Radio Shack DX-392 User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

PLL ALL-BAND PORTABLE RECEIVER

WITH CASSETTE RECORDER

Please read before using this equipment.

DX-392

Cat. No. 20-219B

FEATURES

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Your Radio Shack DX-392 PLL All­Band Portable R eceiver with Cassette
Recorder brings the voices of the world
to you. In the 13 international short­wave (SW) bands, you can hear news
broadcasts and other programs from
sources such as the British Broadcast­ing Company, Radio Cairo, and Radio
Moscow.

You can get emergency information
firsthand by listening to amateur radio
broadcasts, which include single sid e­band (SSB) voice transmissions and
continuous wave (CW) Morse code
transmissions.

In the longwave (LW) band, you
sometimes hear hurricane reports,
ship-to-shore calls, and other marine
and aeronautical services. You can
tune to local broadcasts in the FM and
medium-wave (MW) bands. (In the
United States, we commonly call the
MW band the AM band.) In addition,
you can use the built-in cassette re­corder to record your favorite pro­grams live or at a preset time.

Special features include:

Di

ital Synthesized Receiver

ensures accurate, drift-free tuning.

e, Fast-Response Display

Lar

lets you quickly and easily view the
time, band and frequency, signal
strength, and other indicators.

—

—

Dual Time

clock to your local time and a second­ary clock to another time zone so you
can quickly check the time in another
part of the world.

Scan Tunin

stations.

Memor

quencies in memory so you can quick­ly select your favorite stations.

Direct-Access Tunin

the keypad to directly ent er a frequen­cy you want to listen to.

Rotar

you select a higher tuning increment
for faster tuning, select a lower tuning
increment for fine tuning, or lock the ro­tary tuning dial to prevent you from ac­cidentally changing the frequency.

Control Lock

accidentally changing a setting.

Alarm (Standb

buzzer to sound or the receiver to turn
on to wake you at a specified time.

Sleep Timer

er to turn off after a preset length of
time (15, 30, 60, or 90 minutes), so you
can fall asleep as you listen to it.

— lets you set a primary

— lets you quickly find

Tuning

Tuning Adjustment

— stores up to 54 fre-

— lets you use

— prevents you from

— lets you set the

)

— lets you set the receiv-

— lets

© 1997 Tandy Corporation.

Radio Shack is a registered trademark used by Tandy Corporation.

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All Rights Reserv ed .

MW Step Setting — l ets you choose

the correct setting for whatever part of
the world you are in.

Battery P ower Indicator — lets you
know when the batteries need to be re­placed.

AM RF Gain Control — lets you ad­just the receiver’s sensitivity when you
listen to SW to provide the be st p ossi­ble reception.

Narrow/Wi de Control — lets you re­duce interference from other stations
when you listen to SW, MW (AM), and
LW broadcasts.

BFO Controls — let you tune to sta­tions that transmit in continuous wave
(CW) and single sideband (SSB).

Built-In Cassette Recorder — lets
you record and play back programs.

Standby Recording — lets you record
your favorite program at a preset time.

Beat Cut Switch — reduces the hum
or whistling sound sometimes heard
when recording AM broadcasts.

Built-In Condenser Microphone —
lets you make live recordings.

Back-Up Battery Power — keeps the
clock running, protects the stations
stored in memory, and powers the dis­play if the receiver’s primary power
source is interrupted.

Memo Pad — lets you record helpful
information such as the memory loca­tion numbers of your favorite stations.

We recommend you rec ord the serial
number of your receiver here. The
number is inside the bat tery compart­ment.

Serial Number________________ _

Three Power Options — let you
choose from internal batteries, stan­dard household AC power (requires an
AC adapter), or DC vehicle battery
power (requires a DC adapter) so you
can use the receiver just about any­where.

