineers designed the sensitivity for very good reasons

Problem is, many times those reasons have more to do with cost than
with performance.

My question would be...
WHAT does this have to do with scanning,
and WHY was it cross-posted to 6 newsgroups??
Lumber Cartel (tinlc) #2063. Spam this account at your own risk.
This sig censored by the Office of Home and Land Insecurity...
Remove XYZ to email me

[Tom Holden]

Post by Never anonymous Bud
My question would be...
WHAT does this have to do with scanning,
and WHY was it cross-posted to 6 newsgroups??

The DX-394 is a scanning receiver, reviews have described its user interface
as reflecting a scanner heritage, it has been a topic in all the newsgroups
to which I posted the notice, and similar notices have been crossposted a
few times in all these newsgroups informing potentially interested parties
about http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADIOSHACKDX394/, without objection.

Are there any other newsgroups for which it would be relevant? The ones I
posted to are:
rec.radio.shortwave, alt.radio.scanner, alt.radio.scanner.uk,
rec.radio.amateur.equipment, rec.radio.amateur.homebrew

73, Tom

[Never anonymous Bud]

On Mon, 27 Mar 2006 16:30:01 -0500, "Tom Holden"

Post by Tom Holden
The DX-394 is a scanning receiver,

It is a SHORTWAVE receiver, and any posts about it belong
in rec.radio.shortwave and NOT in any scanner newsgroup.

It's also NOT amateur equipment any more than it is a scanner,
and CERTAINLY not 'homebrew'.

Post by Tom Holden
Are there any other newsgroups for which it would be relevant? The ones I
rec.radio.shortwave, alt.radio.scanner, alt.radio.scanner.uk,
rec.radio.amateur.equipment, rec.radio.amateur.homebrew

Lumber Cartel (tinlc) #2063. Spam this account at your own risk.

This sig censored by the Office of Home and Land Insecurity...

Remove XYZ to email me

[Tom Holden]

Post by Never anonymous Bud
On Mon, 27 Mar 2006 16:30:01 -0500, "Tom Holden"

Post by Tom Holden
The DX-394 is a scanning receiver,

It is a SHORTWAVE receiver, and any posts about it belong
in rec.radio.shortwave and NOT in any scanner newsgroup.

It is a LW, MW, SW receiver that scans. Is alt.radio.scanner restricted to
discussion of scanning receivers that can tune only above 30 MHz?

Do a search in alt.radio.scanner:
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.radio.scanner/search?q=DX-394+OR+DX394+or+%22DX+394%22&start=50&
- 66 threads found, dating from 1996.

Post by Never anonymous Bud
It's also NOT amateur equipment any more than it is a scanner,
and CERTAINLY not 'homebrew'.

Why is the DX-394 NOT amateur equipment (I assume you mean 'amateur radio')?
It tunes the HF ham bands and does a credible job receiving the popular ham
modes on its own and is used with software to receive many digital modes. It
is found in many hamshacks. My first SW receiver was a 5-tube Heathkit AR-3
general coverage radio - it doesn't hold a candle to the DX-394 - but it was
the receiving part of my ham radio station.

I agree that the DX-394 itself is not 'homebrew' but the many mods are of
interest to some homebrewers as have the design discussions carried out in
rec.radio.amateur.homebrew.

When did you become the self-appointed policer of these newsgroups? As far
as I can tell, my original post was in the spirit of guidelines about
cross-posting. Your carrying on with this nonsensical criticism by
cross-posting replies is not.

End of discussion.

Tom

[Jack Ricci]

The DX-394 is a scanning receiver, reviews have described its user interface
as reflecting a scanner heritage...


I agree...and I'm a Canuck...

Post by Tom Holden

Post by Never anonymous Bud
My question would be...
WHAT does this have to do with scanning,
and WHY was it cross-posted to 6 newsgroups??

The DX-394 is a scanning receiver, reviews have described its user
interface as reflecting a scanner heritage, it has been a topic in all the
newsgroups to which I posted the notice, and similar notices have been
crossposted a few times in all these newsgroups informing potentially
interested parties about http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADIOSHACKDX394/,
without objection.
Are there any other newsgroups for which it would be relevant? The ones I
rec.radio.shortwave, alt.radio.scanner, alt.radio.scanner.uk,
rec.radio.amateur.equipment, rec.radio.amateur.homebrew
73, Tom

[Jack Ricci]

Post by Never anonymous Bud
WHAT does this have to do with scanning,
and WHY was it cross-posted to 6 newsgroups??

I was intrigued by that post and joined the group. DX 394 is quite a bit
part of a listening hobby.

The DX 394 scans a slightly different breed of frequencies...or does it?
My Yupiteru MVT 7100 picks up all those same frequencies also, and then
some. Does that mean my Yupi is technically NOT a scanner because I can also
use it as an AM/FM/SW/SSB/Weather/TV audio/
CB/Communications/Marine/Police/Fire/Ambulance radio receiver as well?

Jack

Post by Never anonymous Bud

Post by clifto

Post by Caveat Lector
Just FYI: I see a lot of these mods to increase sensitivity -- resulting in
trashing the dynamic range
Remember some of these mods are made by amateurs
The factory engineers designed the sensitivity for very good reasons

Problem is, many times those reasons have more to do with cost than
with performance.

My question would be...
WHAT does this have to do with scanning,
and WHY was it cross-posted to 6 newsgroups??
Lumber Cartel (tinlc) #2063. Spam this account at your own risk.
This sig censored by the Office of Home and Land Insecurity...
Remove XYZ to email me

[Butch Magee]

Post by Caveat Lector
Just FYI: I see a lot of these mods to increase sensitivity -- resulting in
trashing the dynamic range
Remember some of these mods are made by amateurs
The factory engineers designed the sensitivity for very good reasons

Thank you Mr. Lector for reminding the wannabe multi-year experienced
EEs that it is best to leave well enough alone.

Butch KF5DE