20-227.fm Page 1 Wednesday, August 4, 1999 10:13 AM
Cat. No. 20-227
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
DX-397
AM/FM/SW 12-Band
Portable Receiver
20-227.fm Page 3 Wednesday, August 4, 1999 10:13 AM
CONTENTS
Preparation .................................................................................. 4
Connecting to Power ............................................................. 4
Installing Batteries .......................................................... 4
Using Standard AC Power ............................................. 5
Using Vehicle Battery Power .......................................... 6
Adjusting the Antennas ......................................................... 7
Connecting an Earphone/Headphones ................................. 8
Listening Safely .............................................................. 8
Traffic Safety .................................................................. 9
Operation ................................................................................... 10
Listening Hints .......................................................................... 11
Reference Sources .............................................................. 11
Frequency Conversion ........................................................ 11
Band Allocation ................................................................... 12
International Frequencies ............................................. 12
Time Standard Frequencies ......................................... 13
Listening Guide ......................................................................... 14
Care and Maintenance .............................................................. 18
The FCC Wants You to Know .............................................. 19
Specifications ........................................................................... 20
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PREPARATION
CONNECTING TO POWER
You can power the receiver from internal batteries, standard AC
power, or your vehicle’s battery.
Installing Batteries
You can use three AA batteries (not supplied) to power the receiv-
er. For the best results and longest life, we recommend alkaline
batteries such as RadioShack Cat. No. 23-552.
Cautions:
• Always use fresh batteries of the required size and recom-
mended type.
• Do not mix old and new batteries, different types of batteries
(standard, alkaline, or rechargeable), or rechargeable batteries
of different capacities.
Follow these steps to install the batteries.
1. Open the battery compartment cover by
pressing on the dotted portion and slid-
ing it in the direction of the arrow below.
(Illus)
(Illus)
2. Slide three AA batteries into
the compartment according to
the polarity symbols (+ and –)
marked inside.
3. Close the cover.
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Cautions:
• If you will not be using battery power or if you will only use an
adapter for several months, remove the batteries.
• Dispose of old batteries promptly and properly.
Using Standard AC Power
To power the receiver from standard AC power, you need an op-
tional AC adapter, such as Cat. No. 273-1662.
Note: Connecting an AC adapter disconnects internal batteries.
Cautions:
• The AC adapter must be capable of delivering 4.5 volts, its
center tip must be set to negative, it must deliver at least 200
milliamps, and its barrel plug must properly fit the receiver’s DC
IN 4.5V jack. The recommended adapter meets these specifica-
tions. Using an adapter that does not meet these specifications
could damage the receiver or the adapter.
• When you finish using the AC adapter, unplug it from the AC
outlet first, then disconnect it from the receiver.
Follow these steps to use AC power.
(Illus)
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1. Set the adapter’s voltage switch to 4.5V.
2. Line up the 5.5 mm outer diameter/2.1 mm inner diameter bar-
rel plug with the adapter’s socket so it reads –TIP, and insert
the plug into the socket.
3. Insert the barrel plug into the receiver’s DC IN 4.5V jack.
4. Plug the adapter into a standard AC outlet.
Using Vehicle Battery Power
To power the receiver from your vehicle’s battery, you need an op-
tional DC cigarette lighter adapter, such as Cat. No. 270-1560.
Cautions:
• The DC cigarette lighter adapter must be capable of delivering
4.5 volts, its center tip must be set to negative, it must deliver
at least 200 milliamps, and its barrel plug must properly fit the
receiver’s DC IN 4.5V jack. The recommended adapter meets
these specifications. Using an adapter that does not meet
these specifications could damage the receiver or the adapter.
• Always plug the DC cigarette lighter adapter into the receiver
before you plug it into your vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket.
Always unplug the adapter from the vehicle's cigarette-lighter
socket before you unplug it from the receiver.
Follow these steps to power the receiver from your vehicle’s battery.
(illus)
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1. Set the DC cigarette lighter adapter’s voltage switch to 4.5V.
2. Line up the 5.5 mm outer diameter/2.1 mm inner diameter bar-
rel plug with the adapter’s socket so it reads –TIP, and insert
the plug into the socket.
3. Insert the adapter’s barrel plug into the receiver’s DC IN 4.5 V
jack.
4. Insert the adapter’s plug into the vehicle’s cigarette-lighter
socket.
