Compared to other DSP radios of similar size (PL-380, R-108...) I find my PL-310ET to be extremely deaf on MW (AM broadcast band). The longwave band is even worse.
So let's take it apart and see what can be done.
The poor-quality ferrite bar is shaped like a banana.
I borrowed the ferrite antenna from a rotating loop desing I buit a few years ago. After removing the connections to the internal loopstick, I found it worked quite well on the LW coil section.
So I ordered a larger 10-inch monster rod which seems to work quite well on MW. Manx Radio on 1368kHz is a good daytime test signal, at the lower end of the band I can hear Carolone 648kHz and Spectrum 558kHz.
The radio design has been around a few years so I'm sure someone else will have tried this. There are certainly some mods documented for the PL-380. Sure enough, I found an article on the Ultralights group showing how the spare contacts on the antenna socket can be utilised to switch out the internal ferrite loopstick and use and external antenna.
Further updates may follow.
So let's take it apart and see what can be done.
The poor-quality ferrite bar is shaped like a banana.
I borrowed the ferrite antenna from a rotating loop desing I buit a few years ago. After removing the connections to the internal loopstick, I found it worked quite well on the LW coil section.
So I ordered a larger 10-inch monster rod which seems to work quite well on MW. Manx Radio on 1368kHz is a good daytime test signal, at the lower end of the band I can hear Carolone 648kHz and Spectrum 558kHz.
The radio design has been around a few years so I'm sure someone else will have tried this. There are certainly some mods documented for the PL-380. Sure enough, I found an article on the Ultralights group showing how the spare contacts on the antenna socket can be utilised to switch out the internal ferrite loopstick and use and external antenna.
Further updates may follow.
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