RadioShack DX-396 AM/SW/FM Stereo PLL Portable Reciever User Manual

							11
2. Press SW SELECT. m (meter) flashes
for 10 seconds.
3. While 
m flashes, press the desired
band key (
120m - 13m).
The receiver tunes to the lowest fre-
quency in the selected band.
Tuning to a Radio Station
You can tune to a station using the man-
ual, search, direct access, preset, or
scan tuning methods.
• Up-Down Manual
To manually tune to a frequency,
repeatedly press 
< or > until the dis-
play shows the desired frequency.
•Search
To let the receiver find a station,
press and hold 
< or > for more than
2 seconds. The tuner rapidly scans
all frequencies. When you release
the button, the receiver automati-
cally tunes to the next strong sta-
tion.
Note:
 As the receiver rapidly scans
for a station, you will be able to hear
the sounds broadcast from the
passing frequencies.
• Direct Access
To tune directly to a station’s fre-
quency, press 
ENTER. ENTRY
flashes for about 10 seconds. While
it is flashing, press the number but-
tons to select the desired station’s
frequency. Then press 
ENTER
again.Notes:
• Your receiver automatically
rounds the entered frequency to
the nearest valid frequency. For
example, if you try to enter a fre-
quency of 1453 in AM, your
receiver accepts it as 1450. (See
“Setting the AM/FM Tuning Incre-
ment” on Page 8.)
• If you make a mistake in entering
a frequency, 
EEEE flashes on the
display. Enter the frequency
again.
• Preset
To tune directly to a station that is
entered into memory, simply press
the desired preset number (
0–9).
Note:
 You must first store the
desired stations into memory. (See
“Storing Station Frequencies” on
Page 12.)
•Scan
To scan the preset memory loca-
tions, press 
SCAN. The receiver
stops at each station for about 5
seconds. To end scanning, press
SCAN again, or press a preset sta-
tion memory button.
Note:
 If no frequency is stored in a
memory channel or no signal is
received at a memory channel, the
receiver stops at the memory chan-
nel for 1 second and then moves to
the next memory channel.
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							12
Using the Sensitivity Switch
If you are listening to a strong FM, AM,
or SW station
, and the sound is distort-
ed, set the sensitivity switch to 
LOCAL.
This decreases the receiver’s sensitivity
which reduces distortion from strong sig-
nals and prevents reception of weak and
noisy signals which are more common. 
If you are listening to a weak station, set
the sensitivity switch to 
DX (distant).
This increases the receiver’s sensitivity
and improves the station’s reception.
Using the Antenna
Use the following guidelines to adjust
your receiver’s antenna.
Note:
 For better AM and SW reception,
you can connect an external antenna to
the telescoping antenna.
STORING STATION 
FREQUENCIES
For easy selection, you can store up to
30 of your favorite stations’ frequencies
in memory (10 frequencies in each
band; FM, MW, and SW). Once youstore a station’s frequency using a mem-
ory button, you can press this button to
select the stored station.
Caution:
 If you disconnect power from
the receiver for about 30 seconds, all in-
formation stored in memory will be lost.
However, if you disconnect the AC or
DC adapter plug from the receiver’s 
DC
3V
 jack and have batteries installed, the
memory stays intact. 
Follow these steps to store a frequency
in memory.
1. Press 
POWER to turn on the
receiver.
2. Press 
BAND until the desired band
(FM, MW, or SW) appears on the
display.
3. Press 
< or > or the number keys (0 –
9) to tune to the desired station. 
4. Adjust your receiver’s antenna for
the best reception.
Note:
 Use manual, search, or direct
access tuning to tune to the station’s
frequency you want to store.
5. Press 
MEMORY/STORE/AM/PM.
MEMORY flashes.
6. While 
MEMORY flashes, press a
number button to select the memory
location.
Note:
 If you do not press a number
within about 10 seconds, 
MEMORY
stops flashing and you must repeat
Step 5. Band Antenna Adjustments
   
FM Fully extend and rotate the 
telescoping antenna.
   
AMRotate the receiver. 
(AM uses an internal antenna.)
