[IRCA] Phone exchanges (was Re: KIDD-630)
I think those phone exchanges disappeared in the 1970s or late 1960s because they became politically incorrect. Most of them were very white Anglo-Saxon sounding. In Toronto, they used to have exchanges like MElrose, LEnnox, RUssell, HUdson, and of course EMpire, as Toronto was a bastion of the British Empire (as recently as 1961, the population was over 90% white, with origins in the UK). 73 Mike Brooker Toronto, ON - Original Message - From: Hawkins n...@mchsi.com To: irca@hard-core-dx.com Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2014 4:39 AM Subject: Re: [IRCA] KIDD-630 IRCA, On 12/26/14 10:20 PM, Patrick Martin wrote: By the way in 1966 their phone number was FRontier 2-8154, to give you an idea how long ago that was. I miss phone numbers like that. I wrote a short piece for WHO about them, when the morning hosts were talking about their, and WHO's old phone numbers. Steve -- Stephen Hawkins NG0G n...@mchsi.com 73 49 111 01001001 ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Phone exchanges (was Re: KIDD-630)
Different reason completely. Exchanges were used because people doing the phone system planning thought their user base was not intelligent enough to remember that many numbers. Their answer was to use exchanges that people would be more likely to remember. When it reached a point with phone system expansion that remembering the exchanges became the more difficult task, they gave up and just used the numbers that the exchanges represented. As late as the 1990's, those people said that people in general could not remember more than 7 numbers in a row. And we still have those letters on our telephone keypads, which seem to be reserved for marketing fools. Mike Hawkins On Sun, Dec 28, 2014 at 6:52 AM, Mike Brooker aum...@idirect.com wrote: I think those phone exchanges disappeared in the 1970s or late 1960s because they became politically incorrect. Most of them were very white Anglo-Saxon sounding. In Toronto, they used to have exchanges like MElrose, LEnnox, RUssell, HUdson, and of course EMpire, as Toronto was a bastion of the British Empire (as recently as 1961, the population was over 90% white, with origins in the UK). 73 Mike Brooker Toronto, ON - Original Message - From: Hawkins n...@mchsi.com To: irca@hard-core-dx.com Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2014 4:39 AM Subject: Re: [IRCA] KIDD-630 IRCA, On 12/26/14 10:20 PM, Patrick Martin wrote: By the way in 1966 their phone number was FRontier 2-8154, to give you an idea how long ago that was. I miss phone numbers like that. I wrote a short piece for WHO about them, when the morning hosts were talking about their, and WHO's old phone numbers. Steve -- Stephen Hawkins NG0G n...@mchsi.com 73 49 111 01001001 ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] WWV Solar Report
:Product: Geophysical Alert Message wwv.txt :Issued: 2014 Dec 28 1805 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # # Geophysical Alert Message # Solar-terrestrial indices for 27 December follow. Solar flux 134 and estimated planetary A-index 7. The estimated planetary K-index at 1800 UTC on 28 December was 2. No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours. No space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Trends -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Date 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 UTC 0300 0600 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100 0300 0600 0900 1200 1500 1800 SFlx 137 137 137 137 137 137 134 134 134 134 134 134 134 134 A-in 17 17 17 17 17 17 87777777 K-in 32222111321112 Current Solar information available at http://www.am-dx.com/wwv.htm ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] WWV Solar Report
:Product: Geophysical Alert Message wwv.txt :Issued: 2014 Dec 29 0010 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # # Geophysical Alert Message # Solar-terrestrial indices for 28 December follow. Solar flux 133 and estimated planetary A-index 10. The estimated planetary K-index at UTC on 29 December was 3. No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours. No space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Trends -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Date 27 27 27 27 27 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 29 UTC 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100 0300 0600 0900 1200 1500 1800 2100 SFlx 137 137 137 137 134 134 134 134 134 134 134 134 133 133 A-in 17 17 17 17 8777777710 10 K-in 22211132111243 Current Solar information available at http://www.am-dx.com/wwv.htm ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
