On Nov 19, 11:08*pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote:
On Nov 18, 12:04*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

I just came across an used Radio Shack DX-394 receiver.

Is it worth getting?

What mods are available?

Is there a better (newer) receiver in the same price range that one
should look at?

Thanks
TMT

Thanks for the info so far.

I thought there was an unmarked orginal DX394, an A version, a B
version...three versions but no C version.

My understanding is that the A version has a small board with mods and
the B version was a remake of the main board incorporating those
mods....with essentially the same performance as the A version.

True or false?

TMT

The serial number of mine is C003704

The radio without mods isn't that good, just like the DX398, I have
both those pieces modded out and at least at my QTH....there is no
comparison - - the 394 smokes the 398.

The last mod that needs to be done ( if I want to include my computer)
- is the interfacing with the computer. I doubt I will even mess with
that though.

The part that is great/bad about each of those radios (394/398) is
that with the mods - those radios are really fine performers. They
should have been done that way from the factory IMO. There was NOTHING
that my friends R75 could hear in the same room with different
antennas - - that the modded DX394 couldn't hear.

I have two small toggles right underneath the LSB/USB/AM/CW lettering.
The one on the left is for selectivity. Flip it up for the 4KHz filter
or down for the 6KHz. The one on the right is for the AGC - middle
position is off/ up is for slow AGC/ down for fast AGC. In all if I
remember right is 12 different mods. Black grained contact paper was
added to the radio, really looks nice. Both radios with all the mods
-- be it taken on a DXpedition or in the house - - the DX394
outperforms the 398 - even in UTES which surprised me.

On Nov 22, 1:31*am, Gregg wrote:
On Nov 19, 11:08*pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote:





On Nov 18, 12:04*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

I just came across an used Radio Shack DX-394 receiver.

Is it worth getting?

What mods are available?

Is there a better (newer) receiver in the same price range that one
should look at?

Thanks
TMT

Thanks for the info so far.

I thought there was an unmarked orginal DX394, an A version, a B
version...three versions but no C version.

My understanding is that the A version has a small board with mods and
the B version was a remake of the main board incorporating those
mods....with essentially the same performance as the A version.

True or false?

TMT

The serial number of mine is C003704

The radio without mods isn't that good, just like the DX398, I have
both those pieces modded out and at least at my QTH....there is no
comparison - - the 394 smokes the 398.

The last mod that needs to be done ( if I want to include my computer)
- is the interfacing with the computer. I doubt I will even mess with
that though.

The part that is great/bad about each of those radios (394/398) is
that with the mods - those radios are really fine performers. They
should have been done that way from the factory IMO. There was NOTHING
that my friends R75 could hear in the same room with different
antennas - - that the modded DX394 couldn't hear.

I have two small toggles right underneath the LSB/USB/AM/CW lettering.
The one on the left is for selectivity. Flip it up for the 4KHz filter
or down for the 6KHz. *The one on the right is for the AGC - middle
position is off/ up is for slow AGC/ down for fast AGC. In all if I
remember right is 12 different mods. Black grained contact paper was
added to the radio, really looks nice. Both radios with all the mods
-- be it taken on a DXpedition or in the house - - the DX394
outperforms the 398 - even in UTES which surprised me.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for the response.

I really like your approach of keeping the mods attractive....mind if
I copy the approach?

My SN# is C005813 with a "A" added at the end.

The "A" also is shown on the manual.

TMT

On Nov 22, 9:20*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:
On Nov 22, 1:31*am, Gregg wrote:





On Nov 19, 11:08*pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

On Nov 18, 12:04*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

I just came across an used Radio Shack DX-394 receiver.

Is it worth getting?

What mods are available?

Is there a better (newer) receiver in the same price range that one
should look at?

Thanks
TMT

Thanks for the info so far.

I thought there was an unmarked orginal DX394, an A version, a B
version...three versions but no C version.

My understanding is that the A version has a small board with mods and
the B version was a remake of the main board incorporating those
mods....with essentially the same performance as the A version.

