I bought the Zhiwhis version (ZWS-603) in April of 2022 and I learned that there had been firmware updates since my V1.6 radio to V2.4. Zhiwhis tech support told me that my older radio couldn’t be updated to the latest firmware; the circuitry had changed.
But, but, but you already an Si4732 mini.
Yes, but there is new firmware, notably with RTTY/CW decoding. It also supports loading the EiBiSpace schedules from a computer. And there is ETM, a waterfall display and a gray scale mode. All that and more.
This update is from enthusiast H. J. Berndt. You can read about it and get started yourself. Ask your browser to translate to your language. Firmware is a moving target, so the best way to get up-to-date information is from the source link.
The installation instructions direct the user to employ the Adafruit WebSerial ESPTool for installation. I was lucky and picked the correct COM port on the first try. It was the one on my Windows 11 computer labeled “USB JTAG debug.” All I had to do was select the binary file I downloaded and it installed (just set the file for the first location). This is considerably simpler than the flash tool I’ve used in the past.
Continue readingGoodwill Industries locations locations may participate in the national ShopGoodwill auction site and route collectible, vintage or specialty electronics (such as shortwave radios, ham gear, or high-end audio equipment) to the online marketplace rather than selling at retail locations.
Sales are through online auctions and “buy it now,” rather like eBay. Items do not come with guarantees, but there are pictures and condition descriptions. A handling fee is added, typically $2 and shipping.
Continue readingIt’s no big deal for me since I have a pile of 18650 batteries, but reading anecdotes on the Internet leads me to think procuring them is a problem for some folks.
Initially, the DX-286 was sold without batteries. Then it was sold in two versions, one without batteries and one with two batteries. That provided a solution, but the 2 battery version added $10 to the price and I note that competitor XHDATA sold its radios standard with batteries installed, as does Tecsun.
I started seeing hints of a third version of the DX-286, one with a single battery, and now that appears to be the new version on Amazon.
Rather than the 2-battery version where the batteries were plastic wrapped, the new one comes with a 3350 mAh battery installed in the case, with a plastic tab to separate the battery contact from the radio — pull tab before use.
When I look at the serious under $100 radio list now, most come with a battery, so this simplifies the choices.
Unlike my “Top Ten Portable Shortwave Radios for 2025,” these are not necessarily the best you can buy, but ones that I think bring something worthwhile to the table, and are good value. They’re ones that I personally use and enjoy.
These selections might fit into a few broad categories: Some of them have an active developer community with exciting changes in firmware with new capabilities and for the brave of heart the possibility of updating the circuitry. Some are entertainment focused, with good speakers, music play and Bluetooth speaker capability. Some are in the Swiss Army Knife category that have flashlights, device charging, SOS sirens, a compass and a thermometer. Some are bargains. Some are just great shortwave radios, sensitive, well-designed, pleasant to use and with the options needed to coax out best reception.
For details on any entry, check out my manuals page.
Here is the list (in alphabetical order):
I was in the chat room of the OfficialSWLChannel on YouTube when someone commented that the clock on their radio wasn’t accurate. I got out a few of mine and observed some a minute or so off, some more, but my Eton Elite Executive had the correct time and a couple of weeks later it still had the time within a few seconds.
Today I got out my Grundig G4000A that I seldom use, and that probably hasn’t had its clock set since I bought it 7 months ago. It was accurate at least to the minute. And later today I read a comment on the XHDATA Facebook group saying that the D-808 is well known for clock problems (consider the source).
This seems like a question worth researching. All I need is pile of radios and some spare time. Now where in the world could I find a pile of radios? Hmmm.
The methodology is simple. First I’ll set the clock on the radio to some close approximation of the correct time and then record the exact time when it switches to the next minute. The exact time will come from the time.gov website. After a while the radio time and the real time can be compared. RDS Time setting will be set off (as I do with all my radios with the option).
A few of my radios have an app that simplifies setting the exact time based on my phone’s time, which I observe is accurate to the second; unfortunately, it only sets local time, not UTC.
I’m excluding radios like the Sparkelec DP-666 that synchronize with an internet time server.
| Radio | Days | Gain / Loss (Sec) | Sec / Day | Sec / 30 Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eton Elite Executive | ||||
| Grundig G4000A | ||||
| HanRongDa HRD-701 | ||||
| HanRongDa HRD-757 | ||||
| Kaito KA1101 | ||||
| Qodosen DX-286 | ||||
| Raddy RF760 | ||||
| Sangean ATS-909 | ||||
| Tecsun PL-330 | ||||
| Tecsun PL-660 | ||||
| Tecsun PL-990 | ||||
| XHDATA D-808 | ||||
| Zhiwhis ZWS-C919 |
It will be a month or so before I have any data. Based on some preliminary observations, I think some radios will prove surprisingly accurate.
If you have a radio of interest that’s been previously covered on the blog, but not on the list, leave a comment.