[IRCA] New C.Crane Skywave Vs. Tecsun PL-380-- Daytime DX Shootout
Hello All, With clear weather and lots of open space in our back yard, it was time for a full Shootout between the Si4734-chip-powered Tecsun PL-380 and the new Si4736-chip-powered C.Crane Skywave portable. Both stock models were checked out for normal operation before the contest, with new batteries and an equal chance to receive six fringe MW stations just after local noon. The new Skywave is significantly smaller than the Tecsun PL-380 (see photo at http://www.mediafire.com/view/8o5mdtt1bc1rfik/CCraneSkywaveDisassembly-04_(Large).jpg ), and at $89.95 (before shipping) costs about twice as much. The Tecsun PL-380 stock model was chosen for this Shootout because it has become the favorite of Ultralight radio Transoceanic DXers, with a generous range of functions combined with toned down soft mute. Its stock loopstick places it near the top of the ULR class in sensitivity, and with DSP filtering down to the 1 kHz level it provides fairly representative performance of all the Tecsun Si4734 DSP chip Ultralights. Rather than tell you immediately how the Shootout went, I will let you form your own opinion by posting six MP3's of the relative reception by the PL-380 Vs. the Skywave in receiving the daytime DX fringe stations. In each MP3 both the PL-380 and the Skywave were set on the 1 KHz DSP setting, and both were pointed in the same direction. In each MP3 the PL-380 receives the fringe station for the first 20 seconds, and the Skywave receives the same fringe station for the final 20 seconds. 550 KARI Blaine, WA (5 kW at 127 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/dd8dok6ujeh50cz/550-KARI-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 690 CBU Vancouver, BC (50 kW at 148 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/hj3khn0zjep3pxc/690-CBU-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 750 KXTG Portland, OR (50 kW at 117 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/06uc2a15yas4y57/750-KXTG-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1070 CFAX Victoria, BC (10 kW at 100 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/44vpx852aa7pwn4/1070-CFAX-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1420 KITI/ KUJ Centralia and Walla Walla, WA (5 kW at 46 miles and 202 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/b2apvjdi5uwhksw/1420-KITI-KUJ-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1470 KELA Centralia, WA (5 kW at 46 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/glppgdt26jzcnlc/1470-KELA-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 Comments: The Si4734 DSP chip in all of the Tecsun Ultralights tends to clip off the higher audio frequencies in the 1 kHz DSP setting, leaving the audio with somewhat of a muddy sound. Obviously, the Si4736 chip in the Skywave not only solves this issue, but solves the heterodyne issue (audible in the 1420 kHz MP3) as well. As for why the Skywave seems to have a slight sensitivity edge over the PL-380 (except on 550, where it smokes the PL-380), it could either be the result of a superior loopstick, or superior sensitivity of the Si4736 chip. Further testing should reveal the cause. Verdict: The Si4736 DSP chip in the Skywave is a major improvement over the Si4734 chip in the Tecsun DSP Ultralights. Although there may be some jokes about the Skywave's cost being sky high, the radio seems to be everything claimed by C.Crane, at least in its MW performance. This model should see a lot of action among Transoceanic MW DXers, where its superior audio and heterodyne-free reception should make a significant difference in split-frequency results. 73 and Good DX, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] New C.Crane Skywave Vs. Tecsun PL-380-- Daytime DX Shootout