True or false?

TMT

The serial number of mine is C003704

The radio without mods isn't that good, just like the DX398, I have
both those pieces modded out and at least at my QTH....there is no
comparison - - the 394 smokes the 398.

The last mod that needs to be done ( if I want to include my computer)
- is the interfacing with the computer. I doubt I will even mess with
that though.

The part that is great/bad about each of those radios (394/398) is
that with the mods - those radios are really fine performers. They
should have been done that way from the factory IMO. There was NOTHING
that my friends R75 could hear in the same room with different
antennas - - that the modded DX394 couldn't hear.

I have two small toggles right underneath the LSB/USB/AM/CW lettering.
The one on the left is for selectivity. Flip it up for the 4KHz filter
or down for the 6KHz. *The one on the right is for the AGC - middle
position is off/ up is for slow AGC/ down for fast AGC. In all if I
remember right is 12 different mods. Black grained contact paper was
added to the radio, really looks nice. Both radios with all the mods
-- be it taken on a DXpedition or in the house - - the DX394
outperforms the 398 - even in UTES which surprised me.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for the response.

I really like your approach of keeping the mods attractive....mind if
I copy the approach?

My SN# is C005813 with a "A" added at the end.

The "A" also is shown on the manual.

TMT- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Ha, I would like to take the credit for it. But I can't. ;-)
Some people install their toggles in the back, I asume out of fear of
messing up the front panel.
But it was done beautifully, looks like it came that way from the
factory. The knobs tuning marks were painted
with a real high gloss white, really stands out especially in contrast
with the black grained contact
paper on the top and sides. The idea of adding lead to the tuning knob
was brilliant, I really didn't
like the feel of the dial, absolutely no weight whatsoever - problem
solved.

On Nov 23, 5:36*am, Gregg wrote:
On Nov 22, 9:20*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:





On Nov 22, 1:31*am, Gregg wrote:

On Nov 19, 11:08*pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

On Nov 18, 12:04*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

I just came across an used Radio Shack DX-394 receiver.

Is it worth getting?

What mods are available?

Is there a better (newer) receiver in the same price range that one
should look at?

Thanks
TMT

Thanks for the info so far.

I thought there was an unmarked orginal DX394, an A version, a B
version...three versions but no C version.

My understanding is that the A version has a small board with mods and
the B version was a remake of the main board incorporating those
mods....with essentially the same performance as the A version.

True or false?

TMT

The serial number of mine is C003704

The radio without mods isn't that good, just like the DX398, I have
both those pieces modded out and at least at my QTH....there is no
comparison - - the 394 smokes the 398.

The last mod that needs to be done ( if I want to include my computer)
- is the interfacing with the computer. I doubt I will even mess with
that though.

The part that is great/bad about each of those radios (394/398) is
that with the mods - those radios are really fine performers. They
should have been done that way from the factory IMO. There was NOTHING
that my friends R75 could hear in the same room with different
antennas - - that the modded DX394 couldn't hear.

I have two small toggles right underneath the LSB/USB/AM/CW lettering..
The one on the left is for selectivity. Flip it up for the 4KHz filter
or down for the 6KHz. *The one on the right is for the AGC - middle
position is off/ up is for slow AGC/ down for fast AGC. In all if I
remember right is 12 different mods. Black grained contact paper was
added to the radio, really looks nice. Both radios with all the mods
-- be it taken on a DXpedition or in the house - - the DX394
outperforms the 398 - even in UTES which surprised me.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for the response.

I really like your approach of keeping the mods attractive....mind if
I copy the approach?

My SN# is C005813 with a "A" added at the end.

The "A" also is shown on the manual.

TMT- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Ha, I would like to take the credit for it. But I can't. ;-)
Some people install their toggles in the back, I asume out of fear of
messing up the front panel.
But it was done beautifully, looks like it came that way from the
factory. The knobs tuning marks were painted
with a real high gloss white, really stands out especially in contrast
with the black grained contact
paper on the top and sides. The idea of adding lead to the tuning knob
was brilliant, I really didn't
like the feel of the dial, absolutely no weight whatsoever - problem
solved.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Lead...tuning knob...good idea.

