Drake SW2 Shortwave Receiver Owners Manual

							Installation, continued     5
RANDOM LENGTH WIRE
ANTENNA INSTALLATION
For general broadcast and shortwave listening, an
outside random-length wire antenna can be used.
Figure 3 shows a typical random-length wire antenna
installation.  The length of the wire may be from 30 to
100 feet. Attach and solder the lead-in to one end of
the antenna.  Connect the other end of the lead-in wire
to the ‘50W’ screw terminal on the rear panel of your
receiver.
Generally, the higher the antenna is off the ground, the
better the reception.  You may use a tree or a pole as
one support and your house as the other support.  Use
insulators at each end of the antenna to separate the
antenna wire from the support wire.  It is recom-
mended to install a lightning arrestor on the lead-in
wiring, especially if the antenna is outdoors and of
lengths exceeding approximately 30 feet.
* A Note About Grounding:
A ground wire is not necessary for proper reception
with this receiver when using the supplied 30 feet
piece of wire or when using resonant length type
antennas (dipole, vertical, or beam antennas).  A
ground wire may improve reception, however, in some
cases, when using random length antennas.TERMS TO KNOW
Antenna - A length of bare antenna wire.
Lead-in - A length of insulated wire.  The length
depends upon the height of your antenna and the
location of your receiver.
Ground Wire - If used, connect a heavy wire from the
‘GND’ screw terminal on the rear panel of your
receiver to a cold water pipe or to a 6- to 8-feet long
piece of ground rod driven into the earth.  The length
of your ground wire depends upon the distance
between your receiver and the grounding surface. (See
A Note About Grounding on this page.)
Insulators - A ceramic or glass type, approximately
2-1/2 inches long.
Ground rod - A 6-feet to 8-feet length, 3/8-inch diam-
eter conductive rod.  NOTE: A ground rod is not
needed if you use an alternate ground, such as the cold
water pipe in your house.
Clamp - A device used to connect a ground wire to a
ground rod.
Lightning arrester - A device used to discharge lightning
to the ground, protecting electronic equipment.
For additional information on antennas, contact your
local library.
                                          FIGURE 3 -  RANDOM LENGTH WIRE ANTENNA
GND A N T E N N A5050
SERIAL #
SOLDER
LEAD-IN TO
ANTENNA
GROUND
ROD
ANTENNA DISCHARGE UNIT
(to protect from lightning)
50 TO 100
ANTENNA
INSULATOR
INSULATOR
* GROUND
(if used)
See  A Note About
Grounding on this page. 
						

							RF GAINTUNING123
4
756
89
0
CLEAR
SSB MEM
AM
VOLUME
SW2 Shortwave Receiver
kHz
SYNC AMMETER
SYNCLSB
USB
POWERMEM
+ 60
+ 40
+ 20
S9
VFO
6     Getting Started
                                       RF GAIN        VOLUME       NUMERIC KEYPAD       POWER      TUNING BUTTONS    TUNING WHEEL
FIGURE 4
European radio equipment and stations often refer to
the wavelength of a station or band (in meters), rather
than frequency (in MHz or kHz).  To convert MHz to
meters, use this formula:
            METERS = 300/Frequency (MHz)
Example: What is the wavelength of 6120 kHz
(6.120 MHz)?
              300/6.120 MHz = 49 Meters
DIRECT FREQUENCY ENTRY
Enter the desired frequency by pressing the numeric
buttons.  Frequency is entered in kilohertz (kHz).
Entries from 100 kHz to 30000 kHz are valid.
NOTE: The receiver will prompt with Error if an
invalid frequency is attempted.
Direct entry of a desired frequency is possible using the
keys 0-9 and the 
 or  buttons.  If an incorrect
frequency has been entered, press the clear button to
erase the entry and return the receiver to its previous
settings.
Enter a frequency as follows:
1) Entry is in kHz (kilohertz).  A maximum of 5 digits
may be entered.