Gary, thanks for the excellent comparison/review. I think I want one of each, hi. Ms Sent from my iPod On Dec 28, 2014, at 9:42 PM, d1028g...@comcast.net wrote: Hello All, With clear weather and lots of open space in our back yard, it was time for a full Shootout between the Si4734-chip-powered Tecsun PL-380 and the new Si4736-chip-powered C.Crane Skywave portable. Both stock models were checked out for normal operation before the contest, with new batteries and an equal chance to receive six fringe MW stations just after local noon. The new Skywave is significantly smaller than the Tecsun PL-380 (see photo at http://www.mediafire.com/view/8o5mdtt1bc1rfik/CCraneSkywaveDisassembly-04_(Large).jpg ), and at $89.95 (before shipping) costs about twice as much. The Tecsun PL-380 stock model was chosen for this Shootout because it has become the favorite of Ultralight radio Transoceanic DXers, with a generous range of functions combined with toned down soft mute. Its stock loopstick places it near the top of the ULR class in sensitivity, and with DSP filtering down to the 1 kHz level it provides fairly representative performance of all the Tecsun Si4734 DSP chip Ultralights. Rather than tell you immediately how the Shootout went, I will let you form your own opinion by posting six MP3's of the relative reception by the PL-380 Vs. the Skywave in receiving the daytime DX fringe stations. In each MP3 both the PL-380 and the Skywave were set on the 1 KHz DSP setting, and both were pointed in the same direction. In each MP3 the PL-380 receives the fringe station for the first 20 seconds, and the Skywave receives the same fringe station for the final 20 seconds. 550 KARI Blaine, WA (5 kW at 127 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/dd8dok6ujeh50cz/550-KARI-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 690 CBU Vancouver, BC (50 kW at 148 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/hj3khn0zjep3pxc/690-CBU-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 750 KXTG Portland, OR (50 kW at 117 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/06uc2a15yas4y57/750-KXTG-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1070 CFAX Victoria, BC (10 kW at 100 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/44vpx852aa7pwn4/1070-CFAX-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1420 KITI/ KUJ Centralia and Walla Walla, WA (5 kW at 46 miles and 202 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/b2apvjdi5uwhksw/1420-KITI-KUJ-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1470 KELA Centralia, WA (5 kW at 46 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/glppgdt26jzcnlc/1470-KELA-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 Comments: The Si4734 DSP chip in all of the Tecsun Ultralights tends to clip off the higher audio frequencies in the 1 kHz DSP setting, leaving the audio with somewhat of a muddy sound. Obviously, the Si4736 chip in the Skywave not only solves this issue, but solves the heterodyne issue (audible in the 1420 kHz MP3) as well. As for why the Skywave seems to have a slight sensitivity edge over the PL-380 (except on 550, where it smokes the PL-380), it could either be the result of a superior loopstick, or superior sensitivity of the Si4736 chip. Further testing should reveal the cause. Verdict: The Si4736 DSP chip in the Skywave is a major improvement over the Si4734 chip in the Tecsun DSP Ultralights. Although there may be some jokes about the Skywave's cost being sky high, the radio seems to be everything claimed by C.Crane, at least in its MW performance. This model should see a lot of action among Transoceanic MW DXers, where its superior audio and heterodyne-free reception should make a significant difference in split-frequency results. 73 and Good DX, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] New C.Crane Skywave Vs. Tecsun PL-380-- Daytime DX Shootout
Impressive results, Gary. I was very impressed with the 550 clip. Wow! As for the others, the C Crane receiver was so much less fatiguing to listen to. Great audio, for sure! Thanks for doing the side by side comparisons! 73,...Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC On Mon, Dec 29, 2014 at 5:40 AM, d1028g...@comcast.net wrote: Hello All, With clear weather and lots of open space in our back yard, it was time for a full Shootout between the Si4734-chip-powered Tecsun PL-380 and the new Si4736-chip-powered C.Crane Skywave portable. Both stock models were checked out for normal operation before the contest, with new batteries and an equal chance to receive six fringe MW stations just after local noon. The new Skywave is significantly smaller than the Tecsun PL-380 (see photo at http://www.mediafire.com/view/8o5mdtt1bc1rfik/CCraneSkywaveDisassembly-04_(Large).jpg ), and at $89.95 (before shipping) costs about twice as much. The Tecsun PL-380 stock model was chosen for this Shootout because it has become the favorite of Ultralight radio Transoceanic DXers, with a generous range of functions combined with toned down soft mute. Its stock loopstick places it near the top of the ULR class in sensitivity, and with DSP filtering down to the 1 kHz level it provides fairly representative performance of all the Tecsun Si4734 DSP chip Ultralights. Rather than tell you immediately how the Shootout went, I will let you form your own opinion by posting six MP3's of the relative reception by the PL-380 Vs. the Skywave in receiving the daytime DX fringe stations. In each MP3 both the PL-380 and the Skywave were set on the 1 KHz DSP setting, and both were pointed in the same direction. In each MP3 the PL-380 receives the fringe station for the first 20 seconds, and the Skywave receives the same fringe station for the final 20 seconds. 