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Tell me about the Radio Shack DX-394
On Nov 19, 11:08*pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote:
On Nov 18, 12:04*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote: I just came across an used Radio Shack DX-394 receiver. Is it worth getting? What mods are available? Is there a better (newer) receiver in the same price range that one should look at? Thanks TMT Thanks for the info so far. I thought there was an unmarked orginal DX394, an A version, a B version...three versions but no C version. My understanding is that the A version has a small board with mods and the B version was a remake of the main board incorporating those mods....with essentially the same performance as the A version. True or false? TMT The serial number of mine is C003704 The radio without mods isn't that good, just like the DX398, I have both those pieces modded out and at least at my QTH....there is no comparison - - the 394 smokes the 398. The last mod that needs to be done ( if I want to include my computer) - is the interfacing with the computer. I doubt I will even mess with that though. The part that is great/bad about each of those radios (394/398) is that with the mods - those radios are really fine performers. They should have been done that way from the factory IMO. There was NOTHING that my friends R75 could hear in the same room with different antennas - - that the modded DX394 couldn't hear. I have two small toggles right underneath the LSB/USB/AM/CW lettering. The one on the left is for selectivity. Flip it up for the 4KHz filter or down for the 6KHz. The one on the right is for the AGC - middle position is off/ up is for slow AGC/ down for fast AGC. In all if I remember right is 12 different mods. Black grained contact paper was added to the radio, really looks nice. Both radios with all the mods -- be it taken on a DXpedition or in the house - - the DX394 outperforms the 398 - even in UTES which surprised me. |
Tell me about the Radio Shack DX-394
On Nov 22, 1:31*am, Gregg wrote:
On Nov 19, 11:08*pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote: On Nov 18, 12:04*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote: I just came across an used Radio Shack DX-394 receiver. Is it worth getting? What mods are available? Is there a better (newer) receiver in the same price range that one should look at? Thanks TMT Thanks for the info so far. I thought there was an unmarked orginal DX394, an A version, a B version...three versions but no C version. My understanding is that the A version has a small board with mods and the B version was a remake of the main board incorporating those mods....with essentially the same performance as the A version. True or false? TMT The serial number of mine is C003704 The radio without mods isn't that good, just like the DX398, I have both those pieces modded out and at least at my QTH....there is no comparison - - the 394 smokes the 398. The last mod that needs to be done ( if I want to include my computer) - is the interfacing with the computer. I doubt I will even mess with that though. The part that is great/bad about each of those radios (394/398) is that with the mods - those radios are really fine performers. They should have been done that way from the factory IMO. There was NOTHING that my friends R75 could hear in the same room with different antennas - - that the modded DX394 couldn't hear. I have two small toggles right underneath the LSB/USB/AM/CW lettering. The one on the left is for selectivity. Flip it up for the 4KHz filter or down for the 6KHz. *The one on the right is for the AGC - middle position is off/ up is for slow AGC/ down for fast AGC. In all if I remember right is 12 different mods. Black grained contact paper was added to the radio, really looks nice. Both radios with all the mods -- be it taken on a DXpedition or in the house - - the DX394 outperforms the 398 - even in UTES which surprised me.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Thanks for the response. I really like your approach of keeping the mods attractive....mind if I copy the approach? My SN# is C005813 with a "A" added at the end. The "A" also is shown on the manual. TMT |
Tell me about the Radio Shack DX-394
On Nov 22, 9:20*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:
On Nov 22, 1:31*am, Gregg wrote: On Nov 19, 11:08*pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote: On Nov 18, 12:04*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote: I just came across an used Radio Shack DX-394 receiver. Is it worth getting? What mods are available? Is there a better (newer) receiver in the same price range that one should look at? Thanks TMT Thanks for the info so far. I thought there was an unmarked orginal DX394, an A version, a B version...three versions but no C version. My understanding is that the A version has a small board with mods and the B version was a remake of the main board incorporating those mods....with essentially the same performance as the A version. True or false? TMT The serial number of mine is C003704 The radio without mods isn't that good, just like the DX398, I have both those pieces modded out and at least at my QTH....there is no comparison - - the 394 smokes the 398. The last mod that needs to be done ( if I want to include my computer) - is the interfacing with the computer. I doubt I will even mess with that though. The part that is great/bad about each of those radios (394/398) is that with the mods - those radios are really fine performers. They should have been done that way from the factory IMO. There was NOTHING that my friends R75 could hear in the same room with different antennas - - that the modded DX394 couldn't hear. I have two small toggles right underneath the LSB/USB/AM/CW lettering. The one on the left is for selectivity. Flip it up for the 4KHz filter or down for the 6KHz. *The one on the right is for the AGC - middle position is off/ up is for slow AGC/ down for fast AGC. In all if I remember right is 12 different mods. Black grained contact paper was added to the radio, really looks nice. Both radios with all the mods -- be it taken on a DXpedition or in the house - - the DX394 outperforms the 398 - even in UTES which surprised me.