How does it compare to the ATS 909X with regard to SSB and broadcast reception? I am an on the lap user so the use of a wire is not really an option
753550
II'm not familiar with other brands since this is the first short wave unit I've had since I was a kid. I can only say that even with a wire, I'm disappointed with how little traffic there is on thle short wave bands.
753551
Poleske: Eham.net gives The Tecsun PL880 (Average price $150) 4.2 Stars Vs the Sangean ATS 909X (Average price $250) 4.5 Stars. For the price i went with the Tecsun PL880.....Aldo
753552
I just hang the antenna wire up over a window or picture frame and try to use the full length in your home it does work better with the wire antenna for short wave . good luck
280975
Take the radio back to where you bought it asap. My first ATS-909X had a defective aerial out of the box. My second ATS-909X seems better. It's sensitivity on 31 metres is worse than on any of the 5 other short wave radios I have. Because I bought the radio in the U.S. and live in Canada, Sangean Canada was unwiling to help me. Fortunately Universal Radio, where I bought it did help. In short, quality control and customer support by Sangean are very poor and their ATS 909X is grossly overpriced. You wil, do much better with the Sony ICF 7600GR or the Tecsun PL 660. The ATS 909X is the first and last Sangean I will ever buy. Take the radio back to where you bought it asap. My first ATS-909X had a defective aerial out of the box. My second ATS-909X seems better. It's sensitivity on 31 metres is worse than on any of the 5 other short wave radios I have. Because I bought the radio in the U.S. and live in Canada, Sangean Canada was unwiling to help me. Fortunately Universal Radio, where I bought it did help. In short, quality control and customer support by Sangean are very poor and their ATS 909X is grossly overpriced. You wil, do much better with the Sony ICF 7600GR or the Tecsun PL 660. The ATS 909X is the first... » Read More Take the radio back to where you bought it asap. My first ATS-909X had a defective aerial out of the box. My second ATS-909X seems better. It's sensitivity on 31 metres is worse than on any of the 5 other short wave radios I have. Because I bought the radio in the U.S. and live in Canada, Sangean Canada was unwiling to help me. Fortunately Universal Radio, where I bought it did help. In short, quality control and customer support by Sangean are very poor and their ATS 909X is grossly overpriced. You wil, do much better with the Sony ICF 7600GR or the Tecsun PL 660. The ATS 909X is the first and last Sangean I will ever buy. « Show Less
1368645
if the ad range is 60feet of RX power. Replace the stock antenna with a 2-3-4x higher dbi antenna (I believe this one features a RP-SMA antenna port vs the Miccus which is SMA port.) and you'll get a much better range and signal strength. I replaced my Miccus antenna with a 8dbi and i can basicly dance around the whole home in both TX and RX modes. But with the standard antenna i was only able to do half my home. And this is threw walls,etc. So if you get ether such. Highly suggest getting a upgrade antenna.
737968
D~ did you get this and does it work for you? I am also in SJ and looking at getting an antenna. Thx!!!
495662
...I am not sure about the differences between the models. I can say we use the Platinum model 1 daily, and the descriptions you can read about the sound quality are true. Living in LA, it does not need a separate antenna either to receive a clear signal (although I did buy one).
1358801
My use of the Over the air channels has been limited, but I believe it has the (ATSC) Digital Tuner and Have been able to to bring in channels pretty good and different sites, but it was also connected to Basic roof Antenna In our Rv.
2107143
The 880 has awful sync (unusable) and poor SSB. The AM seems to be improved from the 660 as is the user interface. The 880 has far better sound. For AM and FM it's the 880. For SW it's the 660. If I could only have 1??? The 660 for sure. 880 not ready for prime time at all on SW.
1906608
Really the only difference is the frequencies, (and the antenna is tuned for those frequencies). As to why, I bought the 2m/1.25m (144/220) because there is almost no activity in my area on the 70cm band (440) but there is a 1.25m repeater nearby that we (my wife is also a Ham, and also has a UV82x) can talk to each other on from just about anywhere in our area. So the one you want depends on the bands commonly used in your area. And in case you didn't know, this is a FCC Part 97 Ham Radio, as well as a Commercial FCC part 90 radio, both uses requires a FCC license to legally use. This radio is NOT part 95 legal (MURS and FRS/GMRS) Really the only difference is the frequencies, (and the antenna is tuned for those frequencies). As to why, I bought the 2m/1.25m (144/220) because there is almost no activity in my area on the 70cm band (440) but there is a 1.25m repeater nearby that we (my wife is also a Ham, and also has a UV82x) can talk to each other on from just about anywhere in our area. So the one you want depends on the bands commonly used in your area. And in case you didn't know, this is a FCC Part 97 Ham Radio, as well as a Commercial FCC part 90 radio, both uses requires a FCC license to legally use.... » Read More Really the only difference is the frequencies, (and the antenna is tuned for those frequencies). As to why, I bought the 2m/1.25m (144/220) because there is almost no activity in my area on the 70cm band (440) but there is a 1.25m repeater nearby that we (my wife is also a Ham, and also has a UV82x) can talk to each other on from just about anywhere in our area. So the one you want depends on the bands commonly used in your area. And in case you didn't know, this is a FCC Part 97 Ham Radio, as well as a Commercial FCC part 90 radio, both uses requires a FCC license to legally use. This radio is NOT part 95 legal (MURS and FRS/GMRS) « Show Less
1750910
I bought my Astatic D104 new to go with my Cobra 148-GTL. Get nothing but good to excellent reception reports over the last 20 years. Set your radio, antenna and mic up right and I suspect you'll get the same.
