Review of Sangean ATS-909X

[radioandtventhusiast]

I got a Sangean ATS-909X last Sunday, after buying it on Amazon. Let me tell you, this is one of the best radios for picking up distant stations and probably great for DXING sessions on both AM and FM. Yesterday, I took a trip to Port Clinton, OH and with the antenna expanded to increase reception, I picked up a whole lot of stations. I actually did my first scans last week, and one of the best catches was picking up a slightly faint signal of WILS in Lansing from my home in Toledo, which I couldn't pick up on other radios.

For AM, the sensitivity is decent, some of the weaker signals had some buzzing, but for the most part, you could still hear some of these signals. The local stations had no buzz at all. I haven't done a night scan yet.

Regarding the FM, the sensitivity is almost outstanding. This radio comes with RDS, which my previous radios never had. In Port Clinton, I received everything from immediate local stations to stations from Toledo, Cleveland, and even Detroit. I actually was able to receive WDVD from Detroit with RDS! Most of the Detroit stations were somewhat faint, and would occasionally fade in and out. Same with the Cleveland stations.

This radio is one of the best radios I've had and I hope it works for a long time. I paid a decent amount of money and I believe it's well worth the price. I strongly recommend it!

[Turkeytop]

I have the same radio. I love it.. It stays in Florida all the time. Can hardly wait to get back there.

Did you get the white or the black? Mine is white.

One nice feature I really like is how it automatically sets the correct time on the clock.

[radioandtventhusiast]

I have the same radio. I love it.. It stays in Florida all the time. Can hardly wait to get back there.

Did you get the white or the black? Mine is white.

One nice feature I really like is how it automatically sets the correct time on the clock.

Mine's black.

I'll have to watch for the clock feature.

[audiophile]

Does it have RDS?

[Turkeytop]

Does it have RDS?

Yes. That's what they use to calibrate the clock.

[Turkeytop]

[audiophile]

It meant to be stand-up AND to lay on back? Or just stand-up?

[Turkeytop]

It meant to be stand-up AND to lay on back? Or just stand-up?

It has a fold out kickstand on the back so it stands up on an angle. But they always break off, eventually.
When I bought mine I also bought along with it, a Plexiglas stand for it to sit in. It holds it up securely. at just the right angle.

[Turkeytop]

I have the same radio. I love it.. It stays in Florida all the time. Can hardly wait to get back there.

Did you get the white or the black? Mine is white.

One nice feature I really like is how it automatically sets the correct time on the clock.

Mine's black.

I'll have to watch for the clock feature.

Remove the batteries temporarily. After you replace them just watch. Within about 30 seconds, the clock will start displaying the correct time.

[audiophile]

How does it compare to the Sangean ruff series as far reception of AM and FM?

[Turkeytop]

How does it compare to the Sangean ruff series as far reception of AM and FM?

Not familiar at all with the ruff series.

[audiophile]

The one you had with "roll bars".

[k8jd]

Maybe I don't see all the side controls. Wonder if it does CW/SSB reception on the HF bands ?
I love my Tecsun 880 but it hasn't got a big enough ferrite stick in it to get the best AM and LF reception.

[Turkeytop]

Maybe I don't see all the side controls. Wonder if it does CW/SSB reception on the HF bands ?
I love my Tecsun 880 but it hasn't got a big enough ferrite stick in it to get the best AM and LF reception.

Shortwave performance is enhanced with a DSP decoder IC and wide-narrow bandwidth switch. The ATS-909X provides unusually good single side band performance for a portable. SSB tuning in 40 Hz steps permits easy signal clarification.

his new ATS-909X version offers many improvements over the original ATS-909:
1. Added a battery charger
2. Bigger LCD
3. Higher illumination of white LED backlit LCD
4. Rugged and firm cabinet
5. Tripled audio output power to improve fidelity
6. Additional Aux-in (LINE-IN)
7. Improved controls and ergonomics
8. Add squelch for adjusting seek sensitivity
9. 99 presets more than ATS-909
10. Higher selectivity than ATS-909 by DSP tuner
11. Improved selectivity on the shortwave band
12. New Stainless telescopic antenna that is 2 inches longer to improve FM and SW reception
13. Improved battery cover and tilt stand
14. Independent headphone amplifier yielding a better signal to noise ratio

https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog ... /2909.html