REVIEW

SWLing on the Road with Sonys XR-CA660X

By Ken Reitz KS4ZR

have to admit that Im a refugee from satellite radio. For years Ive had either Sirius or XM units in the car, but, as time passed and subscription fees climbed, I called it quits and sought an alternative. As a lifelong SWLer, I was disappointed in the lack of international broadcasters on either satellite service. Sure, XM carries the BBC World Service, and Sirius carries a truncated version as well as the wheel of rebroadcasts from World Radio Network. And, just recently, Sirius added CBC Radio One and CBC Premiere Plus, while XM added Canada 360 and Franc Parler. But, I was looking for more diversity, a wider range of broadcasters, some really esoteric music and an end to cables disease, constantly rising monthly rates. Thats why I turned to old fashioned shortwave radio in the car. Over the years Ive looked at mobile SWLing using portable shortwave radios, downconverters (tuning devices which convert your existing in-dash AM radio to tune the shortwave bands), even mounting my general coverage ham transceiver in the car. But, they all had drawbacks. I found that portable radios were cumbersome, not easily tuned, poor audio quality and susceptible to ignition and other electrical noise. The downconverters were easy to mount and hook up, but most were also susceptible to ignition noise and required a certain amount of mathematical gymnastics to determine the frequency. With the exception of the LFB Short Wave Converter* most were also poor performers. The ham transceiver was very sensitive but was bulky, not easily mounted (and a high risk of theft), suffered from poor audio but was less susceptible to ignition noise. The only thing left to do was to install a real in-dash AM/FM/SW radio.
ping. The Beckers price is high and SW coverage limited, so I checked out what Sony had to offer. In North America there is only one Sony dealer still selling in-dash AM/FM/SW radios: Durham Radio in Ontario, Canada. Worldwide, the only other Sony dealer selling these radios is an on-line retailer in the United Arab Emirates called Jackys. Jackys price is considerably cheaper, but the express shipping and customs duties make the final price more expensive than Durham Use small wire nuts to connect the new wiring harness to your Radio. stock speaker and power wires. Installing the radio requires Durham Radio sells their patience and a couple of hours of your weekend. (Courtesy: products at www.shortwaves- Author) tore.com. They stock two simiing the installation manual, it was time for the lar radios but with a $100 price difference. hardest part of this project: in-dash installaThe Sony XR-CA660 is identical to the Sony tion. XRF5100 except that it tunes the AM band in 9 kHz steps instead of 10 kHz steps (the XRF5100 is actually switchable between the A Wiring Nightmare I put my radio in a 1985 Toyota Celica, a two steps). It also tunes only to 1620 kHz, relic from days gone by before auto designers whereas the XRF5100 tunes to 1710 kHz. Ive done a lot of AM band DXing in made it very hard for consumers to do their my time, but not in the car. My own interests own radio installations. If you cant do the were being able to receive the FM and SW installation yourself or simply dont want to bands, so I opted to save the $100. But if you risk making a complete mess of the installafeel you need the AM capability, you should tion, take it to a local auto sound installer. Once I pulled the radio out of the center opt for XRF5100. Both radios replace previous models and are in keeping with Sonys console I found there was a rats nest of wires. policy of changing the face plates and various Before I did anything else, I tagged each of features every couple of years to update the wires and then cut them from the harness the line. Both feature built-in cassette decks plug which did not fit the input on the new which, if nothing else, may be used to play radio. To my horror, I found that none of the satellite radio, MP3 players or iPods in the wire colors on the old radio seemed to match the wire color scheme on the new radio. car. Later, I also found out that snap-on wire I ordered the XR-CA660 from TheShortwaveStrore.com and received the unit 7 days harnesses are commercially available which later. Total cost, including shipping was $204. convert the old wiring harness to adapt to the Stalking the Elusive InAfter taking the unit out of the box and perus- new wiring system. No cutting necessary! But if you find, as I did, that such Dash SW Radio a harness may not be available for You might think that finding a your car, dont panic! Go to www. shortwave radio for your car would installdr.com. Yes, the good doctor be as simple as going to your local has a wealth of car radio installation consumer electronics superstore. But, advice including a page which shows today there are only two manufacthe wire colors for virtually any car turers of in-dash shortwave radios: and the typical color equivalent for Becker and Sony. Both are hard to find. Sony XR-CA660X AM/FM/SW radio brings two bands of short- the new radio. With a printout for my Several dealers in the U.K. are wave listening and great audio at a reasonable price. Has built-in car in hand I went back to the project selling the Becker Mexico Pro line. cassette deck and detachable front panel. (Courtesy: Durham with renewed confidence. The first thing you have to do is Cost is around $450 (U.S.) plus ship- Radio) 68