ADJUSTING THE ANTENNAS
FM/SW — For the best FM and short-
wave reception, pull up the telescoping
antenna’s base, then fully extend the an-
tenna and position it for the best recep-
tion.
(Illus)
MW (AM) — For the best MW reception,
rotate the receiver. The receiver uses a
built-in antenna for this band.
(Illus)
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CONNECTING AN EARPHONE/
HEADPHONES
For private listening, you can plug optional mono headphones or an
earphone with a 1/8-inch (3.5 mm) plug (both available at your local
RadioShack store) into the
jack on the left side of the receiver.
This automatically disconnects the internal speaker.
(illus)
Listening Safely
To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use an
earphone or headphones.
• Do not listen at extremely high volume levels. Extended high-
volume listening can lead to permanent hearing loss.
• Set the volume to the lowest setting before you begin listening.
After you begin listening, adjust the volume to a comfortable
level.
• Once you set the volume, do not increase it. Over time, your
ears adapt to the volume level, so a volume level that does not
cause discomfort might still damage your hearing.
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Traffic Safety
Do not use an earphone or headphones with your receiver when
operating a motor vehicle or riding a bicycle in or near traffic. Doing
so can create a traffic hazard and could be illegal in some areas.
If you use an earphone or headphones with your receiver, be very
careful. Do not listen to a continuous broadcast. Even though some
earphones or headphones let you hear some outside sounds when
listening at normal volume levels, they still can present a traffic haz-
ard.
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OPERATION
POWER
ON
.
1. To turn on the receiver, slide
to
(illus)
SW/MW/FM
2. Set
to the desired band. To tune a shortwave
SW/MW/FM 10
1
broadcast, set
to one of the SW bands ( to ).
See “International Frequencies” on Page 12 for information
about each SW band.
(illus)
TUNING
3. Adjust
to tune to the
desired station then adjust
either of the radio’s antennas
if necessary (see “Adjusting
the Antennas” on Page 7).
The TUNING indicator on the
front of the receiver lights
when a station is properly
tuned.
(Illus)
VOLUME
4. Adjust
to a comfort-
able listening level.
(Illus)
POWER
OFF
to turn off the receiver.
5. Slide
to
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LISTENING HINTS
Shortwave listening is a hobby with thousands of participants
worldwide. It requires no special knowledge or skills, but your en-
joyment increases as you gain experience and develop special lis-
tening techniques.
The information in this section can help you make the most of your
DX-397.
REFERENCE SOURCES
Publications about shortwave listening such as Listening to Short-
wave Radio (available at your local RadioShack store), the World
Radio Handbook, Radio Amateur’s Handbook, Passport to World
Band Radio, Monitoring Times, and Popular Communications are
available through your local library or newsstand. These publica-
tions can help you learn about the conditions that make long-dis-
tance reception possible and provide up-to-date listings for
shortwave broadcasts in English and in other languages.
FREQUENCY CONVERSION
A band is a group of frequencies. Sometimes, bands are grouped
according to their wavelengths, in meters. The tuning location of a
station can be expressed as a frequency (kHz or MHz) or a wave-
length (meters).
Amateur radio operators generally refer to the frequencies they op-
erate on using the frequency’s wavelength. For example, the 19-
meter band refers to the range of frequencies with waves about 19
meters long.
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Use the following equations to convert kHz, MHz, and meters.
To convert MHz to kHz, multiply by 1,000. For example:
9.62 MHz ¥ 1000 = 9,620 kHz
To convert kHz to MHz, divide by 1,000. For example:
2780 kHz ³ 1000 = 2.780 MHz
To convert MHz to meters, divide 300 by the number of MHz. For
example:
300 ³ 7.1 MHz = 42.25 meters
To convert meters to MHz, divide 300 by the number of meters. For
example:
300 ³ 42.25 meters = 7.1 MHz
BAND ALLOCATION
International Frequencies
International commercial broadcasts are found in the following
shortwave bands. Programs (often in English) usually contain
news, commentaries, music, and special features reflecting the cul-
ture of the broadcasting country. Reception for this range is best
between 6:00 PM and midnight (your time).
Frequency Range
Band
(in MHz)
SW1
SW2
4.39–5.18
5.72–6.33
7.00–8.05
9.20–10.02
11.35–12.25
SW3
*
SW4
SW5
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Frequency Range
Band
(in MHz)
**
SW6
SW7
13.25–14.28
15.00–16.05
17.30–18.18
18.70–19.25
21.20–22.30
SW8
SW9
SW10
* These bands are reserved for stations in tropical areas.
