Sony ICF-S10MK2 -- Anyone here use it?
 

On Aug 14, 10:50 am, Roadie wrote:
On Aug 12, 2:46 am, JoanD'arcRoast wrote:

Do you recommend it for MWDX, or is it just inexpensive? Is it
selective and sensitive enough for DX? Audio good enough for solid QRZ?
Will an external outdoor antenna overload it?

-j

I would spend a few more $$ and look for a receiver with a digital
tuner. The tiny inaccurate dial on that radio would be a real PITA to
use with a loop. Move upsacle to something like a Degen DE1103 and
enjoy dxing the MW band with or without a separate loop.


The Degen 1102 actually comes with a small (~3 meter or so) longwire
antenna that is pluggable into a jack on the side. It is intended for
SW, but should work with MW. Tiny radios like the S10 are intended
only for local reception. Any DX you may get is incidental. When I
lived in downtown Sacramento in 2001-02, I had a S10 strapped to the
handlebars of my bicycle with plastic ties (my license was suspended
for a while). Nice radio, and worked well without the whip extended on
FM. It tended to switch to AM with a bounce, though. I would wonder
why my music station suddenly went Mexican on me. Whenever that little
switch got moved, I'd simply move it back. The Degen is meant for DX.

Improving the AM/MW DX-Ability of the Sony ICF-S10MK2 Pocket Radio - Think AM/MW Loop Antenna
 

In article om, RHF
wrote:

On Aug 13, 10:15 pm, John Smith I wrote:
JoanD'arcRoast wrote:

This link:

- http://www.circuitdb.com/show.php?cid=171

contains a rather unique design which I have not seen before. I have
not tried it, who knows? But, looks simple and rugged ...

Regards,
JS

"Long Loopstick AM Radio Antenna
http://www.circuitdb.com/show.php?cid=171
Description
Wound on a 3 foot length of PVC pipe, the long loopstick antenna was
an experiment to try to improve AM radio reception without using a
long wire or ground. It works fairly well and greatly improved
reception of a weak station 130 miles away. " - - - Copyright 1997
Bill Bowden
.
.
. .


Thanks for the link. Haven't done the algebra yet, but maybe I can wrap
a longer+narrower loopstick and use it as a hiking stick!

-j

Sony ICF-S10MK2 -- Anyone here use it?
 

In article . com,
American Insurgent wrote:

On Aug 14, 10:50 am, Roadie wrote:
On Aug 12, 2:46 am, JoanD'arcRoast wrote:

Do you recommend it for MWDX, or is it just inexpensive? Is it
selective and sensitive enough for DX? Audio good enough for solid QRZ?
Will an external outdoor antenna overload it?

-j

I would spend a few more $$ and look for a receiver with a digital
tuner. The tiny inaccurate dial on that radio would be a real PITA to
use with a loop. Move upsacle to something like a Degen DE1103 and
enjoy dxing the MW band with or without a separate loop.


The Degen 1102 actually comes with a small (~3 meter or so) longwire
antenna that is pluggable into a jack on the side. It is intended for
SW, but should work with MW. Tiny radios like the S10 are intended
only for local reception. Any DX you may get is incidental. When I
lived in downtown Sacramento in 2001-02, I had a S10 strapped to the
handlebars of my bicycle with plastic ties (my license was suspended
for a while). Nice radio, and worked well without the whip extended on
FM. It tended to switch to AM with a bounce, though. I would wonder
why my music station suddenly went Mexican on me. Whenever that little
switch got moved, I'd simply move it back. The Degen is meant for DX.


Thanks for the input. Trying to go cheap and light. ...and if I drop a
$10 radio into the gorge, no tears -- just alot of expletives...

-j
-j

Sony ICF-S10MK2 -- Anyone here use it?
 

On Aug 16, 1:20 pm, JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
In article . com,

Thanks for the input. Trying to go cheap and light. ...and if I drop a
$10 radio into the gorge, no tears -- just alot of expletives...

It's good for what it is. I own one and it's my main knock-about
portable, especially when I travel somewhere. I listen to much more
MW and FM than SW so that's why I tend to just carry a normal radio
with me.

Sound is good for its size and sensitivity also. If possible try to
find one where the tuning knob turns fairly easily - some are way too
tight for my taste. I checked out a few until I found one that just
"felt" right.

