[Premium-Rx] Racal RA6790GM CPU Version Number

[Don]

Guy

The WJ8712P is a variant of the WJ8711A design, developed to be in a half wide-2U form factor. I currently have four racked in two
portable cases with SE-3's and DSP-599zx's. I find them far more easily transportable for TPMW dxpeditions than similarly configured
HF1000A's and WJ8711A's (which I also have similarly configured).  The WJ8712P may a have few differences from the WJ8711A --- the
only one I have found to date is the the return code under rs232 is different from the WJ8711A (fortunately John at Ergo made the
change for me to enable use of this excellent package as he pings the receiver for a control code when he starts Ergo).

Oh, one more difference -- since it is in the 1/2width 2U form factor....you can no longer store your lunch or beverage in all the
wasted space in the WJ8711A/HF1000A form factor(full width and 3U) ... hi hi

GL with the RA6890 -- I tried one fitted with SE-3 for weak signal Trans-Pacific DXing for MW and tropical DXing.  In my opinion it
didn't keep up with the 8711A, and wasn't friendly for drift net dxing on weak signals (it joined the 3030, R-590A, 2050, 545, and
R8....). Your mileage may vary!

And since Guy has the rare MAP unit, he might try using both the MAP and the SE-3 at the same time - that would give any receiver an
edge.

Don
AC7ZG

-----Original Message-----
From: premium-rx-bounces at ml.skirrow.org
[mailto:premium-rx-bounces at ml.skirrow.org]On Behalf Of Guy Atkins
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2004 4:15 PM
To: premium-rx at ml.skirrow.org
Subject: RE: [Premium-Rx] Racal RA6790GM CPU Version Number


Hi OJS,

Very interesting comments; thanks for your thoughts. I also have an outboard
synchronous detector unit-- the Kiwa Multi-band AM Pickup (MAP). I look
forward to trying it with the Racal. The MAP also has a notch filter, useful
audiophile-type tone-tilt control, wide/narrow cascaded IF filters and an
excellent built-in speaker. It's quite a useful accessory; it's a shame that
Craig at Kiwa "over-designed" the packaging, making the MAP not profitable
to keep in his product line-up. It was very labor intensive for his to
assemble each unit.

I'm also in a quiet location for local noise (underground AC mains) and I
use a Beverage antenna for tropical band DX. However, the local MW
powerhouses here really splatter the MW band, making it difficult to pull in
more than the occasional het on trans-Pacific stations. My previous home
just 10 miles further away from the Tacoma/Seattle stations was much better
for hearing audio on the foreign MW stations. So, now I save the foreign MW
DXing for DXpeditions at the coast.

Don Nelson on the list is the person who owns WJ-8712P receivers among
others, and he brings them to the DXpeditions we attend. Perhaps Don is
lurking around and can comment on the WJ-8712P for you.

Regarding the RA6790GM preamplifier, do you think a high-quality 10-12db
gain preamp would be a satisfactory substitute for the stock preamp, without
endangering the receiver's frontend? I have a high-IP3 preamp module
salvaged from an extra Wellbrook Communications K9AY Control Box that I'd
like to use. Alternatively, I could go with a Kiwa Broadband Preamplifier,
which is also high IP3 with a gain of 12db.

Lastly, has anyone tried a Vishay SD5000 mixer in a Racal RA6790GM? I have a
few of these and was wondering how tough it would be to substitute it for
the stock mixer should the one in the Racal lose it's smoke down the road.

73,

Guy


-----Original Message-----
From: Odd-Jørgen Sagdahl [mailto:ojs at sagdahl.no]
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2004 6:46 AM
To: Guy Atkins; premium-rx at ml.skirrow.org
Subject: RE: [Premium-Rx] Racal RA6790GM CPU Version Number


Guy & list,

I have had my WJ HF-1000A for many years and for the last few years used it
with a Sherwood SE-3 synchronous detector. It has been my top receiver, and
I have tried many other high-end receivers that have not been able to match
it. Then - enter the RA6790/GM ...

<SNIP>



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