Tecsun PL-990X VS Sangean ATS-909X2
- Thread starter jazzboypro
- Start date
Interesting that pretty much all Sangean models have an issue with SSB. My RS version of the ATS-505 is amazing for FM, ok on HF AM, but is almost useless on HF USB. Lesson learned.
My RS200629 / ATS-505 is OK on SSB. It doesn't have great strong signal characteristics, though, which may be what you are noticing. I live in a low signals area (a narrow valley) so my radio doesn't experience the stronger SSB that much, but when it does, the radio definitely chirps. I don't use it all that much for SSB and CW for that reason. You either have to kick in the DX/Local switch, or just use the whip on very strong signals. Regular medium strength and / or weak signal stuff is OK.
So yeah, that could have been improved. Great radio for HF AM, MW DXing (with a loop, especially in my location) and FM.
The DX-398/Sangean 909 is excellent on SSB. I have no problem whatsoever. Readout may be off by a 1/2 KC or a few Hz on either USB or LSB (not sure which one might be off). I don't care. It's in the ballpark and being able to read the signals is paramount, and much more important than being able to tell other DXers I heard ______ ham station, naming the frequency down to the last Hz.
The DX-390 / Sangean ATS-818 is also excellent on SSB. Its BFO is stable, and it's easy to use. Not as sensitive as the 909, but still quite useful. Great, especially, for CW and HF AM. MW DX with a loop. FM is great.
My DX-440/Sangean 803A is also useful, not quite as sensitive as the other two models, but handles long antennas well (watch out for the static -- use protection -- or it will zap your RF amp) and the BFO is stable enough to read CW, SSB, etc.
So Sangean has a few SSB products that have been quite good. The readout issues, as I mentioned, really are inconsequential. I'm not one of those SWLs who has to make sure I state the frequency down to the Hz. If the radio makes the signals readable, and I can surf the HF ham bands and DX them, and dial in the SSB or CW and read it well, to me those sorts of radios get the job done.
The ATS-505 is obviously weaker in this regard, and it's a mystery to me why they didn't just copy the ATS-818's BFO circuitry. The ATS-505 simply doesn't have enough strong signal handling, and the DX/Local switch cuts the signals down to nearly nothing on SSB. Also, loud AC hash type RFI or static degrades the SSB more on that radio. When a bunch of us here on RR got the RS200629 when it came out the chirping on loud SSB and CW signals mystified us.
a29zuk
Member
I have no issues with SSB on my Sangean 803A and it is pretty sensitive off the whip antenna. It's easier to tune than the Tecsun PL-600!
Jim
Any time I've dealt with Sangean's customer support, they've been very helpful. They cleared up the issue of whether they made the Realistic DX-375 or not (they did) and they also sent me a Sangean PR-D5 schematic when I requested one, which the support person got from Sangean engineering. Maybe the AC supply supplies more voltage to the AF chip? Perhaps someone with a 909X2 can try out SSB with the adapter and let us know.Hello all -
I spoke with Sangean about the SSB volume issue.
They said that by using the AC Adapter, it will solve the issue.
Did anyone test that theory?
Personally speaking, their advisory is rather lame.
I will give this a try tonight when I get home from work.
It will be interesting to see - if it is different w/ AC Adapter vs Batteries (I almost always use batterirs)
I just did a quick/informal listening test with and without the AC adapter.Hello all -
I spoke with Sangean about the SSB volume issue.
They said that by using the AC Adapter, it will solve the issue.
Did anyone test that theory?
Personally speaking, their advisory is rather lame.
Used this morning's USCG (Pt. Reyes - NMC) weather broadcast on 8764 kHz USB.
It was difficult to notice much of a difference in audio level because of an increased noise level when the AC adapter was plugged in.
I would say little or no difference with my ATS-909X2
I just gave a check to an AM station on USB/LSB there is a quite an improvement with the AC adapter on.
I did not try it on a SSB signal n
I did not try it on a SSB signal n
FYI: I get almost no Noise from my AC Adapter but I have 3 Ferrite Cores on it (I think it came with one)
Glad to hear that it works with the 909X2.
Most of the Sangean radios I have (actually, all of them -- PR-D5, PR-D14, HDR-16 and PR-D4W) that come with switching power supplies have AC adapters that are free of switching power-supply noise, just as long as you follow their advice and keep the radio a certain distance from the actual supply. I think there is a ferrite core that is attached to the cable not far from the wall-wart itself (that cylindrical device that is molded onto the cable), and that probably helps reduce the hash coming from the device.
My Rat Shack DX-398/ATS-909 does very well with the built-in whip on SSB. I’ve been listening to USAF Emergency Action Messages and transoceanic aeronautical SSB lately (after a long layoff) and they are perfectly readable, both in terms of volume and clarity. I use the power supply vs batteries, as I keep the unit next to my recliner and the rechargeable AAs just don’t last long enough for my taste. I’ve had this rig since the late 1990s.