My only complaints are the swing-out FM antenna (much prefer it to
come straight out the top) and the fact that the MW doesn't go up to
17.

I took it with me to South Korea just recently and it worked quite
nicely. Even picked up some Chinese blowtorches at night, although in
that part of the world, that's not such a big deal for a good quality
radio.

Stephanie Weil
New York City, USA

Improving the AM/MW DX-Ability of the Sony ICF-S10MK2 Pocket Radio - Think AM/MW Loop Antenna
 

On Aug 13, 1:59?pm, RHF wrote:
On Aug 13, 9:43 am, JoanD'arcRoast wrote:





In article .com, RHF

wrote:
On Aug 11, 11:46 pm, JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
Do you recommend it for MWDX, or is it just inexpensive? Is it
selective and sensitive enough for DX? Audio good enough for solid QRZ?
Will an external outdoor antenna overload it?

-j

JDaR,

Read the RadioIntel Report/Review -by- Dr Phil :)
RADIO INTEL =http://www.radiointel.com/

"The Sony ICF-S10MK2 is an "FM/AM 2-Band Pocket Radio"
GOTO =http://www.radiointel.com/review-sonys10mk2.htm
Question - "Can this inexpensive Radio be used to pursue the
hobby of AM Distance Reception (AM DX) ?"

imho - it is design as a low cost am/fm pocket radio
and it is simply that ~ RHF
.
.
. .

Small world! Reading that review is what prompted me to ask the group
for some hands-on opinions.

Thanks for providing the links -- I'm sure someone else here will also
be interested to read that review...

-j- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

JDaR,

Improving the AM/MW DX-Ability of the Sony ICF-S10MK2
Pocket Radio - Think AM/MW Loop Antenna !http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw.../message/14246
.
They cost more than the Sony ICF-S10MK2 AM/FM Pocket
Radio, but using it with the small Terk or RadioShack or
Slect-A-Tenna AM/MW Loop Antenna does greatly improve
the DX-Ability of this Radio.
.
READ - Two Popular AM/MW Loop Antennas
Select-A-Tenna -versus- Terk AM Advantagehttp://www.radiointel.com/review-2loop.htm
-presented by RadioIntel.Com =http://www.radiointel.com/
.
Terk AM Advantage Loop Antennahttp://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/mwant/2774.htmlhttp://www.ccrane.com/antennas/am-antennas/terk-am-advantage.aspx
.
Select-A-Tenna Model 541-M AM/MW Loop Antennahttp://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/mwant/4316.htmlhttp://www.ccrane.com/antennas/am-antennas/select-a-tenna-hardwire-mo...
.
Although it is no longer being made the RadoShack # 15-1853
AM (MW) Signal Booster Passive Loop Antenna can still be
found on eBay : Tunes the AM/MW Band 520 - 1710 KHzhttp://cgi.ebay.com/_W0QQitemZ140146732774
.
SEARCH eBAY -for- Radio*Shack AM Loop Antenna
AM LOOP ANTENNA =http://tinyurl.com/2jhcrp
.
.
hope this helps - iane ~ RHF {pomkia}
.
Shortwave Listener (SWL) Antennas Group =http://tinyurl.com/ogvcf
GoTo =http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
The SWL Antenna Discussion Group =http://tinyurl.com/ogvcf
Shortwave Listener (SWL) Antenna HELP =http://tinyurl.com/ogvcf
Shortwave Listener (SWL) Antenna NEWS =http://tinyurl.com/ogvcf
Shortwave Listener (SWL) Antenna INFO =http://tinyurl.com/ogvcf
* * * All Are Welcome : Including ELMERS and 'Want-to-be-Elmers'
plus plain old "Mister-Know-It-Alls"; and even those Newbees with
"I Know This Is A Really Dumb Question - But _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "
.
The Shortwave Listener's Blessing :
SWL BLESSING =http://tinyurl.com/s2bjm
May You Never Tire of Listening to the Radio and Always
have Strong Signals and Noise Free Reception ~ RHF {ibid}http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...a/message/9233
.
Tous Sont Bienvenus ! - - - Groupe par Radio
d'auditeur d'onde courte pour des Antennes de SWLhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
Alle Sind Willkommen ! - - - Shortwave Radiozuh rer
Gruppe f r SWL Antennenhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
Tutti Sono Benvenuti ! - - - Gruppo Radiofonico
dell'ascoltatore di onda corta per le Antenne di SWLhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
Todos S o Bem-vindos ! - - - Grupo de R dio
do ouvinte do Shortwave para Antenas de SWLhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
Todos Son Agradables! - - - Grupo de Radio del oyente
de la onda corta para las Antenas de SWLhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
= = = = Plain Old American-English Translation = = = =
All are Welcome - - - To Join the Shortwave Listeners
(SWL) Antenna Group on YAHOO !http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
.
|
|
|
/ \
.......!.......- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Do yo u have a life outside of rec.radio.shortwave and your ****ty HD
radios ?

