I just received my Qodosen the other day. After using it for a few days, my initial observations are as follows: Likes: -Very sensitive on AM/FM/SW -Good sound for such a small speaker -Good sound with earbuds -Nicely packaged in nice box, mini-tool box case and soft pouch -Manual better than most Chinese radio manuals, written in good English -Good build quality, but TINY -Many, many radio features Quibbles: -Learning curve, steeper than most -Non-intuitive controls -Perhaps a little too small? 🤷♂️ -Value for price- meh I mean it’s just a radio- a very good radio- but just a radio, no other features like BT or MP3, yet it’s 2x the price of my XHData. Hmmm… Grade: Incomplete Bottom line: highly recommend. Excellent radio. But also, if money is tight, the XHData D-109WB is a steal- is very close in sensitively to the Qodosen, and adds Bluetooth speaker , MP3 player, weather band and NOAA alerts.
I've had this radio for several months now and one of the main features on FM that I haven't seen mentioned online is the ability of this radio not to drop multiple dbs reception of weaker stations when in multiple FM stations in urban setting running anywhere from 2-10kWs, the other DSPs such as the Xhdata d-808 are noticeably affected in very strong FM reception areas, the Qodosen retains the integrigyt of the weaker, recovered singals where the other DSPs do not - its the only radio in my collection that has this feature and its an important one. The FM AutoBW function is also excellent and just one example I have a "blowtorch" FM transmitter nearby on 102.6 running around 2 kilowatts at least, when auto tuning this Qodosen stopped on 102.5 as it heard a weak station a couple of hundred miles away, such is the power of this little radio... dont be fooled by its size, its a huge performer on MW and LW also using the telescopic with the amp activated. I was amazed at how many UK stations it could hear in Pisa including Caroline on 648 and even BBC Radio Somerset on 1566, that is amazing to say the least. The display is spot on as was mentioned here. I'm looking forward to what people make of the new DX-286 but for now the SR-286 is my go-to travel radio having taken over from the D-808. Great video, thanks for sharing.
Can someone explain to me what's the difference between the two please I have the sr286 and will it be worth buying the dx version. Thanks total novice here I love the Qodosen sr286 I listen to mostly shortwave I have two antennas the mla30+ loop antenna and the x1hf vertical antenna...Ged Ireland...
You made some great points on the Qodosen radio. I am supposed to receive the DX version from Amazon on Friday. I am very interesting in finding out for myself how it does as an overall radio. Have a good weekend.
The pronunciation of Qodosen (according to another website) is Chudosen or Choodosen. Oh,well. I bought the Dx 286 on July 5, 2024 for $80.00 USD. Online reviews from Jay Allen and Todderbert convinced me to buy it. It's rather amazing to hear the improvement using the automotive chip, given all of the adjustable settings. Great video.
The one thing about the Q is that it doesn’t overload….I can connect it to my 220m wire and it behaves almost the same way my JRC NRD-535DG behaves, certainly once you get to a very large antenna signal strength is not noticeable between radios. It’s more of a case of notch filters etc making the most of the signal to pull out to be more intelligible.
I'm surprised that your Xhdata and PL-330 are deaf on longwave....my PL-880 with internal ferrite antenna receives 198 kHz very nice and strong here in NW Belgium. And the developers of that Qodosen have looked very well at the vintage Sony ICF -SW1...quite similar looking IMHO. Thanks for the video....73 ! Patrick
Interesting video, thanks. You do know that the new DX-286 variant is now available for ~80$, don't you? Not available everywhere though. It'll come when the stock of existing SR-286 run out, I guess. The SR/DX-286 is also superior to the TEF6686-based "silver sardine can" radio. I've bought one too, and despite the nice features like the information-packed large colour LCD screen, it's clearly noisier even on an external antenna. However, the lack of SSB mode is a major hindrance and AFAIK this can't be done with this DSP chip. Although I'd love to be proven wrong.
