DX-398 shortwave receiver problem: dead headphone channel

Karl: A schematic is hardly needed to fix the problem you reported. Most likely broken or cracked solder connections on the headphone jack. If you are not handy with the right tools and experience this would not be a very expensive repair at most shops. While you do not have to be a rocket scientist to fix this, a lot of expensive damage can be done by an improper repair and disassembly of the radio. FIRST... it might be wise for you to try another headphone or cord to make certain that the problem is in the radio and not what is plugged into the jack.

Of course, it's also important to check the headphones in another piece of equipment, to make sure that it's not the headphone's problem. It's easier to replace or repair the headphones than take apart the receiver, so it's worth checking this first.

Michael

Well actually, I thought of that right off and tried two different phones. I also have removed and checked the jack, and it is ok, and I can't find anything visually awry with traces or components. I guess I'll have to scare up a schematic somewhere and trace it out.

Thanks for the replies.

When you get that schematic, check to see if the radio has a *stereo* headphone jack (you can do this by inspection as well). If not, the only way you can get both sides to work is by using a 2.5mm mono to stereo adaptor.

jak

It does have a stereo jack. I have the exact same radio, and the headphone and line-out jacks are the only way to get stereo FM.

For the original poster, did you try the line-out jack? Do both channels work on it?

RadioShack does have a parts list on-line:

You may also want to look through this FAQ that covers the DX398, and the radio it's based on, the Sangean ATS-909:

Yes, line out works fine. It occurs to me I might have shorted out the right channel once upon a time when I plugged in a mono speaker to the headphone jack. That would probably short the right channel to ground. I wasn't aware of the problem until I plugged in a headphone for the first time in a long time a couple of days ago.

In every headphone jack schematic I have ever seen there are series resistors that prevent any possible damage if the headphone wires are shorted.... it is not like a low impedance speaker output that if it is shorted you end up blowing the audio output amp. More than likely there is a bad jack, cracked solder connections, cracked board traces, bad jack (I repeated this on purpose)..... or of course you could have a marginly incompatable headphone plug.... try another set of headphones even if the first pair seems to be fine on other equipment. electricitym . . .