Firmware Upgrades to HD Radios?

[JohnnyElectron]

Question of the day - all of my HD radios thus far have an imfamous "Service" connector on them (similar to an S-Video or keyboard jack). Are these usuable for some sort of a 'firmware upgrade' for the radio? If they have a fix for the horrible AGC / narrow bandwidth / volume reduction problem on AM - then I'm game for an upgrade for all 3 of my rigs. If they have a way to add a manual 'force to analog' control (or menu item) with this 'service connector' upgrade - I'm game for that too.
Anybody know if we can do our own firmware flashes? Inquiring minds must know!

 

[Tom Wells]

To enter the "service and tuning" mode, apply a 60-hz +900 db sine wave to any two pins.

Two puffs of smoke will indicate you are in service mode.

Go get an old Zenith, Philco or Motorola and enjoy.

 

[kenglish]

I'd like to know the same thing.....
Seems like it would be an easy way to make programming changes, like (maybe) expanding the coverage to 76-108 MHz after the DTV Transition, or bringing the on-screen data out to a computer for remote operation.

Or, even putting the song titles on a large LED display.

 

[Savage]

Tom, thanks for the out-loud belly laugh re: "service and tuning mode."

This procedure is recommended for any and all HD Radios. "Service" one today!!

If you're gonna enjoy a shutter-dial Zenith or Philco, just make sure your favorite station isn't adjacent to an HD sewer-spewer.

 

[KB1OKL]

To enter the "service and tuning" mode, apply a 60-hz +900 db sine wave to any two pins.

Two puffs of smoke will indicate you are in service mode.

Go get an old Zenith, Philco or Motorola and enjoy.

Another great way to "service" them is to bring them to Lima, Peru where I am now and plug them in and turn them on....... to the 220 VAC here, haha!

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

Nahhhhh! Don't do all those mean things to your nice DSP radio! Hell it's not the poor radio's fault is has the HD BUG programmed into it. They still will make excellent analog (at least FM) radios after the IBAC hissers finally get shut off by the corporate goons in a few years due to lack of interest in paying the light bill for them.

There is one good thing that has come out of "HD radio". That's commercially plentiful DSP radios for the broadcast band that are nothing short of stellar for ANALOG reception. Yeah, they cost more than normal radios but then again they are worth it IMHO.

I own 4 HD radios. Not one of them was really bought for HD features. Other than tuning to one of the occationally out of being curious if the secondaries are even running I have no interest in any of the extra robot programming HD offers. Hooked up to a good antenna though all of the good little stations in small markets surrounding me sure make these DSP radios worthwile.

;D

 

[LinoNYC]

To enter the "service and tuning" mode, apply a 60-hz +900 db sine wave to any two pins.

Two puffs of smoke will indicate you are in service mode.

Go get an old Zenith, Philco or Motorola and enjoy.

Another great way to "service" them is to bring them to Lima, Peru where I am now and plug them in and turn them on....... to the 220 VAC here, haha!

Won't fly with the acurian beavis, SMPS 100-240 50/60 Shows how knowledgeable you are on this subject.

[EDIT]

Lino

[EDIT-inflammatory]

 

[Chuck]

Most users tend to agree that the better HD radios come from Sony and Sangean. At least the HD radios I own have conventional power supplies, with a transformer, bridge rectifiers and some voltage regulators. That is probably why they work better than the Acurian. Most switch mode power supplies are real noise generators, especially in the MW frequencies. It seems counter-productive to use on in an AM radio.

Applying 220-240 to them would be a problem, at least until you let out all the smoke.
Where is your sense of adventure? Or humor?

 

[KB1OKL]

Most users tend to agree that the better HD radios come from Sony and Sangean. At least the HD radios I own have conventional power supplies, with a transformer, bridge rectifiers and some voltage regulators. That is probably why they work better than the Acurian. Most switch mode power supplies are real noise generators, especially in the MW frequencies. It seems counter-productive to use on in an AM radio.

Applying 220-240 to them would be a problem, at least until you let out all the smoke.
Where is your sense of adventure? Or humor?

I think like most people with their back against the wall, the HD promoters have lost their's and are in Pit bull mode.

 

[LinoNYC]

Most users tend to agree that the better HD radios come from Sony and Sangean. At least the HD radios I own have conventional power supplies, with a transformer, bridge rectifiers and some voltage regulators. That is probably why they work better than the Acurian. Most switch mode power supplies are real noise generators, especially in the MW frequencies. It seems counter-productive to use on in an AM radio.

Applying 220-240 to them would be a problem, at least until you let out all the smoke.
Where is your sense of adventure? Or humor?

Properly filtered kept a foot or more (I just experimented) from the AM antenna there is no advantage to iron over SMPS. Bear in mind that the biggest noise generator is the computer and display in the receiver itself.

If those other sets perform better than the acurian, it is likely to do with the mechanical layout of the internals. this was the big problem with the B.A.

Lino

 

[Chuck]

If those other sets perform better than the acurian, it is likely to do with the mechanical layout of the internals. this was the big problem with the B.A.

Lino

That could be. The Sangean is encased in metal. I'm sure that helps, but I still can't get very good AM performance out of it with the supplied loop antenna. It is hard to get it in a null position to get rid of the self-generated noise. And that particular radio has a conventional power supply.