Crane EP-Pro vs Qodosen DX-286

[mayidunk]

Hello. I'd like your comments on which radio you'd prefer if you were looking for an "all in one" portable. Basically an excellent AM and FM receiver. I also considered the CC2 or 3, but don't like the switch issues, which we all know still exist. Currently I use old Zeniths for AM, and a Tecsun PL- 880 for FM. But it would be great having a capable radio with both bands. I'm not crazy about the digital step tuning/muting, but could live with it if it's worth it for the performance. Or if the step tuning could be disabled. Your thoughts?

I have the EP PRO. To me it's as good as my Super Radio II, and it's pretty good on batteries. It's a digitally tuned radio with an analog scale and pointer, so you get the accuracy of the digital tuner, but as is usually the case with analog radios, the pointer and scale is just "close enough." The dial light is pretty bright, though, and it makes the dial very easy on the eyes. While the "step" tuning may be a bit annoying, it's that way because it's digitally tuning in the stations, so it's really very accurate at getting the station tuned in on center frequency. I think it's worth it, especially as it appears to do a good job keeping adjacent stations from bleeding over into the station you want to hear.

As a plus, the tunable twin coil ferrite antenna gives you a decent signal boost on AM, especially for distant signals. It also has a good sized whip antenna for FM. The case is solid enough, though I wouldn't go throwing it around. It has a pretty convenient carrying handle, a switchable external antenna input for AM, a non-switchable external antenna input for FM, and a 9kHz/10kHz AM step switch. It also comes with a wall wart power supply that doesn't produce any RFI that I've ever noticed. I can't really say how it is for FM dx'ing, but it seems to do a pretty good job at pulling in the stations, and it has a good sound to boot. As for AM dx'ing, it's as good as my Super Radio, and perhaps even a bit better!

In my opinion it was money well spent, and I'm glad to have gotten one while they're still being made (The selection of radios available on C. Crane's web page seems to be diminishing over time). To me it was a solid choice but, like everything else, your mileage may vary. Good luck!

 

[mayidunk]

Well, I got my hands on a Qodosen:

Qodosen DX-286 First Impressions

By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM There was quite a bit of excitement in the ultralight radio community in 2024 when folks “discovered” the Qodosen DX-286 radio. The very first version of this radio was the …

swling.com

Interesting how the DX-286 resembles the old Sony ICF-SW1.

 

[KB2GOM]

I have the EP PRO. To me it's as good as my Super Radio II, and it's pretty good on batteries. It's a digitally tuned radio with an analog scale and pointer, so you get the accuracy of the digital tuner, but as is usually the case with analog radios, the pointer and scale is just "close enough." The dial light is pretty bright, though, and it makes the dial very easy on the eyes. While the "step" tuning may be a bit annoying, it's that way because it's digitally tuning in the stations, so it's really very accurate at getting the station tuned in on center frequency. I think it's worth it, especially as it appears to do a good job keeping adjacent stations from bleeding over into the station you want to hear.

As a plus, the tunable twin coil ferrite antenna gives you a decent signal boost on AM, especially for distant signals. It also has a good sized whip antenna for FM. The case is solid enough, though I wouldn't go throwing it around. It has a pretty convenient carrying handle, a switchable external antenna input for AM, a non-switchable external antenna input for FM, and a 9kHz/10kHz AM step switch. It also comes with a wall wart power supply that doesn't produce any RFI that I've ever noticed. I can't really say how it is for FM dx'ing, but it seems to do a pretty good job at pulling in the stations, and it has a good sound to boot. As for AM dx'ing, it's as good as my Super Radio, and perhaps even a bit better!

In my opinion it was money well spent, and I'm glad to have gotten one while they're still being made (The selection of radios available on C. Crane's web page seems to be diminishing over time). To me it was a solid choice but, like everything else, your mileage may vary. Good luck!

I own both the EP-PRO and the Qodosen. Interestingly, and helpfully, both offer the ability to provide a hardwire connection to an external medium-wave antenna, like the Terk AM Advantage.

A friend and I compared the EP-PRO to his GE Super Radio, and he (an expert AM DXer) offered the opinion that the EP-PRO was the hotter receiver. I really enjoy using it, although the lack of a digital readout drives me a little nuts when I am in a hurry to get an ID.

The Qodosen has all the modern conveniences: digital readout, seek functions, memories, additional ways of tweaking the signal, and it's small and handy, and I enjoy using it. But it runs off those darned rechargeable batteries.

If you cocked a .44 magnum, pressed it against my forehead, and said "choose one," I think I would choose the EP-PRO, but I know there would be times when I would sorely miss the Qodosen. Note: I normally listen with headphones.

 

[mayidunk]

I own both the EP-PRO and the Qodosen. Interestingly, and helpfully, both offer the ability to provide a hardwire connection to an external medium-wave antenna, like the Terk AM Advantage.