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CONTENTS

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Preparation............................................................................................................ 6

Setting the MW (AM) Tuning Increment........................................................... 6

Installing Back-Up Batteries............................................................................. 6

Connecting to Primary Power..................................................................... ...... 7

Internal Battery Power .............................................................................. 7

AC Power .................................................................................................. 8

DC Power .................................................................................................. 8

Using the Folding Stand and Memo Pad.......................................................... 9

the Receiver.............................................................................................. 10

Usin

Turning the Receiver On/Off........................................................................... 10

Tuning............................................................................................................. 10

Selecting the Band . ................................................................................. 10

Direct-Access Tuning .............................................................................. 10

Using the Rotary Dial .............................................................................. 11

Tuning with the Arrow Keys..................................................................... 12

Scanning ................................................................................................. 12

Memory Tuning ....................................................................................... 13

Adjusting the Antenna .................................................................................... 13

Connecting an External Antenna.... ................................................................ 14

Adjusting Special Tuning Controls.................................................................. 14

FM Mono/FM Stereo ............................................................................... 14

AM Narrow/AM Wide .............................................................................. 14

AM RF Gain ............................................................................................ 15

BFO Switch and BFO Dial ...................................................................... 15

Tone ........................................................................................................ 15

the Clock Radio........................................................................................ 16

Usin

Setting the Clocks........................................................................................... 16

Changing the Clock Display .................................................................... 17

Using the Alarm (Standby) Feature................................................................ 17

Setting the Alarm .................................................................................... 17

Silencing the Alarm ................................................................................. 18

Turning the Alarm Off/On ........................................................................ 18

Using the Sleep Timer.................................................................................... 18

Makin

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a Recording............................................................................................ 19

Loading a Cassette Tape................................................................................ 19

Playing a Cassette Tape................................................................................. 19

Fast-Forward and Rewind ....................................................................... 20

Cue and Review ...................................................................................... 20

Recording....................................................................................................... 20

Recording from the Radio ....................................................................... 20

Recording from the Radio Using the Standby Feature ........................... 21

Recording AM Broadcasts .............................................................. ..... ... 22

Recording Using the Built-In Microphone ............................................... 22

Additional Features............................................................................................ 23

Connecting Headphones . .............................................................................. 23

Listening Safely ...................................................................................... 23

Lighting the Display........................................................................................ 24

Locking the Controls...................................................................................... 24

Listening Hints.................................................................................................... 25

Reference Sources........................................................................................ 25

Frequency Conversion ................................................................................... 25

Band Allocations ............................................................................................ 25

Amateur Radio Frequencies . .................................................................. 25

International Frequencies ....................................................................... 26

Aircraft Frequencies ....................................................................... ....... . 27

Ships and Coastal Station Frequencies ................................................. 27

Time Standard Frequencies ................................................................... 27

Longwave Band ...................................................................................... 27

Listening Guide .................................................................................................. 28

Birdies............................................................................................................ 33

Tape Tips and Techniques................................................................................. 34

Storing Your Cassettes ................................................................................. 34

Erasing Tapes ............................................................................................... 34

Accidental Erasure Pre vention ...................................................................... 34

Tape Tension ................................................................................................. 35

Cleaning the Tape Mechanism ...................................................................... 35

Troubleshooting................................................................................................. 36

Resetting the Radio ....................................................................................... 37

Maintenance........................................................................................................ 38

Caring for the Receiver.................................................................................. 38

The FCC Wants You to Know........................................................................ 38

Specifications..................................................................................................... 39

5

PREPARATION

SETTING THE MW (AM)
TUNING INCREMENT

In the United States, the Federal Com­munications Commission (FCC) as­signs frequencies for stations in the
MW band in 10-kilohertz increments.
(In the United States, we commonly
call the MW band the AM band.) In Eu­rope and some other parts of the
world, MW frequencies are assigned in
9-kilohertz increments.

The MW STEP switch is located in­side the battery compartment. Before
you install the back-up batteries, set

9k

the switch to
lowing guidelines:

• If you are in the United States,
Canada, or another North or
South American country, be sure
the switch is set to

or

10k

using the fol-

10k

.

INSTALLING BACK-UP
BATTERIES

Back-up batteries power the receiver’s
clock and the display and save the sta­tions stored in memory if the receiver’s
primary power source is interrupted.

The receiver uses three AA batteries
for back-up power. For the best perfor­mance, we recommend alkaline bat­teries, such as Radio Shack Cat. No.
23-552.

You cannot operate the receiver

Note:

using only the back-up batteries. If you

POWER

press
teries are the only available power
source,

Follow these steps to install the back­up batteries.

