TECSUN PL-600

—I didn’t have the sound distortion problems you had. I suspect you got a duff radio. Like you, though, I don’t think the chances of getting a unit replaced are very high: I got mine through eBay from a guy in Shenzhen. No twine wrapping on the parcel, thank goodness, but not a lot of padding in the envelope either.

—The PL-600 will power a Sony AN-LP1 aerial, like the Sony radios do. This isn’t a great advantage but is a nice little plus.

—The external power supply is a weird hybrid: it has US pins but works on European voltages. As I live in the UK and have lots of travel adaptors this doesn’t bother me. Maybe it will also work on 110V? I’ll try the next time I’m in the US.

—It’s one of the easiest to use radios I’ve had. I also have a Sony ICF-SW7600GR which has more features but the PL-600 but isn’t quite as pleasant to use.

—My unit didn’t smell of creosote.

—Carl Moss

Ed.: This model doesn’t appear to be shown anymore on the factory website.

Di-Wave100

With dimensions of 125mm (H) x 65mm (W) x 232mm (L) the UniWave set is a very handy, portable set, light and easy to carry. DRM functions include station name, program information, Journaline®, MOT slideshow, listening time-shift of 10 minutes and a total of 768 station memories (256 DRM, 256 FM and 256 AM). The multi-language graphic user interface includes English, Chinese, German, French and Spanish. Reception is possible with DRM, FM-RDS stereo on phones, SW/MW/LW. Later models could include DRM+, TDMB and DAB+.Di-Wave 100 is the first DRM receiver among a big family. UniWave has set forth an ambitious receiver road map for the next two years, and intends to develop the basic model to include a wide range of market specific features with extended reception options, set top box to connect on TV screen, a Di-Wave portable DVD and an attractive Di-Wave car radio model. Future plans also include a receiver which works with a built-in dynamo, eliminating the need of batteries and access to a mains network.

Following the release of the first prototype batch earlier this year, UniWave collected user reports and has now spent some months to improve the specifications. The first production of 300 pieces of the enhanced model started in September, a few samples being dedicated for demos at IBC. Larger production is planned for end of September. Average retail price is expected to be under 250 Euro, with the outlook to reduce the price with increased order volume. The fact that DRM receiver sets are equipped with a monitor makes DRM an attractive means of transmitting a variety of data services over large coverage areas. Possibilities include electronic advertising, tourist information, traffic information, distant learning and transmission of other important educational, cultural and political contents.

DRM has the ease of use and robustness that comes from digital transmissions and has the potential to bring to every radio set a vast selection of content. Whether for local, regional or international coverage, DRM has proven itself to be the easiest, cheapest and most independent and reliable means of distribution and reception of information, music and entertainment.

Worldwide distributors are listed here. North American importer Universal Radio indicates they will be selling the UniWave any day, now. However, no U.S. or Canadian retail prices are as of yet being given.

—Thomson press release via NASB; Universal Radio

RareMono USB Receiver

—David Zantow

WiNRADiO WR-G31DDC

Seemingly no pricing or release date as yet, but pre-production specs are here.

—David Zantow

—Lawrence Bulk

RDI 1984 WAS FIRST IN THE SERIES LATER CALLED PASSPORT TO WORLD BAND RADIO

So it is that the 26th Edition of Passport to World Band Radio® is being held in limbo. Despite this, for now we are continuing to maintain the WorldScan® database and uphold all proprietary material. Among other things, this should help allow for an orderly return to production, under IBS’ aegis or otherwise, should conditions allow.

For Passport® readers and our small team, alike, this is a seminal moment. After all, Passport to World Band Radio® goes back a quarter century and has had something like a million readers worldwide. But the future has its own rhythm that confounds prognostication. There may yet be more chapters to this story. Stay tuned.

Best regards,
Lawrence Magne, Publisher
Passport to World Band Radio
International Broadcasting Services, Ltd.
mktg@passband.com
www.passband.com

July 26: It is an honor to receive your kind comments and suggestions about Passport to World Band Radio. As of this weekend all of us have been able to study and discuss them, so we’ve answered various key questions raised in emails and comments (search for “Ed.:” within Comments). Thank you for taking the time and trouble to make your thoughts and feelings known so meaningfully.

