Incredible 27 MHz CB Radio Pile-up thanks to F2 Propagation

[vondoobie420]

Just got this radio today.I have not picked up any SW broadcasts yet too early in the day when I tried but MW has great reception-turning the radio makes so much difference, but the wire ant. does not help MW reception seemingly. Is the ant. supposed to help on MW or just on SW? I an considering the modification is there more than one modification available? I inquired to RadioLab in California, they stated they do only one filter on the 909x Does anyone know of any other shops in the thnx enjoy

[senderjaeger]

@vondoobie420 The supplied wire antenna is simply too short for MW, but it works well on SW. For MW, you should try longer wires. 20 to 30 m of simple hookup wire from the electronics store, connected to a 3.5 mm mono earphone plug should be OK on MW. If not, you may also try longer wires. I'd recommend a filter modification as the original "narrow" filters in the 909X is way too wide for serious DXing. A 2.8 kHz SSB filter will improve performance significantly.

[senderjaeger]

@Wokkonny From time to time I use external wire antennas. Thanks for your comment! 73!

[MSVT1973]

Hello senderjaeger. I like the videos you have posted with the 909x. I am really considering buying this radio; but the button issue is a concern especially since the radio cost 170 euros; for that price one would expect a receiver in perfect running condition. How has your experience been with the button issue? Is it that bad as one reads on the web and is it a major problem?

[senderjaeger]

@MSVT1973 On my unit, some buttons occasionally need a second press to react. Some may find this annoying but but I can live with it because I mainly use the tuning wheel for band scanning. If you're concerned about it, buy it at a dealer with a money-back warranty so in case your set doesn't work as expected you can return it. Thanks for your interest!

[MSVT1973]

@senderjaeger Thanks for your quick reply. Well I'm going to the electronic store here in Eindhoven tomorrow. I'll take some batteries with me and test it before I purchase it. I'm sure that if there are problems with the buttons I will notice this right away.

If the receiver is good I plan on bringing the receiver to Charly Hardt in Remscheid to have an amplifier built in for the telescopic antenna for shortwave. Do you know if this really make a difference with the reception?

[senderjaeger]

@MSVT1973 I haven't tested a modified ATS-909(X) myself, but according to all I have heard and read about the modification, it's recommendable. I think the amplifier will improve reception with the telescopic antenna considerably, especially if you run the set on batteries. A narrow 2.8 kHz filter is also an investment to consider. By the way, I recently tested the 909X with a 30 m longwire and it performed very well. Some portables don't cope well with such large antennas, but the Sangean does.

[MSVT1973]

@senderjaeger I purchased the radio today and it also has a slight problem with the buttons but as you stated occasionally, so I think I can live with this too since the radio has a lot to offer. If you're interested I can let you know how the reception is on shortwave when I have the antenna amplifier installed next month. I have a Sangean 909w (no modifications), a Sony ICF 7600GR and a Degen DE 1103 to make comparisons with.

Regards,

Michael

[senderjaeger]

@MSVT1973 Congrats on getting the 909X! You'll see that its SW reception is quite similar to the old ATS-909(W), so the modification will certainly improve the radio. I'm looking forward to your report.

The things I like on the 909X are the excellent display backlight, the tuning wheel and its good FM reception and sound. It has also shown impressive performance recently on the 10 m amateur radio band.

[MSVT1973]

@senderjaeger Thanks and I'm sure it will give me a lot of pleasure. I'll get back to you when I get the amplifier installed.

[MSVT1973]

@senderjaeger It's going be a while before I can get the amplifier installed. I was still bothered by the button issue and sent it to Sangean in Venlo. They agreed that there was a problem with some of the receivers from the first production. Next month they will receive receivers from the second line of production and I'll receive a new replacement. Maybe you could get a replacement too.

[senderjaeger]

@MSVT1973 Thanks for the info! I'll have to consider that. I'm looking forward to your further reports on the modification. Maybe you can upload a video of the modified 909X. Best regards!

[SanttuDX]

Great reception! Good to see Sangean working!

[senderjaeger]

@SanttuDX Thanks!

[MARKGM20877]

Great reception on the whip !!...lots of high power and very good propagation gets messy quick :)....keep em coming cheers Mark

[senderjaeger]

@MARKGM20877 Thanks Mark... Indeed, I was quite surprised about the 909X performing so well on the whip. When running from mains, sensitivity is quite good on those high frequencies while on batteries, the set is rather deaf. I hope the good conditions will continue for doing some 10 m ham DXing... Cheers Matthias

[miked3038]

Superb

[senderjaeger]

@miked3038 Thanks and stay tuned! 

[amdxing]

Nice demo Matthias! shows what happens when we have good propagation....Cheers Les

[senderjaeger]

@amdxing Thanks Les... it's been really chaotic, there were also several U.S. stations getting through and signals were strong enough for indoor reception on the whip... Stay tuned for more! Cheers Matthias