TAC4
Member
Old thread I know but here is my take on the Sangean ATS-909X2
I have the lastest firmware version VER .073 and this radio gets used 24/7 for DX over the entire HF radio spectrum. Sorry I don't
own the 990 to compare but would have no hesitation in buying that radio also, Tescan make good sensitive radios.
pros
-stunning looking radio and screen, has a Sony-ICF build, look,
color and feel to it
-outstanding sensitivity off the whip on all SW bands AM and SSB
-great AIR band sensitivity
-MW works good, but not as good as field radios with there larger ferrite bars
-great strong long whip over 4 feet
-nice case
-lightening fast tuning dial the best in the business, I like the dedent some don't
-great button layout, user friendly
-great bandwidth filter and RF gain dial
-nice audio for a compact not tinney
cons
-the volume knob is a joke lol Sangean engineering idea to prevent the volume knob from accidentally turning when putting the radio in or out of the case lol, the knob is really stubby, stiff and polished smooth and tapered, terrible to use and a big issue with me
-backlight does not stay on when using battery power, this is
a big issue with me, a lot of us DX at night, that would be like driving your car at night with no dash lights, because Sangean
decided to go with a compact size radio they had to use AA batteries so that means no backlight stay on feature
-poor battery 🔋 milage, this radio drains batteries like no tomorrow due the large screen power requirements, get rechargeables you going to need them
-no preset station scanning on SW only on air band, really ? so much for scanning 20 CANFORCE Military HF frequencies
-lower SSB volume then on AM, funny this does not really annoy
me as I just turn the volume down before switching to AM, it
is the crappy volume knob that does annoy me
the correction
-Sangean on the next new X3 version make the radio larger to use C size batteries, this will solve the battery milage problem due to the large screen power requirements and will also allow for a back light to stay on all the time if we so choose, due to high EMI
environments most us don't use the supplied AC adaptors, batteries only
-Sangean for the love of God get rid of the volume knob and go with a push button volume control on the front panel right of the tuning dial, lots of room there
the conclusion
-no radio is perfect, this is a great top self DX portable radio and will get hundreds of hours of use, with some disign tweaks this radio could be epic, the higher price point would worth it
-ironic the Sangean ATS-909X2 looks a lot larger on the Internet than in real life, if it was the size of the internet photos using C size batteries it would be perfect
I have the lastest firmware version VER .073 and this radio gets used 24/7 for DX over the entire HF radio spectrum. Sorry I don't
own the 990 to compare but would have no hesitation in buying that radio also, Tescan make good sensitive radios.
pros
-stunning looking radio and screen, has a Sony-ICF build, look,
color and feel to it
-outstanding sensitivity off the whip on all SW bands AM and SSB
-great AIR band sensitivity
-MW works good, but not as good as field radios with there larger ferrite bars
-great strong long whip over 4 feet
-nice case
-lightening fast tuning dial the best in the business, I like the dedent some don't
-great button layout, user friendly
-great bandwidth filter and RF gain dial
-nice audio for a compact not tinney
cons
-the volume knob is a joke lol Sangean engineering idea to prevent the volume knob from accidentally turning when putting the radio in or out of the case lol, the knob is really stubby, stiff and polished smooth and tapered, terrible to use and a big issue with me
-backlight does not stay on when using battery power, this is
a big issue with me, a lot of us DX at night, that would be like driving your car at night with no dash lights, because Sangean
decided to go with a compact size radio they had to use AA batteries so that means no backlight stay on feature
-poor battery 🔋 milage, this radio drains batteries like no tomorrow due the large screen power requirements, get rechargeables you going to need them
-no preset station scanning on SW only on air band, really ? so much for scanning 20 CANFORCE Military HF frequencies
-lower SSB volume then on AM, funny this does not really annoy
me as I just turn the volume down before switching to AM, it
is the crappy volume knob that does annoy me
the correction
-Sangean on the next new X3 version make the radio larger to use C size batteries, this will solve the battery milage problem due to the large screen power requirements and will also allow for a back light to stay on all the time if we so choose, due to high EMI
environments most us don't use the supplied AC adaptors, batteries only
-Sangean for the love of God get rid of the volume knob and go with a push button volume control on the front panel right of the tuning dial, lots of room there
the conclusion
-no radio is perfect, this is a great top self DX portable radio and will get hundreds of hours of use, with some disign tweaks this radio could be epic, the higher price point would worth it
-ironic the Sangean ATS-909X2 looks a lot larger on the Internet than in real life, if it was the size of the internet photos using C size batteries it would be perfect
Last edited:
TAC4
Member
If someone made a 3D printer one and sold it on eBay they would sell like hot cakes
cistercian
Member
The stock volume control knob is an ergonomic crime...it's so BAD!
TAC4
Member
You could, I heard guys using heat shrink tubing on there's.
I am not taken a heat gun to my stunning DX radio. No way
Hosay.
dxace1
Member
Sangean has stopped production of SW radios -- news that has not really gotten out yet, but there you go.
The 909X2 is a beautiful radio hobbled by the low volume LSB issue, and lack of sensitivity on the whip. A
portable radio should perform fully on its whip antenna and compared to Tecsun offerings, the 909X2 just
doesn't get the prize, though it's fine if you augment it with a wire antenna.
The 909X2 is a beautiful radio hobbled by the low volume LSB issue, and lack of sensitivity on the whip. A
portable radio should perform fully on its whip antenna and compared to Tecsun offerings, the 909X2 just
doesn't get the prize, though it's fine if you augment it with a wire antenna.