A friend and I compared the EP-PRO to his GE Super Radio, and he (an expert AM DXer) offered the opinion that the EP-PRO was the hotter receiver. I really enjoy using it, although the lack of a digital readout drives me a little nuts when I am in a hurry to get an ID.

The Qodosen has all the modern conveniences: digital readout, seek functions, memories, additional ways of tweaking the signal, and it's small and handy, and I enjoy using it. But it runs off those darned rechargeable batteries.

If you cocked a .44 magnum, pressed it against my forehead, and said "choose one," I think I would choose the EP-PRO, but I know there would be times when I would sorely miss the Qodosen. Note: I normally listen with headphones.

Also, while you can use an external AM antenna with the EP-PRO, the twin coil ferrite antenna it contains does a very good job at tweaking weak signals, and possibly even providing some help to attenuate nearby signals that may be overloading the front-end. While I have never actually used it for this purpose, I've seen where others claim to have done so. It makes sense conceptually as tuning the phase relationship between the coils on the antenna could do that, but if the signal is strong enough it'll likely swamp the front-end regardless.

 

[mayidunk]

One other thing that may be a plus for you as regards the EP Pro. At night I like to fall asleep listening to stuff off of the internet. I run an Aux. cord from the headphone jack on my tablet, to the Aux. input on the EP Pro. I find that the radio gives a much better sound than a Bluetooth speaker, and the volume control on it is not stepped like the volume control on the Bluetooth, making it easier to adjust the volume just right. Also, the Bass and Treble controls make it so much easier to fine tune the sound so it's easier for my old ears to hear without having the volume set too loud. I find them much easier to adjust than the equalizer on the tablet, as I can't adjust it while listening to the program, leaving me to guess at what to adjust, and how much to adjust it, and then going back to the program to see if I got it right. Going back and forth like that is such a royal pain in the Aspencade! With the EP Pro, I just simply adjust the volume, bass, and treble controls just like on any other audio device.

In the end, while the other radio has some pretty cool features, as well as seeming to be everything you wish the SW1 could have been, the EP Pro seems to just simply do the job, and do it well. No muss, no fuss.

So, I guess it kind of comes down to whether you want a souped up Sony ICF-SW1 clone (which, I admit, is a very cool thing to consider), or an AM/FM radio that pretty much excels at being just that, while also having a trick or two up its sleeve that makes it even better.

Once again, I hope this helps. Good luck deciding!

 

[a727469]

I’m spoiled by digital displays so I never considered the EP PRO, but I do have an old superadio I never use.

 

[T680]

I’m spoiled by digital displays so I never considered the EP PRO, but I do have an old superadio I never use.

I use mine occasionally. It's still awesome after all these years.

 

[mayidunk]

I use mine occasionally. It's still awesome after all these years.

Hey, isn't that part of the fun of DX'ing? Having to listen through all the static, and clutter, and then to finally get to where you can just about make out what they're saying just as they're doing the station ID... only for a deep fade to roll right on in just as they announce the freq and the call letters? Come on, guys! It's the suffering that makes it all worth while, right?! LOL!!! ;-)

 

[KB2GOM]

Hey, isn't that part of the fun of DX'ing? Having to listen through all the static, and clutter, and then to finally get to where you can just about make out what they're saying just as they're doing the station ID... only for a deep fade to roll right on in just as they announce the freq and the call letters? Come on, guys! It's the suffering that makes it all worth while, right?! LOL!!! ;-)

Well . . . yeah! The "treasure hunt" is part of the fun.

I'm not an avid fisherman, but I have done a little, and if you caught a record bass or trout on every cast, it would get boring, right? But the fact that you might on the next cast adds to the intrigue, no?

 

[T680]

Hey, isn't that part of the fun of DX'ing? Having to listen through all the static, and clutter, and then to finally get to where you can just about make out what they're saying just as they're doing the station ID... only for a deep fade to roll right on in just as they announce the freq and the call letters? Come on, guys! It's the suffering that makes it all worth while, right?! LOL!!! ;-)

This reminds me of listening to the radio when the Super Radio was new, aching to hear the station ID before the signal faded into static like WWV does just before they announce the time and without the ability to go online and look up who is broadcasting using the digital display to provide the frequency.

 

[ditto1958]

This reminds me of listening to the radio when the Super Radio was new, aching to hear the station ID before the signal faded into static like WWV does just before they announce the time and without the ability to go online and look up who is broadcasting using the digital display to provide the frequency.

How do the WWV people know to fade it out right when we are trying to listen? 😂😇

 

[T680]

How do the WWV people know to fade it out right when we are trying to listen? 😂😇

They're really good at it too, they've been doing it for years.