Is there a link to photos of these mods?

Thanks

TMT

On Nov 23, 11:27*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:
On Nov 23, 5:36*am, Gregg wrote:





On Nov 22, 9:20*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

On Nov 22, 1:31*am, Gregg wrote:

On Nov 19, 11:08*pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

On Nov 18, 12:04*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

I just came across an used Radio ShackDX-394receiver.

Is it worth getting?

What mods are available?

Is there a better (newer) receiver in the same price range that one
should look at?

Thanks
TMT

Thanks for the info so far.

I thought there was an unmarked orginalDX394, an A version, a B
version...three versions but no C version.

My understanding is that the A version has a small board with mods and
the B version was a remake of the main board incorporating those
mods....with essentially the same performance as the A version.

True or false?

TMT

The serial number of mine is C003704

The radio without mods isn't that good, just like the DX398, I have
both those pieces modded out and at least at my QTH....there is no
comparison - - the 394 smokes the 398.

The last mod that needs to be done ( if I want to include my computer)
- is the interfacing with the computer. I doubt I will even mess with
that though.

The part that is great/bad about each of those radios (394/398) is
that with the mods - those radios are really fine performers. They
should have been done that way from the factory IMO. There was NOTHING
that my friends R75 could hear in the same room with different
antennas - - that the moddedDX394couldn't hear.

I have two small toggles right underneath the LSB/USB/AM/CW lettering.
The one on the left is for selectivity. Flip it up for the 4KHz filter
or down for the 6KHz. *The one on the right is for the AGC - middle
position is off/ up is for slow AGC/ down for fast AGC. In all if I
remember right is 12 different mods. Black grained contact paper was
added to the radio, really looks nice. Both radios with all the mods
-- be it taken on a DXpedition or in the house - - theDX394
outperforms the 398 - even in UTES which surprised me.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for the response.

I really like your approach of keeping the mods attractive....mind if
I copy the approach?

My SN# is C005813 with a "A" added at the end.

The "A" also is shown on the manual.

TMT- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Ha, I would like to take the credit for it. But I can't. ;-)
Some people install their toggles in the back, I asume out of fear of
messing up the front panel.
But it was done beautifully, looks like it came that way from the
factory. The knobs tuning marks were painted
with a real high gloss white, really stands out especially in contrast
with the black grained contact
paper on the top and sides. The idea of adding lead to the tuning knob
was brilliant, I really didn't
like the feel of the dial, absolutely no weight whatsoever - problem
solved.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Lead...tuning knob...good idea.

Is there a link to photos of these mods?

Thanks

TMT- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

TMT, all of these modifications to the DX-394, with the exception of
the addition of the contact paper on the top and sides, are fully
described and illustrated on the website of the RADIOSHACKDX394 forum
of which you are already a member. On subscribing, you should have
automatically received the Master Index of Mods (around 100 listed)
with a summary of the benefits, scope of work involved and links for
each to the files, messages, photos, external websites where they are
fully described.

Some earlier response slagged the DX-394 as being unstable and unable
to hold its alignment. That is not the common experience. I have three
and they have all held alignment well over several years. The radio
has excellent stability over the short and long term with the
exception of slight pulling as the RF gain varies due to manual or AGC
action, corrected in the B version. There are only three versions, as
I have informed you elsewhere, and as you have described he the
original, the "A" with the same pc board but with kluged on revisions
to the BFO and to the AGC, and the "B" with a redesigned main pcb
incorporating the "A" revisions plus the addition of the buffer amp
between the 2nd LO and the 2nd Mixer.