1. Remove the battery compart­ment’s cover by pushing the cover
in the direction of the arrow.

2. Install three AA batteries, according
to the polarity symbols (+ and –)
marked next to the compartment.
For easy removal, place the bat­teries on top of the lift-out ribbon.

when the back-up bat-

E

flashes on the display.

• If you are in a country where
the AM frequency increments
are 9 kHz, set the switch to

6

9k

.

3. Replace the cover, or install addi­tional batteries for primary power
as described in “Internal Battery
Power.”

To check the back-up batteries’ power
level, disconnect the receiver from the
primary-power source. Then look at
the receiver’s display. If it is dim, re­place the back-up batteries.

CONNECTING TO
PRIMARY POWER

You can power the receiver from inter­nal batteries, standard AC power, or
your vehicle’s battery.

Internal Battery Power

3. Replace the cover.

To chec k th e pr ima ry -po we r bat t er ies,
turn off the receiver. The battery pow­er indicator appears on the display for
several seconds. Fresh batteries
show a power level of 7. If the indica­tor shows a powe r level of 2 or below,
replace the primary-power batteries.

Your receiver uses four D batteries.
For the best performance, we recom­mend alkaline batteries, such as Radio
Shack Cat. No. 23-550.

Follow these steps to install batteries
for use as the primary power source.

1. Remove the battery compart­ment’s cover by pushing the cover
in the direction of the arrow.

2. Slide four D batteries into the
compartment, according to the
polarity symbols (+ and –) ma rked
next to the compartment. For easy
removal, place the batteries on
top of the lift-out ribbon.

Note:

turn on the receiver when the primary­power batteries are dead,
the display if back-up batteries are in­stalled.

If you press

RADIO POWER

E

flashes on

to

AC Power

With an optional AC adapter, such as
Radio Shack Cat. No. 273-1664, you
can power the receiver from standard
AC power.

Caution:

that supplies 6 volts with the center tip
set to negative. It must deliver at least
400 m illi a mps, and its plug m u s t pr op ­erly fit the receiver’s
ing an adapter that does not meet

these specifications could da mage the

You must use an AC adapter

DC IN 6V

jack. Us-

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receiver or the adapter.

Follow these steps to use AC power.

1. Set the adapter’s voltage switch to

6V

.

2. Line up the 5.5 mm outer diam­eter/2.1 mm inner diameter
barrel plug with the adapter’s
socket so it reads

, and insert

–TIP

the plug.

3. Insert the barrel plug into the re­ceiver’s

DC IN 6V

jack.

least 400 milliamps, and its plug
must properly fit the receive r’s

IN 6V

jack. Using a n adapter that

DC

does not meet these specifica­tions could damage the receiver
or the adapter.

• To protect your vehicle’s electrical
system, be sure the adapter is
connected to the cigarette-lighter
socket only when it is also con­nected to the receiver.

4. Plug the adapter into a standard
AC outlet.

Note:

Using an adapter disconnects

the primary power batteries.

DC Power

With an optional DC adapt er, such as
Radio Shack Cat. No. 270-1562, you
can power the receiver from your vehi­cle’s battery.

Cautions:

• You must use a DC adapter that
supplies 6 volts with the center tip
set to negative. It must deliver at

8

• Follow these steps to use DC
power.

1. Set the adapter’s voltage switch to

6V

.

2. Line up the 5.5 mm outer diam­eter/2.1 mm inner diameter
barrel plug with the adapter’s
socket so it reads

, and insert

–TIP

the plug.

3. Insert the adapter’s barrel plug
into the rece iv er’s

DC IN 6V

jack.

4. Insert the adapter’s plug into the
vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket.

Using an adapter disconnects

Note:

the primary-power batteries.

USING THE FOLDING

STAND AND MEMO PAD

You can position the receiver more se­curely and possibly improve the sound
by resting the receiver on its stand.

Lift the latch on the back of the receiver
to open the stand. You can use the
memo pad under the recei ver’s stand
to record helpful information, such as
the memory location numbers of your
favor ite sta t i o ns.

The display shows the band, frequen­cy, and signal strength. (A reading of 7
indicates the strongest signal.)

