Top Ten Portable Shortwave Radios for 2025

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Kevin

Most “top ten” lists online are garbage. I found a top ten shortwave radio list, two of which didn’t even receive shortwave! I’m taking the question seriously, and there are no affiliate links in what follows. When considering candidates for my list, I asked what’s new and what’s interesting. What adds value? What makes it a solid radio in its class and why someone would be pleased to own it?

So here’s my top 10 list. These radios are just presented alphabetically, as their relative value varies depending on the user’s needs and budget. I’ve only included models currently available for purchase new. The listed prices are for reference only. Sample prices are from Amazon US on February 22, 2025. Radios often go on sale. Used deals can be found as well.

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Artificial Radio Intelligence

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Kevin

In preparation for my upcoming article on “The Best Portable Shortwave Radios for 2025,” I asked Microsoft Copilot AI to consider a list of radios I’ve not personally used. It responded and in is confusion added a radio I didn’t ask about, the Tecsun PL-990.

Caution: sometimes Copilot is flat wrong (like saying the PL-990 has air band or that the C Crane Skywave SSB 2 has no antenna jack). Copilot found a number of mistakes when I asked it to fact check its own output. Below are its revised versions. Independent verification of the AI content is always prudent.

Sangean ATS-909X2

Overview:

The Sangean ATS-909X2 is the flagship model from Sangean, renowned for its exceptional reception and extensive feature set. It’s a favorite among serious shortwave listeners and radio enthusiasts.

Key Features:

  • Band Coverage: AM, FM, Longwave (LW), Shortwave (SW), and Single Side Band (SSB)
  • Display: Large, easy-to-read color LCD with customizable backlighting
  • Memory Presets: 1,674 memory channels organized into 24 memory pages
  • Tuning Methods: Auto scan, manual tuning, direct frequency entry, and rotary knob
  • Audio Quality: 3W speaker with bass and treble controls for enhanced sound
  • External Antenna Jack: Yes, for both AM and FM/SW bands
  • Additional Features: Dual conversion, ATS (Auto Tuning System), alarm clock, sleep timer, and adjustable bandwidth filters

Pros:

  • Exceptional Reception: Equipped with advanced circuitry for superior sensitivity and selectivity
  • Robust Build Quality: Solid construction with a premium feel
  • Comprehensive Features: Offers extensive memory presets and tuning options
  • User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive menu system and controls
  • Enhanced Audio: Customizable sound settings for optimal listening experience
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Finding New Content at BlogOrDie!

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Kevin

Stay Updated with BlogOrDie! RSS Feed

At BlogOrDie!, we’ve always offered an RSS feed to keep you connected with our latest content. RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication,” and it’s a standardized way for content providers to distribute their updates. With an RSS reader, you can easily stay informed about new posts from your favorite sites.

If it’s just this site, then you can visit every now and again, but if you have several, a feed aggregator might be convenient. One popular RSS aggregator is Feedly, which offers a free subscription tier and was even recommended by a friendly AI assistant! Some web browsers, such as Microsoft Edge and Safari, can natively display RSS feed content, while others might require a plugin.

How to find RSS Feeds

For WordPress Blogs: Just add /feed to the end of the URL. For example, www.example.com/feed.

For Blogger and Blogspot Blogs: Add /feeds/posts/default to the base URL. For example, www.example.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

Here are some other shortwave radio blog feeds to consider:

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Powering the MLA-30+ Biasing Tee

Posted on February 14, 2025 by Kevin

The Usual Uninteresting Solution

There are a couple of issues one reads about related to the topic of this article. One is that AC powered USB supplies introduce noise, and that battery USB supplies will sometimes automatically shut off because of the low current draw — the battery supply decides noting is connected and shuts down.

The first is solved by using a battery supply, and the second is solved by selecting a supply that stays on under the low-powered load. I personally use a 10000 mAh Bscame BS-1 battery bank that I like a lot.

Bscame portable charger

First World Problems

But what if you don’t have a battery pack handy? Where else can one get power for an MLA-30+? Let’s start by asking what the Biasing Tee needs in terms of power. That’s easily measured.

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World Radio Day – 2025

Posted on February 13, 2025 by Kevin

I think I’ll sit in my recliner with my old friend, Eton Elite Executive, hooked up to my new friend, long wire antenna.

I listened to some shortwave and then thought I’d try out FM. The radio was already tuned to 90.3 MHz and a station was there playing classical music. So I asked Microsoft Copilot the closest FM station to me on 90.3, and it replied WRXT in Roanoke, VA, a contemporary Christian music station. The music was classical, so I asked Copilot again, adding “classical music.” It responded with WHRO in Norfolk. A quick web stream listen confirmed the station.

Here is the WHRO coverage map:

WHRO FM Coverage Map — Radio-Locator.com
Red Arrow is me

The distance is about 132 miles, the transmitter 8800W. I tried it without my 40-ft external antenna and there was nothing. I tried the Qodosen DX-286 and received a slightly better signal, but nothing on its telescopic. One more test with the Jstvro ATS25 max-Decoder yielded a weaker signal.

WHLO FM on Eton Elite Executive with long wire antenna

I had some doubts that the long wire would make a difference on FM, but it clearly does.

And also for World Radio Day I note that Radio Habana Cuba is back on the air on 6000 kHz, heard in English until 02:07 UTC here in central Virginia on my 40 ft long wire antenna on the Qodosen DX-286 as well as the Eton Elite Executive.

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Speaking Truth to Power (watch for updates)

Posted on February 9, 2025 by Kevin

So just how much capacity is in those battery packs and emergency radios?

I measured them using the tools I wrote about in Incoming Tool: UNI-T UT658DUAL USB LCD USB Type C Digital Tester. Consider these not best case results.

I’m testing a range of devices from dedicated battery packs to hand warmers with USB output. I also want to test some 18650 batteries. One approach for those is to put them in a radio like the XHDATA D-608WB an emergency radio that provides 5V USB output. Once discharged, I can charge them back up with my MiBOXER C8 battery charger that gives a value in mAh once the battery is charged.

ModelTypeStated capacity (mAh)Rated
Current
(Amps)		Measured mWhComputed mAh
Bscame BS-1Battery
Pack		10000331460*8502
iRonsnow IR-866Emergency
Radio		10000125662*6936
C311Hand
warmer		100002246546663
Sanyo 35E
3500 mAh		18650 cell350010
XHDATA 3000 mAh18650 cell3000?
Qodosen
3250 mAh		18650 cell3250?
EasyAcc PB15000CBattery
Pack		150002.1
ifrogz IF GLT2-BK0Battery flashlight30002.169401876
Zhiwhis
ZWS-2415		Emergency
Radio		100002.4
Mregb YD-819Battery
Pack		4280035848515806
Batteries, battery packs and power supplies
* See text

Methodology

The USB tester has a significant design flaw; when the test completes (the supply battery is exhausted), it shuts off and loses its measurements. I was lucky to have written down some results from the Bscame BS-1 not too long before it shut down. That didn’t happen with the iRonsnow IR-688. It finished when I wasn’t looking and I have to recharge and start over. These up and down cycles take hours.

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New Radio Gallery

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Kevin

The Blog or Die! menu features a new item, the Radio Gallery. It’s a collection of photos of radios I have known, most actual photos of my radios, but a few product photos. It’s not complete and I will be tinkering with it over time. The old confusing Photo Album is kaput.

Radio Gallery

I’ll try to do some photo editing to make the photos look better; some are a bit dim.

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