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Thanks for the response. I really like your approach of keeping the mods attractive....mind if I copy the approach? My SN# is C005813 with a "A" added at the end. The "A" also is shown on the manual. TMT- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Ha, I would like to take the credit for it. But I can't. ;-) Some people install their toggles in the back, I asume out of fear of messing up the front panel. But it was done beautifully, looks like it came that way from the factory. The knobs tuning marks were painted with a real high gloss white, really stands out especially in contrast with the black grained contact paper on the top and sides. The idea of adding lead to the tuning knob was brilliant, I really didn't like the feel of the dial, absolutely no weight whatsoever - problem solved. |
Tell me about the Radio Shack DX-394
On Nov 23, 5:36*am, Gregg wrote:
On Nov 22, 9:20*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote: On Nov 22, 1:31*am, Gregg wrote: On Nov 19, 11:08*pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote: On Nov 18, 12:04*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote: I just came across an used Radio Shack DX-394 receiver. Is it worth getting? What mods are available? Is there a better (newer) receiver in the same price range that one should look at? Thanks TMT Thanks for the info so far. I thought there was an unmarked orginal DX394, an A version, a B version...three versions but no C version. My understanding is that the A version has a small board with mods and the B version was a remake of the main board incorporating those mods....with essentially the same performance as the A version. True or false? TMT The serial number of mine is C003704 The radio without mods isn't that good, just like the DX398, I have both those pieces modded out and at least at my QTH....there is no comparison - - the 394 smokes the 398. The last mod that needs to be done ( if I want to include my computer) - is the interfacing with the computer. I doubt I will even mess with that though. The part that is great/bad about each of those radios (394/398) is that with the mods - those radios are really fine performers. They should have been done that way from the factory IMO. There was NOTHING that my friends R75 could hear in the same room with different antennas - - that the modded DX394 couldn't hear. I have two small toggles right underneath the LSB/USB/AM/CW lettering.. The one on the left is for selectivity. Flip it up for the 4KHz filter or down for the 6KHz. *The one on the right is for the AGC - middle position is off/ up is for slow AGC/ down for fast AGC. In all if I remember right is 12 different mods. Black grained contact paper was added to the radio, really looks nice. Both radios with all the mods -- be it taken on a DXpedition or in the house - - the DX394 outperforms the 398 - even in UTES which surprised me.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Thanks for the response. I really like your approach of keeping the mods attractive....mind if I copy the approach? My SN# is C005813 with a "A" added at the end. The "A" also is shown on the manual. TMT- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Ha, I would like to take the credit for it. But I can't. ;-) Some people install their toggles in the back, I asume out of fear of messing up the front panel. But it was done beautifully, looks like it came that way from the factory. The knobs tuning marks were painted with a real high gloss white, really stands out especially in contrast with the black grained contact paper on the top and sides. The idea of adding lead to the tuning knob was brilliant, I really didn't like the feel of the dial, absolutely no weight whatsoever - problem solved.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Lead...tuning knob...good idea. Is there a link to photos of these mods? Thanks TMT |
Tell me about the Radio Shack DX-394
On Nov 23, 11:27*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:
On Nov 23, 5:36*am, Gregg wrote: On Nov 22, 9:20*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote: On Nov 22, 1:31*am, Gregg wrote: On Nov 19, 11:08*pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote: On Nov 18, 12:04*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote: I just came across an used Radio ShackDX-394receiver. Is it worth getting? What mods are available? Is there a better (newer) receiver in the same price range that one should look at? Thanks TMT Thanks for the info so far. I thought there was an unmarked orginalDX394, an A version, a B version...three versions but no C version. My understanding is that the A version has a small board with mods and the B version was a remake of the main board incorporating those mods....with essentially the same performance as the A version. True or false? TMT The serial number of mine is C003704 The radio without mods isn't that good, just like the DX398, I have both those pieces modded out and at least at my QTH....there is no comparison - - the 394 smokes the 398. The last mod that needs to be done ( if I want to include my computer) - is the interfacing with the computer. I doubt I will even mess with that though. The part that is great/bad about each of those radios (394/398) is that with the mods - those radios are really fine performers. They should have been done that way from the factory IMO. There was NOTHING that my friends R75 could hear in the same room with different antennas - - that the moddedDX394couldn't hear. I have two small toggles right underneath the LSB/USB/AM/CW lettering. The one on the left is for selectivity. Flip it up for the 4KHz filter or down for the 6KHz. *The one on the right is for the AGC - middle position is off/ up is for slow AGC/ down for fast AGC. In all if I remember right is 12 different mods. Black grained contact paper was added to the radio, really looks nice. Both radios with all the mods -- be it taken on a DXpedition or in the house - - theDX394 outperforms the 398 - even in UTES which surprised me.