Here are some things I discovered. I’ll add when I get something new.
The Tuning Knob Step
I knew from watching videos that there are two concentric knobs above the number keys and that turning them changes the frequency of the radio.
I also saw the inner knob is also a button and that pressing it changes the tuning step. I even found one particularly clueless video that said that the outer knob was “coarse tuning” and that the inner knob is “fine tuning.” Lots of classic radios over the years work that way. Images of my beloved Realistic DX-300 came to mind:
But when I started using the C919, I noticed that sometimes BOTH knobs advanced the frequency by the same amount, and that pressing the button sometimes changed the step of one, and sometimes the other. I looked at the manual and it seemed a little fuzzy. Here’s what I figured out:
- To set the outer wheel step, rotate the wheel briefly so that it becomes the “current” control. Then press the center wheel. With each press the step advances and the step value is displayed on the main display under “STEP”. Step values are limited to a predefined list for each band.
- To set the inner wheel step, rotate the wheel briefly so that it becomes the “current” control. Then press the center wheel. With each press a different display digit flashes. The flashing digit is the one that will increment or decrement when the center wheel is turned. This technique allows some step values larger and smaller than can be set on the outside knob.
Backlighting
I often like to video reception on my radios, and I also like to go outside to test them, sometimes at night. Having the display illumination go off is bad for the video, and bad for operation in the dark. The C919 has a setting for how long each display and the key backlight stay on, but the maximum 30 seconds isn’t long enough for any practical use; the alternative is the “FULL” setting where they stay on constantly. FULL would be super, except that the light stays on forever, even after the radio has been turned off. The only way to get the lights off would be to go into settings for each of three settings and turn them off, then individually set them to FULL with the next use of the radio.
Firmware v1.706 addresses the problem. Once the radio is turned off, long press the DISPLAY button to turn off the lights. This is in the Raddy revised manual, but not in my Zhiwhis version.
More tips when I find them.