550 KARI Blaine, WA (5 kW at 127 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/dd8dok6ujeh50cz/550-KARI-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 690 CBU Vancouver, BC (50 kW at 148 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/hj3khn0zjep3pxc/690-CBU-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 750 KXTG Portland, OR (50 kW at 117 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/06uc2a15yas4y57/750-KXTG-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1070 CFAX Victoria, BC (10 kW at 100 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/44vpx852aa7pwn4/1070-CFAX-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1420 KITI/ KUJ Centralia and Walla Walla, WA (5 kW at 46 miles and 202 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/b2apvjdi5uwhksw/1420-KITI-KUJ-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1470 KELA Centralia, WA (5 kW at 46 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/glppgdt26jzcnlc/1470-KELA-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 Comments: The Si4734 DSP chip in all of the Tecsun Ultralights tends to clip off the higher audio frequencies in the 1 kHz DSP setting, leaving the audio with somewhat of a muddy sound. Obviously, the Si4736 chip in the Skywave not only solves this issue, but solves the heterodyne issue (audible in the 1420 kHz MP3) as well. As for why the Skywave seems to have a slight sensitivity edge over the PL-380 (except on 550, where it smokes the PL-380), it could either be the result of a superior loopstick, or superior sensitivity of the Si4736 chip. Further testing should reveal the cause. Verdict: The Si4736 DSP chip in the Skywave is a major improvement over the Si4734 chip in the Tecsun DSP Ultralights. Although there may be some jokes about the Skywave's cost being sky high, the radio seems to be everything claimed by C.Crane, at least in its MW performance. This model should see a lot of action among Transoceanic MW DXers, where its superior audio and heterodyne-free reception should make a significant difference in split-frequency results. 73 and Good DX, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] New C.Crane Skywave Vs. Tecsun PL-380-- Daytime DX Shootout
Walt and Mike, Thanks for your generous comments on the PL-380 Vs. Skywave comparison. I'm pretty sure that this new model will become quite popular for the DXers who don't mind the $89.95 cost. A full disassembly of the Skywave model (performed for the Ultralight radio group) revealed that the radio was custom-built in China for C.Crane, probably by the Redsun Company. The RF and Digital circuit boards are C.Crane designs, stamped with the C.Crane name and Revision number. As such, the model does seem to be unique at this time, and is the only pocket radio found so far to have the new Silicon Labs' Si4736 DSP chip. 73, Gary - Original Message - From: Walter Salmaniw can...@gmail.com To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America irca@hard-core-dx.com Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2014 10:04:16 PM Subject: Re: [IRCA] New C.Crane Skywave Vs. Tecsun PL-380-- Daytime DX Shootout Impressive results, Gary. I was very impressed with the 550 clip. Wow! As for the others, the C Crane receiver was so much less fatiguing to listen to. Great audio, for sure! Thanks for doing the side by side comparisons! 73,...Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC On Mon, Dec 29, 2014 at 5:40 AM, d1028g...