RADIO POWER

Press
the receiver.

again to turn off

TUNING

USING THE RECEIVER

TURNING THE
RECEIVER ON/OFF

RADIO POWER

Press
ceiver, then adjust the volume.

to turn on the re-

Selecting the Band

Press FM, MW, LW, or SW to select the
band. (Press
smaller band within the SW band,

METER

press
band by pressing its labe led b utton on
the keypad.

MW

for AM.) To select a

, then enter the desired

Direct-Access Tuning

Follow these steps to directly tune to a
station.

FREQ

1. Press
play disappears.

. The frequency dis-

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2. Press the number buttons (and
decimal button where appropriate)
to enter the frequency.

If you make a mistake, press

C

(cancel) to erase the last digit.
If you wait more than 15 seconds

to press a button, the previous fre­quency returns to the display and
you must begin again at Step 1.

er so you can fine tune the frequency,
as shown in the following table.

Band Fast Fine

FM 0.1 MHz 0.05 MHz

3. Press

ENTER

. The selected fre-

quency appears.

Using the Rotary Dial

You can select a higher or lower fre­quency by turning the
knob up or down.

FAST/FINE/LOCK

Set
ry tuning increments or to lock the

TARY TUNING

dial. If you select
the rotary tuning increments are the
same as when you use the

AUTO

or keys. If you select

FINE

, the tuning increm ents are small-

ROT ARY TUNING

to select the ro ta-

RO-

FAST

MANUAL/

LW 9 kHz 1 kHz
MW (AM) 9/10 kHz 1 kHz
SW 0.005 MHz 0.001 MHz

You can also set
lock the

ROTARY TUNING

FAST/FINE/LOCK

prevents you fr om acc ide ntally cha ng­ing the frequency.

This locks only the

Note:

TUNING

dial. For information about
locking the front-panel buttons, see
“Locking the Controls” on Page 22.

,

to

dial. This

ROTARY

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Tuning with the Arrow Keys

You can select a lower or higher fre­quency by pressing

or . The frequency changes in

the following increments.

MANUAL/AUTO

To scan for a f requency in one of 13
shortwave bands, press
press the correct button on the numer­ic keypad to select the shortwave
band.

METER

. Then

Band T uning Increment

FM 0.1 MHz
LW 9 kHz
MW

(AM)

SW 0.005 MHz

9 or 10 kHz (see
“Setting the MW (AM)
Tuning Increment” on
Page 6)

Scanning

To automatically tune up or down to
the next active frequency in the se­lected band, press and hold down

MANUAL/AUTO

seconds. The receiver scans up or
down the selected band and tunes to
the first frequency it finds with a strong
signal.

or for about 2

When scanning in a sm aller band, the
receiver searches only within the se­lected band and stops at the upper and
lower limits of the band.

See “International Frequencies” on
Page 23 for a list of the shortwave
bands.

When scanning, the receiver

Note:

only searches for frequencies with
strong signals. To search for stations
with weaker signals, use one of the
manual tuning methods.

11

Memory Tuning

ADJUSTING THE

For easy selection, you can store the
frequencies of your favorite st ations in
memory. You can store up to 18 SW
and 18 FM frequencies, and up to 9
frequencies in each of the other bands.

Follow these steps to store a freque n­cy into memory.

1. Use direct-access or ma nual tun­ing to tune to the frequency you
want to store.

2. Press

3. While

M

.

M

flashes, enter a m emory
location code using the numeric
keypad. For SW and FM bands,
select from 1–9 and 01–09. For
other bands, select from 1–9. The
frequency is stored,
ing, and the display shows the
memory location code

M

stops flash-

ANTENNA

For the best reception, ad just the tele­scoping antenna for the band you want
to listen to.

— Fully extend the antenna and

FM

rotate it for the best reception.

LW and MW (AM)

ceiver. The receiver uses the interna l
antenna for the LW and MW (AM)
bands.

— Rotate the re-

Note:

onds to press a memory location code
number,
begin again at Step 2.

To select a stored frequency, press

FM, MW, LW

Then enter the memory location code.

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If you wait more than 15 sec-

M

stops flashing and you must

, or SW to select the band.