Hi Dave Hascall/all: Below is what Gary DeBock learned about the Kchibo KK-D6110 earlier this summer (message 9964 on the UltralightDX Yahoo board). Based on this, I would stick with the PL-310, 380 or 606?
Kevin S - - - - - - - - Those DXers (including me) who had thought that the new KK-D6110 model was a serious attempt by Kchibo to upgrade the D96L model now have serious evidence to the contrary. After multiple reports of lackluster performance on both the AM and FM bands, a detailed investigation and disassembly of the KK-D6110 model has revealed that the new radio is not an Si4734 DSP chip radio after all, but apparently uses the same DSP chip powering the Kchibo KK-D680, KK-210B, KK-D202 and KK-D220 models. This certainly explains the drop off in AM performance relative to the D96L model, a true Si4734 DSP chip receiver. The KK-D6110's lower AM sensitivity specification and much lower eBay selling price (relative to the D96L) created doubts about this from the beginning, but the sole eBay seller's KK-D6110 listing (obviously translated by Google from the original Chinese on the Kchibo web site) certainly doesn't make the DSP chip identity very clear. The KK-D6110 has a DSP filter selection switch which mimics the Si4734 models quite well (although the filtering selections are backward, like in the D92L), and other functions also are apparently designed to resemble the D96L, such as the green display light and memory operations. But AM-DXing performance falls well short of the D96L, and full disassembly of the KK-D6110 brought the truth to light. The stock loopstick has a single coil with an inductance measured at 630 uh, which would certainly be an unusual value for an Si4734-chip radio with no LW-band responsibility. Subtracting coil turns on the stock loopstick did not significantly improve X-band performance on the KK-D6110, as it would with a true Si4734-chip radio having a 630 uh loopstick coil. The digital board copper shield was simply tack-soldered at a few places, resulting in a slight digital whining noise bleeding through to the loopstick (which also affected all upgrade loopsticks, both internal and external). Removal of the copper shield (photo at http://www.mediafire.com/?xy2u3wnjvyn) revealed various IC's, but certainly no Si4734 DSP chip. After the earlier indications, it wasn't a big surprise. The Kchibo model numbering system apparently gives an indication whether the Radio is a true Si4734 DSP chip model, or not. Those models with a DxxL numbering system (D92L, D95L, D96L, etc.) are the true Si4734 chip radios, while those with the KK-Dxxx numbering system (KK-D6110, KK-D680, KK-D220, etc.) are not. Kchibo advertises both types as DSP radios, and the Chinese documentation (with rough English translations) is confusing at best. Sorry for any inconvenience because of this, but those DXers who had planned to order the new KK-D6110 model as a upgraded replacement for the D96L should not proceed. The KK-D6110 is a decent radio for the money, but should not be confused with true Si4734 DSP receivers like the D96L, PL-310, PL-380, PL-360 etc. The detailed disassembly photos will be uploaded to the KK-D6110 photo album on the Ultralightdx site. _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list [email protected] http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: [email protected]
