Author Archives: Kevin

About Kevin

Just an old guy with opinions that I like to bounce off other people.

First Impressions: JOC J-101W

Posted on July 30, 2026 by Kevin

This is an inexpensive radio / music player. They’re selling on AliExpress today for under $23 with free shipping. It’s an MW/FM/SW radio and music player. In this short First Impressions post I’ll discuss packaging, look and feel, preliminary sound … Continue reading →

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Incoming Radio: JOC J-101W

Posted on July 20, 2026 by Kevin

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 … Continue reading →

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FM Log

Posted on July 19, 2026 by Kevin

I rate FM radio performance by counting local stations I can hear down on my patio in the middle of the day. That’s simplistic, because daytime propagation varies and E-Skip happens. Not all stations are necessarily local and consistent.

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Evaluating the Zhiwhis ZWS-802 + W3

Posted on July 9, 2026 by Kevin

The package consists of a MW/FM/SW/WB radio with stereo speakers, plus a repeater — an external device that is a radio itself, able to relay received audio to the base radio. The repeater adds AIR band and VHF/UHF. Let’s start … Continue reading →

Posted in Product Reviews, Radio | 5 Comments

Incoming Radio: LiJiANi RD-239S + W2 Repeater

Posted on July 5, 2026 by Kevin

I’ve been waiting to order this since early May when an early version appeared on the AliExpress website with prominent warning that SSB tuning step was 5 kHz and that there was no printed English manual, to be remedied by … Continue reading →

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Walmart?

Posted on July 3, 2026 by Kevin

Dangerous outdoor temperatures have kept me indoors and away from necessary outdoor testing for my ZWS-802 review, so to pass the time I clicked on a CNBC video on YouTube about Walmart’s attempt to boost online sales and complete with … Continue reading →

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First Impressions: Zhiwhis ZWS-802 + W3 Repeater

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Kevin

E-gad, this shipping box is heavy: 4 lbs. 6 oz. It may have something to do with the 5 x 18650 batteries, 3 for the radio and 2 for the repeater. And unlike almost every radio in my experience, it’s … Continue reading →

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