From the DX-398 Manual at URL:


TUNING SSB STATIONS
Your receiver receives both USB and LSB transmissions. Follow these steps to
receive SSB stations.

The page (18) goes on to give a step by step tuning procedure

"making it understandable" is covered as follows (from the DX-398 Manual

Note: SSB stations sound distorted when you tune to them in the normal SW
band. To help you find SSB stations, watch for deflections on the signal
strength indicator. Since SSB is transmitted with a suppressed carrier, the
signal strength indicator will move more quickly when there is a
transmission and more slowly during pauses in the transmission.

When you have located an SSB station, press AM MODE to receive the
transmission. Repeatedly press AM MODE to switch between USB or LSB
transmissions (try LSB for frequencies below 10 MHz or USB for frequencies
above 10 MHz).

4. Set STEP to SLOW then readjust MANUAL TUNING slowly for maximum
intelligibility.

73
--
Caveat Lector



"Jmpngtiger" wrote in message
...
He is not complaining about picking the signal up but making it
understandable. You can't do this with DX-398. No SSB mode or BFO means
no SSB detection.

My 398 does it just fine. (????)

jt

I just dug out my DX398 and hooked it to my
VHF diskcone and have tuned the 6.925
signal. You will have to push the "step"
button to change the tuning step.
I can get the signal tuned very clearly.

Terry

Well, I've got it tuned. I can recognize the music, but it's far from
clear. A few minutes ago there was a man's voice speaking that was pretty
clear, though. Probably the best results I've gotten from ssb. Generally
speaking, should usb be less understandable than regular am?

I suspect it will take some time to "master"
the art of SSB. On most receives SSB will
never be as clear as AM, but it should be
close enough so that you can listen to
and enjoy music.
Try hunting arround 14 MHz and listen
to the hams.
I am in, just south, of LExingtonKY, and the current
pirate, Underground Radio is giving a ~S8
On the DX398 I had no reading, but I was using my
scanner antenna. I plan on bringing my antennas
out to a patch panel so I can rapidly change from one
radio to another. I had such a panel, but I am rewiring
my radio desk, so it will have to wait awhile.
I am going to drop him an email and see what happens.
Terry

You're right. Seems my radio is working fine. I've moved my radio and
hooked up the not-so-great amplified sw antenna I bought at RS about the
same time as the radio. It sounds just fine now. Noisy, but very clear.
Just got done listening to a little story about an acid flashback. I even
sent them an email at the address they broadcast.

btw, I'm planning on building a "broomstick" antenna. I know it's not the
best thing, but it's cheap, easy, and portable. I'm thinking it will bring
broadcasts like this in much better. I can probably even use it with the
amplified antenna.

"Scott A." wrote in message
...
You're right. Seems my radio is working fine. I've moved my radio and
hooked up the not-so-great amplified sw antenna I bought at RS about the
same time as the radio. It sounds just fine now. Noisy, but very clear.

Try turning the RF Gain/ Attenuator down until it sounds like you want it.
Makes a lot of difference.

Just got done listening to a little story about an acid flashback. I even
sent them an email at the address they broadcast.

btw, I'm planning on building a "broomstick" antenna. I know it's not the
best thing, but it's cheap, easy, and portable. I'm thinking it will
bring
broadcasts like this in much better. I can probably even use it with the
amplified antenna.

SA,
..
Here are two Messages to Read concerning the BroomStick Antenna
[ Broom Stick - BroomStik ]
..
* Short STACKED Vertical {Tri-Band} BroomStick Antenna
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/755
..
* Concerning the BroomStick Antenna = Less Wire and Better Results
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/799
..
Related Links within these Messages a
- A Second Look - The Tri-Band "BroomStick" {BroomStik} Antenna
- Concerning the "BroomStick" {BroomStik} Antenna
- Understanding the "BroomStick" {BroomStik} Antenna and its Coil
- Tri-Band "BroomStick" {BroomStik} Antenna
..
..
iane ~ RHF
..
All are WELCOME and "Invited to Join" the
Shortwave Listener (SWL) Antenna eGroup on YAHOO !
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortwave-SWL-Antenna/
..
Some Say: On A Clear Day You Can See Forever.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shortw...na/message/502
..
I BELIEVE: On A Clear Night . . .
You Can Hear Forever and Beyond, The BEYOND !
With a Shortwave Listener SWL Antenna of your own making.
"If You Build It {SWL Antenna} You Will Hear Them !"

In article ,
"Scott A." wrote:

I have a Radio Shack DX-398 that I bought in '97 or '98. Whenever I try to
listen to anything in either usb or lsb, it sounds sort of like the
chipmunks. The pitch just sounds wrong and unintelligable.

I don't have a lot of experience with swl, so I don't know if this is
normal or not. I would expect normal AM broadcasts to be distorted, but
signals that I'm sure are ssb also sound bad.

(This problem comes to mind now because I was attempting to pick up the
pirate broadcast on 6925 mentioned on this newsgroup just a few minutes
ago, which I'm pretty sure is usb. I can pick it up. I even recognized
the old David Crosby song they were playing. But it's still un-
intelligable.)

The DX-380 does not have a BFO or SSB ability so you won't be able to
make this type of transmission understandable.

--
Telamon
Ventura, California

Thanks, but mine is a DX398.

DX398 not DX380.
Terry