Zhiwhis ZWS-2415: On Shortwave

Posted on January 27, 2025 by Kevin

The Zhiwhis ZWS-2415 is shipped with a 3-meter clip-on wire antenna, so that’s how I did my initial test today. I went up to the local pickleball court where there is a convenient picnic table and set up the wire antenna (not pulled taut) and three radios: the Zhiwhis ZWS-2415, an XHDATA D-109WB and my new Jstvro ATS25 max-Decoder.

I went out around 3:20 pm local time in central Virginia or 20:20 UTC.

XHDATA D-109WB, Zhiwhis ZWS-2415, Jstvro ATS25 max-Decoder

The XHDATA D-109 has a reputation as a good shortwave radio, but one plagued with overloading when operated in strong signal areas (like where I don’t live). It has also proven to do a good job with auto tune storage (ATS). It has an external antenna jack, but for this test I clipped the wire onto the end of the collapsed telescopic antenna. It tunes up to 3o MHz. I used its ATS to pick stations. The Music / Voice option was set for Voice.

In the center position is the Zhiwhis ZWS-2415, the prime focus of this exercise. The external antenna was clipped on the end of the collapsed telescopic antenna.

And on the right is the other new kid on the block, the Jstvro ATS25 max-Decoder, one that I’ve had very little time to study. Again the antenna was clipped onto the end of the supplied collapsed telescopic antenna.

All three radios have a feature that I very much appreciate when comparing radios, a MUTE button. It’s a >|| button in the D-109WB, a short press of the power button on the ZWS-2415 and a MUTE button on the touch screen of the ATS25.

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Zhiwhis ZWS-2415: First Impressions

Posted on January 26, 2025 by Kevin
Zhiwhis ZWS-2415: Mandatory Product Photo

Unboxing

It comes in a nice box with outstanding padding. Here are the photos and some initial comments.

Zhiwhis ZWS-2415 Emergency Radio Box
Zhiwhis ZWS-2415 Emergency Radio Box Padding
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Incoming battery: Nuynix PS21K – FRAUD ALERT!

Posted on January 25, 2025 by Kevin
Nuynix PS21K solar battery pack and flashlight – Fake

More or less random pick from Amazon, $18.99 before coupon. It can charge from USB or solar (slow) and output up to 3A at 5V. It’s rated at 38,800 mAh.

FRAUD ALERT

This isn’t what it claims to be. I should have done the math before buying.

According to the product description, this Nuynix PS21K battery pack, including case and solar panel, weight 8.3 ounces, or 235.3 grams. According to multiple sources1 the maximum energy density in commercial lithium polymer batteries is 200 Wh/kg (some as low as 140). For this battery, the theoretical maximum energy capacity would be 0.2353 kg × 200 Wh/kg = 47.06 Wh. At 3.7V (which is the specification on the product label), this comes to 12,732 mAh, three times the advertised capacity.

Over the years, Amazon has been plagued by fake batteries and fake memory devices. Don’t get ripped off.

A story Amazon doesn’t want you to hear

Deleted Amazon Review

While they emailed me to say my review had been approved, it was subsequently deleted without notice. I understand why, I guess. Amazon doesn’t allow reports of inaccurate product descriptions in reviews. I could rewrite the review, but that would involve testing the product and I’ve already sent it back.

  1. https://www.tytorobotics.com/blogs/articles/a-guide-to-lithium-polymer-batteries-for-drones ↩︎
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Blog or Die: Seal of Approval

Posted on January 25, 2025 by Kevin

So I asked Microsoft Copilot: “I have a blog called Blog or Die! Can you design a seal that says “Blog or Die – Seal of Approval.” Image should be simple and minimalist.”

Copilot: “Your “Blog or Die – Seal of Approval” is on the way. I hope it captures the essence of your blog! If you need any adjustments or more designs, just let me know.

Me: “maybe the image without the skull and the pencil”

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Incoming Radio! Zhiwhis ZWS-2415

Posted on January 25, 2025 by Kevin

But, but, but, I thought that unpronounceable green thing was the incoming radio (Incoming Radio: Sttfaishen S10). It didn’t work out. Not only was the product description wrong (color and size), it just didn’t work well on weather band. So another radio will be welcomed into the arms of Goodwill Industries. Sigh.

So here is the next great hope:

Zhiwhis ZWS-2415 (Amazon Product Photo)
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Snake Bit by Emergency Radios

Posted on January 24, 2025 by Kevin

Some of this comes from old memories, but I think it’s fairly accurate.

Kaito

Back in the day I bought a nice emergency radio, a Kaito KA-600.

Kaito KA-600 Emergency Radio

It had many features, including LW, MW, FM, SW and weather bands. It had FM RDS and weather alerts. It had one other feature, a non-slip rubberized coating that turned to goo after a couple of years. I cleaned it up the best I could and it went away.

Eton

Still on a name brand kick I got an Eton Solarlink FR360. It was just MW/FM and weather.

Eton Solarlink FR360

I don’t remember how well it performed. I accidentally left it out on my deck and after the rain, the radio never worked again.

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Incoming Radio: Sttfaishen S10

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Kevin

There seems to be an influx of newer and even more powerful battery emergency radios on the market. This Sttfaishen S10 had a 20% off coupon with a final price of $31.99 on Amazon for a 20000 mAh battery charger, plus a Bluetooth speaker, shortwave radio and NOAA Weather Alert radio. It checks all the boxes.


Sttfaishen S10 – Amazon Product Photo

I like the color (it also comes in orange), but the Amazon product listing shows two different green colors, the one above that I like and a darker green with black accents that’s less attractive. I hope the speaker is decent.

UPDATE: They shipped the darker green one.

This one definitely has the NOAA Alerts:

Amazon Product Photo

Shortwave coverage is limited to 2.3 – 23 MHz, but that’s par for the course with these radios, and shortwave is not essential in an emergency scenario.

What I found intriguing was this bit from the listing title: 15W Fast Charge. With a fast charger, this radio is going to charge twice as fast as usual! The product description suggests it also charges other devices faster.

The product listing does not have a weather resistant rating included.

While necessarily heavier than the Axyebi MD-107 because of the considerably greater battery capacity, it is amazingly small, only 3 x 4 x 2 inches, or 24 cubic inches, compared to the Axyebi at over 75 cu in.

UPDATE: The radio is huge, no matter what Amazon product listing or reviewers say. The Operator’s Guide says it’s 95 x 168 x 73 mm (3,74 x 6.61 x 2.87).

The other thing

Wait a minute! I thought you just bought an emergency radio. Yes, I did. Someone will have the opportunity to get a great deal at the local Goodwill store. Nothing at all wrong with that radio. This one will I think suits me better.

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