IRCA Reprint Update '96

[phil bytheway]

IRCA '96 REPRINT UPDATE

This update to the IRCA Reprint list contains articles published in DX
Monitor from January 1992 to August 1996. They are all available at this
time. pb

ANTENNA

A112 MWDX-5 Phasing Unit (6) Mark Connelly. Longwire phaser utilizing both
series (long wires) and parallel (short wires) tuned inputs. Also
uses BBA-C broadband preamplifier. 1/92
A113 BFE-C Loop Amplifier Card (2) Mark Connelly. Schematic and text
describing a balanced cascode loop amplifier (similar to Dallas
Lankford's new loop amp design) which reduces noise and spurious
responses from loop antennas. 2/92
A114 Mini-MWDX-5: A Very Simple Phasing Unit (3) Mark Connelly. Brief
description of a simple two wire phasing unit. 2/92
A115 More notes on Interference-Reducing Antennas (3) Denzil Wraight.
Continued discussion (see A107/A108) of interference reducing
longwire antennas. Short bibliography included. 3/92
A116 The Quantum Loop (3) Gerry Thomas. Design description of Gerry's new
ferrite loop antenna complete with construction details,
tuner/amplifier schematic and usage. See A120 for review. 3/92
A117 Antenna Switching Box (1). Pictures and description of a box with
banana jacks that allows easy switching between multiple antennas
without switches. 3/92
A118 The Electric Fence Beverage (2) Leonard Hyde. Details on the
construction and use of a Beverage antenna using .042 gauge fence
wire along with construction details for a wire winding spool. 5/92
A119 One-Chip Active Whips (2) Mark Connelly. Active whip amplifier design
utilizing single chip buffer amplifiers. 6/92
A120 Quantum Loop Test Evaluation and Improvements (2) Mark Connelly.
Marks tests and evaluates Gerry Thomas' Quantum Loop (see A116).
Several problems and their solution are discussed. 7/92
A121 Improved Receiver Grounds (3) Nick Hall-Patch. Discussion of antenna
and receiver ground schemes with emphasis on 'what works' best. 9/92
A122 Improvements to Regenerative Tuner Designs (1) Mark Connelly.
Discussion and schematic for the RFE-D regenerative tuner/amplifier
and its integration in Mark's antenna system. 9/92
A123 Another Look at Noise-Reducing Antenna Systems (1) Mark Connelly.
Continued discussion of the low noise inverted L antennas discussed
in A107/A108. 10/92
A124 RTL-1A: Improved Version of the RTL-1 Remotely-Tuned Loop (3) Mark
Connelly. Addendum to A110 outlining modifications to the basic
design adding switches for more dynamic operation, switching the
amplifier from a BFE-A to BFE-C, and broadband amplifier from BBA-C
to BBA-C1. 10/92
A125 High Performance General Purpose Loop Amp (5) Dallas Lankford.
Complete description and schematic of an improved loop amplifier with
balanced output. 11/92
A126 Ribbon Cable Loops (2) Mark Connelly. Computer ribbon cable is used
to construct the windings for a loop. Construction details and
results of experiments Mark conducted with a 5 foot long, 10
conductor loop. 12/92
A127 BUF-A Buffer Amplifier Card: A Valuable Building Block for DX
Projects (3) Mark Connelly. The use of off-the-shelf buffer-
amplifier chips in DX applications. 1/93
A128 Super MWDX-5 Phasing Unit (6) Mark Connelly. Enhanced capabilities of
the MWDX-5 (see A112) including added transformers for noise
reduction, better nulling and spare antenna connections. 4/93
A129 An Unamplified Four Foot Box Loop (4) Shawn Axelrod. Complete details
on construction and tuning of this inductively coupled loop. 5/93
A130 KIWA MW Loop Antenna (1) Phil Bytheway. Complete, detailed review of
this 12 inch air core loop antenna with regeneration. 7/93
A131 A Coupler and Upgrades for the Quantum Loop (2) Gerry Thomas.
Construction details for a loop coupler and use of the coupler with
radios without external antenna terminals. Also, several upgrades to
the original design are outlined. 7/93
A132 The RTL-2 Remotely-Tuned Loop (5) Mark Connelly. The RTL-2 has
increased performance over the RTL-1 (see A110), and the ability to
handle Quantum, Palomar and home-brew ferrite core antennas.
A133 MWT-3 Regenerative Tuner / Controller (6) Mark Connelly. Combines the
features of remotely controlled loops and whips with active and
passive preselection, all with improved dynamic range (versus MWT-1
and 2 - see A99) 12/93
A134 DL-1 Delay-Line Phasing Unit (4) Mark Connelly. Complete discussion
of using delay lines in a passive phaser. Good dialog on the
principles of delay line phasing, and operation of the DL-1. 3/94
A135 KIWA vs Quantum Loop Comparison (1) Elliot Straus. Head to head
comparison of these two commercially available loop antennas. 11/94
A136 Antenna Experiments - Summer 1994 (3) Mark Connelly. Discussion of
several antenna system configurations. Loop phased against Whip,
"snake" (ground transmission line) and Balanced Wire Antennas are
described in detail. 11/94
A137 The Case for the Full Size/Full Performance Loop Antenna (3) Ray
Moore. Discussion of the advantages of using large, unamplified, air
core loops over smaller ferrite or air core loops. 12/94
A138 MWDX-6 Phasing Unit (7) Mark Connelly. Brief description of an
antenna phaser with improved signal-to-noise ratio at low signal
rural locations. Wires at least 66 feet long should be used. 1/95
A139 Loop Showdown: KIWA versus RSM-105 (2) Mark Connelly. Brief
description of the two loops and a thorough comparison across the MW
band. Also includes some comparisons with the Quantum loop. 9/95
A140 The Quantum (or Q-) Stick (2) Gerry Thomas. Description of a ferrite
passive antenna booster for use with portable radios. In addition to
a tuned circuit for BCB, it also contains circuitry for connecting it
to an external antenna jack. 2/96
A141 The DCP-2 Dual Control / Phaser (5) Mark Connelly. An updated version
of the DCP-1 (see A111) which includes delay line circuits for easier
tuning/phasing. Description, parts list and operation are covered.
6/96

