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

Good ionospheric F2 propagation conditions have caused an incredible pile-up of stations on the 27 MHz CB Radio band recently. I just show you some examples received in Germany on 8 November 2011 between 1335 and 1535 UTC using my Sangean ATS-909X portable world band receiver with its built-in telescopic whip antenna. The clock on the radio shows Central European Time (UTC+1).

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• cb
• radio
• shortwave
• cb-funk
• dx
• dxing
• pile-up
• f2
• propagation
• citizens band
• reception
• empfang
• sangean
• ats-909x
• world band receiver
• weltempfänger
• swl
• ionospheric
• skip
• 27
• mhz
• 11 m band

[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]

@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!

[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.

[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.

[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 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]

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

[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 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?