—Larry Magne

July 29: Our ISP’s server that handles the Passband.com domain encountered file corruption, so we were informed; thus, it was inoperative most of today. It sprang back to life around 2350 UTC and now appears to be functioning properly.

November 28: Thanks for your many kind and helpful comments, which have touched us greatly.

Alas, although the long-term future of IBS’ activities continues to be mulled over, there will definitely be no printed 2010 edition of Passport to World Band Radio. At this juncture it appears nearly as certain that online options aren’t going to be feasible, either. Nonetheless, the Japanese-language (only) Blue Pages for 2010 will be offered within Japan, as in the past, by ohtaket@kyp.biglobe.ne.jp later this year.

For equipment issues, Passport readers have increasingly been visiting Passport equipment maven David Zantow’s webpage for up-to-date equipment news and expert advice.
________

By now many have heard of Harry Helms’ recent and all-too-early passing. Harry left a long and distinguished legacy of radio activities, including a comment within this thread. But one role he played has had to remain in the shadows for decades. Now that there is no chance he can suffer untoward consequences, it can finally be told.

Years back, when we were just starting out, we gave a somewhat negative review to a receiver from a major electronics organization. Their corporate reactions were varied and decisive, including reportedly firing the engineer responsible, redesigning part of the receiver . . . and acting towards us in ways arguably worthy of a dimestore novel.

As usual we held fast, but their obviously negative impression of us was given valuable credibility, as a respected consumer testing publication had given high marks to the very same receiver that we had found to be flawed. Obviously, one of us had to be wrong.

At the time Harry was employed at that electronics organization’s headquarters. Shortly after he left to pursue other activities, he discreetly informed us that their legendary CEO’s private opinion was surprisingly at odds with the corporate stance. In the CEO’s exact words, as Harry put it, “Magne was right.”

There was much to appreciate about Harry, but for us, just starting out, those three encouraging words earned him instant hero status.

—Larry Magne

John Plimmer, Antenna Sleuth

On LF (longwave) the DX-One Pro hears things that are unheard on the ALA. For example, 515 kHz CW, MAJ Majuba is quite clear on the DX-One but not heard on the ALA1530, and the same is true with various others. 252 kHz Algeria is faint on the DX1 but unheard on the ALA, while 361 kHz CW ASN Ascension is clear on the DX-One but barely audible on the ALA.

Results are more or less the same on MW (AM) band. The DX-One is much clearer and stronger: thus, 1050 kHz Brazil is quite clear on the DX-One but unreadable on the ALA.

Then I worked the HF (shortwave) bands from 3 MHz up to 18 MHz. Here the DX-One remains the stronger and clearer with world band signals, but the ALA also puts in a good performance.

RFI and noise suppression: I didn’t notice that the ALA was quieter with noise than my DX-One, nor does it suppress the harsh RFI I have here. I did spend half an hour with the assistance of helpers rotating it in various directions, but it could not suppress the local RFI noise.

I have always had the opinion that the DX-One is a superior performer, as I have had some outstanding catches over the years. And so it proved to be. For more info on my DX-One, see here.

John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa
South 33 d 47 m 32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s
Icom IC-7700, Icom IC-756 PRO III with MW mods

E1XM, SATELLITE READY

The plain Etón E1 is gone, but we still have a very big supply of E1XM units. There was less than a $20 difference between the two models.

The E1XM, however, is not marketed outside North America.

ICOM IC-R1500 RECEIVER, STILL OFFERED

Still being offered are the IC-R1500 and IC-R2500 (Passport 2009, pp. 125-126)—same receivers, but with control heads added to also allow for PC-free operation. —David Zantow

That’s the good news. Less worthy is that IBS’ incoming material ceased to come in. All of it, for the better part of two weeks.

At long last, this issue has been resolved by their techs, so we’re back up and running. We’ve tested everything twelve ways of Sunday, and it all passes muster.

So, yes, we’re back, and thanks for your patience!