DX-399 Shortwave Receiver
(200-0229) Preparation Faxback Doc. # 57595
A Quick Look At The DX-399
(light bulb symbol) - lights the display for about 20 seconds.
POWER/.SLEEP - turns the DX-399 and the sleep timer ON and
OFF.
FINE - reduces the tuning step interval.
FM/1 (clock symbol)/2 - selects the FM band; toggles between two clock
(clock symbol)/.ATS settings; Automatic Tuning System tunes to the
strongest frequencies in the FM band.
LW/(horn symbol).ATS - selects the LW band; displays the alarm time;
Automatic Tuning System tunes to the strongest
frequencies in the LW band.
MW/(clock symbol) HWS.ATS - selects the MW band (AM broadcasts); displays
the Humane Waking System time; Automatic
Tuning System tunes to the strongest
frequencies in the MW band.
SW/METER - selects the SW band; selects the countdown
timer function; allows you to enter wavelength
TUNING /\ \//MANUAL/AUTO - tunes up or down.
ENTER/DISPLAY - stores and displays settings.
.TIME SET/M (Memory) - sets the time and enters a frequency in memory
FREQ/11m - displays the current frequency and selects 11m
wave length.
C/13m - clears an entry and selects 13m wavelength.
./16m/0" SET/M.SCAN - enters a decimal; selects 16m wavelength; sets
zero second; scans through stations in the
memory bank.
0/19m/P1/P2 - enters 0; selects 19m wavelength; selects
memory bank location.
(.key symbol) - locks the DX-399's controls so you do not
accidentally change any settings.
FM STEREO/MONO - toggles between stereo and monaural reception.
AM SENS DX/LOCAL - reduces interference between stations.
About This Manual
This Owner's Manual describes how to set up and use the DX-399, and also
provides tips and information about listening to a receiver.
Some of the DX-399's controls perform multiple functions (such as ./16m/0"
SET/M.SCAN). The first time the Owner's Manual mentions controls with
multiple functions, all functions will be included. Each time thereafter,
the control will be named by the function being described.
For example, in the "Setting Zero Seconds" section, the Owner's Manual
lists the control as ./16m/0" SET/M.SCAN. In the "Using the FM Mono/Stereo
Switch" section (later in the manual), the control is listed as M.SCAN.
Connecting To Power
You can power the receiver from standard AC power, your vehicle's battery
(with an optional DC adapter), or internal batteries (not supplied).
The supplied universal adapter uses the most popular European AC adapter
plug and automatically converts voltage from the local current to 4.5V DC.
Note: Connecting an adapter automatically disconnects internal batteries.
Using Standard AC Power
You can power the receiver from standard AC power using the supplied
universal adapter.
CAUTIONS: You must use a Class 2 power source that supplies 4.5 Volts DC
and delivers at least 200 mA. Its center tip must be set to
negative and its plug must fit the DX-399's DC IN 4.5V jack.
The supplied adapter meets these specifications. Using an
adapter that does not meet these specifications could damage
the DX-399 or the adapter.
Always unplug the adapter from the AC outlet first, then unplug
it from the receiver.
Insert the adapter's barrel plug into the receiver's DC IN 4.5V jack, then
plug the adapter into a standard AC outlet.
Using DC Power
You can power the receiver from your vehicle's battery with an optional DC
adapter.
CAUTIONS: You must use a power source that supplies 4.5 Volts DC and
delivers at least 200 mA. Its center tip must be set to
negative and its plug must fit the DX-399's DC IN 4.5V jack.
The recommended adapter meets these specifications. Using an
adapter that does not meet these specifications could damage
the DX-399 or the adapter.
Always plug the adapter into the receiver before you plug it
into your vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket, and unplug the
adapter from the vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket before you
unplug it from the receiver.
Follow these steps to use DC power.
1. Set the adapter's voltage switch to 4.5V.
2. Insert the adapter's barrel plug into the receiver's DC IN 4.5V jack.
3. Insert the adapter's large plug into the vehicle's cigarette-lighter
socket.
Installing Batteries
You can power the receiver with three AA batteries (not supplied). For
the best performance and longest life, we recommend RadioShack alkaline
batteries.
CAUTIONS: Use only fresh batteries of the required size and recommended
type.
Do not mix old and new batteries, different types of batteries
(standard, alkaline, or rechargeable) or rechargeable batteries
of different capacities.
Follow these steps to install batteries.
1. Slide the battery compartment cover in the direction of the arrow to
remove it.
2. Place the batteries in the compartment as indicated by the polarity
symbols (+ and -) marked on the back of the receiver.
3. Replace the cover.
Notes: When you press POWER/.SLEEP to turn off the receiver, the battery
power indicator appears on the display for about 7 seconds. Fresh
batteries show a power level of 9. If the indicator shows a power
level of 3 or below, battery low (battery symbol) flashes. When E
and battery low (battery symbol) flash, replace all three batteries
To avoid losing the current time and memory settings, be sure to
replace the batteries within 3 minutes of removing the old
batteries.
WARNING: Dispose of old batteries promptly and properly. Do not burn or
bury them.
