1. Get the 909X2 radio
Just playing a new radio for a few hours is enough for me to master most of the new functions and their operating methods. In the next few days, weeks, and months, I will explore the neglected features and explore new ways to control the radio. Sometimes I will read the instructions again. Note: Three days ago, I just received this brand new Sangjin ATS-909X2 radio. Therefore, this article is not a comprehensive review, and wrote it in a different way. Here, I mainly observed its shortwave and medium wave reception performance.
My first experience with the Sanjin ATS-909X2 radio was on the Amazon website. On December 16, 2020, I ordered this radio for a list price of $459.99. The radio was not shipped, and the price has dropped twice. Every time before shipping, I cancel the order and place the order again at a lower price. In the end, I ordered 909X2 for $297.95 and paid with credit card bonus points and a little money from Amazon gift card.
2. A simple comparison with the previous product
On February 19th, which is Friday afternoon, I received 909X2. In the first 24 hours, I mainly played short wave and only played medium wave for a while. During the period, I did not shoot any video, and spent all my time on the search band. The latest version of the ATS-909 series of radios is a well-designed product.It's not just a case for 909X . 909X2 continues the sound of the predecessor product’s loudspeaker. The tuning knob has not changed compared to the 909X . The solid workmanship is the same as the previous product. In addition, the overall layout, reception performance, and size The same is true for size and weight. Like the 909X, the 909X2 's single-sideband sound is still smaller than the AM sound. I don’t like to increase the volume of the radio in order to use ECSS mode or listen to single sideband. Like the 909X, the new radio performs well after using an external antenna, and it is not easy to overload after connecting a long, long-wire antenna.
Similar to 909X, 909X2 also occupies a place in portable multi-band radios. It's a bit too big and heavy for carrying around, but in the past few years, I have put the 909X in my travel bag many times. Sometimes in order to carry this best radio, I would take a few less clothes. These radios have excellent performance on the desk or on the workbench in the radio room. This radio is big enough and powerful enough to have top-notch sound performance in all working modes. In the evening, I will use it with Sennheiser HD280 Pro headphones. Use 909X2 radio, you can get top performance on a small radio. This is an overused metaphor, but think about the small communication receivers with VHF aviation band and FM band from the 1950s to the 1960s. 909X2 The speaker sound used to listen to the broadcast is better than many amateur radio equipment.
3. Equipped with a variety of new functions
909X2 has many new functions. In addition to charging Ni-MH batteries such as Philharmonic like a series of products, 909X2 can also monitor each battery separately for you to identify those batteries that are not in good condition. In terms of single-sideband, users can now choose a tuning step of 10 _strong4 —20HZ . Except for high-frequency single-sideband, the automatic bandwidth adjustment function is applicable to all bands. is also equipped with more frequency storage locations, divided into three independent storage banks. The screen brightness of can also be set to light and dark, the FM band can be soft mute, and the button beeps can also be turned off. 909X2 has no easter eggs, but is equipped with an INFO/MENU button for you to make personalized control settings.
's brand-new bandwidth selection function makes longwave, medium wave, shortwave, FM and VHF aviation band signal quality has a real improvement, especially when used in combination with the tone switch. The automatic bandwidth adjustment function can select the bandwidth with the best signal-to-noise ratio. Now I understand why the shortwave bandwidth of the 909X2 is relatively narrow: it will quickly select and switch between multiple bandwidths.If the bandwidth interval is too large, the sound will sound harsh. When encounters severe signal attenuation, the automatic bandwidth adjustment function is very useful, and it really improves my ability to identify weak AM broadcast signals. This function does have a miraculous effect on attenuating the signal: when a different bandwidth is selected, the sound quality will also change. When listening to shortwave, I will not turn this feature on by default, but it is definitely a weapon when needed.
909X2 The AM performance of is as good as 909X , However, because there are more bandwidth options and frequency storage addresses, there are still some improvements. I found that the long wave performance of 909X2 is better than 909X , and the image frequency of medium wave is lower. I can basically hear more long-wave beacon signals with 909X2. On the west coast of the United States, there are very few long-wave signals.
909X2 has a single-sideband minimum tuning step of 10HZ , which means it will perform well in ECSS mode. I can call up a shortwave music station on the 909X2 without vibrato, but it is impossible to do this on the 909X radio with a minimum tuning step of 40HZ.
In the past five years, the price of 909X has been around US$220. Only in a few festivals, the price on Amazon can drop to US$190. After the epidemic, its price rose by another $30, and the prices of other radios in this price range also experienced the same increase.
4. Is it worth starting?
Now spend more money to start with 909X2 value? I want to say: value! I will treasure the 909X2 radio.
I think there will be no major improvements in the near future. Shanjin is a private company in Taiwan Province of China and has its own factory in the Mainland. 1 The 20 trial-produced machines sold in Europe this month are not in the same batch as the products sold by the American Sanjin company this month. The American Sanjin Company has 2 trial-produced machines, and they will not put these two machines on sale. The first batch of retail machines arrived at Sanjin Corporation in the US before the Chinese New Year in mid-January. If the 909X2 has major improvements, we won’t see these radios for at least 6-8 weeks. In any case, I don't see any major improvements that need to be made.
Believe it or not, I have been playing Shantou ATS-909X2 radio, and have not tested the FM or VHF aviation band.
This video (video abbreviated-translator's note) was taken when I was writing this article. Seeing is believing, hearing is evidence. I demonstrated its shortwave and medium wave functions under real life conditions. I also tested the terrible LCD and internal noise when I touched the machine, looked at it, listened to it, and compared the reception effect of the whip antenna with other radios. You can also hear some weak remote signals, not just the Brother Stair radio. You need to observe its automatic bandwidth adjustment function.
Evaluation: Dan Translation + Pictures + Editor: Radio Commentary Translation Source: swling
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