Are you thinking of making a short extension and plugging and unplugging
the antenna into the extension to save wear on the radio's antenna jack?

That's it Frank, brilliant huh?;-)

I don't think Radio Shack sells such an
extension, but they probably still sell suitable connectors,

You kinda lost me with this statement. Youi're saying "they don't sell an
extension 'specifically' for this case, but there is something in the parts
drawers there that'd do the trick, am I following you?

I run that specific receiver on rechargables because it's right by my monitor
and it 'really' knocked the RF down, almost to nothing, along with a little
aluminum foil seperating the two.

So I guess I can just take my piece in there with my phones and start sampling,
right? :-)

"Dxluver" wrote in message
...
Are you thinking of making a short extension and plugging and
unplugging
the antenna into the extension to save wear on the radio's antenna
jack?

That's it Frank, brilliant huh?;-)

I don't think Radio Shack sells such an
extension, but they probably still sell suitable connectors,

You kinda lost me with this statement. Youi're saying "they don't
sell an
extension 'specifically' for this case, but there is something in the
parts
drawers there that'd do the trick, am I following you?


That's what I'm thinking. But check the extensions they stock before
you decide to make one. You'll need a socket and plug which matches
your existing plug. You'll also need some wire, but it's cheapest to
scavange some wire from something else.

If a Y connector seems suitable, you don't need to use both legs of the
Y at the same time. You can tape them together and use either jack. Or
cut one off.

Radio Shack might still sell velcro tape. You attach a piece to the
free end of the connector and put the matching piece of velcro on the
radio to keep the end of the extension in one place.



I run that specific receiver on rechargables because it's right by my
monitor
and it 'really' knocked the RF down, almost to nothing, along with a
little
aluminum foil seperating the two.

So I guess I can just take my piece in there with my phones and start
sampling,
right? :-)

Yes. The sales clerk might have some out of the package, or something
else to work as a guide.

Have you tried clipping your external antenna to the radio's rod antenna
with an alligator clip?

Frank Dresser

Have you tried clipping your external antenna to the radio's rod antenna
with an alligator clip?

Yes. When I've had it outside, it doesn't seem as sensitive that way though.
The antenna I use for the 398 is 150ft. of wire sloping down from a tree into
my shack.

I'd hate to cut off the end of my masterpiece I made ;-) and connect an
alligator clip and then not be satisfied with the results. It just doesn't
seem that the same antenna being connected via alligator clip instead of the
way it is now would be better.

Opinion on the theory? Is there any basis for me to feel that way? Or has
anyone had that much wire on their 398 connected by an alligator clip to the
rod and thought the results were good. {?}

On Mon, 9 Feb 2004 23:55:34 -0600, Dxluver wrote
(in message ):

Are you thinking of making a short extension and plugging and unplugging
the antenna into the extension to save wear on the radio's antenna jack?

That's it Frank, brilliant huh?;-)

I don't think Radio Shack sells such an
extension, but they probably still sell suitable connectors,

You kinda lost me with this statement. Youi're saying "they don't sell an
extension 'specifically' for this case, but there is something in the parts
drawers there that'd do the trick, am I following you?

I run that specific receiver on rechargables


Well, as long as you're buying extension cords [grin], you might as well take
the batteries outside the case.

One of the nice things about the 398 is the small size of it. One of the
really horrible things about the 398 is that the idiots used AA batteries.
Yes? [They should have kept the size small and put in four D cells, right?]

[RadioShack required] RS has a cable that will - with the suitable adapter -
plug into the 398/909 power jack (U$3 or 4, I think).

Add onto that a plastic "battery holder" that can hold four "batteries" and
use either "C" cells or "D" cells ("D" cells are, of course, the better but
they're /lots/ more expensive than "C" cells so there might have to be a $$$
compromise.)

So leave a set of Ni-Cad "AA" in the receiver.

And - at the end of the external cord with the battery holder - have two sets
of Metals and one set of Ni-Cads (Ni-Cads only necessary if this is your
"emergency" radio - Ni-Cads keep their charge - that is, their shelf-life -
/much/ better than metals.)