CAUTION: If you do not plan to use the receiver with batteries for a
month or longer, remove the batteries. Batteries can leak
chemicals that can destroy electronic parts.
Connecting Headphones
For private listening and for stereo sound during FM stereo broadcasts,
you can connect optional stereo headphones with a 1/8-inch (3.5-mm) plug.
Your local RadioShack store sells a wide selection of stereo headphones.
Insert the headphones' plug into the receiver's (headphones symbol) jack.
This disconnects the receiver's internal speaker. Set FM STEREO/MONO to FM
STEREO. When you tune to a stereo broadcast, ST appears. For the best
reception, press FINE and then TUNING /\ \/ until ST remains steady.
Using the FM Mono/Stereo Switch
To receive FM stations in stereo, connect stereo headphones (available at
your local RadioShack store) to the (headphones symbol) jack and slide FM
STEREO/MONO to STEREO.
To improve reception for weak FM stereo stations, set FM STEREO/ MONO to
MONO. The signal becomes monaural, but the sound might improve.
Listening Safely
To protect your hearing, follow these guidelines when you use headphones.
Set the volume to the lowest setting before you begin listening. After
you begin listening, adjust the volume to a comfortable level.
Do not listen at extremely high volume levels. Extended high-volume
listening can lead to permanent hearing loss.
Once you set the volume, do not increase it. Over time, your ears adapt
to the volume level, so a volume level that does not cause discomfort
might still damage your hearing.
Traffic Safety
Do not use headphones with your receiver when operating a motor vehicle
or riding a bicycle in or near traffic. Doing so can create a traffic
hazard and could be illegal in some areas.
If you use headphones with your receiver while riding a bicycle, be very
careful. Do not listen to a continuous broadcast. Even though some
earphones/headphones let you hear some outside sounds when listening at
normal volume levels, they still can present a traffic hazard.
Using The Clock
Your receiver has two clocks. We recommend you set the primary clock for
local time and the secondary clock for UTC (Coordinated Universal Time,
formerly called Greenwich Mean time), because most short-wave stations
announce broadcast times in UTC 24-hour format.
To switch back and for the between times, press 1 (clock symbol)/2 (clock
symbol), then ENTER.
Setting the Local Time
1. Turn off the receiver so (clock symbol) appears.
2. Hold .TIME SET/M for about 3 seconds. (clock symbol) SET flashes for
about 10 seconds.
3. While (clock symbol) SET is flashing, enter the correct time using the
number keypad.
Notes: Do not precede single-digit hours with a 0. For example,
enter 930 for 9:30 AM.
If you make a mistake, press C to erase the last digit, then
enter the correct digit.
4. Press DISPLAY. The time you set appears.
Setting the Dual Time
You can program the receiver to store a second time as your home time (for
example) if you are traveling, or as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), or
as the local time wherever you are.
1. Press 1 (clock symbol)/2 (clock symbol) so 2 (clock symbol) flashes
for about 3 seconds.
2. While (clock symbol) is flashing, press ENTER. 2 (clock symbol) stops
flashing.
3. Hold down .TIME SET for about 3 seconds. (clock symbol) SET flashes
for about 10 seconds.
4. While (clock symbol) SET is flashing, enter the correct time using the
number keypad.
5. Press ENTER to store the setting. The display shows the dual time you
set.
Setting Zero Seconds
To set the seconds to zero, hold down .TIME SET until (clock symbol) SET
flashes, then press 0" SET/./16m/M.SCAN when (clock symbol) appears.
(clock symbol) SET-00 flashes for about 60 seconds. Press ENTER at the
desired time for a more precise clock setting.
Connecting An External Antenna
To improve SW/MW/LW reception, you can connect an external antenna
(available at your local RadioShack store) directly to the AM EXT ANT jack
Follow the antenna's supplied instructions to connect the receiver to the
antenna.
Note: Connecting an external antenna disables the built-in ferrite core
antenna.
Setting The MW (AM) Tuning Increment
In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assigns
frequencies for stations in the MW band in 10-kilohertz increments. (In
the United States, we commonly call the MW band the AM band.) In Europe
and some other parts of the world, MW frequencies are assigned in 9
kilohertz increments.
The MW step 9k/10k switch is located inside the battery compartment. To
set the tuning increment, follow these steps.
1. Slide the battery compartment cover in the direction of the arrow to
remove it and remove the batteries, if necessary.
2. If you are in the United States or anywhere else in the Western
Hemisphere, slide the switch to 10k.
If you are in any other part of the world, slide the switch to 9k.
3. Replace the batteries and battery compartment cover.
Using The Folding Stand
You can position the receiver more securely, and possibly improve the
reception, by resting the receiver on its stand. Lift the latch on the
back of the receiver to open the stand and position the receiver on a flat
surface. A list of frequency ranges for the FM/LW/MW/SW bands are printed
on the stand for your reference.
Using The Memo Label
Use the memo label under the receiver's stand to record helpful
information, such as the memory location numbers of your favorite
stations.
(BR-EB 11/23/99)
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