Example 1: 700 kHz                       *
Press  
7, 0, 0, then  or  .
* The depression of the 
 or  buttons acts as an
enter button and causes immediate response to the
entered frequency.  If the 
 or  buttons are not
pressed at the end, the receiver will automatically
enter the desired frequency after a slight delay. GENERAL OPERATING INFORMATION
This receiver is easy to use.  Please take a few moments
to read through this section and familiarize yourself with
general operating information.
GETTING STARTED
1. Connect the AC Adaptor to the receiver and plug the
AC Adaptor into a source of nominal 120 VAC, 60 Hz
power.  POWER LED SHOULD LIGHT UP.
2. Make certain that an antenna connection is made
to the appropriate rear panel ‘ANTENNA’ connec-
tor or screw terminal.
3. Please refer to Figure 4.  Press the 
 button to
turn on the SW2. The display will show the receive
frequency.  Set the RF GAIN control fully clockwise. Set
the VOLUME control for a comfortable volume level.
4. Please refer to Figure 4.  Tune to the desired fre-
quency by using one of several methods covered below.
This communications receiver is calibrated in Kilohertz
(kHz) and, accepts frequency entries only in ‘kHz’.  It will
help to become familiar with these terms:
Kilohertz:  Kilo means thousand. A Kilohertz is 1000
Hertz or 1000 cycles-per-second and is abbreviated
‘kHz’.
Megahertz: Mega means million.  A Megahertz is
1,000,000 Hertz or 1,000,000 cycles-per-second and is
abbreviated ‘MHz’.
Thus the relationship of these two frequency quantities
is:                    1 MHz = 1,000 kHz
Examples:  5.875 MHz = 5875 kHz
                 29.660 MHz = 29660 kHz
Meter: The term meter, as applied to shortwave listening,
refers to the wavelength of a radio frequency.  In many
parts of the world, frequencies are listed in meters, for
example, international shortwave stations in the 19 Meter
band. 
						

							Getting Started, continued     7
Other bands used by Amateur radio operators (HAMS)
are displayed when in SSB mode of operation. The
Amateur Band Designators and corresponding fre-
quency ranges are as follows.
                 Amateur Band Designators
                 80 METER:  3500 - 4000 kHz
                 40 METER:  7000 - 7300 kHz
                 30 METER:  10,100 - 10,150 kHz
                 20 METER:  14,000 - 14,350 kHz
                 17 METER:  18,068 - 18,168 kHz
                 15 METER:  21,000 - 21,450 kHz
                 12 METER:  24,890 - 24,990 kHz
                 10 METER:  28,000 - 29,700 kHz
AM SYNCHRONOUS OPERATION
For general tuning and listening, normal AM is best.  If,
however, the received signal sounds distorted, or
interference from adjacent stations is present, AM
synchronous should be engaged.  The synchronous
detector in your receiver can greatly reduce the severe
audio distortion that can occur due to selective signal
fading.  The synchronous detector also permits
selectable tuning to either the upper or lower sideband
portion of an AM signal.  Since most all AM (LW, MW
and SW) broadcasting generally uses double-sideband
transmission, synchronous detection of either of the
two sidebands results in full reception of the transmit-
ted information.  The selectable sideband tuning and
synchronous detection not only aids reception by
permitting tuning to the stronger or less distorted
sideband, but also permits rejection of the sideband
nearer to the interfering signal(s).  For Example:
The synchronous detector will lock to the strongest
signal that is within the IF passband when it is activated.
Most of the time, the strongest signal will be the carrier
of the desired signal.  First, be sure the main tuning is
set to within 1 kHz of the desired station’s transmitting
frequency.  Press the 
AM
SYNC button to activate synchro-
nous operation.   If adjacent channel interference or
any other undesired signal is sufficiently strong, the
synchronous detector may lock to it instead.  In that
case,  press the 
AM
SYNC button to turn the synchronous
detector off and repeat the tuning process. Example 2: 29660 kHz                   **
Press  
2, 9, 6, 6, 0
** When the maximum of 5 digits are entered, the
receiver will automatically enter the frequency as soon
as the last digit is pressed.