Also, the next time you need a monitor - especially if your're still - as I
am - using a CRT, try ViewSonic. Very little emissions and I have a CCradio+,
a 398 and a RX-320 within 18" of the monitor.

[Oops! Almost forgot. Someone was saying a while back that their radio
(Sony?) wouldn't wotk on 4 rechargeable batteries because of the 1.2 volts.
So: get a four "C" or "D" battery holder and add - in series - a single cell
holder for "C" or "D" (whatever).

5x1.2=6 volts]


Gray Shockley
---------------------------------------------
Ya might as well do it right [smile].




because it's right by my monitor
and it 'really' knocked the RF down, almost to nothing, along with a little
aluminum foil seperating the two.

So I guess I can just take my piece in there with my phones and start
sampling,
right? :-)

Well, as long as you're buying extension cords [grin], you might as well take

the batteries outside the case.

Extension chords? Huh? Are you speaking in jest? :-)

One of the
really horrible things about the 398 is that the idiots used AA batteries.
Yes? [They should have kept the size small and put in four D cells, right?]

It's never mattered to me. I have so many rechargeables always ready and on
alert, then I have the regular alkaline if I so choose, so it han't been that
big of a deal.

[RadioShack required] RS has a cable that will - with the suitable adapter -
plug into the 398/909 power jack (U$3 or 4, I think).

When you say 'cable'.....is it an actual cable we're talking about. Is there
any of you or someone in here can find the cat.#.....I can just see it if I
walk in there without a part number...lol. It'd make it sooo much simpler. If
I knew exactly what I was looking for, I would. But I'm not, so I'm begging.
:-)

Also, the next time you need a monitor - especially if your're still - as I
am - using a CRT, try ViewSonic. Very little emissions and I have a CCradio+,

a 398 and a RX-320 within 18" of the monitor.

Thanks for the tip.

(Dxluver) wrote in message ...
Yes I know there is a yahoo group for them before someone provides the link.
;-) I plug and unplug my external antenna quite often (as should everyone.) My
question and worry is that over a period of time it will do damage to the
entrance of the radio.

Is there an adapter at Rat Shack that I can plug my external antenna into.
Follow me? One that I can just leave plugged into all the time, then plug
'into' when I'm ready to listen?

Hope this makes sense. ;-)



I had a similar thing like this awhile back when I bought JRC-ST3 comm
"can" headphones which has a 1/4 jack and my DX-398 supports only 1/8.
A friend of mine had some parts laying around and built me a short
cord with a 1/4 and a 1/8. I did this because the weight of one of
those small metal adapters and then the weight of the 1/4 plug would
of been too much for the headphone jack..

Now if ya wanna get real fancy, you could get some sort of switching
mechanism that allows you to switch between things without taking any
plug out.

Heck! On my DX-392, the antenna, headphones, and power jacks became
intermittent with them being constantly plug in.

Bill, K5BY

You are right on in wanting to minimise wear on the jack. My DX 392 was
ruined that way.

Thanks for the story Maximus, yeah, that's what I know will eventually happen
if I keep up this pace. I don't want to have to go through all that crap
because they NEVER make it easy on you.

I recently had my ATS-909 modded at RadioLabs. One of the many things they
do in their "Super" mod is to put an RCA jack on the BACK of the radio for
the SW/FM antenna. Excellent solution!

That sure would be, but right now that's not an alternative unfortunately,
but I will. First on my list is the DX394 modded out by Mike, then the 398
done by RadioLabs.

I've heard nothing but great things about their mods on that piece. BTW, I'm
a member of the yahoo group, but it was just easier to post here.

Eh, no first is my 129X getting fixed, that's my baby. :-D

A mini box, two jacks and a piece of wire. I doubt a schematic is necessary.

"Dxluver" wrote in message
...
Yes I know there is a yahoo group for them before someone provides the
link.
;-) I plug and unplug my external antenna quite often (as should
everyone.) My
question and worry is that over a period of time it will do damage to the
entrance of the radio.

Is there an adapter at Rat Shack that I can plug my external antenna into.
Follow me? One that I can just leave plugged into all the time, then
plug
'into' when I'm ready to listen?

Hope this makes sense. ;-)