Sony ICF-S10MK2 -- Anyone here use it?
 

On Aug 13, 6:45?pm, craigm wrote:
JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
In article .com, RHF
wrote:

On Aug 11, 11:46 pm, JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
Do you recommend it for MWDX, or is it just inexpensive? Is it
selective and sensitive enough for DX? Audio good enough for solid QRZ?
Will an external outdoor antenna overload it?

-j

JDaR,

Read the RadioIntel Report/Review -by- Dr Phil :)
RADIO INTEL =http://www.radiointel.com/

"The Sony ICF-S10MK2 is an "FM/AM 2-Band Pocket Radio"
GOTO =http://www.radiointel.com/review-sonys10mk2.htm
Question - "Can this inexpensive Radio be used to pursue the
hobby of AM Distance Reception (AM DX) ?"

imho - it is design as a low cost am/fm pocket radio
and it is simply that ~ RHF
.
.
. .

Small world! Reading that review is what prompted me to ask the group
for some hands-on opinions.

Thanks for providing the links -- I'm sure someone else here will also
be interested to read that review...

-j

This is a $10 radio. I have one and do NOT use it. It is terrible.

The radio generates its own noise which limits the useful sensitivity on AM.

The dial markings provide very little detail. You don't really know what
frequency you are receiving unless you get an ID from the station.

The AM band does not cover up to 1700 kHz.

The stiffness and the backlash in the tuning make it a bit time consuming to
accurately tune in a station.

Is it sensitive enough? - No. When compared to a Rf-2200 or 7600GR, the
ICF-S10MK2 falls a distant third. Stations that are barely audible on the
$10 radio are load and clear on the 2200.

When compared to a Sony ICF-SW10 and Realistic DX-380, the ICF-S10MK2 still
falls in 3rd place.

There are much better radios for MW DX.

If you are serious about DX, then start with a decent radio.

The comparisons were made during daytime hours with no additional antenna
other than what the radio has built in. Batteries are new.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Screw you buddy - my S10MK2 DX'es jsut as well as my now-returned
****ty Grundig S350.

Sony ICF-S10MK2 -- Anyone here use it?
 

On Aug 13, 6:54?pm, John Smith I wrote:
JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
Do you recommend it for MWDX, or is it just inexpensive? Is it
selective and sensitive enough for DX? Audio good enough for solid QRZ?
Will an external outdoor antenna overload it?

-j

With a icf-s10mk2 and a 4 ft loop, mutually coupled, you can pick up
some great DX.

Most likely, those paying hundreds more are a bit ****ed they didn't get
more for their money ... now they are into another hobby and a 10 buck
radio would just be fine.

With a decent tuned antenna for MW, and mutually coupled to the loop in
the radio with a few turns, you could probably hear more than you ever
thought possible.

Besides, once you are bored (and find you can do with just listening to
local talk shows) you don't have $500 to $1,000+ tied up in something
that has just about become worthless to you and is destined for ebay.
Where did you think all those radios on ebay came from in the first
place? Krist, I swear, some of those radios on ebay are probably going
there for their 10th time!

Regards,
JS

YEA - I wonder, how much craigm and others have ****ed away on over-
hyped CCrane, Gringid, and SR long-distance radios ! The S10MK2 works
just as well - suckers !

Sony ICF-S10MK2 -- Anyone here use it?
 

