December 19, 2018
#297
Gentle reader,
I recently wrote about FM radio, specifically about internal and external antennas. You can read about it here:
In that article, I brought up HD Radio, their web site can be viewed here:
After writing the article, I decided to dip my toes in the HD Radio waters again.
Insignia is a store brand sold by Best Buy. In most, if not all, cases it is rebadged products made by manufacturers that sell virtually the same item under their own name.
The radio below, I bought used, via eBay. A little worn, but it works perfectly, and it came in the original box with everything included.
This is a portable HD Radio, I wanted something that I
could use as a source, when I saw it has a headphone outlet, I knew
it might be just what I was looking for.
I have not listened to it's speakers yet. I simply used a 3.5mm-1/8" headphone plug to stereo RCA cable and plugged it into the AUX terminals of my Yamaha RX-496 stereo receiver.
You may be thinking, "What the heck am I looking at here?" Since I have a nice external antenna, I decided to attach this radio to it.
Rather than take it apart, enlarge the hole and install a coax cable terminal, I used this old clamp. It's not really an alligator but more of a hippo clamp. I stripped the end of a RF coaxial cable. I covered the exposed insulated portion which had remnants of shielding with electrical tape. Then I slipped the inner wire under the screw and tightened it. I crimped the end of the clamp around the taped portion. Then I slid the previously installed heat shrink tubing forward to cover the crimp and heat shrunk it.
I had one empty space left in this four-way HDTV-ready cable splitter. The gray nutted ones go to each stereo receiver (Yamaha and vintage Fisher) the yellow collared one goes to the 42" HDTV that I simulation race on. One of the ones on the right is the input from the amplifier (below), the other goes to the HD Radio.
This was a thrift store find and what a difference it makes! Without it, the aforementioned TV does not find a signal. With it, a nice clear picture.
Here is the stand-alone tuner I once had. Sold under it's maker's brand name of Sangean with a different appearance.
It is well made and I may be looking for another one or perhaps another brand tuner someday.
Where I have placed the radio, really the only place I can put it, which is on top of the stack, makes it difficult to see the switches which are all on the top surface. For now, I lean it forward to see what I'm pressing.
But, in the mean time, I'll enjoy it. The radio has a nice crisp sound and once in HD mode, the sound is crystal clear. I love once again having the ability to listen to a multitude of stations with it.
Thank you SO much for taking the time to read my words and view my photos. It is your kind words and encouragement that keeps me creating these articles.
Scott
December 19, 2018
#297
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