@comcast.net wrote: Hello All, With clear weather and lots of open space in our back yard, it was time for a full Shootout between the Si4734-chip-powered Tecsun PL-380 and the new Si4736-chip-powered C.Crane Skywave portable. Both stock models were checked out for normal operation before the contest, with new batteries and an equal chance to receive six fringe MW stations just after local noon. The new Skywave is significantly smaller than the Tecsun PL-380 (see photo at http://www.mediafire.com/view/8o5mdtt1bc1rfik/CCraneSkywaveDisassembly-04_(Large).jpg ), and at $89.95 (before shipping) costs about twice as much. The Tecsun PL-380 stock model was chosen for this Shootout because it has become the favorite of Ultralight radio Transoceanic DXers, with a generous range of functions combined with toned down soft mute. Its stock loopstick places it near the top of the ULR class in sensitivity, and with DSP filtering down to the 1 kHz level it provides fairly representative performance of all the Tecsun Si4734 DSP chip Ultralights. Rather than tell you immediately how the Shootout went, I will let you form your own opinion by posting six MP3's of the relative reception by the PL-380 Vs. the Skywave in receiving the daytime DX fringe stations. In each MP3 both the PL-380 and the Skywave were set on the 1 KHz DSP setting, and both were pointed in the same direction. In each MP3 the PL-380 receives the fringe station for the first 20 seconds, and the Skywave receives the same fringe station for the final 20 seconds. 550 KARI Blaine, WA (5 kW at 127 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/dd8dok6ujeh50cz/550-KARI-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 690 CBU Vancouver, BC (50 kW at 148 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/hj3khn0zjep3pxc/690-CBU-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 750 KXTG Portland, OR (50 kW at 117 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/06uc2a15yas4y57/750-KXTG-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1070 CFAX Victoria, BC (10 kW at 100 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/44vpx852aa7pwn4/1070-CFAX-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1420 KITI/ KUJ Centralia and Walla Walla, WA (5 kW at 46 miles and 202 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/b2apvjdi5uwhksw/1420-KITI-KUJ-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1470 KELA Centralia, WA (5 kW at 46 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/glppgdt26jzcnlc/1470-KELA-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 Comments: The Si4734 DSP chip in all of the Tecsun Ultralights tends to clip off the higher audio frequencies in the 1 kHz DSP setting, leaving the audio with somewhat of a muddy sound. Obviously, the Si4736 chip in the Skywave not only solves this issue, but solves the heterodyne issue (audible in the 1420 kHz MP3) as well. As for why the Skywave seems to have a slight sensitivity edge over the PL-380 (except on 550, where it smokes the PL-380), it could either be the result of a superior loopstick, or superior sensitivity of the Si4736 chip. Further testing should reveal the cause. Verdict: The Si4736 DSP chip in the Skywave is a major improvement over the Si4734 chip in the Tecsun DSP Ultralights. Although there may be some jokes about the Skywave's cost being sky high, the radio seems to be everything claimed by C.Crane, at least in its MW performance. This model should see a lot of action among Transoceanic MW DXers, where its superior audio and heterodyne-free reception should make a significant difference in split-frequency results. 73 and Good DX, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions
Re: [IRCA] New C.Crane Skywave Vs. Tecsun PL-380-- Daytime DX Shootout
I was somewhat bothered by a lot of hiss in the Skywave audio. It's easily visible in a spectrum plot. To a lesser degree, the 380 audio had too much low frequency rumble. Doing a good lowpass and highpass filtering on both, I was left with audios that sounded identical from the two receivers. Chuck From: can...@gmail.com Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 06:04:16 + To: irca@hard-core-dx.com Subject: Re: [IRCA] New C.Crane Skywave Vs. Tecsun PL-380-- Daytime DX Shootout Impressive results, Gary. I was very impressed with the 550 clip. Wow! As for the others, the C Crane receiver was so much less fatiguing to listen to. Great audio, for sure! Thanks for doing the side by side comparisons! 73,...Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC On Mon, Dec 29, 2014 at 5:40 AM, d1028g...