** Interference is heavy in this band because amateur radio opera-
tors and international stations share this range.
Time Standard Frequencies
These stations announce the exact time of day at specified inter-
vals.
WWV in Fort Collins, Colorado: 5,000 kHz
CHU in Canada: 7,335 kHz
VNG in Australia: 12,000 kHz
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LISTENING GUIDE
The following list contains some of the most popular stations. All
stations broadcast in English unless otherwise specified. You can
hear these stations throughout North America. However, reception
varies based on the season, time of day, and a number of other
conditions.
This information can change at any time. For sources of yearly, up-
to-date listings, see “Reference Sources” on Page 11.
kHz
Station
Location
Programs are in:
4,750
4,755
Radio Bertoua
Bertoua, Cameroon
Imo, Nigeria
Imo Regional
Radio
4,777
4,795
Radio/TV Gabon
Libreville, Gabon
La Paz, Bolivia
French
Radio Nueva
America
Spanish
4,820
4,832
4,855
Radio Paz y Bien
Radio Reloj
Ambala, Ecuador
San Jose, Costa Rica
Belem, Brazil
Spanish
Spanish
Radio Clube do
Para
Portuguese
4,890
National
Papua New Guinea
Broadcasting
Commission
4,915
4,920
Voice Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya
Australian
Brisbane, Australia
Broadcasting
Commission
4,945
4,965
4,980
Radio Colosal
Radio Santa Fe
Ecos del Torbes
Neiva, Colombia
Bogota, Colombia
Spanish
Spanish
Spanish
San Cristobal,
Venezuela
5,020
Solomon Islands
Broadcasting
Service
Honiara,
Solomon Islands
5,057
5,950
Radio Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster, Albania
Georgetown, Guyana
Albanian
Guyana
Broadcasting
Service
5,954
Radio Casino
Puerto Limon,
Costa Rica
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kHz
Station
Location
Programs are in:
5,960
Radio Canada
International
Montreal, Canada
5,980
Radio RSA
Johannesburg,
South Africa
6,005
6,025
CFCX
Montreal, Canada
Radio Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
Chinese
6,045
6,055
Radio Australia
Lyndhurst, Australia
Tokyo, Japan
Nihon Shortwave
Broadcasting
Company
Japanese
6,060
Radio Nacional
Buenos Aires,
Argentina
Spanish
Spanish
6,075
6,090
Radio Sutatenza
Bogota, Colombia
Radio Luxem-
bourg
Ville Louvigny,
Luxembourg
6,095
6,105
Polskie Radio
Warsaw, Poland
Radio
New Zealand
Wellington, New
Zealand
7,140
7,170
Trans World
Radio
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Radio Noumea
Noumea, New
Caledonia
French
7,300
9,475
9,515
9,525
9,530
Radio Tirana
Radio Cairo
Tirana, Albania
Cairo, Egypt
Voice of Greece
Radio Korea
Athens, Greece
Seoul, South Korea
Madrid, Spain
Spanish Foreign
Radio
9,535
9,540
Swiss Radio
International
Berne, Switzerland
Radio Prague
Prague,
Czech Republic
9,570
9,575
Radio Bucharest
Bucharest, Romania
Rome, Italy
Italian Radio and
Television Ser-
vice
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kHz
Station
Location
Programs are in:
9,610
9,620
Radio-TV Algeria
Algiers, Algeria
Berlin, Germany
Arabic
Radio Berlin
International
9,645
9,720
9,745
9,770
9,800
9,835
11,655
11,690
11,705
11,720
11,735
11,745
Radio Norway
Radio Iran
Oslo, Norway
Tehran, Iran
Farsi
HCJB
Quito, Ecuador
Vienna, Austria
Kiev, Ukraine
Austrian Radio
Radio Kiev
Radio Budapest
Israel Radio
Radio Kuwait
Radio Sweden
Radio Moscow
Radio Sofia
Budapest, Hungary
Jerusalem, Israel
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Stockholm, Sweden
Moscow, Russia
Sofia, Bulgaria
Taipei, Taiwan
Voice of Free
China