TUNING BUTTONS and TUNING WHEEL
Tuning to a desired frequency can also be accom-
plished by pressing the 
 /  Tuning buttons and/or
turning the Tuning wheel.  The frequency will change in
5 kHz increments with the  
 /  Tuning buttons,
and will change in 50 Hz increments when turning the
Tuning wheel.
Pressing and holding the 
 /  buttons will cause the
tuning rate to increase after a short period of time.
SHORTWAVE ‘METER’ BAND DESIGNATOR
ENTRY
To facilitate tuning to particular sections of the short-
wave band that contain many worldwide broadcasts of
news, information and music, the SW2 displays the
‘METER’ band if the receiver is tuned to a frequency
that is contained by designated shortwave bands.  If the
receiver enters one of the METER BANDS, the
number of that band will be displayed on the right side
of the display, above the METER LED.  In some cases,
the worldwide broadcast station may not announce its
exact operating frequency, but will announce the
‘METER’ band in which it is operating or to which band
it will move to improve worldwide reception at a
particular time of day.  The Shortwave Band Designa-
tors and corresponding frequency ranges are as
follows:
Shortwave Band Designators
120 METER: 2300 - 2500 kHz
 90 METER: 3200 - 3400 kHz
 75 METER: 3900 - 4000 kHz
 60 METER: 4750 - 5060 kHz
 49 METER: 5800 - 6200 kHz
 41 METER: 7100 - 7600 kHz
 31 METER: 9500 - 9900 kHz
 25 METER: 11600 - 12100 kHz
 22 METER: 13570 - 13870 kHz
 19 METER: 15100 - 15800 kHz
 16 METER: 17480 - 17900 kHz
 13 METER: 21450 - 21850 kHz
 11 METER: 25600 - 26100 kHz
                 CARRIER
LSB              USB
interference from
adjacent station
Select LSB to
receive this
side only
(120 is not
displayed) 
						

							8     Getting Started, continued
AM SYNCHRONOUS OPERATION, continued
If interference is present, press the 
SSB button to
select the sideband with the least interference.  When
AM/SYNC has been activated, moving the main tuning
knob will cause the SYNC circuit to momentarily
disengage (indicated by ‘SYNC’ flashing), then back on
again when tuning has stopped.  AM SYNC will not
operate properly on intermittent transmissions such as
those encountered on CB radio bands, for example.
For those types of transmissions, use the AM mode.
Press the 
AM
SYNC button to turn the synchronous
detector off (return to the AM mode) before
selecting LSB or USB modes.
SSB OPERATION
Activate SSB mode by pressing the 
SSB button.  AM
SYNC must be turned off.
Tuning in a single sideband (SSB) signal can be some-
what frustrating for the first time listener. In either of
the SSB modes, LSB (lower sideband), or USB (upper
sideband), the receiver will select the 2.3 kHz band-
width automatically.  Generally, LSB is used below
10 MHz and USB is used above 10 MHz.  When initially
tuning in the desired station, tune slowly. If the station
is unintelligable, try the other sideband, again tuning
slowly. A station tuned in on the wrong sideband is
totally unreadable but a station mistuned on the
correct sideband may sound like ‘Donald Duck’.
Further tuning will result in a more normal voice pitch.
USING THE RF GAIN CONTROL
Maximum receiver sensitivity is obtained with the RF
GAIN control set fully clockwise.  Rotating the control
counterclockwise reduces the receiver gain, thereby
allowing reception of only relatively strong signals.  For
most normal operation, the control is set fully clock-
wise.  If signal distortion is noticed, which is possible
when tuning in very strong (local) stations, rotate the
control counterclockwise until the distortion just
disappears and the desired station is still heard.   The
RF GAIN control can also be rotated counterclockwise
to reduce background noise when no signal is present
(during tuning, for example), but only relatively strong
signals will be heard with a reduced RF GAIN control
setting. 