@comcast.net wrote: Hello All, With clear weather and lots of open space in our back yard, it was time for a full Shootout between the Si4734-chip-powered Tecsun PL-380 and the new Si4736-chip-powered C.Crane Skywave portable. Both stock models were checked out for normal operation before the contest, with new batteries and an equal chance to receive six fringe MW stations just after local noon.. The new Skywave is significantly smaller than the Tecsun PL-380 (see photo at http://www.mediafire.com/view/8o5mdtt1bc1rfik/CCraneSkywaveDisassembly-04_(Large).jpg ), and at $89.95 (before shipping) costs about twice as much. The Tecsun PL-380 stock model was chosen for this Shootout because it has become the favorite of Ultralight radio Transoceanic DXers, with a generous range of functions combined with toned down soft mute. Its stock loopstick places it near the top of the ULR class in sensitivity, and with DSP filtering down to the 1 kHz level it provides fairly representative performance of all the Tecsun Si4734 DSP chip Ultralights. Rather than tell you immediately how the Shootout went, I will let you form your own opinion by posting six MP3's of the relative reception by the PL-380 Vs. the Skywave in receiving the daytime DX fringe stations. In each MP3 both the PL-380 and the Skywave were set on the 1 KHz DSP setting, and both were pointed in the same direction. In each MP3 the PL-380 receives the fringe station for the first 20 seconds, and the Skywave receives the same fringe station for the final 20 seconds. 550 KARI Blaine, WA (5 kW at 127 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/dd8dok6ujeh50cz/550-KARI-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 690 CBU Vancouver, BC (50 kW at 148 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/hj3khn0zjep3pxc/690-CBU-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 750 KXTG Portland, OR (50 kW at 117 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/06uc2a15yas4y57/750-KXTG-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1070 CFAX Victoria, BC (10 kW at 100 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/44vpx852aa7pwn4/1070-CFAX-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1420 KITI/ KUJ Centralia and Walla Walla, WA (5 kW at 46 miles and 202 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/b2apvjdi5uwhksw/1420-KITI-KUJ-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1470 KELA Centralia, WA (5 kW at 46 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/glppgdt26jzcnlc/1470-KELA-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 Comments: The Si4734 DSP chip in all of the Tecsun Ultralights tends to clip off the higher audio frequencies in the 1 kHz DSP setting, leaving the audio with somewhat of a muddy sound. Obviously, the Si4736 chip in the Skywave not only solves this issue, but solves the heterodyne issue (audible in the 1420 kHz MP3) as well. As for why the Skywave seems to have a slight sensitivity edge over the PL-380 (except on 550, where it smokes the PL-380), it could either be the result of a superior loopstick, or superior sensitivity of the Si4736 chip. Further testing should reveal the cause. Verdict: The Si4736 DSP chip in the Skywave is a major improvement over the Si4734 chip in the Tecsun DSP Ultralights. Although there may be some jokes about the Skywave's cost being sky high, the radio seems to be everything claimed by C.Crane, at least in its MW performance. This model should see a lot of action among Transoceanic MW DXers, where its superior audio and heterodyne-free reception should make a significant difference in split-frequency results. 73 and Good DX, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this
[IRCA] American Radio History
Greetings everyone, I came upon a neat site I had forgotten about. AmericanRadioHistory.com There is a lot of neat stuff there. Patrick Patrick Martin Seaside OR KGED QSL Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] New C.Crane Skywave Vs. Tecsun PL-380-- Daytime DX Shootout
Does the possibility exist that the other receivers will upgrade to the si4736 chip Ms Sent from my iPod On Dec 28, 2014, at 10:43 PM, d1028g...@comcast.net wrote: Walt and Mike, Thanks for your generous comments on the PL-380 Vs. Skywave comparison. I'm pretty sure that this new model will become quite popular for the DXers who don't mind the $89.95 cost. A full disassembly of the Skywave model (performed for the Ultralight radio group) revealed that the radio was custom-built in China for C.Crane, probably by the Redsun Company. The RF and Digital circuit boards are C.Crane designs, stamped with the C.Crane name and Revision number. As such, the model does seem to be unique at this time, and is the only pocket radio found so far to have the new Silicon Labs' Si4736 DSP chip. 73, Gary - Original Message - From: Walter Salmaniw can...