"T. Early" wrote in message ...
"bpnjensen" wrote in message
om...
j.d. wrote in message
. ..
Anyone have an opinion on the "Super" 909 located at
http://www.radiolabs.com/products/re...s/super909.php
?

I am considering taking up shortwave radio. I have a while before
I'll
have the money, I am just looking for information. Thanks-

I can tell you, price notwithstanding, that the Super 909/DX-398 is
a
significant improvement over stock. I had a DX-398 that I got from
RD
on closeout for $100, so I felt that it might be worthwhile - and it
was! The sound is cleaner and easier on the ears, the sensitivity
off
the whip is improved, the RF Gain now works very well on AM and FM,
and the modified controls feel better. The blue display is quite
nice. I'm not sure why folks do not like the SSB tuning - mine
works
great and sounds fine, either on hams, utes or ECSS - maybe they
don't
like the increased power drain? I use it with a power supply anyway
most of the time, so it is no big deal.

Having said all of this - I think I agree with the posters who
recommend using the money toward a good used rig. $300 buys a lot
of
good used radio.


I'm thinking about having this done as well, and my primary
consideration would be improving the radio's sensitivity since I
already use an external speaker. Is there an -overall- improvement in
sensitivity (which I would think would be the case) for those who use
an external loop, or is it primarily noticeable when using the whip?

My take on the value equation is that it may be worth it if you
already have the radio anyway, but that $330 for the moded radio gets
you into pretty rich territory where you're not that far from a new
Sat 800, new Icom R75, or something decent used.

I have heard that the sensitivity overall is improved, but I
personally have not yet plugged an antenna into the jack. In fact, on
the occasions when I've used an external antenna, I've just coupled it
to the whip using an insulated inductor coil of wire - it works great.

I agree, it would be nice to use either a passively-coupled or plugged
in loop on this radio.

I also agree that, for $330, you may be able to get more radio than
the Sangean.

Bruce Jensen