   
SWFully extend the 
telescoping antenna.
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							13
ERASING STORED 
FREQUENCIES
Your shortwave receiver permanently
keeps programmed stations stored in
memory. However, you can erase all or
single stored frequencies from the mem-
ory buttons.
To clear all the memory buttons, you
must reset the receiver.
Note:
 Resetting the receiver clears the
current clock settings.
Using a straightened paper clip, press
RESET (located on the bottom of the re-
ceiver) once. 
12:00 flashes on the dis-
play. Then reset the primary and
secondary clocks.
To clear a single memory button, press
MEMORY/STORE/AM/PM. Press the mem-
ory location button, 
dELE appears. Then
press 
ENTER to clear the memory loca-
tion.
LISTENING HINTS
Listening to shortwave radio can be very
exciting. Newscasts from a country
where important events are taking place
give you a sense of immediacy that local
newscasts seldom deliver.
Although shortwave listening requires
no special knowledge, you might enjoy it
more if you read some of the numerous
books available on this subject. There
are also several periodicals that give lis-
tening hints and seasonal program
schedules.
INTERNATIONAL 
BROADCAST 
FREQUENCIES
International commercial broadcasts are
found in the following bands. Program-
ming (often in English) usually contains
news, commentaries, music, and special
features reflecting the culture of the
broadcasting country. You might find it
easiest to hear these broadcasts be-
tween 6:00 PM and midnight (your time).
Note:
 European stations often list a fre-
quency by giving its wavelength. For ex-
ample, the 19-meter band refers to the
range of frequencies whose waves are
about 19 meters long. 
*These bands are reserved for stations
in tropical areas.
Band 
(In meters)Frequency Range 
(In MHz)
*120 2.300-2.495
*903.200-3.400
75 3.900-4.000
*604.750-5.060
49 5.950-6.200
**417.100-7.300
31 9.500-9.900
2511.650-12.050
22 13.600-13.800
1915.100-15.600
16 17.550-17.900
1321.450-21.850
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							14
**The 41-meter band is shared by ham
operators in the United States and inter-
national stations.
TIME STANDARD 
FREQUENCIES
The following frequencies announce the
exact time of day at specified intervals
for the United States.
Note:
 Other countries also have signal
stations transmitting this type of informa-
tion over WWV or WWVH. You can find
more information about time standard fre-
quencies in Canada at www.inms.nrc.co/
inms.chu.html or in Japan at
www.crl.go.jp/cgi-bin/nph-watch.
FREQUENCY 
CONVERSION
The location of a station can be ex-
pressed in frequency (KHz or MHz) or in
wavelength (meters). The following in-
formation can help you make the neces-
sary conversions.
To convert from MHz to kHz, multiply by
1,000. 
For example:
9.62 MHz x1,000=9,620 kHz
To convert from kHz to MHz, divide by
1,000. 
For example:
15,500 kHz/1,000 = 15.5 MHz
To convert from MHz to meters, divide
300 by the number of MHz. 
For example:
300/12 MHz = 25 meters
WWV 
Fort Collins, 
Colorado:
2.500 MHz
5.000 MHz
10.000 MHz
15.000 MHz
20.000 MHz
WWVH 
Kauai, Hawaii:
10.000 MHz
15.000 MHz
20.000 MHz
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							15
SPECIAL FEATURES
USING THE KEY LOCK
The lock feature prevents you from acci-
dentally turning the receiver on or off,
changing the band or frequency, or
changing other front-panel controls. You
can still adjust 
VOLUME, TONE, and the
sensitivity switch.
To lock the controls, set 
LOCK to   IN.
 
LOCK appears on the display.
To unlock the controls, set 
LOCK to
.  
LOCK disappears from the
display.
Note:
 If you press a “locked” button,
 briefly flashes on the display.
USING THE ALARM
Setting the Alarm Time 
You can set an alarm so the buzzer
sounds or the receiver plays at a speci-
fied time.
Follow these steps to set the alarm time.
1. Hold down 
SET/OFF,  BUZZER or
STANDBY   appear. Press TIME
SET
, the display flashes. Release
SET/OFF and TIME SET.