1758339
The manufacturer says 2000 watts which is 500 watts over the allowed 1500 watts allowed in amateur radio. But, it doesn't say for how long a period of time, assuming SSB operation NOT AM which would be continuous. From what I've heard on the air you can 'melt' the inside of the antenna if you push it too much for too long.
287986
This radio does indeed tune 518kHz. Punch in 518 on the keypad and then the AM button and you're there. Then turn on the SSB and you'll hear any RTTY transmissions. It has a narrow bandwidth of 4 kHz. It doesn't go any narrower.
1013533
Yeah, I don't know which is more buggy so I only own the mk908, I can say that the 908 reception has never been a problem and I do thank the external antenna. I have this and chromecast. Hate chromecast, but honestly now that chromecast is opting to really start opening the door to 3rd party it will probably be my long term choice. Love the 908 mirroring idea... But, yeah, bugs. Whether it is hardware or the ezcast app I seem not smart enough to say..... But it can get tedious and frustrating. I have fiddled, prayed, watched videos, etc. It is annoying that you can't rely. Sometimes just doesn't work well.
1137453
Two questions: I know BFO is the antenna that can help pull in ssb and help fine tune? stations, what do the initials stand for? ?Big? Ferrite ?O...? Also is it QSL cards from stations one can get-does that stand for Quick Shout L....??? I love swl and the different stations, but I wish there were more bbc, D Welle, and others broadcasting like years ago. It is fascinating and I guess romantic to pick up stations from across the world.
1088473
Get a better antenna. This one is kinda lame. If you have any sort of hill or building between you and the repeater, you wont get a good signal. I turned my Tram 1185 into a scanner antenna. It works better as a scanner antenna then it did as a mag-mount on my truck. Spend an extra twenty bucks on a 5/8ths wave antenna from a better brand. But to directly answer your question, I would imagine that you might be able to tune this antenna to 164-166. I doubt you could get a flat SWR on it though because I bet it would be too short.
1010589
I agree. I bought a better antenna and it works as good as any handheld I've had or had experience with. WELL worth the money!
1097008
Without an swr matcher, the A99 runs 40 CB channels well has below 1.5 swr match right out of the box - I use a matcher and get 12, 11, 10 meters - 22-30 mH...handles linear amp power well. never adjust rings. Use very good low loss cable. Great for freaked radios-covers easily above and below 11 meters. Coil system discharges static electricity build up, so helps with lightning protection. 3 fiber glass sections-18 feet high - works mounted low too, since has low radiation with optional radisals. Handles weather, rain/wind well. Have had couple since the 80's, I think. A99 is half wave, better than 1/4 wave, OR maybe upgrade to 5/8 wave--A99 is kind of a beginners antenna, with a good $ price. Without an swr matcher, the A99 runs 40 CB channels well has below 1.5 swr match right out of the box - I use a matcher and get 12, 11, 10 meters - 22-30 mH...handles linear amp power well. never adjust rings. Use very good low loss cable. Great for freaked radios-covers easily above and below 11 meters. Coil system discharges static electricity build up, so helps with lightning protection. 3 fiber glass sections-18 feet high - works mounted low too, since has low radiation with optional radisals. Handles weather, rain/wind well. Have had couple since the 80's, I think. A99 is half wave,... » Read More Without an swr matcher, the A99 runs 40 CB channels well has below 1.5 swr match right out of the box - I use a matcher and get 12, 11, 10 meters - 22-30 mH...handles linear amp power well. never adjust rings. Use very good low loss cable. Great for freaked radios-covers easily above and below 11 meters. Coil system discharges static electricity build up, so helps with lightning protection. 3 fiber glass sections-18 feet high - works mounted low too, since has low radiation with optional radisals. Handles weather, rain/wind well. Have had couple since the 80's, I think. A99 is half wave, better than 1/4 wave, OR maybe upgrade to 5/8 wave--A99 is kind of a beginners antenna, with a good $ price. « Show Less
502535
This is a mid-range antenna, not a long range. And, I'm in a reception "hole" since broadcast went digital. When broadcast was analog, I could receive Dayton channels, sixty plus miles away. I could not receive even the strongest station with this antenna; but I can receive the Public channel, Bowling Green , which is slightly further away in the opposite direction. I'm not familiar with the antenna to which you referred in your query. If it works well for you, let me know.