DX button

Hi where is the DX and LOCAL button on a president mc kinley thanks 

Hmm…not sure I understand your query

Hi Lionel,


I've seen the DX/Local type of switch on older radios but also on newer models like the Midland Alan 48 Pro.

On the older radios they were usually wired up as an RF attenuator so similar to turning the RF gain all the way down but some were also wired as the low/high RF power switch. Strangely the Midland I mention has both RF gain controls and a DX/Local switch so without perusing a circuit diagram or manual am unsure why it would have both.

There doesn't seem to be such a facility on the McKinley unless hidden in the modern day trend of 'menu' options and not owning one I wouldn't be able to verify this for you. (Someone who owns one may be able to chip in here.)

I personally wouldn't worry and simply utilise the RF gain as needed (I know many crank it all the way up and leave it there) but it can be a useful control when used wisely.


Enjoy your radio and all the best,

Victor

I have not found the Dx , Local option on my Mk kinley, I have 2 of them, both have had the wire cut to expand them.

I own 2 McKinleys and have never seen any DX/Local switch on them, hence my above bewilderment. I expanded both a long time ago. Sturdy radios. Very good receive and modulation. Weak microphone, hard to read the frequency numbers on the small screen and a pain to fiddle with ref and pwr as you need to always push a combination of 2 to 3 keys to access those and other functions.

Right thanks for your input people i will just keep using it as it is i was using it last night and everything seemed ok i was talking to someone for some time

Victor wrote:

Hi Lionel,


I've seen the DX/Local type of switch on older radios but also on newer models like the Midland Alan 48 Pro.

On the older radios they were usually wired up as an RF attenuator so similar to turning the RF gain all the way down but some were also wired as the low/high RF power switch. Strangely the Midland I mention has both RF gain controls and a DX/Local switch so without perusing a circuit diagram or manual am unsure why it would have both.

There doesn't seem to be such a facility on the McKinley unless hidden in the modern day trend of 'menu' options and not owning one I wouldn't be able to verify this for you. (Someone who owns one may be able to chip in here.)

I personally wouldn't worry and simply utilise the RF gain as needed (I know many crank it all the way up and leave it there) but it can be a useful control when used wisely.


Enjoy your radio and all the best,

Victor

Thanks Victor, careful use of the RF gain is a must.
The op can still work DX with RF gain turned down.

Never a truer word said Mike and often missed or even dismissed by many.  


It is something that anyone can easily discover by simply turning down the RF gain on a difficult to read signal to see if it improves any and often ignoring the S-meter whilst doing it. 

On my old Yaesu FT757 the S-meter rises or goes up as you turn the RF gain down and you only have to match the needle to where the noise levels are to immediately hear the benefits. It also has quite a fierce RF ATT (Attenuator) control of -20dB and often pressing it makes the S-meter plummet to nothing but the signal comes popping through (often after turning the volume up) even though the meter is barely flinching. This is similar to what a DX/Local switch would do although most radios have them set to about -10dB.

There is also the added advantage of using such methods in that you can effectively defeat the AGC (Automatic Gain Control) circuitry in your radio if you have a nearby strong signal affecting you. If one of the local Hams is on the same band as me although on a different frequency my meter and signal volume will 'dip' like crazy from overloading of the radio front end with the AGC pumping in like mad. A press of that button or turning the RF gain down often stops that from happening.


I always thrill at the operator who 'drive' their radio like they were running a steam engine with a twist of a knob here, a button push there and a tweak of a control such as the ATU or transmatch to literally 'pull' in those radio signals. (Our very own Neal - SangueG had an awesome video of him on his little Xiegu with fingers tweaking controls like a true expert.  )


It might seem counterintuitive to turn down the RF gain and especially in an age where radio performance is rated by it's dB or microvolt sensitivity/rating, but AGC circuits are not perfect and although advances have been made with SDR and DSP circuitry the issues remain the same.

That RF gain control is still there on many radios for a very good reason.  

that's the spirit Victor keep twiddling and it will all come right in the end 

Ah, for some Lionel it might appear to be 'twiddling' and for others it's knowing how to operate their radio.

excellent stuff