Thursday, September 14, 2006

Eton E1, Reception Modes; Audio Quality


In addition to the usual modes AM and SSB (which can be used for ECSS), the E1 is equipped with a selectable-sideband AM synchronous detector (AMSD). The ECSS technique is supposedly well-known among DX-ers so I will not go into that subject here except note that the E1's ECSS reception is very good, once the frequency alignment has been done.

So what does AMSD do? Some say that AMSD is the life and soul of a receiver - hinting perhaps that a non-AMSD receiver is no good. Baloney. For further enlightenment on the possible virtues of AMSD, please read Dallas Lankford's articles on the subject.

AMSD is often associated with reducing distortion caused by selective fading. This is true, but you don't really need an AMSD for that, you can use an Elliptic Low Pass Audio Filter (ELPAF) instead. Selectable-sideband AMSD can also be used for reducing interference from one side much the same way as with ECSS.

AMSD has one downside compared to ordinary AM: It is usually non-transparent; it needs to lock onto a signal. This takes time, and is often accompanied with growling when the radio tries to center on the passband. Some AMSDs loose lock fast, some stay put.

The E1's AMSD has three positions; USB, LSB and DSB (double sideband). I tested its distortion-reducing capabilities on some fading SW frequencies. Reducing distortion will normally be best when using the sidebands, but I found that the AMSD was very effective even in DSB. On MW there wasn't much difference on the signals I tested, but if I had tested with groundwave/skywave blends I believe I might have had the same results as on SW. Comparisons were made with the AM Slow AGC setting. The conclusion is that if I want to listen to a SW broadcast I would probably use AMSD.

And locking to a signal is rather straightforward. It does so within half a second, without muting the receiver's audio (any AR7030 owners out there?), and without growling (any SE-3 owners out there?). Or mostly without growling. If the carrier is far away from the radio's frequency it needs to tune in and does so much more slowly than the SE-3, and it growls a lot.

But what about split-channel DX and interfering stations with very high signal levels? Well there's a mixed bag. I tested this specifically on 1250 (Ontario) with a strong European on 1251. And now we're at the core of the problem. The manual says that the AMSD will lock on the strongest signal in the passband. So even if you choose LSB, adjust the PBT to get away from 1251, and even if you manage to lock on 1250 - if 1251 increases its signal level it will simply take over the lock and you will find yourself listening to 1251 instead of 1250! The problem will of course diminish the further you are away from the offending signal. But there is in fact a problem here. Imagine this happening at 10 seconds before the full hour.

I cannot recommend the use of selectable-sideband AMSD for serious DX unless you are certain that the lock won't be lost and "transferred" as it were, to the interfering station. This is especially true if you operate several receivers and need to let the E1 record audio unattended. On the other hand, if you meet that requirement, the audio quality from the selectable-sideband AMSD is very good.

ECSS audio quality is good, better than expected. There are slight tonal differences between USB and LSB but they are not disturbing in any way. But the difference should have been avoided.

7 comments:

4nradio said...

Hi Bjarne,

I'll be interested to read your comments about strong signal handling with external antennas. My E1 does surprisingly well (best I've encountered in a portable), but our locations are quite different.

I keep forgetting this radio is a portable when I DX with it...it's performance is close to tabletop radio standards in many ways.

73,

Guy

Bjarne Mjelde said...

Guy, I am preparing a post on that, including some negative remarks about its preamp.

Unknown said...

Do you think the Eton E1 can increase sensitivity or Signal by 2db or more after alignment ?

OR more advanced alignment per Service Manual with voltages and signal generator etc ?

Bjarne Mjelde said...

If it's technically possible or not is beyond me. But why would you increase the sensitivity of perhaps the most sensitive portable around, given its rather fragile front-end.

Unknown said...

Well I was speaking of getting an older E1 up to true factory specifications in Sensitivity- not by exceeding them.
Lowering noise 1 or 2 db and accurately calibratong per Ser ice Manual = far beyond me but there are a FEW techs who can do it...

Can't find ANYONE who haz done this except reports by some who have in the past had units Repaired/ Upgraded by Drake some say these were the best E1's because many new units were not accurately calibrated.

Unknown said...

I did not say going beyond Factory Specs Calibrating an E1
Merely calibrating accurately should improve sensitivity and lower noise especially on a 10 year old unit that may never been calibrated accurately in India when made...

PurePowrRock said...

Hello to everyone. And, I hope that all is well.

I would like to kindly request the assistance of the radio community here.

Can someone please provide me with a copy of the service manual with schematics for an Eton E1 radio.

The radio will does not operate under battery power, only when powered via the wall outlet.

Also, any clue what may be the cause of this issue?

Thank you very much for all of your time and kind collaboration.

In anticipation of your replies, Best Regards.