Reviews and Experience on the DX-398
and also pirate radio hunting. But it can be a wear out
out for most serious radio monitors. Also it contains
longwave, AM, and Shortwave radio bands as well as FM
coverage. This radio uses seperate LSB and USB
controls that does not need a BFO since most of this
stations on this radio are on frequency. There is more
to the DX-398. 1., The radio has an external SW/MW/LW
antenna jack on the left side of the radio and also has a
telescoping rod antenna and ferrite antenna that is broad
for LW and MW coverage from 153 to 1710 kHz. The
radio has shortwave radio frequencies from 1.711 to
29.999 Megahertz and 87.5 to 108 MHz and some 64
to 92 MHz in Russia nad also 76 to 108 MHz in Japan
and other areas. The DX-398 is a good user friendly
receiver once you read the manual first then you find it
easy to operate most of the times. The DX-398 uses
180 kHz ceramic filters for adjecent channel DXing while
others in older versions use 230 kHz filters for the FM bands. If you tend you use 150 or less in the FM chain
it will somewhat disable the 57 kHz data that will reduce
RDS coverage, so its best not to modify this radio at all
times.
FOR THE LONGWAVE RADIO BANDS
The longwave radio bands perform marginally well but
its not as good as the AM bands, so its not really a good
DX tuner for the longwave radio bands due to design. Now newer versions might have this fixed so its still best
to use a loop antenna and also another antenna called the longwire antenna to pull in LW DX. Another accessorie to use is a MFJ 956 or another preselector
or some kind of coupler that will bring in the longwave
radio stations. A VLF converter is a must below 153 kHz.
FOR THE AM RADIO BANDS
The AM bands a great on this receiver also does well
with other radio stations as well as the adjecent radio
stations thanks to good selectivitiy of the radio. Local
radio stations come in well with the ferrite bar antenna
, also a longwire antenna, or inductive loop antenna
is a great addition for AM radio DXing. If some stations
use LSB or USB it will be able to receive those, but its
rare that most stations use that mode. Image rejection
is really good also and the RF gain works well on AM.
FOR THE SHORTWAVE BANDS
For the shortwave broadcast bands. The radio has
meter buttons to quickly access the meter bands as
well as the other memory pages that have stations
already programmed in them. The LSB and USB
modes are a great addition to this receiver especially
when you want to receive HAM's, pirates, military,
and other non-broadcast radio stations. Some broadcasters use USB and LSB for to relay DX
broadcasts to another location. This radio requires
a preselector to reject other stations that are stronger
than others. I have never used one, but I am sure
hoping to get one hooked up.
FOR THE FM BROADCAST BANDS
This radio performs good on FM. Since FM DXIng is my
speciality I like it cause of the good sensitivity on FM also
the RDS works well, but it does not have a SCA input
jack. I once received a FM station from NE back in 2001
during the solar maximum which was called 96.5 KRGI
and the RDS came thru. Its also great tuner to have to
get started in FM DXing, but be aware that it can overload
in seriously intermod areas, so please understand that
your radio is not broken. I have that problem here in
Virginia Beach VA and Norfolk VA so its normal for me
to receive intermod. Still Sangean is working on it as best as they can to find ways to reject it. I still think
the circuits need to be more shielded better.
ABOVE ALL
This receiver performs better than my DX-390 and is smaller and better than my DX-380 receiver. And still
its a great little book sized receiver for i travelling
and local travel. Look out for them!
another radio such as the Super 909 that has more
strength and muscle than my other radios.
when compared to my older version the selectivity is better on
FM!
performs better with the TERK
AM loop Antenna. Also its a
great alternative to longwires.
protection is a must for any
radio equipment. Lightining
can desensitize your DX-398
making it only pick up strong stations.
There are solutions to reception and one of them
is the longwire antenna. Longwire antenna kits
can be purchased at Radio Shack for about $11
and its a great addition to any listening post. They
come with insulators, lead in wire, and also copper
antenna wire about 75 feet of it which all of 75 feet would do very well for the LW/MW/ and shortwave
radio bands. Also DON'T forget the ground wire
and ground rods, since the advioe above recommends that you use a ground connection
as well as a gas filled protector you can find those
at Universal Radio and other places of interest.
LOOP ANTENNAS ARE GREAT FOR THE
DX 398 NIGHTIME AND DAYTIME
Loop antennas are a great addition to any radio
listening post cause you can preselect any DX
station or local radio station and also null out
others. I recommend the TERK AM Loop since
its readly available at most places. Of you can
join a group and get support in building your
own loop antenna that can be bigger and
have wider coverage than the TERK and the
select A tenna . Also the TERK does not cover
LW so thats bad news for Europe and other
countries with LW. There is another antenna
that is good as a loop antenna called the Justice
AM loop from C Crane.
THERE IS MORE TO THE SITE!
PART 2 of the DX-398 : which shows innards and other great stuff.