Radio Shack DX-394 Communication Receiver Repair Mods and Review

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Radio Shack DX-394 Communication Receiver Repair Mods and Review
Specs:
Type: HF receiver
Frequency range: 0.15-30 MHz (USA)
Tuning steps: 100 Hz, 1 / 5 / 9 / 10 KHz
Frequency stability: ? ppm
Mode: AM/SSB/CW
Channels/memory management: 160 regular
1 monitor
Lithium backup battery
Power supply: Mains: 120 VAC
or 13.8 VDC
Current drain/power consumption: Max 13 W @ mains
Max 450 mA @ 13.8 VDC
Antenna impedance/connector: 50 ohm / SO-239
Hi-Z random wire / Phono (RCA)
Dimensions (W*H*D): 230*96*233 mm (9.06*3.78*9.17")
Weight: 2.1 Kg (4.6 lb)
Other features: Clock and timer. Dimmer. NB. 20 dB attenuator.
RECEIVER SECTION
Receiver system: Double conversion superheterodyne
1st IF: 45 MHz
2nd IF: 455 KHz
Sensitivity: AM (10 dB S+N/N)
0.15-0.510 MHz: 10 uV
0.510-1.730 MHz: 7 uV
1.730-30 MHz: 1 uV
SSB (10 dB S+N/N)
1.730-30 MHz: 0.3 uV
CW (10 dB S+N/N)
1.730-30 MHz: 0.1 uV
Selectivity: AM: 7 KHz (-6 dB), 14 KHz (-50 dB)
SSB/CW: 6 KHz (-6 dB), 15 KHz (-50 dB)
Image rejection:
AF output power/speaker: 800 mW at 10% distortion / 8 ohm
External speaker connector: 3.5 mm, 8 ohm
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[@chriscampbell9191]

Great vid. Thanks for the close ups of the procedure. I'm not into modding mine (and the chuffing on the DX-394 doesn't bother me at all), but seeing the inside of the front of the radio was instructive.

[@barryfairwood2174]

Excellent video, I have a early model made in Japan by GRE electronics. Thank you.

[@torchlight4003]

I love mine it is just as sensitive as a higher grade reciever today. I only wish it had bandwidth filtering. Also th cw mode switch is worthless, however all in all a real decent radio.

[@TheElectronMan]

I agree it has great sensitivity better than most... Yeah filters would be nice and I agree I wonder if that CW switch is even hooked up LOL>.

[@chriscampbell9191]

I've found the CW mode switch useful. It's an audio filter added to the regular USB/LSB filter, from what I understand. I tune in the CW sections of the ham bands a lot on my DX-394, and find that switching in the CW1 or CW2 sometimes cuts down on some noise and QRM on both CW and SSB. My guess is that putting in a narrower IF filter for CW alone would have made the radio more expensive, and face it: not that many SWL's are into CW. Heck, not a lot of hams are into CW.

[@cajuncoinhunter]

Ralph's electronic's down here used to sell those thin walled sockets for those face nuts....... I had a set years ago , but this go round I might chuck a couple of the common sizes in the lathe and shave em down ....I got a bunch of those 2200 uF 35 volt caps in a TV PSU they aren't reading any ESR at all , zip nada , zero ......Gotta make a Digi-Key order soon I guess ....

[@dont4450]

How do you replace the battery that keeps the clock time.?

[@CSmith-gb1sl]

That battery a standard 2032 coil cell? Thought there was a C version too, I thought the B was full of soldered mods where the C had most of these incorporated to the upgraded circuit board.

[@TheElectronMan]

I never heard about a version C?

[@CSmith-gb1sl]

@@TheElectronMan I know I evaluated 3 different units, though I looked at mine, it's a 3A7 Revision B (square white tag on back with a B).. unless there was an unmarked rev before the A. I likely have one of the final units built.

[@TheElectronMan]

@@CSmith-gb1sl I know mine is a Revision B I would have to look and see if is 3A7 I know I have been enjoying it works great..

[@drz4073]

Hard to find them anymore - collectors buy them up fast because of the features.

[@CSmith-gb1sl]

Collectors or resellers?

[@precbass]

Did you use a special tool to remove the 4 front controls?I need to change the little battery and I've heard its a real PITA.

[@TheElectronMan]

I had to make one I used a socket and ground it down to make one I could not find the tool to purchase it.

[@precbass]

@@TheElectronMan It seems to be the main bugbear of the whole procedure,Me,Im having trouble getting the knobs off never mind anything else.😄Cheers

[@TheElectronMan]

@precbass I agree it was a bear hardest part really.

[@CSmith-gb1sl]

Grrreat It does have a backup battery then! ☹ I'm imagine it will be gone along next time I fire it up being 28 years old & likely not used in 10-15 years. I'll put it in line behind the Yaesu FT5100. On my PRO-2036 I was able to relocate the battery to the top of the chassis on a separate "board" for easy replacement in < 2 minutes. This used a non-rechargable LI 2032 coin cell. Be nice to mod this one in the same manner.

[@TheElectronMan]

@@CSmith-gb1sl It would be easy to relocate it you wanted to for sure, amazing mine was still good I am guessing the person before me must have put one in...

[@matheny411]

What did you use for the antenna?

[@TheElectronMan]

I use a long wire antenna I have a couple videos on making one they make a huge difference for DX listening.