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Thanks for the response. I really like your approach of keeping the mods attractive....mind if I copy the approach? My SN# is C005813 with a "A" added at the end. The "A" also is shown on the manual. TMT- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Ha, I would like to take the credit for it. But I can't. ;-) Some people install their toggles in the back, I asume out of fear of messing up the front panel. But it was done beautifully, looks like it came that way from the factory. The knobs tuning marks were painted with a real high gloss white, really stands out especially in contrast with the black grained contact paper on the top and sides. The idea of adding lead to the tuning knob was brilliant, I really didn't like the feel of the dial, absolutely no weight whatsoever - problem solved.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Lead...tuning knob...good idea. Is there a link to photos of these mods? Thanks TMT- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - TMT, all of these modifications to the DX-394, with the exception of the addition of the contact paper on the top and sides, are fully described and illustrated on the website of the RADIOSHACKDX394 forum of which you are already a member. On subscribing, you should have automatically received the Master Index of Mods (around 100 listed) with a summary of the benefits, scope of work involved and links for each to the files, messages, photos, external websites where they are fully described. Some earlier response slagged the DX-394 as being unstable and unable to hold its alignment. That is not the common experience. I have three and they have all held alignment well over several years. The radio has excellent stability over the short and long term with the exception of slight pulling as the RF gain varies due to manual or AGC action, corrected in the B version. There are only three versions, as I have informed you elsewhere, and as you have described he the original, the "A" with the same pc board but with kluged on revisions to the BFO and to the AGC, and the "B" with a redesigned main pcb incorporating the "A" revisions plus the addition of the buffer amp between the 2nd LO and the 2nd Mixer. To correct another piece of misinformation, there is no tuning backlash that I am aware of unless somebody loaded up the tuning knob with eccentrically placed weights. "Controls feel cheap"? They still work as new on my three, which is more than can be said for my much younger and less used Kaito 1103 main tuning shaft encoder. And I've always thought that weighting down the 394's main tuning knob was ill- advised - the DX-394 has better ways of jumping to a far frequency than by fly-wheeling this knob and putting extra wear and tear on the encoder because of the added weight. |
Tell me about the Radio Shack DX-394
On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:42:22 -0800 (PST), Too_Many_Tools
wrote: ...crabby dumb losers don't get laid. ;) We do too. -- Larry |
Tell me about the Radio Shack DX-394
On Nov 23, 1:52*pm, pltrgyst wrote:
On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:42:22 -0800 (PST), Too_Many_Tools wrote: ...crabby dumb losers don't get laid. *;) We do too. -- Larry They say there is someone for everyone. ;) TMT |
Tell me about the Radio Shack DX-394
On Nov 23, 8:27*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:
On Nov 23, 5:36*am, Gregg wrote: On Nov 22, 9:20*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote: On Nov 22, 1:31*am, Gregg wrote: On Nov 19, 11:08*pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote: On Nov 18, 12:04*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote: I just came across an used Radio Shack DX-394 receiver. Is it worth getting? What mods are available? Is there a better (newer) receiver in the same price range that one should look at? Thanks TMT Thanks for the info so far. I thought there was an unmarked orginal DX394, an A version, a B version...three versions but no C version. My understanding is that the A version has a small board with mods and the B version was a remake of the main board incorporating those mods....with essentially the same performance as the A version. True or false? TMT The serial number of mine is C003704 The radio without mods isn't that good, just like the DX398, I have both those pieces modded out and at least at my QTH....there is no comparison - - the 394 smokes the 398. The last mod that needs to be done ( if I want to include my computer) - is the interfacing with the computer. I doubt I will even mess with that though. The part that is great/bad about each of those radios (394/398) is that with the mods - those radios are really fine performers. They should have been done that way from the factory IMO. There was NOTHING that my friends R75 could hear in the same room with different antennas - - that the modded DX394 couldn't hear. I have two small toggles right underneath the LSB/USB/AM/CW lettering. The one on the left is for selectivity. Flip it up for the 4KHz filter or down for the 6KHz. *The one on the right is for the AGC - middle position is off/ up is for slow AGC/ down for fast AGC. In all if I remember right is 12 different mods. Black grained contact paper was added to the radio, really looks nice. Both radios with all the mods -- be it taken on a DXpedition or in the house - - the DX394 outperforms the 398 - even in UTES which surprised me.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Thanks for the response. I really like your approach of keeping the mods attractive....mind if I copy the approach? My SN# is C005813 with a "A" added at the end. The "A" also is shown on the manual. TMT- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Ha, I would like to take the credit for it. But I can't. ;-) Some people install their toggles in the back, I asume out of fear of messing up the front panel. But it was done beautifully, looks like it came that way from the factory. The knobs tuning marks were painted with a real high gloss white, really stands out especially in contrast with the black grained contact paper on the top and sides. The idea of adding lead to the tuning knob was brilliant, I really didn't like the feel of the dial, absolutely no weight whatsoever - problem solved.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Lead...tuning knob...good idea. Is there a link to photos of these mods? Thanks TMT- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - They are all over the internet. There is a Yahoo group just for the DX-394 that I joined back in the day. But yeah, just type in "DX-394 Mods" and you're off. |
