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Old May 20th 06, 01:24 AM posted to rec.radio.shortwave
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Default Two antenna questions

1) Does anyone have any experience with or recommend an alternative to an
Alpha Delta switch, model Delta 4? Since the Daiwa CS-401 is discontinued
and seemingly impossible to find, I'm looking to upgrade from 2 to four
positions (more radios) but don't want the cheap junk of MFJ. Is there
another good but reasonably priced 4-port switch that anyone has experience
with, or do you recommend the Alpha Delta? That one is $75. This is for
receive only.

2) What do you do if you have succesfully matched your longwire to a 50ohm
coax with a MLB and have coax coming into the house, but now want to use
that on a high-impedance antenna input (those radios that don't have a coax
connection but just a terminal or jack for a long wire)? Do you do another
MLB with just a short length of wire on the antenna side for connection to
the radio?

Thanks in advance for any informative responses.


Not a question, but some obvervations: Just got two new radios. First was
a Sony ICF-5900W (thanks Mike!). Excellent working condition and very
solid. After giving it a good bath (alcohol, toothbrush, Q-tips, etc) and
then some Novus, and of course making sure the innards were clean and lubed,
it works like a charm and looks almost brand new. Very sensitive radio. I
was most impressed by the audio clarity. Side by side with the RF-2200 I
might have to give the edge to the Sony, for just voice clarity.

Second new radio was a Panasonic RF-5000A. I have always wanted one but
they go for too much and those that don't are generally pretty banged up.
Got an eBay Second-Chance offer and lucked out. Amazingly well-preserved.
Did a similar but more involved cleaning, and was a little intimidated at
first when I opened it up. Have you ever seen the inside of one of these?
Definitely the most well-built radio that I have ever seen, and once I sat
down and took my time it was actually easy to dissassemble. After a
thorough cleaning and reassembly, it looks like new. Literally. And it
works great. There is no doubt that it is, as most say, the best sounding
portable ever. This is one BIG and HEAVY radio. Shortwave seems to be
pretty sensitive, but I haven't put it through any serious head-to-head
comparisons. This may be my new "Best of Show", based on condition and just
how cool it is. If you ever have a chance to pick one of these up, you'll
love it.