MONITORING TIMES June 2006
six pre-sets) and two bands of shortwave, each with six pre-sets. There are a few other controls for use with optional out-board amps and CD changers (though they will only be compatible with Sony products) as well as advanced features for the cassette deck, if you actually have cassettes. I found reception on the FM band equal or better than any other in-dash receiver Ive used. The audio was excellent, the equalization scheme easy to Sony XR-CA660X installed in-dash and tuned to BBC World adjust and made some difference Service to Africa on 15.400 MHz. Clean lines, easy operating in listening pleasure. The cassette and excellent sound quality are Sony hallmarks. (Courtesy: player is great. It has a snappy Author) drive motor which can zip you to determine which wire carries the main 12 the end of a tape in a hurry. The volts D.C. to power the radio. There will also amp in this unit is capable of delivering excelbe a 12 volt line to the ACC position on the lent audio. The limits will be in your speaker ignition which allows you to have the radio system: the better the speakers the better the on without turning on the engine. Use a volt sound. meter to find these wires. Before you connect You might be skeptical of a shortwave raany wires, make sure the black ground wire is dio using only a 29-inch whip, but since this is attached first to a metal component connected essentially what most portables use you wont to the chassis. This may prevent accidental be surprised to learn that it does very well shorts while youre sorting out the wires. picking up the traditional international powNext, bundle wires you know you wont erhouses. This radio has two bands which be using, such as amp and CD changer con- are SW1 (2.940-7.735 MHz) and SW2 (9.500trols, etc. to get them out of the way. When you 18.135 MHz with a gap between 10.140 and find the correct matching wires, strip about 11.575 MHz). You can think of these bands a quarter inch insulation from the ends and as day and night bands, with the higher twist the two together. I used small wire nuts frequency band most active in daytime and the to secure the connection, though you can use lower frequency band more active at night. electrical tape instead. Tug on the wire nut to Now, Sony doesnt want you to be tuning make sure its secure. When youre hooking the radio hunting DX when youre supposed up the wires make sure the key is out of the to be driving, so tuning is done via the seek ignition. button. Pressing the mode button a few Once you have all the wires connected times eventually brings the radio to the SW1. (dont forget to attach the antenna!), slip the Press either the seek + or seek - buttons plug into the back of the radio and get ready and the unit tunes up or down the band. Press for the smoke test. Turn the key to ACC and the mode button once more and youre on the unit should come to life. When I did SW2. Again the seek + or seek - does the there was sound coming from one of the four tuning. Save any station received by pressing speakers and the display on the radio read and holding one of the six preset buttons. FAILURE. Not a good sign. Sony set the receive sensitivity at just the A quick check with the owners manual right level. It will pick up fairly weak stations (which is in English and Arabic) showed that but wont stop at every spike of atmospheric the display meant that the speakers were not noise. When it lands on a station, the exact hooked up properly. I believe this stemmed frequency is indicated on the front display. from a difference of opinion between in- It was afternoon by the time I finished the stalldr.com and me as to which colors were installation. SW1 was fairly dead, but the first pink, purple and green. After some trial and pass through SW2 netted Radio Netherlands error among the 12 remaining wire options, I at 17.735, VOAs Africa service at 15.580 hit pay dirt and all four speakers were work- and 15.240, WWV at 15.000, BBCs Africa ing. service at 12.095 and 15.400. In the morning Radio Canada Internationals service to North America on 9515 comes The XR-CA660 in Action Like most car audio products today, in with the power of a local station. All your this radio comes with a credit card sized IR stateside favorites such as WWCR, WWRB remote control, though all the functions are and WYFR are easily heard. Devotees of the easily done via the radios detachable front late Dr. Scott can catch his recorded teachpanel. In fact, the controls for this radio are ings 24/7 from the car. Spanish speakers will nearly identical to other Sony radio products. enjoy tuning into live World Cup action this Among the amenities of this particular radio summer as many stations will be carrying the are a three-band equalizer (fancy bass/treble play-by-play. Its one thing to sit in your driveway tuncontrols); three FM band selections with six ing the bands with the engine off and another pre-sets each (considerably more than most will need); the aforementioned MW band (also to be out on the highway where your ears