DOMESTIC

D30 Changes Afoot in the AM Band (2) Bruce Portzer. Discussion of recent
changes made by the FCC in AM band broadcasting, including AM station
power, station interference changes and band expansion to 1700. 7/92
D31 ICI Radio Canada (1) Shawn Axelrod. Informative article on the French
service of Radio Canada and the future of Radio Canada. 5/95

FOREIGN

F99 MEX-DX '92 (3) Jef Jaisun. A tabulation of DXing during Jef's
vacation to Puerto Vallarta and Melague Mexico in January of 1992.
Complete list of stations heard with program/slogan details. 3/92
F100 RUSSIAN FAR EAST STATIONS (1) Bruce Portzer. Partial list of stations
in the far east region of Russia. Includes some schedules. From the
Leningrad DX Club. 10/92
F101 PHONETICS CAUSE PROBLEMS WHEN IDing XE CALLS (1) Carl Huffacker.
Describes possible call letter pronunciation confusion when IDing
Mexican stations. 11/92
F102 The October 1993 Newfoundland DXpedition (11) Mark Connelly, Jean
Burnell, Bruce Conti and Neil Kazaross. Excellent discussion of the
major DXpedition to the Newfoundland coast. Includes complete
loggings of TA and PA DX. 12/93
F103 Your First 50 Trans-Atlantic Countries (and then some) (8) Mark
Connelly. A complete guide to hearing Trans-Atlantic countries from
East Coast North America, including equipment and techniques.
Countries are rated by difficulty from easy to difficult with target
lists for each country. 10/94
F104 The Newfoundland DXpedition of Spring 1995 (6) Jean Burnell.
Tabulation of the May 10 through May 14 1995 DXpedition... complete
with loggings, etc. 7/95
F105 The October 1995 Newfoundland DXpedition (22) Mark Connelly.
Tabulation of the October 12 through 15 1995 DXpedition, complete
with loggings, etc. 12/95