Tell me about the Radio Shack DX-394
On Nov 23, 10:54*am, Tom wrote:
On Nov 23, 11:27*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote: On Nov 23, 5:36*am, Gregg wrote: On Nov 22, 9:20*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote: On Nov 22, 1:31*am, Gregg wrote: On Nov 19, 11:08*pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote: On Nov 18, 12:04*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote: I just came across an used Radio ShackDX-394receiver. Is it worth getting? What mods are available? Is there a better (newer) receiver in the same price range that one should look at? Thanks TMT Thanks for the info so far. I thought there was an unmarked orginalDX394, an A version, a B version...three versions but no C version. My understanding is that the A version has a small board with mods and the B version was a remake of the main board incorporating those mods....with essentially the same performance as the A version. True or false? TMT The serial number of mine is C003704 The radio without mods isn't that good, just like the DX398, I have both those pieces modded out and at least at my QTH....there is no comparison - - the 394 smokes the 398. The last mod that needs to be done ( if I want to include my computer) - is the interfacing with the computer. I doubt I will even mess with that though. The part that is great/bad about each of those radios (394/398) is that with the mods - those radios are really fine performers. They should have been done that way from the factory IMO. There was NOTHING that my friends R75 could hear in the same room with different antennas - - that the moddedDX394couldn't hear. I have two small toggles right underneath the LSB/USB/AM/CW lettering. The one on the left is for selectivity. Flip it up for the 4KHz filter or down for the 6KHz. *The one on the right is for the AGC - middle position is off/ up is for slow AGC/ down for fast AGC. In all if I remember right is 12 different mods. Black grained contact paper was added to the radio, really looks nice. Both radios with all the mods -- be it taken on a DXpedition or in the house - - theDX394 outperforms the 398 - even in UTES which surprised me.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Thanks for the response. I really like your approach of keeping the mods attractive....mind if I copy the approach? My SN# is C005813 with a "A" added at the end. The "A" also is shown on the manual. TMT- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Ha, I would like to take the credit for it. But I can't. ;-) Some people install their toggles in the back, I asume out of fear of messing up the front panel. But it was done beautifully, looks like it came that way from the factory. The knobs tuning marks were painted with a real high gloss white, really stands out especially in contrast with the black grained contact paper on the top and sides. The idea of adding lead to the tuning knob was brilliant, I really didn't like the feel of the dial, absolutely no weight whatsoever - problem solved.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Lead...tuning knob...good idea. Is there a link to photos of these mods? Thanks TMT- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - TMT, all of these modifications to the DX-394, with the exception of the addition of the contact paper on the top and sides, are fully described and illustrated on the website of the RADIOSHACKDX394 forum of which you are already a member. On subscribing, you should have automatically received the Master Index of Mods (around 100 listed) with a summary of the benefits, scope of work involved and links for each to the files, messages, photos, external websites where they are fully described. Some earlier response slagged the DX-394 as being unstable and unable to hold its alignment. That is not the common experience. I have three and they have all held alignment well over several years. The radio has excellent stability over the short and long term with the exception of slight pulling as the RF gain varies due to manual or AGC action, corrected in the B version. There are only three versions, as I have informed you elsewhere, and as you have described he the original, the "A" with the same pc board but with kluged on revisions to the BFO and to the AGC, and the "B" with a redesigned main pcb incorporating the "A" revisions plus the addition of the buffer amp between the 2nd LO and the 2nd Mixer. To correct another piece of misinformation, there is no tuning backlash that I am aware of unless somebody loaded up the tuning knob with eccentrically placed weights. "Controls feel cheap"? They still work as new on my three, which is more than can be said for my much younger and less used Kaito 1103 main tuning shaft encoder. And I've always thought that weighting down the 394's main tuning knob was ill- advised - the DX-394 has better ways of jumping to a far frequency than by fly-wheeling this knob and putting extra wear and tear on the encoder because of the added weight.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Hey Tom :-) Yeah, on the tuning knob, there was just enough put in to give it a tad of weight, not too much. I didn't want the extra weight to go spinning around, I just change the 'step' and problem solved there. Is there another forum that has been added somewhere on this piece? I'll check it out. Is this T.Holden by chance? |
Tell me about the Radio Shack DX-394
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