To correct another piece of misinformation, there is no tuning
backlash that I am aware of unless somebody loaded up the tuning knob
with eccentrically placed weights. "Controls feel cheap"? They still
work as new on my three, which is more than can be said for my much
younger and less used Kaito 1103 main tuning shaft encoder. And I've
always thought that weighting down the 394's main tuning knob was ill-
advised - the DX-394 has better ways of jumping to a far frequency
than by fly-wheeling this knob and putting extra wear and tear on the
encoder because of the added weight.

On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:42:22 -0800 (PST), Too_Many_Tools
wrote:


...crabby dumb losers don't get laid. ;)

We do too.

-- Larry

On Nov 23, 1:52*pm, pltrgyst wrote:
On Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:42:22 -0800 (PST), Too_Many_Tools

wrote:
...crabby dumb losers don't get laid. *;)

We do too.

-- Larry

They say there is someone for everyone. ;)

TMT

On Nov 23, 8:27*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:
On Nov 23, 5:36*am, Gregg wrote:





On Nov 22, 9:20*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

On Nov 22, 1:31*am, Gregg wrote:

On Nov 19, 11:08*pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

On Nov 18, 12:04*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

I just came across an used Radio Shack DX-394 receiver.

Is it worth getting?

What mods are available?

Is there a better (newer) receiver in the same price range that one
should look at?

Thanks
TMT

Thanks for the info so far.

I thought there was an unmarked orginal DX394, an A version, a B
version...three versions but no C version.

My understanding is that the A version has a small board with mods and
the B version was a remake of the main board incorporating those
mods....with essentially the same performance as the A version.

True or false?

TMT

The serial number of mine is C003704

The radio without mods isn't that good, just like the DX398, I have
both those pieces modded out and at least at my QTH....there is no
comparison - - the 394 smokes the 398.

The last mod that needs to be done ( if I want to include my computer)
- is the interfacing with the computer. I doubt I will even mess with
that though.

The part that is great/bad about each of those radios (394/398) is
that with the mods - those radios are really fine performers. They
should have been done that way from the factory IMO. There was NOTHING
that my friends R75 could hear in the same room with different
antennas - - that the modded DX394 couldn't hear.

I have two small toggles right underneath the LSB/USB/AM/CW lettering.
The one on the left is for selectivity. Flip it up for the 4KHz filter
or down for the 6KHz. *The one on the right is for the AGC - middle
position is off/ up is for slow AGC/ down for fast AGC. In all if I
remember right is 12 different mods. Black grained contact paper was
added to the radio, really looks nice. Both radios with all the mods
-- be it taken on a DXpedition or in the house - - the DX394
outperforms the 398 - even in UTES which surprised me.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for the response.

I really like your approach of keeping the mods attractive....mind if
I copy the approach?

My SN# is C005813 with a "A" added at the end.

The "A" also is shown on the manual.

TMT- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Ha, I would like to take the credit for it. But I can't. ;-)
Some people install their toggles in the back, I asume out of fear of
messing up the front panel.
But it was done beautifully, looks like it came that way from the
factory. The knobs tuning marks were painted
with a real high gloss white, really stands out especially in contrast
with the black grained contact
paper on the top and sides. The idea of adding lead to the tuning knob
was brilliant, I really didn't
like the feel of the dial, absolutely no weight whatsoever - problem
solved.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Lead...tuning knob...good idea.

Is there a link to photos of these mods?

Thanks

TMT- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

They are all over the internet. There is a Yahoo group just for the
DX-394 that I joined back in the day.
But yeah, just type in "DX-394 Mods" and you're off.

On Nov 23, 10:54*am, Tom wrote:
On Nov 23, 11:27*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:





On Nov 23, 5:36*am, Gregg wrote:

On Nov 22, 9:20*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

On Nov 22, 1:31*am, Gregg wrote:

On Nov 19, 11:08*pm, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

On Nov 18, 12:04*am, Too_Many_Tools wrote:

I just came across an used Radio ShackDX-394receiver.

Is it worth getting?

What mods are available?

Is there a better (newer) receiver in the same price range that one
should look at?