						

							Memory Functions     9
This receiver contains 100 memories (00-99) that can
be used to store and recall commonly monitored
frequencies.  The following operating parameters are
also stored with any memory channel:
1) Frequency    2) Mode    3) Synchronous Detector
NOTE: Some of the 100 memory channels are factory
programmed to help the user get started.
MEMORY CHANNEL RECALLING
To recall any of the 100 memory channels of the SW2,
simply press the 
MEM
VFO
 button, the MEM LED will
light and the receiver will tune to the last used memory
channel or default to channel ‘00’.  A channel number
can be accessed directly, by entering the desired two
digit channel number. A channel number can also be
accessed by scrolling through the channels with either
the tuning wheel and or the 
 /  buttons.  While
scrolling though the channels the receiver continues to
tune to that frequency and the mode settings for that
channel.
NOTE: While scrolling through memory channels , if a
channel is empty, it will be skipped numerically.
If it is desired to return the receiver to the frequency
tuned in the VFO mode, simply press the 
MEM
VFO
button and the receiver returns to VFO mode and
MEMORY RECALL mode is exited.  However, if it is
desired to load that memory channel into the VFO,
press and hold the 
MEM
VFO
 button. The channel will be
loaded and MEMORY RECALL mode will be exited. At
this point, the receiver can once again be tuned.  The
MEM
VFO
 button or the CLEAR button can be used to exit
MEMORY RECALL mode if that mode is entered
accidentally or it is desired to exit MEMORY RECALL.
The 
CLEAR button is also used to erase mistakes made
during direct entry of a memory channel.
To Erase Memory Channels - While in MEMORY
RECALL mode, simply pick a memory channel to erase.
Press and hold the 
CLEAR button until the channel is
removed from the display.  The receiver will change to
the next ascending available memory channel.
MEMORY CHANNEL PROGRAMMING
First, be certain that the receiver is in VFO mode (MEM
is not lit).  Then tune the receiver to the frequency to
be stored as a memory channel.  Press and hold the
MEM
VFO
 button for at least two seconds or until MEMlights and the memory channel showing “--” is flashing.
The receiver is now in the MEMORY STORE mode.  If it
is known into which memory channel number the
desired frequency is to be stored, simply enter the two
digit location. Upon entry of the second digit, the SW2
will flash what is currently stored in that memory
channel (if it is not desired to store the channel at this
time, press the 
CLEAR button and the SW2 will return to
the original MEMORY STORE mode display).  To store
the chosen channel, press the 
MEM
VFO
 button and the
SW2 will “scroll” the desired frequency into the display
and store the frequency and all of the current mode
settings.
If unsure of where to store a frequency, (while in
MEMORY STORE mode), simply scroll through all of
the memory channels and their current contents by
using the tuning wheel and or the 
 /  buttons.  All
information will flash in the display while scrolling.
NOTE: Empty memory channels are displayed as blanks
in the frequency display section with only the memory
channel number flashing.  Once a suitable channel
location is found, simply press the 
MEM
VFO
 button and
the frequency is “scrolled” into the display and all
information is stored.  NOTE: While scrolling through all
the memory channels and looking for a suitable location,
the SW2 is NOT tuning to the stored contents of the
memory channels, and the audio of the desired fre-
quency remains unchanged.  The 
CLEAR button is used to
exit MEMORY STORE mode if it is accidentally entered
or upon exiting the mode. The 
CLEAR button is also used
to erase errors made during direct entry of a memory
channel.
HELPFUL TIPS FOR MEMORY CHANNEL
OPERATION
The following helpful tips for memory channel operation
may be useful to the novice shortwave listener.
1) Put all of the favorite stations in the first 20 memory
channels (00-19).
2) Place all AM broadcast stations together in a desig-
nated section of memory channels, while placing
shortwave stations in another section.
