Incoming radio: Zhiwhis ZWS-C919

Decisions, decisions. Recently I’ve been thinking about a radio: the HanRongDa HRD-C919 / Zhiwhis ZWS-C919 / Raddy RF919 / Retekess TR113.

Here are some reasons I’m interested:

1. Wide frequency of coverage including Air, Weather, CB, LW, SW, VHF and UHF.
2. I have a small feeling of familiarity, thinking about my Raddy RF760 and HanRongDa HRD-757
3. Optionally controlled by the Radio-C phone app.
4. It records and plays MP3.
5. Bluetooth.
6. SSB.
7. A conditional recommendation from Jay Allen.
8. It seems to be actively supported: new firmware and revised manual.
9. It seems to be a generally overlooked radio that I could write about.
10. Lighted keys.
11. Ability to pick background color. (On some of these you get one color with Raddy and a different color with HanRongDa or Zhiwhis.) Of course, it will end up green.
12. Exceptional 20W speaker.
13. FM support on CB band.
14. A variety of antenna connections, including a rotatable ferrite, phone jack and SMA.
15. Comes with a case.
16. It’s on sale.

Here are some negatives:

1. I have too many radios already.
2. It’s expensive (just under $184 on sale).
3. It’s big.
4. It looks cartoonish.
5. No FM RDS.

There are some videos I’ve watched from Paul (OM0ET) and Fred in the Shed. Paul is especially thorough in his review lasting over an hour. What I’ve concluded from the reviews is that this is a serious radio and that I might actually use it. Both videos were made in May of 2024, before an external T rotatable ferrite antenna was included standard in the package. Neither video mentions the carry case. They were also made prior to the current firmware update and before the August 2024 manual revision. Paul explained the operation of the radio using a block diagram card that comes with the radio. This is what it looks like in the product manual:

The manual, what is called the “Extended Manual,” indicates that it included new features added by V1.706 of the firmware, including some new setting options and something about selecting free CB channels. The new manual includes instructions for installing firmware updates, something Fred said he didn’t know was possible. Today, sellers make a point of stating that their product has been updated to V1.71.

Operation

After watching the OM0ET (Paul) and Fred in the Shed videos, I feel pretty comfortable with basic operation. Paul suggested one initial setting, and that is to turn on the low-pass filter and not to use the first low noise amplifier.

Appearance

I was originally put off by how this radio looked. It seemed more like a cartoon or a toy — or something inspired by an old Panasonic military themed radio.

The radio makes more sense now that I’ve learned the controls and some of what is displayed on the display screen.

The radio is supposed to be delivered October 9. I should be home from my volunteer day with Habitat for Humanity about the time it should come.

Questions On My Mind

1. Does it soft mute?
2. Will the antenna switch in the back be loose like Fred’s?
3. Will the antenna tuner do nothing like the one Jay Allen had?
4. How will different antennas perform?
5. Can I get the boost with a long wire and ground on LW that I get on my DX-286?
6. Will the rotatable external MW antenna make a difference over the internal one?
7. Will all the settings make the radio annoying to use?
8. Can I pick up my outdoor weather station?

I found a teardown video.