Hiya...

It's been a while since I've posted here :-) I got a chance to read some
of the posts from other people that picked up a KA-1102. All of the
KA-1102's that I know about including mine have a problem with the volume
control. When you turn the radio on, the volume always comes on at the full
setting. You can get around this by pressing the power button quickly twice
to activate the radio, but it's still an extreme annoyance. It also has a
quirk with the ssb function. Even if you shut the ssb function off before
you power the radio down, the ssb function will still be active when you
turn the radio on. I think both of these quirks are problems with the
radio's firmware. If it wasn't for these problems, this radio would be a
winner for sure. Because of those quirks, I actually prefer the less
expensive and less complex KA-1101.

Has anyone heard anything about a fix for this ??? Also... Are the radios
that are being shipped now suffering from the same problems ??? I'd have to
think that they got it worked out in subsequent production runs.

--

Respectfully,

Michael

Location: Northern NJ
Primary Radio: R-75 with full Kiwa mods.
Antennas: 200ft long wire, G5RV
Additional Radios:GE Super Radio III, KA-1101,
KA-1102, Kaiwa KA-989
Home Page: http://md_dxing.tripod.com/

In article ,
"Michael" wrote:

Hiya...

It's been a while since I've posted here :-) I got a chance to read some
of the posts from other people that picked up a KA-1102. All of the
KA-1102's that I know about including mine have a problem with the volume
control. When you turn the radio on, the volume always comes on at the full
setting. You can get around this by pressing the power button quickly twice
to activate the radio, but it's still an extreme annoyance. It also has a
quirk with the ssb function. Even if you shut the ssb function off before
you power the radio down, the ssb function will still be active when you
turn the radio on. I think both of these quirks are problems with the
radio's firmware. If it wasn't for these problems, this radio would be a
winner for sure. Because of those quirks, I actually prefer the less
expensive and less complex KA-1101.

I just got mine 3 days ago. It has neither of these problems. In
fact, I think this is a great little radio. It's small, light,
well-made and inexpensive. It picks up nearly everything my Drake R8
with a 40 foot longwire antenna receives. It picks up everything my
Grundig Satellit 650 and Radio Shack DX-440 pick up.

On vacation a couple of weeks ago (to the mountains), I took the DX-440
with me. With 6 "D" batteries it weighs 5 pounds. I guarantee you I
won't be taking it on my next vacation - I'll be taking the 1102. Thru
headphones the two are pretty much identical in performance.

I use headphones so as not to disturb wife and kids. If I was alone I
would just take the Grundig and crank it up!

Dan

Mine has neither of those problems. Wherever the volume is when I shut it
off is where it is when I turn it on!
I find the volume to be rather anemic. Even with headphones, turning the
volume up all the way is not enough on SSB.


"Michael" wrote in message
t...
Hiya...

It's been a while since I've posted here :-) I got a chance to read some
of the posts from other people that picked up a KA-1102. All of the
KA-1102's that I know about including mine have a problem with the volume
control. When you turn the radio on, the volume always comes on at the
full
setting. You can get around this by pressing the power button quickly
twice
to activate the radio, but it's still an extreme annoyance. It also has a
quirk with the ssb function. Even if you shut the ssb function off before
you power the radio down, the ssb function will still be active when you
turn the radio on. I think both of these quirks are problems with the
radio's firmware. If it wasn't for these problems, this radio would be a
winner for sure. Because of those quirks, I actually prefer the less
expensive and less complex KA-1101.

Has anyone heard anything about a fix for this ??? Also... Are the radios
that are being shipped now suffering from the same problems ??? I'd have
to
think that they got it worked out in subsequent production runs.

--

Respectfully,

Michael

Location: Northern NJ
Primary Radio: R-75 with full Kiwa mods.
Antennas: 200ft long wire, G5RV
Additional Radios:GE Super Radio III, KA-1101,
KA-1102, Kaiwa KA-989
Home Page: http://md_dxing.tripod.com/

In article ,
Michael wrote:
Hiya...

It's been a while since I've posted here :-) I got a chance to read some
of the posts from other people that picked up a KA-1102. All of the
KA-1102's that I know about including mine have a problem with the volume
control. When you turn the radio on, the volume always comes on at the full
setting. You can get around this by pressing the power button quickly twice
to activate the radio, but it's still an extreme annoyance. It also has a
quirk with the ssb function. Even if you shut the ssb function off before
you power the radio down, the ssb function will still be active when you
turn the radio on. I think both of these quirks are problems with the
radio's firmware. If it wasn't for these problems, this radio would be a
winner for sure. Because of those quirks, I actually prefer the less
expensive and less complex KA-1101.

Has anyone heard anything about a fix for this ??? Also... Are the radios
that are being shipped now suffering from the same problems ??? I'd have to
think that they got it worked out in subsequent production runs.

My DE1102 does not do this. From what I read on the Yahoo group, the
volume control behavior was a firmware issue in early production runs that
has since been corrected. Since you have the version that features a US
warranty, perhaps Kaito will swap it out for a newer specimen.

"ac-acadaptor" wrote in message ink.net...
Mine has neither of those problems. Wherever the volume is when I shut it
off is where it is when I turn it on!
I find the volume to be rather anemic. Even with headphones, turning the
volume up all the way is not enough on SSB.


"Michael" wrote in message
t...
Hiya...

