Tom, as a user of the KA-600, I might point out that you may be under the RF "umbrella" of that local AM station that interferes or seems to image on the SW band(s). If you are too near their transmitting antenna, almost any sensitive -- and even not sensitive -- receivers will exhibit images. Then again, the KA-600 does a LOT of agenda and options, but it's not THE very best at doing all manner of agenda superbly.
Thanks for the demo. I just purchased the Sony SW 7600 GR Multiband portable radio and it works the best if used outside on the patio. I have a 33 feet long random wire that I simply laid across the lawn and that is connected to the internal whip antenna on the radio and that has improved the reception on all the short way bands including the amateur radio bands. The Sony radio does a good job with single side band reception.
You don't have the antenna preamp unit fully connected to the radio...the black clip has to be connected to the ground of the radio, most likely the negative battery clip. Find a way to make this connection and I can almost guarantee much improved signals.
***** The right complaint, but for the most part, blaming the wrong cause. Get "out from" the RF umbrella of local AM, FM broadcasters, even 5KW and 10KW to 100KW, if you are close enough, and the KA-600, like other receivers of its class actually does fairly well. From Florida, note one is also very near Radio Havana's AM and SW antenna farms, and note the power the majority of their stations use.
I have ordered the Kaito 500 series and I wanted your advice. I have always felt much better using radios with analog dials instead of didgital dials. I feel that with patience I can find signals as opposed to the digital dial skipping the radio stations on their own. What is your opinion? You, Sir seem to know alot about radios and signals.
Second question if you live in a city or out in the country is there a recommendation of one over the other anolog or digital while in different environment?
I agree 100%. I do not like these new radios with digital tuning (not just digital readout). They suffer from what I call "muting while tuning". This makes searching for weak signals a pain.
Not really but some of the newer more expensive digital radios have more filtering options which could help. Also, in the city where you have strong MW stations, they can bleed over into the shortwave band on cheap shortwave radios.
What emergency radio would your recommend for us concrete jungle dwellers who live in dense urban cities like NYC where reception would be main concern? Short wave is not important to me. I would use a dedicated transceiver for that. Is C Crane solar observer still the king of emergency radios/
When you turn the radio off are there any digital displays that stay on? Like a clock or the temperature and humidity? Wondering about any unnecessary battery drainage.
I have the Tecsun 660 radio, does anyone else have the problem also, that the battery symbol always sais its low and its not. I have fully charged batteries...thanks.
***** Check your radio battery compartment for a switch and make sure the switch is turned to use the right battery type. In example if you use rechargeable batteries make sure the switch is turned to that option. hamrad88 can help you locate it since he has that model and I don't
Thank you for this video! You just saved me 80 bucks and many headaches.
You are very welcome and have a great day.
Tom, as a user of the KA-600, I might point out that you may be under the RF "umbrella" of that local AM station that interferes or seems to image on the SW band(s). If you are too near their transmitting antenna, almost any sensitive -- and even not sensitive -- receivers will exhibit images.
Then again, the KA-600 does a LOT of agenda and options, but it's not THE very best at doing all manner of agenda superbly.
I like that flip-over cellphone cover!
+sparkdetect Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the demo. I just purchased the Sony SW 7600 GR Multiband portable radio and it works the best if used outside on the patio. I have a 33 feet long random wire that I simply laid across the lawn and that is connected to the internal whip antenna on the radio and that has improved the reception on all the short way bands including the amateur radio bands. The Sony radio does a good job with single side band reception.
Bill Wolverton Thanks for your report.
Tom
You don't have the antenna preamp unit fully connected to the radio...the black clip has to be connected to the ground of the radio, most likely the negative battery clip. Find a way to make this connection and I can almost guarantee much improved signals.
+sparkdetect Thanks for catching that mistake.
The front end seems to overload significantly which is a pity (a huge negative) considering it's many abilities...
***** I guess that is why the did not put an external antenna jack on it. :(
Agreed... still a pity, I guess they considered it reasonably sensitive out of the box?
***** The right complaint, but for the most part, blaming the wrong cause. Get "out from" the RF umbrella of local AM, FM broadcasters, even 5KW and 10KW to 100KW, if you are close enough, and the KA-600, like other receivers of its class actually does fairly well. From Florida, note one is also very near Radio Havana's AM and SW antenna farms, and note the power the majority of their stations use.
Since the advent of the internet there are very few (Cuba, North Korea and Red China) SW broadcasts to the US, No more BBC, Radio Netherlands, etc.
I have ordered the Kaito 500 series and I wanted your advice. I have always felt much better using radios with analog dials instead of didgital dials. I feel that with patience I can find signals as opposed to the digital dial skipping the radio stations on their own. What is your opinion? You, Sir seem to know alot about radios and signals.
Second question if you live in a city or out in the country is there a recommendation of one over the other anolog or digital while in different environment?
I agree 100%. I do not like these new radios with digital tuning (not just digital readout). They suffer from what I call "muting while tuning". This makes searching for weak signals a pain.
Not really but some of the newer more expensive digital radios have more filtering options which could help. Also, in the city where you have strong MW stations, they can bleed over into the shortwave band on cheap shortwave radios.
What emergency radio would your recommend for us concrete jungle dwellers who live in dense urban cities like NYC where reception would be main concern? Short wave is not important to me. I would use a dedicated transceiver for that. Is C Crane solar observer still the king of emergency radios/
dcentral Eton makes a number of good emergency radios. I have a number of shows on different emergency radios.
Tom
When you turn the radio off are there any digital displays that stay on? Like a clock or the temperature and humidity? Wondering about any unnecessary battery drainage.
+sevenrayz Yes, the clock, time and temp/humidity displays stay on.
Ok. I have a Midland radio with the same feature and it would drain the batteries so I'm guessing this would do the same.
+sevenrayz You are correct.
I have the Tecsun 660 radio, does anyone else have the problem also, that the battery symbol always sais its low and its not. I have fully charged batteries...thanks.
***** Mine seems to work fine for now. I checked it as it was charging and the symbol slowly filled up.
Tom
thanks alot, i got a lemon for sure....heard there is a solar flare a major one, anyone hear about it? M3 Class solar flare, yesterday and today.
***** Check your radio battery compartment for a switch and make sure the switch is turned to use the right battery type. In example if you use rechargeable batteries make sure the switch is turned to that option. hamrad88 can help you locate it since he has that model and I don't
***** Thanks Thomas.