What is Reddit's opinion of Sangean ATS-909X BK AM/FM/LW/SW World Band Receiver - Black?

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The best-built multiband portable with shortwave in current production is the Sangean ATS-909X. No other brand comes close. Sony and Panasonic used to be the leaders but they are long gone. I have other Sangean portable radios in operation that are over 20 years old. None have failed. Much better build quality than Tecsun. The current price of $194.42 is the lowest I have ever seen for a 909X on Amazon by three or four dollars.

Amazon usually has the best price for the 909X but Amazon prices change. The 909X in black was priced near $191 US in November and sold out early in December. They were then unavailable for several weeks before returning at $245. Stock of the 909X in black is good again and the price is currently near $202 from a couple of Amazon sellers. I bought mine in 2015 for $225. The black 909X usually sells for a little more than the white and silver version. Other than color, both are identical.

Good radio pick. There are better ones, but if for a 1 day radio that will pick up signals from commercial broadcasters, that's a great option.

A "better" one is something like this, but it's also $200 (10x the price of the one you referenced): https://www.amazon.com/Sangean-ATS-909X-BK-World-Receiver/dp/B005GTO0CY/

The reason I think it's "better" is because it picks up SSB traffic on a lot of the ham bands, so it can hear a lot more activity from farther away. But again, if you're looking to hear commercial broadcasters (AM, FM, big power stations) the one you linked is a great option.

If you want a portable radio that will be used by kids and for general knocking around I wouldn't spend too much. The XHDATA D-808 won't break the bank and is a good shortwave peformer. Uses a cell phone type battery. The old Tecsun PL-660 excels at shortwave, other functions not so much. If you only want shortwave and don't care about MW, air band or FM this one is very hard to beat. My favorite portable but you are just going to hate yourself if the kids drop this one to the floor... Sangean ATS-909X does everything very well.

Sangean ATS-909X. Sangean is a privately-owned Taiwan company that located it's factory in mainland China several years ago. They build shortwave portables the way Sony and Panasonic used to build radios.

I have many shortwave reception videos of my 909X with a couple of different DIY wire antennas made during the past five years.

Supply of the 909X in black has been spotty since covid-19 and the price is up US $25 from what it was last November when sale priced for Christmas. Currently, the 909X on Amazon is being sold without the Sangean ANT-60 reel-up antenna included in the box. You can still buy those new on eBay for under $15.

Amazon is now taking orders for the (new) black 909X with shipment on May 4. The price is $210.37 right now.

https://www.amazon.com/Sangean-ATS-909X-BK-World-Receiver/dp/B005GTO0CY/

Nice radio with the latest innovative features. But, for DXing with a portable you need an external antenna jack: not only an antenna jack but a front end that will handle signals off big wire antennas over a wide dynamic range without overloading. No external antenna jack on the 405. This one: https://www.amazon.com/Sangean-ATS-909X-BK-World-Receiver/dp/B005GTO0CY

I recommend the Sangean ATS-909X. You want the best SW portable on the market and this is it. The 909X excels in all respects. The friends you make in Hong Kong are free and they will appreciate that you didn't buy a commie-designed radio like a Tecsun, XHDATA, Degen, etc. Unlike the other brands, you won't be worrying about poor quality control or parts breaking after a few weeks with a Sangean.

Best price in North America:

https://www.amazon.com/Sangean-ATS-909X-BK-World-Receiver/dp/B005GTO0CY

Best SW reception with any SW radio will be with an external antenna like the included Sangean ANT-60 or better. I make videos of some of the more interesting shortwave DX catches I get with the 909X and post them on YouTube. Hearing and seeing is believing.

I do shortwave listening. Not just talking about it.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBS1S1WX1DkCp037ZWfLzvA

Sangean ATS-909X is still in production and is distributed in the US by Sangean USA.

https://www.amazon.com/Sangean-ATS-909X-BK-World-Receiver/dp/B005GTO0CY

The rumor is that there will be no more 909Xs after the factory parts supply runs out and there are no plans for a successor model. Two such parts are the excellent Japanese Murata ceramic IF filters. I don't think these are made any more.