Dave's Misc.

The Degen DE1121 (Kaito KA1121) is a very useful SW receiver, but the best part of it is that it can record direct off the air to a internal MP3 recorder that can then be downloaded/uploaded via a computer (USB port). Even with limited storage at only 256 MB, that's good enough for over 4 hours of recording at 128 kbps (stereo on FM).

This a HUGE improvement over the generally poor performing Icom IC-R20 (on HF anyway). This Icom has a digital recorder all right, but is in some weird format and even worse sounds awlful.

But it can be a finicky little beast and if not operated right will cause lots of pain. The owners manual not helping the cause. See Art Simon's FAQ page , Art's review here.

Below is a internal pictures of the Degen DE1121 version and the pull out MP3 device. Also a close up of the lousy "cheap" tuning encoder that they use. The encoder is mounted (pops) into a tight plastic channel and that's it , the feel when rotated is fair if not poor to me.

The 1121 uses dual conversion, but is only 10.7 Mhz for the first IF and 450 Khz for the second (is not up conversion). It does make use of fiberglass PC boards except for the very tiny one that the encoder wires connect to.

Internal Picture of a Degen DE1121, close-up on right shows the low quality tuning encoder.
(Photos : N9EWO)

Internal Picture of the Degen DE1121's MP3 device. It's powered from the computer when plugged into the USB port.
(Photo : KD9JK, edit N9EWO)

TV Tuner / Video Output Restore For The Icom IC-R9500

USA versions of the Icom IC-R9500 come with the TV tuner and Video outputs disabled. You can thank the good old US Government for this law (as usual). It's a analog tuner only and in time that part will be useless anyway.

However just as with Icom's IC-7000 transceiver, it appears that there is a way to get around this ? It's important to keep in mind that this may very well void the warranty and perhaps is in violation of FCC regulations ?

IMPORTANT NOTE : What is listed below was contributed by a reader to this webpage and has NOT been verified !!!

This requires that diode D653 be removed on the "Logic Board".

Also be sure and connect a short RCA phono jumper cable between the video input and output on the rear panel (as covered in the owners manual).

It is unknown if a microprocessor reset is required once this is done. I have no additional information on this (and please don't ask me).

RADIO FORMS

"Monitoring Log" , "MFJ Setting Log" , and both "Recording Scratch Sheets" require "Microsoft Word" to view and print.

(For all forms below: Right click and "Save target as....". I usually print these on both sides of a sheet.)

"Monitoring Log" -

I was not happy at all with any of the commercially printed log books for BROADCAST use , so I came up with my own. Extremely simple and the most important information in the right order.

Download N9EWO's "Monitoring Log" (50kb)

"Recording Scratch Sheets" -

I use these forms with my recording ventures on the HF bands. As I fill a Mini-Disc up (this is still my main archive medium), I use these simple documents to keep track of the program data once I have it edited down to the master MD for that category. It helps keep it neat and readable. Once I have the disc full, it then makes for a much easier job to type all into the computer for my printed material that I use in a 3 ring binder. I keep the SW broadcasting and SW pirate recordings on 2 separate "working" Mini-Disc's (at any given time).

Download N9EWO's "SW Broadcasting" Recording Scratch Sheet" (35kb)

Download N9EWO's "SW Pirate" Recording Scratch Sheet" (35kb)

"Setting Log" - For MFJ-1026 and 1025 "Noise Canceling Signal Enhancer" -

You will find on page 16 of the owners manual there is a "setting log". I found this very useful and good idea to make use of this chart, even more so when you are learning to use the device. But I was not happy with the general layout of it, so I came up with my version of it.

Download N9EWO's "Setting Log" for MFJ-1026 or MFJ-1025 (50kb)