11,815
11,825
11,835
11,845
Radio Japan
Radio Tahiti
4VEH
Tokyo, Japan
Papeete, Tahiti
Cap Haitien, Haiti
Montreal, Canada
Tahitian
Radio Canada
International
11,850
11,890
11,900
Deutsche Welle
Voice of Chile
Radio RSA
Cologne, Germany
Santiago, Chile
Johannesburg, South
Africa
11,910
11,930
BBC
London, England
Havana, Cuba
Radio Havana
Cuba
11,935
11,945
11,955
11,980
15,135
15,165
Radio Portugal
Radio Beijing
Voice of Turkey
Radio Moscow
Radio Moscow
HCJB
Lisbon, Portugal
Beijing, China
Ankara, Turkey
Moscow, Russia
Moscow, Russia
Quito, Ecuador
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kHz
Station
Location
Programs are in:
15,190
15,205
15,260
15,265
15,275
15,305
ORU
Brussels, Belgium
New Delhi, India
London, England
Helsinki, Finland
Stockholm, Sweden
Berne, Switzerland
All India Radio
BBC
Finnish Radio
Radio Sweden
Swiss Radio
International
15,310
15,320
15,400
15,430
15,465
17,720
Radio Japan
Radio Australia
BBC
Tokyo, Japan
Melbourne, Australia
London, England
Mexico City, Mexico
Islamabad, Pakistan
Paris, France
Radio Mexico
Radio Pakistan
Spanish
Urdu
Radio France
International
17,825
17,860
21,495
21,525
21,625
21,645
Vatican Radio
Austrian Radio
Israel Radio
Vatican City
Vienna, Austria
Jerusalem, Israel
Melbourne, Australia
Jerusalem, Israel
Paris, France
Radio Australia
Israel Radio
Radio France
International
21,735
Radio-TV
Morocco
Rabat, Morocco
Arabic
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Your RadioShack DX-397 AM/FM/SW 12-Band Portable Receiver
is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following
suggestions will help you care for your receiver so you can enjoy it
for years.
Keep the receiver dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry imme-
diately. Liquids can contain minerals that can cor-
rode the electronic circuits.
Use and store the receiver only in normal tempera-
ture environments. Temperature extremes can
shorten the life of electronic devices, damage batter-
ies, and distort or melt plastic parts.
Handle the receiver gently and carefully. Dropping it
can damage circuit boards and cases and can cause
the receiver to work improperly.
Keep the receiver away from dust and dirt, which can
cause premature wear of parts.
Wipe the receiver with a damp cloth occasionally to
keep it looking new. Do not use harsh chemicals,
cleaning solvents, or strong detergents to clean the
receiver.
Use only fresh batteries of the required size and rec-
ommended type. Always remove old and weak bat-
teries. They can leak chemicals that destroy
electronic circuits.
Modifying or tampering with the receiver’s internal components can
cause a malfunction, invalidate your receiver’s warranty and void
your FCC authorization to operate it. If your receiver is not operat-
ing as it should, take it to your local RadioShack store for assis-
tance.
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THE FCC WANTS YOU TO KNOW
Your receiver might cause radio or TV interference even when it is
operating properly. To determine whether your receiver is causing
the interference, turn off your receiver. If the interference goes
away, your receiver is causing it. Try to eliminate the interference
by:
• Moving your receiver away from the receiver
• Connecting your receiver to an outlet that is on a different elec-
trical circuit from the receiver
• Contacting your local RadioShack store for help
If you cannot eliminate the interference, the FCC requires that you
stop using your receiver.
