I have a DX-398 R/S also and Lucky is correct.
It really is the classic tradeoff off of receiver sensitivity vs dynamic
range.
And the Sangean engineers design is such that with an external antenna, the
dynamic range is quite good and the receiver sensitivity is as good as my
Kenwood with an external antenna

With a whip it will pick up the strong stations quite well.

I have had some SW portables that were quite sensitive with the whip, but
had poor strong signal handling with an external antenna. Again the
tradeoff off of receiver sensitivity vs dynamic range.

I am real leery of mods to radios to improve the sensitivity without regard
to degradation to the dynamic range performance.
Modders beware.

Yep it is a battery eater -- have lots of spares when using away from power
mains, otherwise use the R/S power module.
6V @ 300ma

--
LC



"CW" wrote in message
...
No, it performs quite well but not off the whip. It handles external
antennas better than most portables and needs one to perform but with it,
it
does as well as my Kenwood. It does eat batteries so you want to use mains
power. Some on here have commented that the YB400 was hard on batteries.
The
YB gets about six times the life on a set as the 909. That's why I say
that
it is not really a portable. It needs an external antenna and wall wart.
As
a desktop though, it performs well.

"Lucky" wrote in message
...
So basically the so called true SSB, no BFO on the radio is not
sensitive?
I
was looking at buying one. I have a Degen 1103 and like it but like to
try
new radios. So stay away huh??

Thanks and Happy New Year All !!!!!!!
Lucky