GENERAL

G55 DXing with a Winning Game Plan (3) Leonard Hyde. Several ideas for
improving your DX: targeting methods. 5/92
G56 Effective Summertime DXing (1) Leonard Hyde. DXers describe
techniques they use to hear AM DX in the summer. 7/92
G57 Coastal DXpeditions - The Logical and Absurd Next Step (3) Nick
Hall-Patch. DXing aboard an Ocean Sciences vessel in the Pacific.
Includes list of stations heard. 11/92
G58 Using the Computer in DXing (3) Mark Connelly. Some ideas on how a PC
can help with DX reports, record keeping and calculations. 12/92
G59 Getting Started in MW DXing (3) Leonard Hyde. Discussion of the types
of receivers used for MW DX, including portable, communications,
surplus and car receivers. Discussion of all types of antennas,
their strengths and weaknesses. Discusses log keeping and supporting
DX clubs. 7/93
G60 Using the Stereophonic Decoder in Your Brain (1) Cary Simpson. A
brief discussion of what happens when using headphones that have
audio from different radios in each ear. 9/93
G61 Mini-DXpeditions (2) Mark Connelly. Discussion of the advantages of
short (time and/or distance-wise) DXpeditions utilizing car radio or
small portable. Includes a check list of essentials. 9/94
G62 Longwave DX (1) Shawn Axelrod. Introduction and hints for DXing AM
broadcasts from 153 to 279 kHz. 3/96

LISTS

L4 IRCA Countries List (2) Bruce Portzer. Complete list of present and
past MW countries for use in record keeping. Major update. 10/93
L51 More of the World Above 1600 (6) Shawn Axelrod. Complete discussion
of what can be heard above 1600 kHz at this time. Beacons,
experimental stations and beacons, driftnet buoys, maritime and
pirate stations are covered in a complete listing. 7/95

MODIFICATION

M63 Putting Your DX-440 Back on track (1) Leonard Hyde. Instructions for
aligning the frequency readout accuracy of a DX-440 plus a couple of
observations. (1/92)
M64 The Bargain Basement - Part 2 (2) Leonard Hyde. A few quick ideas:
12 Vdc operation of Autek QF-1 and DX-440, rotating large loops,
shielding loops and using twin lead wire for loop construction. 6/92
M65 NRD-525 AGC Mod: (3) Dallas Lankford. AGC mod for the NRD-525 that
will correct distorted audio problems and reduce static crash and
noise pulse hanging. 10/92
M66 Elimination of Display Noise in the DX-440 (1) Leonard Hyde.
Installing a shield inside the radio to eliminate display noise.
11/92
M67 A Passive Audio Filter For Use With a Speaker (2) Al Koppel. A low
pass filter (below 3000 Hz) for the NRD-525, or any other speaker
system. 12/92
M68 Drake R8: Encoder Shaft "Static" Elimination (1) Dallas Lankford.
Correction of the encoder static problem by correct grounding of the
encoder. 9/93
M69 Drake R8: Increased Dynamic Range (3) Dallas Lankford. Discussion of
3rd order intermodulation distortion in the R8 and its correction.
9/93
M70 NRD-525: Filter Leakage (4) Dallas Lankford. Discussion and
correction of leakage around the INTER filter. 9/93
M71 Drake R8: Low Headphone Volume and Broken Feet (1) Dallas Lankford.
Modifying the R8 headphone circuit to handle 8 ohm headphones.
Adding strength to the feet to prevent cracking. 9/93
M72 R-390A Won't Turn Off (again) (2) Dallas Lankford. Worn microswitch
keeps dial lights on with power otherwise off. Detailed instructions
for removing and reworking the switch.
M73 HP-48 to Control NRD-535 (1) Tom Napolitano. Description of a series
of programs written for HP-48 series hand calculators to control an
NRD-535. 1/94
M74 Drake R8: Type B Spurs Elimination (2) Dallas Lankford. Techniques
for the negation of hets and noise generated by the AM synchronous
detector. 2/94
M75 Drake R8: Increased Dynamic Range, Mod 2 (5) Dallas Lankford.
Several ideas for increasing the dynamic range and image rejection of
the Drake R8. 7/94
M76 R-390A Filter Mod 2 (6) Dallas Lankford. Replacement of the R-390A's
16 kHz mechanical filter with a 3 kHz ceramic filter. 1/95
M77 Drake R8: More on Improved Image Rejection (3) Dallas Lankford.
Additional suggestions for improved image rejection (see M? 31/33)
M78 RA6790GM (R-2174(P)/URR) Noise Blanker (4) Dallas Lankford.
Discussion and schematic for using the Allegro ULN3846A noise blanker
IC (the one in a Drake R-8) for other receivers. 3/95
M79 Ultralinear 2N5109 and 2N3053 Amplifiers (10) Dallas Lankford.
Utilizing these bi-polar transistors to design amplifiers with
extremely low 2nd and 3rd order intermodulation distortion, and thus
better strong signal handling. 3/95

