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Disappointed with Sangean 909

68.84.140.92
Posted on November 16, 2015 at 19:46:04
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 And I even bought the modded version from Radiolabs where they upgrade it from stock.
It receives no better than my Zenith D7000Y from the 70's and most frustrating is it is just as susceptible to modern noise sources as the Zenith. Actually on some bands the Zenith is better but I wanted a smaller unit with digital tuning, memories and LSB\USB instead of BFO and pitch. Oh well.


ET
ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

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LOL! Probably needs a better antenna! , posted on November 17, 2015 at 21:12:53
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
 ;-)

random wire outside?


Warmest

Tim Bailey

Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger


 

RE: Disappointed with Sangean 909, posted on November 18, 2015 at 00:39:32
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 My radio has a GROUND which in your case might help.

Also, listening LATE when both Solar Noise and man-generated noise are minimal help. Try lower down the band, in the 60m to 49m range. Some of the 'tropicals' come in like gangbusters very late. Daytime frequencies are up around 11m or even higher.
Have someone around who understands Spanish.

Did you Consider the SONY ICF-2010? Selectable sideband AND synchronous detector. Not to mention 1khz tuning option. They ALSO can be modified with different filters.

A couple years ago, we had a 12 hour power fail when somebody tripped on the Extension Cord from Arizona. My listening improved 1000% with even AM radio coming in from all over the states and SW was outstanding.
Too much is never enough

 

RE: Disappointed with Sangean 909, posted on November 18, 2015 at 09:00:03
SMMorrison
Audiophile

Posts: 2
Location: Colorado Springs
Joined: November 28, 2014
The heyday of HF reception trailed the Cold War, much less to listen to today. We are also off the peak of the 11 year sunspot cycle.

The 909 was noted for its' relative insensitivity; it's not that hard to overcome with an external antenna. Usually blamed on the then new Sangean's inexperience in direct dealing with the European domestic market for regional SW, it had been sold under a myriad of names, worldwide. The preceding model (Radio Shack DX-440) was quite sensitive.

My Super 909 does quite well on the Sony traveler's loop, here in Colorado Springs (6000 feet elevation), but I'm still bedeviled with horrid RF noise from all the switching wall warts and other stuff we didn't have to deal with in the '70s.



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RE: LOL! Probably needs a better antenna! , posted on November 18, 2015 at 13:19:06
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 I'm aware the improvement an outdoor antenna would bring.It came with a 40 foot or so unit and it was disappointing too. However for the purposes of comparing the two units I use their internal antennas which are both approximately 50 inches. The Zenith kicks ass with its rod antenna and gets many more stations than the 909. That's sad and shouldn't be the case period.

ET
ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Disappointed with Sangean 909, posted on November 18, 2015 at 13:30:44
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 Great points of which I am aware being a radio geek with over 100 radios tube and ss. It's just a let down that it is so lackluster. I want a small portable to take camping as the Zenith weighs 20 pounds with batteries and is large. My bro in law has a 2010 and they are great but too hard to find and too much money for their age in my opinion. The best part of a power failure by far is quiet bands! It's the only thing that allows me to cope with no power.


ET
ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Disappointed with Sangean 909, posted on November 18, 2015 at 13:35:23
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 I hear ya and thanks for the post. I'm a ham and built 5 antennas but I'm not at home I'm in a rehab center for at least 4 more months recovering from a bad accident. I just took my first steps with a walker last week.

ET
ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Disappointed with Sangean 909, posted on November 18, 2015 at 16:34:07
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 Get the ICF-2010 which holds value like none other.

Various mods available to improve selectivity. 3 position 'tone' switch for 'hiss' reduction.

Steep learning curve. But it DOES have 116 to136 mhz air band and FM down to 76mhz…..

…..leo…...
Too much is never enough

 

RE: Disappointed with Sangean 909, posted on November 18, 2015 at 17:00:12
kh6idf
Audiophile

Posts: 1474
Location: Texas
Joined: May 2, 2001
 I had an Eton E5 portable for a while before it broke, it's no longer available but it was pretty good, even with just the whip antenna. Taking it outside the house improved reception quite a bit, both stronger signals and far less QRM from devices inside the house.

73 de KH6IDF

 

RE: Disappointed with Sangean 909, posted on November 18, 2015 at 17:39:48
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 Thanks for your post. Stuff in the house makes a ton of noise these days. Plasma TVs are the worst I've heard.

ET

W3SQE


ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Disappointed with Sangean 909, posted on November 19, 2015 at 17:17:07
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 My 909 has tone controls that remove hiss. Looking for the Sonys hasn't yielded good results. Over 300 for units with something small amiss,no manual or box either. I don't think I could buy one without seeing and testing it first which eliminates the net.


ET


ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Disappointed with Sangean 909, posted on November 19, 2015 at 17:21:59
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 2 major (and a minor) problem with the ICF-2010.

First is the battery holder for the 3xDCells. Not the greatest.

First RF transistor in the FM section is Vulnerable to static / lightning nearby.

Bandwith for the wide might be TOO wide to be useful while the narrow is very narrow and sacrifices 'fidelity'.

You be the judge of severity of the 'defects' I listed. Still and all, the radio was produced in large numbers and for years AFTER the 'end' was annnounced. Nothing beat it. at least in the SONY line.
Too much is never enough

 

Digital tuner puts noise source inside the chasis !, posted on November 20, 2015 at 09:30:26
hitsware
Audiophile

Posts: 2636
Location: N. Calif.
Joined: December 30, 2004
 !