have to compete with local electrical and road noise. The weaker stations were less audible in the noise, but the powerful internationals came right through without a problem. Ignition noise was not apparent. There was, of course, the typical signal fading, a trademark of SWLing, and in the summer you can expect to hear a certain amount of atmospheric static, too. But, to many of us thats part of the charm of analog SWLing. If you listen to shortwave broadcasts for content, youll be really happy with either Sony product. And, if you speak French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, or Arabic, or are a student of any one of these languages, this radio is a great language skills builder. Its possible that future generations of either version will add an MP3 or iPod input on the front panel and a CD slot to replace the cassette. But, that may be years in coming.

AVAILABLE FROM:

Durham Radio Sales & Service, Inc. 10-1380 Hopkins Street Whitby, Ontario, Canada L1N 2C3 888-426-1699 www.shortwavestore.com They carry both the XRF5100 ($289) and XRCA660 ($189) plus shipping (about $15 to U.S. East Coast)

MANUFACTURERS SPECS:

Sony XRF5100 and XR-CA660X Tuning Range: AM: (XRF5100): 530-1710 kHz (9 or 10 kHz steps switchable) (XR-CA660X): 531-1602 kHz (9 kHz steps) FM: 87.5-108 MHz SW1: 2.940-7.735 MHz SW2: 9.500-18.135 MHz (except for 10.140-11.575 MHz) Size: 7-1/8 x 2 x 7 Antenna connector: Motorola Price: XRF5100: $289.00 (U.S.) plus shipping (about $15) XR-CA660X $189.00 (U.S.) plus shipping (about $15)
*LFB Short Wave Converter is made in Brazil. Cost is $140 + $15 Shipping. Contact: Luis Loeff angel@tsp.com.br Website: www. angelfire.com/ia/lfb (Review: MT Nov. 2001 page 84)

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June 2006

MONITORING TIMES

XR-4950X

SERVICE MANUAL

Ver 1.0 2001.04

AEP Model
Model Name Using Similar Mechanism Tape Transport Mechanism Type

NEW MG-25F-136

SPECIFICATIONS

Cassette player section

Tape track Wow and flutter Frequency response Signal-to-noise ratio 4-track 2-channel stereo 0.08 % (WRMS) 30 18,000 Hz 58 dB

General

Outputs Audio output Power aerial relay control lead Power amplifier control lead Telephone ATT control lead Bass 9 dB at 100 Hz Treble 9 dB at 10 kHz 12 V DC car battery (negative earth) Approx. 183 mm (w/h/d) Approx. 162 mm (w/h/d) Approx. 1.2 kg Parts for installation and connections (1 set) Front panel case (1)