3) Place shortwave or amateur frequencies into a
location that corresponds with their meter designator.
For example, shortwave stations found in the 75 meter
band (3900-4000kHz) could be placed into memory
locations 70-79.
4) Place all meter band designator locations with leading
frequencies in memory channels corresponding to their
meter band designators.  For example, use memory
channel 19 to store 15100 kHz.  This will allow quick
access to the beginning of the 19 meter band. 
						

							10     Troubleshooting
PROBLEM
No front panel displayPROBABLE CAUSE
A) No power applied either by AC
Adaptor or DC source.
B) Defective AC Adaptor or blown
fuse in DC power cable (if DC is
the intended source).
C) Receiver in the power OFF mode.SOLUTION
A) Check that AC Adaptor cable or
DC cable is properly connected to
the rear panel POWER INPUT
connector.  Check that the AC
Adaptor is plugged into a source of
nominal 120 VAC power source.
B) Check the AC Adaptor and
replace if defective. Check DC
power source, fuse and cable.
C) Press the  
 button for a
frequency display.
A) Slowly turn the tuning wheel to
clarify the sound.
B) Rotate the RF GAIN control
counterclockwise until the distortion
just disappears or is reduced.  Adjust
to full gain when retuning to a
weaker station.
A) Adjust RF GAIN control clockwise
until weaker stations are received
B) Make sure the antenna is properly
connected and of effective length.
Check for proper placement (height
above ground, etc.). A) Receiver is not tuned onto the
station properly.
B) RF GAIN control set fully clock-
wise and receiving a very powerful,
nearby radio station.
A) RF GAIN control not set fully
clockwise.
B) Ineffective length and placement of
antenna. Stations sound is distorted
Weak stations are hard to receive TROUBLESHOOTING 
						

							Service Information / If You Need To Call For Help     11
SERVICE INFORMATION
You may contact R. L. DRAKE Service Department for
additional information or assistance by calling
(513) 746-6990, Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. -
5:00 P.M. EST, except on holidays.
You may also contact the R. L. DRAKE Service Depart-
ment by E-mail at the following address:
[email protected]
or by Telefax:
+1 (513) 743-4576.Should you want to return your unit for service,
package the receiver carefully using the original carton
or other suitable container.
Write your return address clearly on the shipping
carton and on an enclosed cover letter describing the
service required, symptoms or problems.  Also include
your daytime telephone number and a copy of your
proof of purchase.
The receiver will be serviced under the terms of the
R. L. Drake Company Limited Warranty and returned
to you.
IF YOU NEED TO CALL FOR HELP
Call our Customer Service/Technical Support line at
(513) 746-6990 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST,
weekdays. Please have the unit’s serial number
available. We will also need to know the specifics of
any other equipment connected to the unit.
When calling, please have the unit up and running, near
the phone if possible. Our technician(s) will likely ask
certain questions to aid in diagnosis of the problem.
Also, have a voltmeter handy, if possible.
R. L. DRAKE also provides technical assistance by
e-mail: [email protected]
or by Telefax: +1 (513) 743-4576.
Many of the products that are sent to us for repair are
in perfect working order when we receive them. For
these units, there is a standard checkout fee that you
will be charged.  Please perform whatever steps are
applicable from the installation sections of the Owners
Manual before calling or writing—this could save
unnecessary phone charges.  Please do not return the
unit without contacting R. L. Drake first: it is preferred
to help troubleshoot the problem over the phone (or
by mail) first, saving you both time and money.
Inside the carton, enclose a note with your name,
address, daytime phone number, and a description of
the unit’s problem.
The unit must be sent to the following address:
R. L. Drake Company
230 Industrial Drive
Franklin, Ohio 45005 U.S.A.
Be sure to include your street address which will be
needed for UPS return. UPS Surface (Brown Label)
takes 7-10 days to reach us depending on your loca-
tion, Blue takes 2-3 days. Red is an overnight serviceand is expensive. Send the unit in a way that it can be
traced if we can’t verify receipt of shipment. We
suggest UPS or insured postal shipment.