2. While the display flashes, use the
number keys to enter an alarm time.
If the time is p.m. press 
STORE AM/
PM
 once.
3. Press 
TIME SET again. The alarm
time is set. The display returns tothe radio frequency display if you
have the power on.
When you set an alarm time, the buzzer
or radio (standby) is preset for the alarm
sound. To choose the other alarm
sound, see “Turning the Alarm On/Off.” 
Note:
 To view the set alarm time, press
SET/OFF. This turns off the alarm. Press
SET/OFF again to turn the alarm back
on.
Turning the Alarm On/Off
1. Set the receiver to the desired sta-
tion and volume.
2. Press 
SET/OFF to display either 
BUZZER or STANDBY  , then:
• To have the buzzer sound at the
alarm time, press 
ALARM/STANDBY
until  BUZZER appears.
• To have the radio turn on at the
alarm time, press 
ALARM/STANDBY
until STANDBY  appears.
3. If the buzzer alarm is turned on, at
the preset alarm time, the buzzer
sounds for about an hour, and the
radio also plays. If the radio alarm is
turned on, at the preset alarm time,
the radio plays for 1 hour.
Note:
 If you want to use the buzzer
for the alarm, set 
VOLUME to its min-
imum position.
4. To turn off the alarm, press 
POWER.
The alarm sounds again the next day at
the specified alarm time.
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							16
To turn off the alarm so it will not sound
again the next day, press 
SET/OFF. 
BUZZER or STANDBY  disappears
when the alarm is turned off.
USING THE SLEEP TIMER
The sleep timer sets the radio to turn off
after 90, 60, 30 or 15 minutes so you
can fall asleep as you listen to the radio.
To set the sleep timer, press 
SLEEP.
The radio turns on, 
SLEEP flashes and
90 appears briefly. After 90 minutes, the
radio turns off automatically.
If you want to set a shorter sleep time,
press 
SLEEP repeatedly to select 60, 30,
or 15 minutes.
Note:
 Each time you press 
SLEEP, the
remaining sleep time appears briefly.
To turn off the radio before it automati-
cally turns off, press 
POWER.
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							17
TROUBLESHOOTING
Your receiver should give you years of trouble-free service if you follow the care in-
structions given in this manual. If you do have problems, the chart below might help
you solve them.
Problem Probable Cause Solution
No display or incorrect 
display.• Batteries are weak or dead.
• AC or DC adapter is
plugged into the receiver
but not into the power
source. (Plugging an
adapter into the receiver
automatically disconnects
the receiver’s batteries.
• DC adapter’s voltage is set
to the wrong position.• Replace the batteries.
• Connect the adapter to the
AC or DC power source.
• Adjust DC adapter to
proper voltage position.
No sound.
• Batteries are weak or dead.
•
VOLUME is set too low.
• Headphones are plugged
into the receiver. (This dis-
connects the speaker.) 
• AC or DC adapter is
plugged into the receiver
but not into the power
source. (Plugging an
adapter into the receiver
automatically disconnects
the receiver’s batteries.)• Replace the batteries.
•Adjust 
VOLUME as
desired.
• Disconnect the head-
phones.
• Connect the adapter to the
AC or DC power source.
Weak sound, intermit-
tent sound, or poor sen-
sitivity.• Batteries are weak.
• The sensitivity switch is set
to 
LOCAL.
• Antenna needs adjusting.
• Metal is blocking the signal.• Replace the batteries.
• Set it to 
DX.
• Adjust the antenna.
• Move the receiver near a
window when operating it
inside a vehicle or metal
frame building.
Controls do not function.Key is locked.   
LOCK 
appears on the display.Set  LOCK to the other
position.
Display does not show 
the band and frequency 
for the receiver.The clock display is selected.Press 
CLOCK to change the 
display.
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							18
THE FCC WANTS YOU TO KNOW
Your RadioShack DX-396 AM/SW/FM-Stereo PLL Portable Receiver might cause
television or radio interference even when it is operating properly. To determine
whether your receiver is causing the interference, turn it off. If the interference goes
away, your receiver is causing the interference.