Tuner section

Tuning range Aerial terminal Intermediate frequency Usable sensitivity Selectivity Signal-to-noise ratio 87.5 108.0 MHz External aerial connector 10.7 MHz/450kHz 8 dBf 75 dB at 400 kHz 66 dB (stereo), 72 dB (mono) Harmonic distortion at 1 kHz 0.6 % (stereo), 0.3 % (mono) Separation 35 dB at 1 kHz Frequency response 30 15,000 Hz
Tone controls Power requirements Dimensions Mounting dimensions Mass Supplied accessories
Tuning range Aerial terminal Intermediate frequency Sensitivity 531 1,602 kHz External aerial connector 10.7 MHz/450 kHz 30 V
Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Power amplifier section

Outputs Speaker outputs (sure seal connectors) Speaker impedance ohms Maximum power output 50 W 4 (at 4 ohms)
FM/AM CASSETTE CAR STEREO

9-873-510-11

2001D0500-1 C 2001.4

Sony Corporation

e Vehicle Company Shinagawa Tec Service Manual Production Group
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM MAIN Board (1/2)
See page 15 for Waveforms.
See page 21 for IC Block Diagrams.

(Page 19)

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM MAIN Board (2/2)

(Page 18)

(Page 20)
6-5. PRINTED WIRING BOARD SUB Board 6-6. SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM SUB Board

LED801

K1 S2 K2

LSW801

A1 S1 A2

(Page 23)

(Page 17)

(Page 22)

IC Block Diagrams MAIN Board IC331 TDA7402TR
OUTSWR OUTSWL OUTSSL OUTSSR ACINLR ACINRF ACINRR OUTRR OUTLR OUTRF OUTLF

CXA2509AQ-T4

LINEOUT2 TAPEIN2

LB1930M-TLM

PBOUT2

AUXIN2

29 MIXER

VCC 1 NC 2 ININ2 4

10 NC BUFFER CONTROL CIRCUIT BUFFER MOTOR DRIVE CIRCUIT 9 OUTNC 7 OUTP-GND

21 24dB

120/70
MONO- MONOFADER FADER ACINLF 34 SWINR 35 SWINL 36 ACOUTR 37 ACOUTL 38 CREF 39 FRONT ACIN OUTPUT SELECTOR MAIN SECOND REAR SW MONO- MONOFADER FADER MONO- MONOFADER FADER

