® SW8 World Band Shortwave Receiver with Selectable Sideband Synchronous Detector Owner's Manual Downloaded by Amateur Radio Directory www.hamdirectory.info SW8 World Band Shortwave Receiver AGC S AM SYNC LSB +60 +40 +20 9 7 5 3 1 TIMER MEM SW METER KHz 6.0 TONE BAND 1 2 L H VOLUME POWER push TUNING 3 SW F SSB BW SCAN MEM ATT AGC 9 LAMP STORE VFO DEL SKIP CLEAR BEEP TIMER CLOCK BCB AIR 4 AM SYNC 5 7 8 6 0 ® is a registered trademark of the R. L.
Declaration of Conformity We, Manufacturer/Importer (Full address) R. L.
Important Safeguards WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS PRODUCT'S AC ADAPTOR TO RAIN OR MOISTURE ¡CAUTION! RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER OF AC ADAPTOR NO USER-SERVICABLE PARTS INSIDE REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL i An appliance and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force and uneven surfaces may cause the appliance and cart combination to overturn.
ii Important Safeguards, continued 14. Servicing—Do not attempt to service the AC adaptor yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. 15. Damage Requiring Service—Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions: a. When the AC adaptor cord or plug is damaged. b. If the AC adaptor has been exposed to rain or water. c.
Table of Contents iii Thank you for purchasing a Drake SW8 World Band Shortwave Receiver. This receiver has been designed and manufactured to high quality standards, and will provide reliable operation for many years. Please carefully read the Owner's Manual in order to take advantage of the many interesting features that will provide enjoyable listening to radio broadcasts around the world.
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Introduction - General Description 1 SW8 World Band Shortwave Receiver AGC S AM SYNC LSB +60 +40 +20 9 7 5 3 1 TIMER MEM SW METER KHz 6.0 TONE BAND 1 2 BCB L H VOLUME POWER push The SW8 is a microprocessor controlled, synthesized, world band receiver with continuous coverage capability from 500 kHz through 30 MHz which includes the AM broadcast and shortwave bands. Reception also includes FM broadcast (87 - 108 MHz) and Aircraft (118-137 MHz).
2 Introduction - Specifications Frequency Range 100 - 30,000 kHz (0.1 - 30 MHz) 87 - 108 MHz, 118 - 137 MHz AM, USB, LSB modes (0.1 - 30 MHz) AM mode only for 118 - 137 MHz FM mode only for 87 - 108 MHz Sensitivity: SSB (10 dB S+N/N) Less than 0.5 µV, 0.1 - 30 MHz Sensitivity: AM (10 dB S+N/N) (1000 Hz, 30% Mod) Less than 2.0 µV, 0.1 - 30 MHz Less than 4.
Introduction - Battery Operation and Installation 3 The SW8 receiver is supplied with an AC adaptor to power the SW8 indoors. The AC ADAPTOR is designed to be plugged into a wall outlet that supplies nominal 120VAC, 60 Hz power. Keep curtains and other flammable materials out of direct contact with the AC ADAPTOR to avoid overheating. The SW8 receiver is designed to operate from either the supplied AC ADAPTOR or from six "D" cell batteries (not supplied).
4 Installation UNPACKING Carefully remove the SW8 and included AC Adaptor wall transformer from the shipping carton and examine them for evidence of damage. If any damage is noted, immediately contact the transportation company responsible for delivery or return the unit to the dealer from whom it was purchased. Keep the shipping carton and all packing material for the transportation company to inspect.
Installation, continued LOW IMPEDANCE ANTENNA 5 BUILT-IN TELESCOPING WHIP ANTENNA HIGH IMPEDANCE ANTENNA OR 50 OHM COAXIAL CABLE OR PL-259 CONNECTOR TV/FM SPLITTER ANTENNA 1 50 ANTENNA 2 FM / AIR EXT DC INPUT SHORTWAVE ANTENNA SELECT 300 9VDC/ 1Amp ON + OFF GND 500 2 WHIP EXT WHIP MASTER POWER - NOTE CHECK INTERNAL BATTERIES PERIODICALLY IF INSTALLED EXTERNAL SPEAKER AIR SQUELCH 4 / 8 CAUTION: BALANCED OUTPUT. DO NOT GROUND. BATTERY COMPARTMENT MADE IN U.S.A.