On Aug 16, 1:20?pm, JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
In article . com,





American Insurgent wrote:
On Aug 14, 10:50 am, Roadie wrote:
On Aug 12, 2:46 am, JoanD'arcRoast wrote:

Do you recommend it for MWDX, or is it just inexpensive? Is it
selective and sensitive enough for DX? Audio good enough for solid QRZ?
Will an external outdoor antenna overload it?

-j

I would spend a few more $$ and look for a receiver with a digital
tuner. The tiny inaccurate dial on that radio would be a real PITA to
use with a loop. Move upsacle to something like a Degen DE1103 and
enjoy dxing the MW band with or without a separate loop.

The Degen 1102 actually comes with a small (~3 meter or so) longwire
antenna that is pluggable into a jack on the side. It is intended for
SW, but should work with MW. Tiny radios like the S10 are intended
only for local reception. Any DX you may get is incidental. When I
lived in downtown Sacramento in 2001-02, I had a S10 strapped to the
handlebars of my bicycle with plastic ties (my license was suspended
for a while). Nice radio, and worked well without the whip extended on
FM. It tended to switch to AM with a bounce, though. I would wonder
why my music station suddenly went Mexican on me. Whenever that little
switch got moved, I'd simply move it back. The Degen is meant for DX.

Thanks for the input. Trying to go cheap and light. ...and if I drop a
$10 radio into the gorge, no tears -- just alot of expletives...

-j
-j- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Absolutely - I have a handful of S10MK2s, so if I drop one, who cares !

Sony ICF-S10MK2 -- Anyone here use it?
 

In article . com,
wrote:

On Aug 13, 6:54?pm, John Smith I wrote:
JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
Do you recommend it for MWDX, or is it just inexpensive? Is it
selective and sensitive enough for DX? Audio good enough for solid QRZ?
Will an external outdoor antenna overload it?

-j

With a icf-s10mk2 and a 4 ft loop, mutually coupled, you can pick up
some great DX.

Most likely, those paying hundreds more are a bit ****ed they didn't get
more for their money ... now they are into another hobby and a 10 buck
radio would just be fine.

With a decent tuned antenna for MW, and mutually coupled to the loop in
the radio with a few turns, you could probably hear more than you ever
thought possible.

Besides, once you are bored (and find you can do with just listening to
local talk shows) you don't have $500 to $1,000+ tied up in something
that has just about become worthless to you and is destined for ebay.
Where did you think all those radios on ebay came from in the first
place? Krist, I swear, some of those radios on ebay are probably going
there for their 10th time!

Regards,
JS

YEA - I wonder, how much craigm and others have ****ed away on over-
hyped CCrane, Gringid, and SR long-distance radios ! The S10MK2 works
just as well - suckers !

I would say that just about everyone that reads or posts here are
suckers then. Except for you of course.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

Sony ICF-S10MK2 -- Anyone here use it?
 

On Aug 16, 6:44 pm, Telamon
wrote:
In article . com,





wrote:
On Aug 13, 6:54?pm, John Smith I wrote:
JoanD'arcRoast wrote:
Do you recommend it for MWDX, or is it just inexpensive? Is it
selective and sensitive enough for DX? Audio good enough for solid QRZ?
Will an external outdoor antenna overload it?

-j

With a icf-s10mk2 and a 4 ft loop, mutually coupled, you can pick up
some great DX.

Most likely, those paying hundreds more are a bit ****ed they didn't get
more for their money ... now they are into another hobby and a 10 buck
radio would just be fine.

With a decent tuned antenna for MW, and mutually coupled to the loop in
the radio with a few turns, you could probably hear more than you ever
thought possible.

Besides, once you are bored (and find you can do with just listening to
local talk shows) you don't have $500 to $1,000+ tied up in something
that has just about become worthless to you and is destined for ebay.
Where did you think all those radios on ebay came from in the first
place? Krist, I swear, some of those radios on ebay are probably going
there for their 10th time!

Regards,
JS

YEA - I wonder, how much craigm and others have ****ed away on over-
hyped CCrane, Gringid, and SR long-distance radios ! The S10MK2 works
just as well - suckers !

I would say that just about everyone that reads or posts here are
suckers then. Except for you of course.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Just Call Me a LollyPop ~ RHF
The "Lollypop" Song Lyrics -by- Daddy Cool
http://www.poemsplace.net/html/50/241270.html
http://www.plusonegallery.com/images...s/Lollypop.jpg