DX398 Antenna Jack Question...............
 

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. ;-)

"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. ;-)

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?
Sounds like a good idea to me. I don't think Radio Shack sells such an
extension, but they probably still sell suitable connectors, so you can
make your own.

Frank Dresser

You're right -- I don't think they have a "short" extension, but they do
have stereo miniplug headphone cord extensions, which would work fine if you
shortened it up a bit.

However, I agree with Frank that you could easily make one (probably much
cheaper, too) from parts available at RS.
-- Stinger

"Frank Dresser" wrote in message
...

"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. ;-)

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?
Sounds like a good idea to me. I don't think Radio Shack sells such an
extension, but they probably still sell suitable connectors, so you can
make your own.

Frank Dresser

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

Bill, K5BY

On Mon, 9 Feb 2004 17:25:38 -0600, Frank Dresser wrote
(in message ):


"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. ;-)

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?
Sounds like a good idea to me. I don't think Radio Shack sells such an
extension, but they probably still sell suitable connectors, so you can
make your own.

Frank Dresser



Frank, isn't that just an 1/8" stereo jack (so-called "Sony Plug & Jack")?


That's one of the most common "extension cords" around.

[Or am I missin' somethin'?]

/gray/

On Mon, 9 Feb 2004 18:27:02 -0600, Stinger wrote
(in message ):

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!

-- Stinger



Er, well, that is . . . .


Wouldn't /two/ phono jacks be a better idea?


/gray/

"Gray Shockley" wrote in message
.com...

Frank, isn't that just an 1/8" stereo jack (so-called "Sony Plug &
Jack")?


That's one of the most common "extension cords" around.

[Or am I missin' somethin'?]

/gray/



I don't know what plug it uses, but I pictured a short extension,
because he wanted to keep the extension plugged into the radio. I've
seen short Y adapters, and maybe that's OK, or maybe a longer cord is
also OK. But you raise a good point. A look through the cords and
adapters might turn up just what he wants.

Frank Dresser

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? :-)

However, I agree with Frank that you could easily make one (probably much
cheaper, too) from parts available at RS.

"Make one." OK Stinger, talk to me here. How could I easily make one. I
know I don't want to get the Rat Shack troops plugging and messin' with my
receiver, then I'd have to force em' to send it back and *tune it up.* ;-)

Give me an idea what you're talking about here.

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

"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

Sounds like a good idea to me. I don't think Radio Shack sells such an
extension, but they probably still sell suitable connectors, so you can
make your own.

I'd think an 1/8" mono-to-stereo (or vice-versa) adapter would work fine,
considering you're not having to deal with stereo signals for antenna pick-up.
On the other hand (and this may be a large hand!), my experience tells me that
the typical 1/8" ext.ant. jack on most portables (if not all made currently)
will not see the whip antenna properly unless the ext. ant. jack is vacant;
i.e., you could keep the adapter in, and just unplug the antenna cable, but if
you leave the adapter in, the radio will see the adapter as the antenna, and
ignore the whip. I'm sure I could be wrong, but I know that just plugging in an
1/8" plug with NO wire on it (or coax) shorts out the whip. Not much of an
antenna in that case. I'd say that you should just unplug it when you need to,
and keep a few extra jacks on hand, to replace onboard in the event of the
stock jack breaking.
Feel free to shoot me down if I'm wrong, but I just wouldn't want to see
someone buy or make an adapter plug which essentially killed their whip
reception when plugged in WITHOUT the attending external antenna.
Linus

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? :-)

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. ;-)

The antenna jack on the 909 is a stereo jack. I wont go into the details of
wiring as it is on the web. True, leaving the extension cable plugged in
will deactivate the whip. Having spare jacks around sounds good but, if it
is anything like most radios, it is a board mount. Good luck finding one and
it is a rather picky job to replace one.

"GrtPmpkin32" wrote in message
...
Sounds like a good idea to me. I don't think Radio Shack sells such an
extension, but they probably still sell suitable connectors, so you can
make your own.

I'd think an 1/8" mono-to-stereo (or vice-versa) adapter would work fine,
considering you're not having to deal with stereo signals for antenna
pick-up.
On the other hand (and this may be a large hand!), my experience tells me
that
the typical 1/8" ext.ant. jack on most portables (if not all made
currently)
will not see the whip antenna properly unless the ext. ant. jack is
vacant;
i.e., you could keep the adapter in, and just unplug the antenna cable,
but if
you leave the adapter in, the radio will see the adapter as the antenna,
and
ignore the whip. I'm sure I could be wrong, but I know that just plugging
in an
1/8" plug with NO wire on it (or coax) shorts out the whip. Not much of an
antenna in that case. I'd say that you should just unplug it when you need
to,
and keep a few extra jacks on hand, to replace onboard in the event of the
stock jack breaking.
Feel free to shoot me down if I'm wrong, but I just wouldn't want to see
someone buy or make an adapter plug which essentially killed their whip
reception when plugged in WITHOUT the attending external antenna.
Linus

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. {?}

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.

i.e., you could keep the adapter in, and just unplug the antenna cable,

That's exactly what I'd be doing Linus. BTW, my batteries just went out while
typing this, popped in a fresh pair of rechargables (really come in handy and
have saved me lots of money I'm sure.)

but if
you leave the adapter in, the radio will see the adapter as the antenna, and
ignore the whip.

That's fine by me. While the 'adapter' would be plugged in, I wouldn't be
using it. I'm not concerned in the least of it affecting the rod antenna.

I'd say that you should just unplug it when you need to,
and keep a few extra jacks on hand, to replace onboard in the event of the
stock jack breaking.

I don't like that scenario.:-(

but I just wouldn't want to see
someone buy or make an adapter plug which essentially killed their whip
reception when plugged in WITHOUT the attending external antenna.

But I don't understand why you feel that way, I mean I do I suppose. But the
way in that I'm using my external antenna jack by plugging and unplugging,
sooner or later is gonna do damage. Find an 'adapter' to keep plugged into the
external antenna jack all the time, if I'm not listening, then my antenna
won't be plugged into it anyhow. If I leave the house and take it with me,
then I'd take the adapter out of the external jack and use the whip or even for
that matter.....keep the adapter STILL plugged in and unroll my 500ft. spool of
wire that already has the same jack soldered on the end already, that'd plug
right into it anyhow and unroll it (the spool of wire) and DX away. :-)
**Follow me Linus?

"Gray Shockley" wrote in message
.com...
On Mon, 9 Feb 2004 18:27:02 -0600, Stinger wrote
(in message ):

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!

-- Stinger



Er, well, that is . . . .


Wouldn't /two/ phono jacks be a better idea?


/gray/


Hmm. I don't really know. Stock 909's use the stereo mini-plug to connect
the combination SW/FM antenna, and all the "Super" mod does with that
wiring is give you a durable RCA jack to the same circuit placed on the
upper right-hand part of the back of the radio.

-- Stinger

**Follow me Linus?

I do indeed. I was under the impression that the removal of the external
antenna was for using the whip, but if that's not a factor, then yes, disregard
my post.
Linus

do in their "Super" mod is to put an RCA jack on the BACK of the radio
for
the SW/FM antenna. Excellent solution!

Guess it'll be a dead issue till I walk into Rat Shack with a spool of wire and
start rummaging through the boxes. :-)