6 Front Panel Description Pivot Point of Telescoping Whip Antenna 8 5 1 SW8 World Band Shortwave Receiver AGC S AM SYNC LSB +60 +40 +20 9 7 5 3 1 TIMER MEM SW METER KHz 6.0 TONE BAND 1 2 BCB L H VOLUME 7 6 and buttons are the primary tuning controls of the SW8. Clockwise rotation of the dial increases frequency and counterclockwise rotation decreases frequency. The dial also incorporates variable speed tuning. The faster the dial is rotated, the faster the tuning speed.
Front Panel Description, continued 7 ATT - Press to turn on the built-in 20 dB attenuator to reduce the received signal strength in the AM broadcast and Shortwave bands as required. The attenuator is not active in the FM and Aircraft bands. Successive depressions of the button toggles the attenuator on and off. The secondary function of this button is the digit 7. ATT 8 AGC AGC - Press to select either the Slow or Fast AGC setting for the AM broadcast, Shortwave and Aircraft bands.
8 Front Panel Display 1 2 3 4 LOCK +60 +40 +20 9 7 5 3 1 TIMER ON OFF 5 6 7 8 15 10 BATT AGC SF AM SYNC USB FM F MEM SCAN S AIRSW L ST 6.0 4.0 2.3 16 9 11 METER 12 KHz MHz 14 1) Bar Graph - This bar graph display indicates the relative received signal level in S-units and dB above S9. Each S-unit between S1 and S9 equals an approximately 5 dB change in received signal strength. Each S-unit above S9 equals an approximately 10 dB change in received signal strength.
Rear Panel Description 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 ANTENNA 1 50 ANTENNA 2 FM / AIR EXT DC INPUT SHORTWAVE ANTENNA SELECT 300 9VDC/ 1Amp ON + OFF GND 4 75 500 FM / AIR ANTENNA SELECT LINE AUDIO OUT EXTERNAL SPEAKER AIR SQUELCH 50 / 1 2 WHIP MASTER POWER EXT WHIP 4 / 8 CAUTION: BALANCED OUTPUT. DO NOT GROUND. 10 MADE IN U.S.A. BATTERY COMPARTMENT 1) EXT DC INPUT - Connect the AC Adaptor wall transformer output cable to this connector.
10 Getting Started Whip Antenna SW8 World Band Shortwave Receiver AGC S AM SYNC LSB +60 +40 +20 9 7 5 3 1 TIMER MEM SW METER KHz 6.0 TONE BAND 1 2 BCB L H VOLUME POWER push Tone Power/Volume GENERAL OPERATING INFORMATION The SW8 has been designed for ease of use. Please take a few moments to read through this section and familiarize yourself with general operating information.
Getting Started, continued 14258.1 kHz Press 1 F AIR 1 8 5 2 4 AM SYNC BCB AGC SSB SKIP OR F 1 BCB 4 AM SYNC AIR 1 8 5 2 BCB AGC SSB * * When the maximum number of allowed digits is entered, the decimal point will be automatically placed between the 1 kHz and .1 kHz digits and need not be entered. B) Aircraft and FM broadcast enter in MHz (megahertz). A maximum of 5 digits may be entered for FM. A maximum of 7 digits may be entered for Aircraft.
12 Getting Started, continued FREQUENCY RESOLUTION The SW8 tunes in the following steps: Mode Broadcast Band: AM Shortwave Band: AM USB, LSB FM AIR Display Resolution Tuning Resolution 100 Hz 100 Hz 10 kHz/9 kHz 100 Hz 100 Hz 10 kHz 100 Hz 100 Hz 50 Hz 20 kHz 100 Hz 5 kHz 5 kHz 100 kHz 25 kHz FRONT PANEL LOCK (UNLOCK) All keyboard entries, display settings, and entries from the tuning knob can be locked if desired. First, be sure the SW8 is not in SCAN. Press and hold the F button.
Memory Functions 13 SW8 World Band Shortwave Receiver AGC S AM SYNC LSB +60 +40 +20 9 7 5 3 1 TIMER MEM SW METER KHz 6.0 TONE BAND 1 2 BCB L H VOLUME POWER push MEMORY FUNCTIONS The SW8 contains 70 memory locations that can be used to store and recall commonly monitored frequencies. These 70 locations are divided into blocks of 10, ie. 00-09, 10-19, 20-29, etc. This allows convenient grouping of frequencies.
14 Scan Functions The SW8 provides a time scan function of programmed memory channels using the F button and SCAN button. Scan will begin and end within a 10 MEM channel block of programmed memory channels as indicated by the most significant digit of the selected memory channel number.