Thanks
TMT

Thanks for the info so far.

I thought there was an unmarked orginalDX394, an A version, a B
version...three versions but no C version.

My understanding is that the A version has a small board with mods and
the B version was a remake of the main board incorporating those
mods....with essentially the same performance as the A version.

True or false?

TMT

The serial number of mine is C003704

The radio without mods isn't that good, just like the DX398, I have
both those pieces modded out and at least at my QTH....there is no
comparison - - the 394 smokes the 398.

The last mod that needs to be done ( if I want to include my computer)
- is the interfacing with the computer. I doubt I will even mess with
that though.

The part that is great/bad about each of those radios (394/398) is
that with the mods - those radios are really fine performers. They
should have been done that way from the factory IMO. There was NOTHING
that my friends R75 could hear in the same room with different
antennas - - that the moddedDX394couldn't hear.

I have two small toggles right underneath the LSB/USB/AM/CW lettering.
The one on the left is for selectivity. Flip it up for the 4KHz filter
or down for the 6KHz. *The one on the right is for the AGC - middle
position is off/ up is for slow AGC/ down for fast AGC. In all if I
remember right is 12 different mods. Black grained contact paper was
added to the radio, really looks nice. Both radios with all the mods
-- be it taken on a DXpedition or in the house - - theDX394
outperforms the 398 - even in UTES which surprised me.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for the response.

I really like your approach of keeping the mods attractive....mind if
I copy the approach?

My SN# is C005813 with a "A" added at the end.

The "A" also is shown on the manual.

TMT- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Ha, I would like to take the credit for it. But I can't. ;-)
Some people install their toggles in the back, I asume out of fear of
messing up the front panel.
But it was done beautifully, looks like it came that way from the
factory. The knobs tuning marks were painted
with a real high gloss white, really stands out especially in contrast
with the black grained contact
paper on the top and sides. The idea of adding lead to the tuning knob
was brilliant, I really didn't
like the feel of the dial, absolutely no weight whatsoever - problem
solved.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Lead...tuning knob...good idea.

Is there a link to photos of these mods?

Thanks

TMT- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

TMT, all of these modifications to the DX-394, with the exception of
the addition of the contact paper on the top and sides, are fully
described and illustrated on the website of the RADIOSHACKDX394 forum
of which you are already a member. On subscribing, you should have
automatically received the Master Index of Mods (around 100 listed)
with a summary of the benefits, scope of work involved and links for
each to the files, messages, photos, external websites where they are
fully described.

Some earlier response slagged the DX-394 as being unstable and unable
to hold its alignment. That is not the common experience. I have three
and they have all held alignment well over several years. The radio
has excellent stability over the short and long term with the
exception of slight pulling as the RF gain varies due to manual or AGC
action, corrected in the B version. There are only three versions, as
I have informed you elsewhere, and as you have described he the
original, the "A" with the same pc board but with kluged on revisions
to the BFO and to the AGC, and the "B" with a redesigned main pcb
incorporating the "A" revisions plus the addition of the buffer amp
between the 2nd LO and the 2nd Mixer.

To correct another piece of misinformation, there is no tuning
backlash that I am aware of unless somebody loaded up the tuning knob
with eccentrically placed weights. "Controls feel cheap"? They still
work as new on my three, which is more than can be said for my much
younger and less used Kaito 1103 main tuning shaft encoder. And I've
always thought that weighting down the 394's main tuning knob was ill-
advised - the DX-394 has better ways of jumping to a far frequency
than by fly-wheeling this knob and putting extra wear and tear on the
encoder because of the added weight.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Hey Tom :-) Yeah, on the tuning knob, there was just enough put in to
give it a tad of weight, not too much.
I didn't want the extra weight to go spinning around, I just change
the 'step' and problem solved there.

Is there another forum that has been added somewhere on this piece?
I'll check it out. Is this T.Holden by chance?

www.rigpix.com
Radio Shack/Realistic DX-394

A photo and some info there.
cuhulin