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DX-398 shortwave receiver problem: dead headphone channel

K

Karl

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a Radio Shack DX-398 shortwave reciever, with one of the headphone
channels dead. Anyone know what parts I should check? I don't have a
schematic.
 
S

sofie

Jan 1, 1970
0
Karl:
A schematic is hardly needed to fix the problem you reported.
Most likely broken or cracked solder connections on the headphone jack.
If you are not handy with the right tools and experience this would not be a
very expensive repair at most shops. While you do not have to be a rocket
scientist to fix this, a lot of expensive damage can be done by an improper
repair and disassembly of the radio.
FIRST... it might be wise for you to try another headphone or cord to make
certain that the problem is in the radio and not what is plugged into the
jack.
 
M

Michael Black

Jan 1, 1970
0
sofie" ([email protected]) said:
Karl:
A schematic is hardly needed to fix the problem you reported.
Most likely broken or cracked solder connections on the headphone jack.
If you are not handy with the right tools and experience this would not be a
very expensive repair at most shops. While you do not have to be a rocket
scientist to fix this, a lot of expensive damage can be done by an improper
repair and disassembly of the radio.
FIRST... it might be wise for you to try another headphone or cord to make
certain that the problem is in the radio and not what is plugged into the
jack.

Of course, it's also important to check the headphones in another
piece of equipment, to make sure that it's not the headphone's problem.
It's easier to replace or repair the headphones than take apart
the receiver, so it's worth checking this first.

Michael
 
K

Karl

Jan 1, 1970
0
Well actually, I thought of that right off and tried two different phones. I
also have removed and checked the jack, and it is ok, and I can't find
anything visually awry with traces or components. I guess I'll have to scare
up a schematic somewhere and trace it out.

Thanks for the replies.
 
J

jakdedert

Jan 1, 1970
0
Karl said:
Well actually, I thought of that right off and tried two different
phones. I also have removed and checked the jack, and it is ok, and I
can't find anything visually awry with traces or components. I guess
I'll have to scare up a schematic somewhere and trace it out.

When you get that schematic, check to see if the radio has a *stereo*
headphone jack (you can do this by inspection as well). If not, the only
way you can get both sides to work is by using a 2.5mm mono to stereo
adaptor.

jak
 
A

Andrew Rossmann

Jan 1, 1970
0
When you get that schematic, check to see if the radio has a *stereo*
headphone jack (you can do this by inspection as well). If not, the only
way you can get both sides to work is by using a 2.5mm mono to stereo
adaptor.

It does have a stereo jack. I have the exact same radio, and the
headphone and line-out jacks are the only way to get stereo FM.

For the original poster, did you try the line-out jack? Do both
channels work on it?

RadioShack does have a parts list on-line:
http://support.radioshack.com/support_electronics/doc42/42501.htm

You may also want to look through this FAQ that covers the DX398, and
the radio it's based on, the Sangean ATS-909:
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze20h45/radio/sangean/ats909faq.html
 
K

Karl

Jan 1, 1970
0
Yes, line out works fine. It occurs to me I might have shorted out the right
channel once upon a time when I plugged in a mono speaker to the headphone
jack. That would probably short the right channel to ground. I wasn't aware
of the problem until I plugged in a headphone for the first time in a long
time a couple of days ago.
 
In every headphone jack schematic I have ever seen there are series
resistors that prevent any possible damage if the headphone wires are
shorted.... it is not like a low impedance speaker output that if it
is shorted you end up blowing the audio output amp.
More than likely there is a bad jack, cracked solder connections,
cracked board traces, bad jack (I repeated this on purpose)..... or of
course you could have a marginly incompatable headphone plug.... try
another set of headphones even if the first pair seems to be fine on
other equipment.
electricitym
..
..
..
 
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