It's been a while since I've posted here :-) I got a chance to read some
of the posts from other people that picked up a KA-1102. All of the
KA-1102's that I know about including mine have a problem with the volume
control. When you turn the radio on, the volume always comes on at the
full
setting. You can get around this by pressing the power button quickly
twice
to activate the radio, but it's still an extreme annoyance. It also has a
quirk with the ssb function. Even if you shut the ssb function off before
you power the radio down, the ssb function will still be active when you
turn the radio on. I think both of these quirks are problems with the
radio's firmware. If it wasn't for these problems, this radio would be a
winner for sure. Because of those quirks, I actually prefer the less
expensive and less complex KA-1101.

Has anyone heard anything about a fix for this ??? Also... Are the radios
that are being shipped now suffering from the same problems ??? I'd have
to
think that they got it worked out in subsequent production runs.

--

Respectfully,

Michael

Location: Northern NJ
Primary Radio: R-75 with full Kiwa mods.
Antennas: 200ft long wire, G5RV
Additional Radios:GE Super Radio III, KA-1101,
KA-1102, Kaiwa KA-989
Home Page: http://md_dxing.tripod.com/



I just got my KA1102 like about a week ago, and it also has neither of
these problems. From what I understand this was a problem with the
earlier 1102's that were made. Look at the date of manufacturing. I
amn not sure where this is at on the radio itself, BUT you should be
able to find it somewhere on the radio. The DE1102 also might have
more of these problems you specified.

73's!
Chris~~

"Mike S." wrote in message
...

In article ,
Michael wrote:
Hiya...

It's been a while since I've posted here :-) I got a chance to read
some
of the posts from other people that picked up a KA-1102. All of the
KA-1102's that I know about including mine have a problem with the volume
control. When you turn the radio on, the volume always comes on at the
full
setting. You can get around this by pressing the power button quickly
twice
to activate the radio, but it's still an extreme annoyance. It also has
a
quirk with the ssb function. Even if you shut the ssb function off
before
you power the radio down, the ssb function will still be active when you
turn the radio on. I think both of these quirks are problems with the
radio's firmware. If it wasn't for these problems, this radio would be a
winner for sure. Because of those quirks, I actually prefer the less
expensive and less complex KA-1101.

Has anyone heard anything about a fix for this ??? Also... Are the radios
that are being shipped now suffering from the same problems ??? I'd have
to
think that they got it worked out in subsequent production runs.

My DE1102 does not do this. From what I read on the Yahoo group, the
volume control behavior was a firmware issue in early production runs that
has since been corrected. Since you have the version that features a US
warranty, perhaps Kaito will swap it out for a newer specimen.



I figured it was a firmware problem... I purchased the KA1102 the first
week that it was available, so it goes to reason that my radio is from a
early run (with the bug).

Respectfully,

Michael

Hi Michael:
Good to hear from you again. I decided to go with the Kaito KA
1101 as a small walkabout/travel radio for a number of reasons. I
like the idea of the thumb wheel volume control and greater simplicity
of operation. If I want to get complicated, I can pull the DX 398 off
the shelf. Also there was the issue of an extra $65.00 (CDN) and I
couldn't quite see spending the extra cash.
I like this little radio. The only issue I have found so far is
that the dial light is too sensitive. It turns on when there is still
plenty of ambient light. I haven't found the radio to be any better
than the Sangean 808a but it is 1/3 the volume and very portable.
Actually, on second thought, the Kaito's narrow bandwidth might be
just a bit sharper than the Sangean's.
I am waiting for the 1103 to come out. That looks quite different
and interesting.
Best regards
Bob

"Bob" wrote in message
om...
Hi Michael:
Good to hear from you again. I decided to go with the Kaito KA
1101 as a small walkabout/travel radio for a number of reasons. I
like the idea of the thumb wheel volume control and greater simplicity
of operation. If I want to get complicated, I can pull the DX 398 off
the shelf. Also there was the issue of an extra $65.00 (CDN) and I
couldn't quite see spending the extra cash.
I like this little radio. The only issue I have found so far is
that the dial light is too sensitive. It turns on when there is still
plenty of ambient light. I haven't found the radio to be any better
than the Sangean 808a but it is 1/3 the volume and very portable.
Actually, on second thought, the Kaito's narrow bandwidth might be
just a bit sharper than the Sangean's.
I am waiting for the 1103 to come out. That looks quite different
and interesting.
Best regards
Bob

Hi, Bob

Thanx for the input...

I also prefer a thumb wheel to a digital push button volume control. I also
prefer it when a radio has both a dial/knob and a digital push button for
frequency too. And, yes... The 1103 looks interesting. Another new
interesting radio is the Tecsun PL-550. It is being sold on ebay now. I
don't know a thing about the radio, but it has a volume dial and it looks to
have both dial and push button controls for frequency. Another interesting
thing about it is that it has what they are calling a built in antenna
tuner. I have no idea if it has any merit, but it looks interesting none
the les.

Respectfully,

Michael

"Michael" wrote in message news:__E9c.133081
thing about it is that it has what they are calling a built in antenna
tuner. I have no idea if it has any merit, but it looks interesting none
the les.

Respectfully,

Michael

I have a couple of radios with antenna tuners. One is the Yaesu FRG-7
and it is absolutely essential that you peak the "pre-select" knob.
On the Realistic DX 160 there is an antenna tuner which can make some
difference but you can set it to the middle setting and forget about
it and you will still receive signals almost as well.

However , if the tuner on the new 550 really works, it can go a
long way to eliminating out of band interference and peaking the
desired signal. I am quite sceptical about it having much effect
though.
Best regards
Bob