To try to eliminate the interference:
• Reorient the DX-396 receiver’s antenna.
• Move your DX-396 receiver away from the television or radio receiver.
• Connect your DX-396 receiver to an outlet that is on a different electrical circuit
from the television or radio receiver.
• Contact your local RadioShack store for assistance.
If you cannot eliminate the interference, the FCC requires that you stop using your re-
ceiver.
Clock flashes.The receiver had a power inter-
ruption.Set the time.
Tuning does not stop.The sensitivity switch is set to 
LOCAL. If the signal is weak, 
the receiver does not stop in 
LOCAL.Set it to
 DX.
Scan tuning does not 
stop.
• Receiver is set to memory
scan.
• No incoming signal or
scans in 
LOCAL.•Press 
SCAN or press the
number key.
• Set it to 
DX. Problem Probable Cause Solution
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							19
SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency Range
 (with frequency step
switch set to AM 10 kHz FM 200 kHz):
FM.................................87.5-108.0 MHz
AM ................................... 530-1710 kHz
SW ............................... 2300-21850 kHz
( . . . set to AM 9 kHz FM 100 kHz):
FM.................................87.5-108.0 MHz
AM ................................... 531-1710 kHz
SW ............................... 2300-21850 kHz
SW Sub-Bands:
120 meter..................... 2,300-2,495 kHz
90 meter....................... 3,200-3,400 kHz
75 meter....................... 3,900-4,000 kHz
60 meter....................... 4,750-5,060 kHz
49 meter....................... 5,950-6,200 kHz
41 meter....................... 7,100-7,300 kHz
31 meter....................... 9,500-9,900 kHz
25 meter................... 11,650-12,050 kHz
22 meter................... 13,600-13,800 kHz
19 meter................... 15,100-15,600 kHz
16 meter................... 17,550-17,900 kHz
13 meter................... 21,450-21,850 kHz
Antennas:
FM....................................... Telescoping
AM ...................................Built-In Ferrite
SW ..................... (2,3 MHz - 7,095 MHz) 
Built-In Ferrite
SW ............... (7,100 MHz - 21,850 MHz)
TelescopingJacks:
External Power ............................DC 3V, 
Center Positive
Stereo Headphones  ..................  
1/8 inch
Speaker ...................... 3 Inches (77 mm) 
Permanent Magnet, Dynamic Type
Power Output:
Speaker ................ 350 mW at 10% THD
Headphones ..... 35 mW x 2 at 10% THD 
32 ohm
Battery Life at 10 mW.............. 60 Hours 
(Alkaline Battery)
Power Source:
Internal Batteries ...........Two C Batteries 
(3 Volts)
AC Power ................................ 120 Volts 
with Optional AC Adapter
Vehicle Battery .......................... 12 Volts 
with Optional DC Adapter
Sleep Timer ....... 90, 60, 30, 15 minutes; 
Auto-off
Dimensions (HWD):
7 
5/16 x 4 3/4 x 1 1/2 Inches
(186.5 x 120 x 38.5 mm)
Weight ............................... 18 oz (503 g) 
(without batteries)
Specifications are typical; individual
units might vary. Specifications are sub-
ject to change and improvement without
notice.
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							RadioShack
A Division of Tandy Corporation
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
12A99 Printed in Hong Kong
Limited Ninety-Day Warranty
This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workman-
ship under normal use for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase 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 PURPOSE,
ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES
CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack SHALL HAVE NO LIABIL-
ITY OR RESPONSIBILITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RE-
SPECT 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 WAR-
RANTY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM INCONVE-
NIENCE, LOSS OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR ANY INDIRECT,
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF RadioShack HAS BEEN AD-
VISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow the limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion of in-
cidental 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, un-
less 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 replaced parts and products, and products on which a refund is made, become the prop-
erty 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 follow 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 reinstallation.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from
state to state.
RadioShack Customer Relations, 200 Taylor Street, 6th Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76102
We Service What We Sell04/99
20-226.fm  Page 20  Tuesday, December 7, 1999  1:48 PM