I noted before a new variant of the LiJiANi Rd239 for sale at AliExpress, interesting because it added app control, SSB, and communicating with an external (possibly outdoor) repeater. The repeater model was identified as “W2.” This was clearly interesting to me because of all the internal noise in my house.
Now there is another that popped up on Amazon today when I went browsing for Prime Day deals.
It’s a rather attractive wooden-cased radio, covering MW, FM, SW, WB, Air and VHF/UHF. It also has app control. It’s external device that relays reception to the main unit is called a W3 and, unlike the LiJiANi, it does not advertise SSB reception. Here is the Amazon link, YouTube video, manual for the HanRongDa-branded version, and another YouTube video.
The app for this radio appears to be the same as the Radio-C (Android)/Radio-CT (Apple) common to other Zhiwhis/HanRongDa/Raddy models. The size is 5.5″L x 3.3″W x 6.4″H.
The base radio supports MW, FM, SW and Weather (only when the region is set for the Americas). The Repeater adds AIR band and what’s called either VHF or U.VHF, that’s coverage from 25 – 999 MHz.
I note that the “base unit” uses 3 18650 batteries, and the Repeater uses 2 of them described as “built in,” but they are user accessible.
The base unit supports TF Card for recording and playback, plus AUX and Bluetooth. There are two speakers and the manual says FM stereo is supported. I’m taking that to mean that the speakers are stereo. The manual notes “Left” and “Right” speakers.
The gimmick for this radio is the repeater that supposedly can be up to 20m away, apart from household electrical noise. The other attraction is the hope that the speakers will be good. Real stereo speakers are almost unheard of on portable radios. It also has an integrated stand and a big knob.
Amidst a blinding array of bands and features, I did note one gaping hole: SW reception is only from 3.2 – 21.85 MHz. And I don’t know what to make of the SW “SUB band”. Are they bands or jump points? [Update: they are jump points.]
The radio has something akin to a region setting, controlled by the FM band start frequency; setting that automatically sets the MW step.
Several HanRongDa radios (HRD-701, HRD-760, HRD–c919) have a tuning method involving what they call a “shuttle.” In short, one can select a particular digit of the displayed frequency and increment or decrement that single number. This one is no exception with the manual saying:
Fast shuttle step rate selection
Rotate the [ TUNING] knob. The minimum position number increments or decrements and flashes. When the frequency value is flashing (approximately flashing for 5 seconds), press the small spindle. The flashing frequency position number changes. You can select the desired frequency position number according to your actual needs. Rotate the [ TUNING ] button to quickly adjust the target frequency point.
In following these instructions, it’s important to keep in mind that there are two knobs labeled “TUNING,” a small one and a large one.
Some issues remain a little fuzzy. The radio should arrive June 28. This is not a radio for a SWL. Its SW frequency range is limited. It can’t directly enter a frequency. It doesn’t receive SSB. Still it’s something different.
Questions:
Can the connection to the repeater be turned on and off? Yes.Exactly which bands are handled by the radio and which by the repeater?The radio handles MW, FM, SW and and Weather; the Repeater adds AIR and U.VHF.Does it detect weather alerts?While the Manual doesn’t explain how, it appears that there is such a feature. Check out my upcoming review for details.Is the time of day stored with saved audio files?YES! Also date and frequency!