Hi Everyone;
Just rcv'd a CCrane Twin-Ferrite for MW.
Preface: To get the most out of this unit, you have to like
'playing/fildding' with radio & Twin-Ferrite antenna position and T-F
tuning controls.
Test setup: CCrane Twin-Ferrite direct connected to a Kaito RP2100* in
the geographic middle of 2 million people (Milwaukee) in an old
neighborhood w/ power lines running N-S 40 ft from house (not good). I
can position the RP2100 just right to null 95% of noise coming from 40
feet to my west. I figure I'm also nulling radio signals from the east
and west. Hey, at least there's no noise.
6/23 /07 - High Noon ...
WLW AM700 50KW - Cinci to Milwaukee, abt 350 miles ... 2100 solo -
just a hint of a station. 2100 + T-F ... Hissy but very listenable &
understandable.
WJR AM760 50KW - Detroit to Milwaukee abt 275 miles ... 2100 solo - if
you strain you can make out what they're saying. 2100 + T-f ...
sounding like a Chicago 50KW station (90 miles) on a typical radio -
ie, some hiss/almost local.
WLS AM890 50KW - SW Chicago burb to Milwaukee abt 90 miles ... 2100
solo - hard to listen to and understand due to weaker signal than
other Chicago 50KW + nasty splatter from a 250watt local noisemaker at
860KHz (2 miles east) and a 5KW/30KHz wide HD hiss factory at 920KHz
(10 miles south - in line w/ WLS). 2100 + T-F ... Local. Yup. Local.
Conclusion: Impressive. Fun. Wish it ran off batteries.
Tips:
(1) Experiment with postioning radio, Twin-Ferrite antenna and
magnetic coupler if you're using it. You'll find a sweet spot if you
work at it.
(2) Moving T-F antenna closer to radio causes increased RF gain due to
coupling/feedback - putting the 2100 into silent overload at about 3
inches. Going with the sweet spot idea, I've found a position for the
antenna about 6 inches from the radio where I get some feedback (gain)
but not too much. Fiddling w/ the T-F tuning dial, I have a radio
signal Q-multiplier/notcher effect. I've found this can help peak a
weak adjacent station next to a splatter hog (see WLS above). I've
also found at night when several stations are competing, this
technique helps me peak or null the station I am aiming at.
Kaito RP2100* - I've compared the RP2100 on MW to a Sat 700, Sat 800,
Eton E1, GE SRII, GE SRIII. It's one of the best. I'll give an edge to
the SRII for sensitivity but the 2100 is tighter in narrow. RP2100
works better w/ T-F using direct connect.
-Mark/airchecklover