If the unit is still under the original owner’s warranty,
R. L. DRAKE will pay the cost of the return shipment
to you. Our return shipping policy is that we will return
it UPS Brown if received Brown or by US Mail, it will
be returned Blue if received Blue or Red—or it will be
returned however you prefer if you furnish the return
cost for the method you select.
If the unit is out of warranty, it will be returned by UPS
Brown label COD unless:
1) It was received UPS Blue/Red, in which case it will
be returned UPS Blue/Red COD;
2) You designate billing to American Express, VISA,
MasterCard or Discover card;
3) You prepay the service charges with a personal
check, or
4) You specify some other method of return.
When calling, the technician can estimate the repair
charges for you over the phone. This is another good
reason to call before sending a unit in for repair.
Typically, equipment is repaired in five to ten working
days after it arrives at R. L. DRAKE if we have all the
facts. If we must call you, it may take longer. R. L.
DRAKE is not responsible for damage caused by
lightning, nonprofessional alterations, “acts of God”,
shipping damage, poor storage/handling, etc. R. L.
Drake will make note of any shipping damage upon
receipt.
Should your warranty card not be on file at R. L.
DRAKE, you will need to send proof of purchase to
receive warranty service. Typically, a copy of the
invoice from an R. L. DRAKE dealer will suffice. The
warranty is for the original owner only and is not
transferable. 
						

							12
This page left intentionally blank 
						

							Warranty     13
One Year Limited Warranty
R.L.DRAKE COMPANY warrants to the original purchaser this product shall be free from defects in material or
workmanship for one (1) year from the date of original purchase.
During the warranty period the R.L.DRAKE COMPANY or an authorized Drake service facility will provide, free
of charge, both parts and labor necessary to correct defects in material and workmanship.  At its option, R. L. Drake
Company may replace a defective unit.
To obtain such warranty service, the original purchaser must:
(1) Complete and send in the Warranty Registration Card within 10 days of purchase.
(2) Notify the R.L.DRAKE COMPANY or the nearest authorized service facility, as soon as possible after discovery
of a possible defect, of:
(a) the model and serial number,
(b) the identity of the seller and the approximate date of purchase; and
(c) A detailed description of the problem, including details on the electrical connection to associated equipment
and the list of such equipment.
(3) Deliver the product to the R.L.DRAKE COMPANY or the nearest authorized service facility, or ship the same
in its original container or equivalent, fully insured and shipping charges prepaid.
Correct maintenance, repair, and use are important to obtain proper performance from this product.  Therefore
carefully read the Instruction Manual.  This warranty does not apply to any defect that R.L.DRAKE COMPANY
determines is due to:
(1) Improper maintenance or repair, including the installation of parts or accessories that do not conform to the
quality and specifications of the original parts.
(2) Misuse, abuse, neglect or improper installation.
(3) Accidental or intentional damage.
All implied warranties, if any, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, terminate
one (1) year from the date of the original purchase.
The foregoing constitutes R.L.DRAKE COMPANY’S entire obligation with respect to this product, and the original
purchaser shall have no other remedy and no claim for incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or do not allow the exclusions or
limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation and exclusion may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
This warranty shall be construed under the laws of Ohio.
For service information contact:
R.L. DRAKE COMPANY
230 Industrial Drive
Franklin, Ohio  45005
Customer Service Center Phone: +1 (513) 746-6990     TELEFAX: +1 (513) 743-4576 
						

							R.L. DRAKE COMPANY
230 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE
FRANKLIN, OHIO 45005  U. S .A.
 CUSTOMER SERVICE AND PARTS TELEPHONE:
 +1 (513) 746-6990
 TELEFAX:
+1 (513) 743-4576
WORLD WIDE WEB SITE: http://www.rldrake.com
®