+ 20 MSMODE NR BIAS

S-GND 5

MS MODE

SUBWOOFER +PHASE CONTROL

PBFBPBRINPBREFPBFINF2

X1 TAPE/AUX TAPE EQ FWD/RVS
19 DRSW 18 TAPESW 17 INSW 16 NC

VCT 35 PBGND 36

LP VOICE BANDPASS HP 22 VDD

IIC-BUS

VCT + LPF

VCC + F3 X1

MS ON/ 15 NC OFF DETECT 14 MSOUT

21 SCL 20 SDA

PBFINPBREFPBRINPBFBT1 + F1

13 DGND

BASS SUPPLY TREBLE

DIGITAL CONTROL

12 MSTC + 120/70 24dB 6

19 GND 18 SM

11 G1FB

HIGH-CUT

VOLUME

S&H

PULSE FORMER QUAL 17 QUAL

PBOUT1

TAPEIN1 AUXIN1

LINEOUT1

SOFTMUTE COMPANDER LOUDNESS LOUDNESS

25kHz LP

MUX 40

IN-GAIN +AUTO ZERO

IN-GAIN BEEP MUTE
DEMODULATOR +STEREO ADJUST +STEREO BLAND

MULTIPATH DETECTOR

16 MPOUT 15 MPIN
PILOT CANCELATION PIL DET

D/A CONVERTER

14 LEVEL

BA4908-V3

MAIN SOURCE SELECTOR MDMD1G 42 MDMD2G 44 MAIN

MIXING SELECTOR

SECOND SOURCE SELECTOR PLL 80kHz LP
INPUT MULTIPLEXER PHONO MAIN 1 2

SEL SER

13 MPX

REGULATOR

FM AUX AM 11

FD1L+ FD1L FD1R+ FD1R

AM/FM NOISE BLANKER

12 AMIF

FD2L+ FD2L FD2R+ FD2R

OVER VOLTAGE PROTECT + 11

TUNER8.7V

TUNER8.7 ANT SW TUNER5.6 SW STB

VDD5.6V

COM8.7V

TUNER5.6V

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM KEY Board
See page 15 for Waveform.
6-9. IC PIN FUNCTION DESCRIPTION
MAIN BOARD IC501 MN101C49KTA2 (SYSTEM CONTROLLER) Pin No. Pin Name VREF VSM FMAGC KEYIN1 I/O I I I I Description Reference voltage (0V) input terminal (for A/D converter) FM and AM signal meter voltage detection input from the FM/AM tuner unit (TU1) (A/D input) FM AGC level detection signal input from the FM/AM tuner unit (TU1) (A/D input) Key input terminal (A/D input) (LSW801, LSW909, LSW912 to LSW917) Z, D-BASS, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, REP 1 keys input Key input terminal (A/D input) (LSW901 to LSW907, S901 to S904) OFF, SOURCE, SOUND, MENU, MODE o, ENTER, SEEK/AMS . m,PRST +, SEEK/AMS + > M, PRST keys input Destination setting terminal (fixed at H in this set) Rotary remote commander key input terminal (A/D input) Noise level detection signal input at SEEK mode (A/D input) Not used (open) Reference voltage (+5V) input terminal (for A/D converter) Power supply terminal (+5V) (for A/D converter) Main system clock output terminal (18.432 MHz) Main system clock input terminal (18.432 MHz) Ground terminal (for A/D converter) Sub system clock input terminal (32.768 kHz) Sub system clock output terminal (32.768 kHz) Not used (fixed at L) Front panel block remove/attach detection signal input L: front panel is attached, H: front panel is removed Bus on/off control signal output terminal Reset signal output terminal L: reset L: bus on Not used (fixed at H) 55 H active 56 DOLON I/O TAPATT O Not used (fixed at H) 54 MTLON I/O 53 NROUT O 52 AMSON O 51 AMPATT ATT TU ATT O O O Not used (open) Pin No. 48 Pin Name ACC IN TESTIN TELATT UNICLI UNISO UNISI UNICKO I2C SIO VOLATT I2C CKO AMPON I/O I I I I O I O I/O O O O Description Accessory detection signal input L: accessory on Setting terminal for the test mode H: test mode, Normally: fixed at L Telephone muting signal input terminal At input of H, the signal is attenuated by 20 dB Serial data transfer clock signal input terminal Not used (fixed at L) Serial data output terminal Not used (fixed at L) Serial data input terminal Not used (fixed at L) Serial data transfer clock signal output terminal Not used (fixed at L) Two-way data bus with the electrical volume (IC331) and FM/AM tuner unit (TU1) Muting on/off control signal output to the electrical volume (IC331) L: muting on Clock signal output to the electrical volume (IC331) and FM/AM tuner unit (TU1) Standby on/off control signal output to the power amplifier (IC751) L: standby mode, H: amplifier on Muting on/off control signal output to the power amplifier (IC751) L: muting on Audio line muting on/off control signal output H: muting on Muting on/off control signal output of the FM and AM tuner signal H: muting on Not used (open) Tape auto music sensor control signal output to the CXA2509AQ (IC301) L is output to lower the gain for audio level at FF/REW mode Forward/reverse direction control signal output to the CXA2509AQ (IC301) L: forward direction, H: reverse direction METAL control in/out terminal At initial mode: auto/manual mode selection input of METAL function (manual at L input) At manual mode: METAL on/off control signal output terminal (METAL on at H output) At auto mode: input at MTLIN (pin es) Tape muting on/off control signal output to the CXA2509AQ (IC301) H: muting on Active at ATA, FF/REW mode Dolby control in/out terminal At initial mode: valid/invalid selection input of dolby function (valid at L input) At normal mode: dolby on/off control signal output terminal (dolby on at H output) Not used this function (fixed at H) Whether a music is present or not from CXA2509AQ (IC301) is detected at auto music sensor L: music is present, H: music is not present 4VPREOUT model setting terminal L: 4VPREOUT model Fixed at H in this set Not used (open) Two-way data bus with the FM/AM tuner unit (TU1) Clock signal output to the FM/AM tuner unit (TU1) Not used (open) AM filter control signal output to the FM/AM tuner unit (TU1) L: SW mode Front panel open/close detection signal input L is input when the front panel is closed LED drive signal output of the tape window and Z indicator (LED801, LSW801) H: LED on H is output to turn on LED when front panel is opened Dial pulse input of the rotary encoder (RE901) (for volume control) A/D converter power control signal output When the KEYACK (pin wh) that controls reference voltage power for key A/D conversion input is active, L is output from this terminal to enable the input Power on/off control signal output of the illumination LED and liquid crystal display driver (IC901) H: power on

