Incoming Radio: JOC J-101W

It’s a weakness. AliExpress sent me an email — 50% off, free shipping.

It cost $27.28 — that’s just $3 per band. Looks big! Actual size is 105 x 45 x 118mm (4.1 x 1.8 x 4.6 in). So it’s at least not tiny. It also comes in dark and light green color (reminds me of a HanRongDa HRD-700 back in the day). The “Service Manual“; however, is tiny. Supposedly the “9 bands” are MW, FM and SW-1-7. Usually a “W” suffix on the model number would indicate a weather band variant, but that’s not the case here.

Features

The screaming deficiency for me is the lack of a digital readout. Also Shortwave is not full coverage, limited to 5.7-17.9MHz. MW tops off at 1620 kHz rather than 1710. The frequency response is advertised as 30 Hz – 15 kHz. Yeah, right. One reviewer said it had “good bass.”

It uses an 18650 battery (included). USB Type-C charging. IPX-3¹ weather resistant.

Given that it’s weather resistant, meaning outdoor use, the flashlight question arises, and apparently there is none. It does work as a Bluetooth speaker and can play music from a USB flash drive or MicroSD card. Surprisingly, it has ATS.

Update:

Here’s a video I found.

1. IPX3 Provides protection against
   Light rain
   Water spray from any direction up to 60°
   Occasional splashing
   Being near a sink or light spray from a hose (not direct jet)
   Does not protect against
   Heavy rainstorms
   Direct water jets (IPX5/IPX6)
   Immersion (IPX7/IPX8)
   High‑pressure washing
   Submersion in puddles or dropping into water🤖 ↩︎