 

Sony ICF-2010, posted on November 20, 2015 at 10:45:46
Bill Way
Audiophile

Posts: 1884
Location: Toms River NJ
Joined: May 28, 2012
Contributor
  Since: December 14, 2012




Have had mine since new some time in the 1980s I think. Pretty amazing even with just a long-wire.

WW
"Put on your high heeled sneakers. Baby, we''re goin'' out tonight.

 

RE: ICF problems, posted on November 20, 2015 at 11:00:29
Bill Way
Audiophile

Posts: 1884
Location: Toms River NJ
Joined: May 28, 2012
Contributor
  Since: December 14, 2012
 Battery holder - true. I had to glue one end of the battery holder after it cracked. Strangely, it was the AA battery holder, not the D-cell holder. And it just cracked, so it didn't look broken. It took me a couple years of intermittently working before I found it.

Static/lightning - true.

Bandwidth - there is always the balance between bandwidth and fidelity. At least it has options.

And one big plus: the speaker is surprisingly good for its size.

When I bought it, it was a ridiculous amount of money for a small radio with SW. Looking back, it's one of the best purchases ever.

WW
"Put on your high heeled sneakers. Baby, we''re goin'' out tonight.

 

RE: ICF problems, posted on November 20, 2015 at 11:49:20
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 I make ONE exception. When I am doing 'critical listening', I use EAR BUDS.
Too much is never enough

 

RE: Disappointed with Sangean 909, posted on November 20, 2015 at 13:57:06
cfraser
Audiophile

Posts: 3208
Location: Pickering, Ontario
Joined: April 30, 2000
 Yup, I can pick up the plasma from the AM radio in the garage. The plasma is very directional in its radiation pattern.

Not to compare with the Sony 2010, but maybe the much cheaper 7600 would work for you. It's got some pretty good features, works fine for me but I don't try to do anything fancy with it. I have some older Sangeans too. Their front end is very sensitive and can be subject to the same probs as in the 2010.

I've been looking for a new/small portable lately too. A couple of the C Cranes seem OK (for me), I was thinking of the Skywave, mainly I just wanted decent AM (preferably a la the original GE Superadio, but not to be). Hard to get a decent AM-only radio without having to buy a ton of extra features these days.

Edit: I don't know what you're actually trying to do, so my suggestions are probably stupid. When other devices emit RF interference, pretty hard for an AM radio receiver to not pick them up. Even my really good radios with decent outdoor antennas will.

 

RE: Digital tuner puts noise source inside the chasis !, posted on November 20, 2015 at 14:24:55
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 I'm a ham with a few SS digital and tubed analog receivers and transceivers. My Icoms and Kenwoods that are digital do very well
and are much better. Of course their MSRP
is there to six times as much.

ET
ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Disappointed with Sangean 909, posted on November 20, 2015 at 15:28:16
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 No, a good post. We are cut from the same cloth. Radio Shack made a decent AM only called the TRF tuned RF stage #12-655. If you see one on EBay cheap go for it. I love my D7000Y its just too big and heavy. A digital w/true LSB/USB that is smaller was my goal. I just wasn't happy with the 909.

ET
ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Disappointed with Sangean 909, posted on December 24, 2015 at 13:07:03
FRG7SWL
Audiophile

Posts: 2109
Location: NorCali
Joined: March 26, 2003
 Sorry to read of your disappointment with Sangean's 909, Awe-d-o-file. Have a Ratio Shaq DX-398 variant from '98 which is still going strong. Has long-since outlasted an original generation Sony 7600G (replaced stock 398 speaker with 7600G's, though). But it too has a hard time with all that nowadaze medium-n-short wave digital interference which permeates Sactown. FM reception, however, has always been exemplary. Since 909/398s came from the same factory as N.A.D. & Proton, it probably employed a similar f.m. section. Minus Larry Schotz' noise reduction system. BTW, just like the 909, Sangean's 803-A (DX-440) also benefited from exterior antennas. As well as having its' rf gain control dimed. Sangean's 909 was proclaimed to be the last receiver one would ever need in their full page ads. How ironic it proved to be true. Not because the 909 couldn't be improved upon, but because several years later international broadcasters abandoned short wave for internet. 909s still have fine reception of ham-n-utility stations. Of which those broadcaster-empty station-storage pages could easily be filled with. You'd probably be better served, Awe-d-o-file, by Grundig's Yacht Boy 400 (also badged YB400PE-n-G4000A). Similar over-all stellar performance with simpler operation. Does a slightly better job fighting digital hash, too. 73s-n-Happy Holidaze para Sactown

 

RE: Disappointed with Sangean 909, posted on May 11, 2016 at 21:26:57
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 'Ya should have gotten the SONY ICF-2010.
During the Great San Diego Power Failure, in 2014, I think, there was NO NOISE on any bands.
I could get a US broadcast AM station every 10khz.
SW came in very good as well, with many South American stations in the 49 meter band and down to 3mhz.
WWV was like crystal clear. I wish one of the scheduled GAPS had occurred so I could have had a shot at WWVH.
The ONLY change I would make would be the narrow filter being a LITTLE wider.
Too much is never enough

 

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