All the way from Hong Kong came the Tecsun PL-310, suggested by member rich as a tuner with something akin to an S-meter.
All the way from Hong Kong came the Tecsun PL-310, suggested by member rich as a tuner with something akin to an S-meter.
Indeed this quite small radio has a numeric display of signal strength in dBu as well as a numeric indication of the S/N (signal-to-noise ratio).
Right away I was jotting down power measurements in every corner of the yard for AM1680.
When I walked around listening to 107.1 it was a whole different galaxy. NONE of my several other FM radios do well picking up either the C.Crane nor Wholehouse 2.0 FM transmitters outside, not even in other rooms… but the TECSUN kept 107.1 clearly in every room and outdoors in the entire yard.
The radio is compatible with many countries, and since somewhere the FM band runs from 64 to 108mHz, that’s how I set it, which might be channel 3 on up through FM. There are no audible signals down there in this region, but now I know about that whereas before I wondered.
Very good tip from rich.
Hi Carl! I’m glad you got that radio!
I have a Tecsun PL-380. The two
radios are probably pretty much
the same, I think.
The FM is VERY GOOD on mine. Shortwave
is very good. If you take it outside
you will see how good it is.
AM is a little lacking in sensitivity, but
you could put up an external AM wire antenna
outside and wrap some turns around the radio
and ground the antenna. I think 20 feet or
so out to a tree would work. You could coil
it up when you are done, and put it away. I
believe the PL-310 does not have an external
antenna jack. This is why you would have to
wrap some turns of the wire around the radio.
(I would try this experiment when KDX
is not on the air(!)
Anyway, it’s a very good radio and can fit in
a big pocket. Also, selectivity is very very
good on all bands.
I think some of the guys discussed the signal
strength display on the PL-310 and provided
some ideas on how to convert that reading to
something that is more useful, such as a
crude conversation of microvolts to meter at
“x” distance. I seem to remember that the
math was very complicated.
Enjoy the radio! It’s a good one!
Bruce, 1020 CC
A Prediction
Carl will spend a lot of time tweaking, measuring, tweaking some more, and measuring some more and will most likely squeeze every additional bit of signal from his transmitters and antennas. Ask me how I know this.
Being able to measure relative field strength opens a new world to explore.
Enjoy!
Neil
Still Working
Amazing.
See..good stuff can be found out of China.
BTW..anyone seen Rich around? Been trying to contact him to no avail. Hope he is doing ok.
RFB
..ps…Monday, October 15 2012, history will be made as one Part 15 station takes the ultimate leap into the big boy realm and rescues a Part 73 FM, with the FCC’s blessing via STA. details on an upcoming popular program..you all know it, heard it, love it and want more.
Hi Guys!
To Neil:
I can picture what you are talking about.
Carl will probably talk about this on the
Low Power Hour. That will be fun to
listen to.
And RFB, i am very curious about what
you are talking about. Part 73?
Best Wishes, Bruce
1020 CC
P.S. I have not seen Rich around. But I’m not
on here as much as I used to be.
The Big Boys…
Part 73 refers to the licensed broadcast service. They have a whole different set of rules governing their operation.
An STA is a temporary authorization to permit operation for a specified period of time, not a regular license.
A K-Rocks/KMLD “Melding”
“And RFB, i am very curious about what
you are talking about. Part 73?”
Basically it means K-Rocks has “melded” with KMLD 94.5, a full service 65Kw ERP FM here in Casper, and it got dropped into my lap, literally. And I have more news.
This may end up becoming permanent, and highly probable it will get “dumped” in my lap for good. In other words, turned over to me so the current ownership can get out from under it, though they will still have to face the music of previous wrong doings.
The discussions to date are pointing in that direction. So in a nutshell, I very well just might be given a very huge “gift”. A gift I will gladly accept.
I am about to do a “hunt”. A hunt for replacing the destroyed Harris FM 20K transmitter up on the hill. I was contacted by the tower owners today and even the discussions with them suggests this will end up becoming a permanent arrangement.
RFB