KEYIN0 DSTSEL RCIN0 QUALITY VREF VDD OSCOUT OSCIN VSS XIN XOUT MMOD NOSESW BUSON SYSRST LCDSO LCDCE LCDCKO RCIN1 RAMBU
I I I I O I O I I O I I O O O O O I I
Serial data output to the liquid crystal display driver (IC901) Chip enable signal output to the liquid crystal display driver (IC901) Rotary remote commander shift key input terminal L: shift 59 to 75 L is input at low voltage 78 H: auto metal Not used (fixed at L) DOORIND REIN1 REIN0 AD ON O I I O Not used (fixed at L) AMSIN 4VPRE E2P SIO E2P CKO SWSHIFT DOORSW I I O I/O O O O I Serial data transfer clock signal output to the liquid crystal display driver (IC901) Internal RAM reset detection signal input terminal Input terminal to check that RAM data are not destroyed due to low voltage This checking is made within 50 msec after reset Not used (fixed at L) Input of acknowledge signal for the key entry Acknowledge signal is input to accept function and eject keys in the power off status On at input of H Not used (open) Battery detect signal input from the battery detect circuit Sircs remote control signal input terminal Not used (open) Auto metal detection signal input terminal System reset signal input from the reset signal generator (IC551) and reset switch (S551) L: reset L is input for several 100 msec after power on, then it changes to H Tuner system power supply on/off control signal output to the BA4908 (IC611) H: tuner power on Beep sound drive signal output to the power amplifier (IC751) Main system power supply on/off control signal output to the BA4908 (IC611) H: power on Setting terminal for the illumination color L: amber, H: green Fixed at L in this set 83 ILLON O

30, 37

KEYACK BUIN SIRCS MTLIN RESET TUNON BEEP PW ON COLSEL

I O I I O I I O O O I

Pin No. 92 93, to 99 100
Pin Name REL POS3 POS2 POS0 POS1 LMLOD LMEJ TAPON CMON DAVSS NS MASK DAVDD
I/O I I I I I O O O O O O O
Description Rotation detection signal input from supply reel sensor and take-up reel sensor on the deck mechanism Tape position (EJECT/FF/REW/ REV/FWD mode) detection signal input from the tape operation switch on the deck mechanism POS0: L: EJECT mode, H: others mode POS1: L: FF and FWD mode, H: others mode POS2: L: REW mode, H: others mode POS3: L: REV and EJECT mode, H: others mode

Motor drive signal output to the loading/tape operation motor driver (IC351) H active (For the loading direction and forward side operation) *1 Motor drive signal output to the loading/tape operation motor driver (IC351) H active (For the eject direction and reverse side operation) *1 Tape system power supply on/off control signal output H: tape on Capstan/reel motor (M901) drive signal output H: motor on Not used (open) Ground terminal (for D/A converter) Not used (open) Discharge control signal output terminal H: discharge Not used (open) Not used (open) Power supply terminal (+5V) (for D/A converter) Not used (open)
*1 Loading/tape operation motor control Mode Terminal LMLOD (pin il) LMEJ (pin o;) STOP L L LOADING/ FORWARD H L EJECT/ REVERSE L H BRAKE H H