MURS Radio - FAQs - Kaito KA1102
Can I attach an external antenna?
A 20 foot external antenna is included with the radio. You can add additional lengths of wire as desired. Be sure to disconnect any external antenna after use so that you minimize potential lightning damage.
Why do I sometimes hear a shortwave station and other times I don't?
Shortwave radio signals are often dependent atmospheric conditions and sunspots. Different times of day can change the way shortwave signals propagate across the globe. In addition, shortwave stations do not all transmit 24 hours a day. Here is a beginner's guide to shortwave that contains handy information.
Below are some hints and tips...
Manual Error - Wall Charger
There is an error in the manual that states the wall charger
runs on 220 VAC. This is incorrect as the USA version operates on
120 VAC. Your radio was supplied with the proper 120 VAC wall
charger.
Memory/VFO Tuning
Quick VFO tuning: Press the Scan button until STEP appears in the display. You can now tune up and down via the - and + buttons below the SCAN button.
Entering in a frequency: Make sure you are in the proper band.
Press ENTER then enter the frequency. In the FM band, to enter 102.1
MHz, press ENTER, 1 0 2 1 ENTER. You can also press 1 0
2 1 0 and this will enter the last digit automatically. In the AM
band, to enter 560 kHz, press ENTER, 5 6 0. In the SW band, to enter
5070 kHz, press ENTER, 5 0 7 0. You can also quick enter
frequencies such as 10.000 MHz but pressing ENTER, 10, ENTER.
Move between memories: Press the Scan button until MEM appears in the display. You can now tune between all set memories in that memory page by using the - and + buttons below the SCAN button.
Set a memory: Direct enter or tune your desired frequency.
Press SCAN so that MEM is displayed. Press P and the memory page
desired. Press M/LOCK to set the memory location in that page. When
setting a memory location above 9, like for instance 15, press 0,
for 10, and the tens digit will appear. Press 5 and 15 will be
displayed.
SSB Reception
SSB reception on this radio is via an adjustable beat frequency
oscillator (BFO) on the side of the radio. In order to activate it,
you need to press the SSB button below the BFO adjustment. To make
the SSB button stay on, be sure you are in the SW range by pressing
the SW/Meter button. Then you must be in page 9 pf the memory banks.
To get to page 9 of the memory pages, press the P button and then 9.
This also allows you to step through frequencies at 1 kHz rather
than 5 kHz in the other memory pages. Note: pressing the SSB
button in any memory page other than page 9 will allow SSB reception
while the button is depressed. ERR will be displayed but you can
still monitor SSB while the button is pressed.
Poor Reception
Check the DX/Local switch on the left side of the radio. Set it
to DX for best reception. Also check the Music/News switch on the
right side of the radio.
Press the AM: W/N button to change the receiver bandwidth from wide to narrow or vice versa.
Use the external antenna supplied with the radio. If listening to
MW (AM broadcast), you may need to turn the radio as there is an
internal ferrite antenna inside the radio for this band. Moving the
position of the radio and antenna, such as near a window, can help
improve reception for all bands.
Move radio away from computers, TVs, or other electrical
appliances to reduce local noise. Computers emit a lot of noise in
the shortwave range. If you are an apartment dweller or have close
neighbors, devices in other homes can cause radio interference.
Remember that SW stations are subject to atmospheric conditions,
time of day, local noise and may not be receivable at all times.
Most shortwave stations do not transmit 24 hours a day. Stations
also beam their signals to different parts of the globe and may not
be directed toward your location at all times.
Charging the Internal Batteries
Plugging the AC adapter into the radio does not automatically charge the batteries, it simply disconnects them and allows the AC adapter to power the radio. To charge the supplied NiMH rechargeable batteries, you must turn the radio off. Then press the CHARGE button, the battery icon will flash in the display. Within 4 seconds, press the 7 button to set the radio's charger time to charge for 7 hours. (You may need to adjust this time setting to suit your needs if the batteries do not completely charge or get too warm.) Charging stops once you turn the radio on.
External Antennas
When using the supplied external antenna or any custom made external antenna, you should disconnect it from the radio when not in use or during a storm. Static build up or a lightning discharge could damage the radio and cause bodily injury.
Locked Up
In the rare event that your radio locks up and stops responding,
take the batteries out for a 30 seconds or so and reinstall them.
The clock may reset but memories should be intact.
Kaito KA1102 Email List
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