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SPECIFICATIONS
Power Supply ........................................................... 3 AA batteries
AC/DC adapter 4.5V DC 200 mA center tip negative
Frequency Ranges:
FM ....................................................................... 88–108 MHz
MW (AM) .......................................................... 530–1710 kHz
SW1 (60 m) ..................................................... 4.39–5.18 MHz
SW2 (49 m) ..................................................... 5.72–6.33 MHz
SW3 (41 m) ..................................................... 7.00–8.05 MHz
SW4 (31 m) ................................................... 9.20–10.02 MHz
SW5 (25 m) ................................................. 11.35–12.25 MHz
SW6 (21 m) ................................................. 13.25–14.28 MHz
SW7 (19 m) ................................................. 15.00–16.05 MHz
SW8 (16 m) ................................................. 17.30–18.18 MHz
SW9 (15 m) ................................................. 18.70–19.25 MHz
SW10 (13 m) ............................................... 21.20–22.30 MHz
Maximum Sensitivity (for 50 mW output 8 Ohm):
FM ................................................................ 6.3 µV at 98 MHz
MW (AM) ................................................. 631 µV at 1,000 kHz
SW1 (60 m) .................................................. 10 µV at 4.9 MHz
SW2 (49 m) ................................................ 10 µV at 6.05 MHz
SW3 (41 m) .................................................. 10 µV at 7.2 MHz
SW4 (31 m) ............................................... 12.6 µV at 9.5 MHz
SW5 (25 m) ............................................. 12.6 µV at 11.7 MHz
SW6 (21 m) ............................................. 12.6 µV at 13.8 MHz
SW7 (19 m) ............................................. 15.9 µV at 15.5 MHz
SW8 (16 m) ............................................. 15.9 µV at 17.5 MHz
SW9 (15 m) ............................................. 15.9 µV at 18.9 MHz
SW10 (13 m) ........................................... 15.9 µV at 21.5 MHz
Usable Sensitivity (for 20 dB S/N):
FM (for 30 dB S/N) ..................................... 12.6 µV at 98 MHz
MW (AM) .............................................. 1,000 µV at 1,000 kHz
SW1 (60 m) ............................................... 12.6 µV at 4.9 MHz
SW2 (49 m) ............................................. 12.6 µV at 6.05 MHz
SW3 (41 m) ............................................... 12.6 µV at 7.2 MHz
SW4 (31 m) ............................................... 12.6 µV at 9.5 MHz
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SW5 (25 m) ............................................ 12.6 µV at 11.7 MHz
SW6 (21 m) ............................................ 12.6 µV at 13.8 MHz
SW7 (19 m) ............................................ 15.9 µV at 15.5 MHz
SW8 (16 m) ............................................ 15.9 µV at 17.5 MHz
SW9 (15 m) ............................................ 15.9 µV at 18.9 MHz
SW10 (13 m) .......................................... 15.9 µV at 21.5 MHz
Speaker ................................................. 2.5 Inch, 8 Ohm, 0.5 Watt
Output Power ....... 150 mW 8 Ohm (10% THD) for built-in speaker
5 mW per channel for headphones
Headphone Jack ................................... 1/8 Inch (3.5 mm), 32 Ohm
Dimensions (HWD) ...................................... 31/2 × 65/8 × 11/4 Inches
(90 × 167 × 32 mm)
Weight:
Without Batteries ............................................. 9.87 oz (280 g)
With Batteries ..................................................... 12 oz (340 g)
Specifications are typical; individual units might vary. Specifications
are subject to change and improvement without notice.
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NOTES
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Limited Ninety-Day Warranty
This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in mate-
rial and workmanship under normal use for ninety (90) days from the date of pur-
chase from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack
franchisees and dealers. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES
NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING
THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PUR-
POSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE WRITTEN
LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED
HEREIN, RadioShack SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY TO
CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY
LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAMAGE CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE
OR PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH
OF THIS WARRANTY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGES
RESULTING FROM INCONVENIENCE, LOSS OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY,
REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CON-
SEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF RadioShack HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow the limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or
the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or
exclusions may not apply to you.
In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product and
the RadioShack sales receipt as proof of purchase date to any RadioShack store.
RadioShack will, at its option, unless otherwise provided by law: (a) correct the
defect by product repair without charge for parts and labor; (b) replace the product
with one of the same or similar design; or (c) refund the purchase price. All re-
placed parts and products, and products on which a refund is made, become the
property of RadioShack. New or reconditioned parts and products may be used in
the performance of warranty service. Repaired or replaced parts and products are
warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period. You will be charged
for repair or replacement of the product made after the expiration of the warranty
period.
This warranty does not cover: (a) damage or failure caused by or attributable to
acts of God, abuse, accident, misuse, improper or abnormal usage, failure to fol-
low instructions, improper installation or maintenance, alteration, lightning or other
incidence of excess voltage or current; (b) any repairs other than those provided
by a RadioShack Authorized Service Facility; (c) consumables such as fuses or
batteries; (d) cosmetic damage; (e) transportation, shipping or insurance costs; or
(f) costs of product removal, installation, set-up service adjustment or reinstalla-
tion.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights
which vary from state to state.
RadioShack Customer Relations, Dept. W, 100 Throckmorton St., Suite 600,
Fort Worth, TX 76102
We Service What We Sell
3/97
RadioShack
A Division of Tandy Corporation
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
4A8
Printed in China
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