RECEIVERS

R67 Drake R8: A Second and Third Look (8) Dallas Lankford. Additional
details about R8 performance not covered in R64. 10/92, 12/92
R68 ICOM R-72 (2) Don Moman. Review. 11/92
R69 Realistic DX-390 - A "Quickie" Evaluation (1) Leonard Hyde. Review.
11/92
R70 The ICOM R-9000 (2) Don Moman. Review. 12/92
R71 The Superadio III (2) Gerry Thomas. Review. 1/93
R72 Use of Auto Radios for DXing (1) Leonard Hyde. Brief history of car
radios and the author's favorite sets for DXing. 1/93
R73 NRD-525: A Technical Review (5) Dallas Lankford. Very detailed
technically oriented review. 2/93
R74 The Collins R392/URR: Another Look (1) Leonard Hyde. Review. 2/93
R75 The Chrysler Digital Auto Radio for DXing (1) Leonard Hyde. Low noise
car radio and its use is described. 12/93
R76 Receiver Showdown - A Comparison of Five Top RXs from a MW DXer's
Perspective (3) Gerry Thomas. Head to head comparison of the ICOM
R-9000, ICOM R-71A, JRC NRD-535D, Drake R-8 and Collins R-390A
receivers. Sensitivity, selectivity, dynamic range, ergonomics,
audio quality and ECSS are covered. 12/93
R77 The Lowe HF-225 Receiver (1) Don Moman. Review. 2/94
R78 RA6790/GM: A Brief Review (6) Dallas Lankford. Review. 7/94
R79 Sony SRF-42 AM Stereo Walkman (1) Frank Aden. Review of this portable
AM Stereo radio. 9/94
R80 Some Thoughts on the Yaesu FRG-100 (2) Randy Stewart/Don Moman.
Detailed reviews. 9/94
R81 The Zenith Trans-Oceanic: The Royalty of Radios (1) Nick Hall-Patch.
Review of the book by John H Bryant and Harold N Cones which covers
the complete history of the Zenith Trans- Oceanic radio series. 6/95
R82 The AOR AR 7030 Communications Receiver (3) Don Phillips and Guy
Atkins. Review. 3/96, 9/96
R83 A Custom MW DX Receiver (2) Ray Moore. Description of Ray's "ultimate
receiver" design and its use. Includes a block diagram. 5/96

TECHNICAL

T74 Atmospheric Effects on Medium Wave Radio Reception (1) Leonard Hyde.
Brief discussion of four atmospheric conditions which seem to affect
medium wave reception. 12/93

T75 4 Software Pieces for the Mediumwave Band (3) Guy Kudlemyer. Review
and comparison of MacIntosh software packages Mac Shortwave 1.0, Mac
Mini MUF, DX Helper 1.4 and MAP complete with off-screen graphical
examples. 12/93
T76 The Timewave DSP-59 Audio Filter (2) Nick Hall-Patch. Review of this
digital audio filter and comparison with standard analog audio
filters. 9/94
T77 Radio Shack Digital Signal Processor (1) Don Moman. Review of the
DSP-40. 11/94
T78 Digital Receivers Bring DSP to Radio Frequencies (2) Roger H Hosking.
Description and comparison of traditional Analog receivers and a
receiver using Digital Signal Processing. 12/95

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