Clock and Timer Functions 15 SW8 World Band Shortwave Receiver AGC S AM SYNC LSB +60 +40 +20 9 7 5 3 1 TIMER MEM SCAN SW L METER KHz 6.0 TONE BAND 1 2 BCB L H VOLUME POWER push TIME DISPLAY The SW8 incorporates a dual time clock allowing two 24 hour clocks to be set and maintained.
16 Clock and Timer Functions Press the desired numeric buttons to enter a new ON time. Enter the time in HH:MM and in 24 hour format. Press the BEEP button to remove the On Time to use the timer as a Sleep timer. For a Wake timer, program an 'On Time' and remove the 'OFF' time. To set the OFF time, Press the button again to display OFF' time. Press the desired numeric buttons to enter a new OFF time. Enter the time in HH:MM and in 24 hour format. CLEAR TIMER CLOCK Press the desired.
Clock and Timer Functions continued 2) Example for Setting Overlapping Events: Press the button sequence: With frequency displayed, suppose it is desired to record a one hour program on one frequency with a beginning time of 16:59 and an ending time of 18:00; and a second program on the same frequency with a beginning time of 18:00 and an ending time of 19:01.
18 Special Use Features and Functions The SW8 has several special features that are referred to in the main body of this Owners manual but may require additional explanation. LOCK ALL ENTRY TO KEYPAD The receiver keypad and tuning control may be locked or disabled by pressing and holding the F button for 3 seconds. Press the F button and hold for 3 seconds. Acknowledge beep will indicate that the keypad and tuning control are locked. Repeat the procedure to unlock the keypad and tuning control.
Quick Reference Guide 3 Most front panel pushbuttons perform two functions. The second function requires that the F button be pressed first, and then the desired second function button Select normal frequency display (VFO) (pages 6,7) - - 19 pressed within three seconds. The symbol indicates that the button is to be pressed within three seconds.
20 Quick Reference Guide, continued Lamp On/Off (page 7) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Press 9 LAMP to turn display backlight on or off. Disable Beep (page 7) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Press CLEAR BEEP to enable or disable beep. MEMORY FUNCTIONS Store Memory Channel (page 13) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Select bandwidth and adjust frequency. STORE 3 .
Memory Channel Log CHANNEL 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 STATION NAME FREQUENCY MODE BW S METER AGC 21 SYNCHRO
22 CHANNEL 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 Memory Channel Log STATION NAME FREQUENCY MODE BW S METER AGC SYNCHRO
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24 Suggested References 1) Passport to World Band Radio Published by: International Broadcasting Services, Ltd. P. O. Box 300 Penn's Park, Pennsylvania 18943 2) World Radio TV Handbook Published by: Billboard Publications Inc.
Glossary of Terms 25 1) AC Input - Alternating Current power source available at wall outlet sockets. 12) HF - High Frequency band extends from approximately 1.5 MHz to 30 MHz. 2) AM - Signals in which the information is conveyed by amplitude changes of the signal. Amplitude Modulation is used for the AM broadcast bands. 13) LCD - Liquid-Crystal Display - Low power consumption displays used for wristwatches and information displays on many types of electronic equipment.
26 Troubleshooting PROBLEM PROBABLE CAUSE SOLUTION Front panel clock display is showing but radio will not turn on A) Rear panel 'MASTER POWER' switch A) Check 'MASTER POWER' switch on rear panel and set to 'ON' position No front panel display or lights A) Power connection B) Defective AC adaptor unit C) Batteries are discharged or not installed for portable operation, no AC power A) Check power supply cables B) Check AC ADAPTOR C) Check/install batteries for portable operation No signals heard w
Warranty SERVICE INFORMATION You may contact R. L. DRAKE Service Department for additional information or assistance by calling (513) 746-6990, Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. 5:00 P.M. EST, except on holidays. You may also contact the R. L. DRAKE Service Department by E-mail at the following address: bill_frost@rldrake.com 27 Should you want to return your unit for service, package the receiver carefully using the original carton or other suitable container.
® R. L. Drake Company 230 Industrial Drive Franklin, Ohio 45005 U.S.A CUSTOMER SERVICE AND PARTS TELEPHONE: +1 (513) 746-6990 TELEFAX: +1 (513) 743-4576 WORLD WIDE WEB SITE: http://www.rldrake.com Downloaded by Amateur Radio Directory www.hamdirectory.