@gmail.com To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America irca@hard-core-dx.com Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2014 10:04:16 PM Subject: Re: [IRCA] New C.Crane Skywave Vs. Tecsun PL-380-- Daytime DX Shootout Impressive results, Gary. I was very impressed with the 550 clip. Wow! As for the others, the C Crane receiver was so much less fatiguing to listen to. Great audio, for sure! Thanks for doing the side by side comparisons! 73,...Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC On Mon, Dec 29, 2014 at 5:40 AM, d1028g...@comcast.net wrote: Hello All, With clear weather and lots of open space in our back yard, it was time for a full Shootout between the Si4734-chip-powered Tecsun PL-380 and the new Si4736-chip-powered C.Crane Skywave portable. Both stock models were checked out for normal operation before the contest, with new batteries and an equal chance to receive six fringe MW stations just after local noon. The new Skywave is significantly smaller than the Tecsun PL-380 (see photo at http://www.mediafire.com/view/8o5mdtt1bc1rfik/CCraneSkywaveDisassembly-04_(Large).jpg ), and at $89.95 (before shipping) costs about twice as much. The Tecsun PL-380 stock model was chosen for this Shootout because it has become the favorite of Ultralight radio Transoceanic DXers, with a generous range of functions combined with toned down soft mute. Its stock loopstick places it near the top of the ULR class in sensitivity, and with DSP filtering down to the 1 kHz level it provides fairly representative performance of all the Tecsun Si4734 DSP chip Ultralights. Rather than tell you immediately how the Shootout went, I will let you form your own opinion by posting six MP3's of the relative reception by the PL-380 Vs. the Skywave in receiving the daytime DX fringe stations. In each MP3 both the PL-380 and the Skywave were set on the 1 KHz DSP setting, and both were pointed in the same direction. In each MP3 the PL-380 receives the fringe station for the first 20 seconds, and the Skywave receives the same fringe station for the final 20 seconds. 550 KARI Blaine, WA (5 kW at 127 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/dd8dok6ujeh50cz/550-KARI-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 690 CBU Vancouver, BC (50 kW at 148 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/hj3khn0zjep3pxc/690-CBU-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 750 KXTG Portland, OR (50 kW at 117 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/06uc2a15yas4y57/750-KXTG-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1070 CFAX Victoria, BC (10 kW at 100 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/44vpx852aa7pwn4/1070-CFAX-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1420 KITI/ KUJ Centralia and Walla Walla, WA (5 kW at 46 miles and 202 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/b2apvjdi5uwhksw/1420-KITI-KUJ-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 1470 KELA Centralia, WA (5 kW at 46 miles) http://www.mediafire.com/listen/glppgdt26jzcnlc/1470-KELA-PL380vsSkywave.MP3 Comments: The Si4734 DSP chip in all of the Tecsun Ultralights tends to clip off the higher audio frequencies in the 1 kHz DSP setting, leaving the audio with somewhat of a muddy sound. Obviously, the Si4736 chip in the Skywave not only solves this issue, but solves the heterodyne issue (audible in the 1420 kHz MP3) as well. As for why the Skywave seems to have a slight sensitivity edge over the PL-380 (except on 550, where it smokes the PL-380), it could either be the result of a superior loopstick, or superior sensitivity of the Si4736 chip. Further testing should reveal the cause. Verdict: The Si4736 DSP chip in the Skywave is a major improvement over the Si4734 chip in the Tecsun DSP Ultralights. Although there may be some jokes about the Skywave's cost being sky high, the radio seems to be everything claimed by C.Crane, at least in its MW performance. This model should see a lot of action among Transoceanic MW DXers, where its superior audio and heterodyne-free reception should make a significant difference in split-frequency results. 73 and Good
Re: [IRCA] American Radio History
That's David Gleason's website. It's been around for a few years and he keeps adding new things. I've met him twice; he's a super neat guy. Sent from my iPhone On Dec 28, 2014, at 10:47 PM, Patrick Martin mwd...@webtv.net wrote: Greetings everyone, I came upon a neat site I had forgotten about. AmericanRadioHistory.com There is a lot of neat stuff there. Patrick Patrick Martin Seaside OR KGED QSL Manager ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