You have two TEF6686s? Lots of opportunities for experimentation! I have TEF6686-V3-1, the board which was used in the early "sardine can" variations; it has no shielding over the radio chip, signs of chip overclocking, RF-overloading and noisy indeed. Lots of convenient options in the firmware, but chances are the SR(DX)-286 is a better designed radio (circuitry).
Here, here, that's an unbiased review from an owner of different receivers. The D-808 always puzzled me with its weirdly poor display-building a monochrome LCD is not rocket science, after all. It still surprises me why literally no one else can integrate a decent large matrix monochrome display like the one in the V115 (which, by the way, is being sold for as low as ~$8.50/£6.80). So, at least the SR-286 has a proper segment display. It still feels overpriced to me. I'm cheap, so I bought a TEF6686 radio with a TFT display for $37/£29 and will wait for the price to drop for the SR-286 radio. So far, it's definitely the best of the portables for someone who doesn't care about SSB. After all, Sony won't resume manufacturing their ICF-SW1-never again. There's simply no better alternative to SR-286.👍
I agree it was overpriced before, but the DX-286 I got for $80, and that's fair value. I don't find it performs notably better than similar $40-60 receivers, but it has a lot else going for it, even so. The buttons, display, speaker quality, AM ext ant. I don't get the sensitivity hype, though. My only guess is that if you're in a really low RFI environment, then it might pick stuff up that the other radios won't. And I totally agree about the 808 LCD. They could have done much better with readability straight on, and viewing-angle-wise.
@@radellaf I guess once DX-286 starts being sold on a well-known 🇨🇳 marketplace, it would be possible to get it for 65~70:- (with promos, coupons, "coins," etc.), which finally sounds fair. Regarding the advantages of the TEF6686 over other DSPs, it's all about FM. I found it extremely useful for FMDX'ing during abnormal propagation. It can literally pick up ultra-weak signals that other receivers wouldn't hear. On LW/MW/SW, it's not convincing at all; for weak signals, the result would be the same as with the cheapest SI4732-based receiver (~30:-). I've seen all those reviews and comparisons-no miracles. The TEF6686 may perform better with its built-ins, but I don't care, as I don't usually go to the nearest park to play with my little radios. 📻 Regarding the D-808, another issue with its display is that the main info (the frequency indicator) occupies slightly less than 50% of it. RDS info, for which they have reserved about 40%, is a less frequently used option, and one has to stare at a half-blank display most of the time. Plus, the signal meter, being the same size as the frequency indicator, also says a lot about their UX designer. Nevertheless, it's the only DSP receiver in this price range which *had* tunable hardware band filters, so on LW/MW/SW, it would definitely perform not worse than the (SR)DX-286.
@any_username I can't agree that " It's all about FM" whilst the FM band performance is likely to be the driver behind buying this Radio I can say it is light years ahead of the D808 and PL 330 on Longwave, both.of those radios are next to useless on LW. On Mw I would rate it better than the 808 or 330 and on SW it as at least equal.
@@KevinOReillyswl I remember your comparison video, where the SR-286 receives Morocco on LW (where it should be), and the PL-330 receives Voice of Russia instead 😀 (due to mirroring from MW). I must have missed a comparison with the D-808 though... I said "~the same on LW/MW/SW" because of my own experience of comparing the TEF6686 (as such) with another SI-4732* receiver, but I don't have either the PL-330 or the D-808, so your opinion is more reliable. Thanks!
@@KevinOReillyswl Fair enough. There is no LW in the USA. I can't get it to noticeably out-perform anything (decent) on MW but it is certainly no worse, and I love the sound and aesthetics, if not the memory system. I'll take it out to the boonies some time and see if I can get it to impress me more in a near-zero RFI environment.
Great review, you and André, out of South Africa, convinced me to purchase the DX-286
You won't be disappointed
I just received my Qodosen the other day. After using it for a few days, my initial observations are as follows:
Likes:
-Very sensitive on AM/FM/SW
-Good sound for such a small speaker
-Good sound with earbuds
-Nicely packaged in nice box, mini-tool box
case and soft pouch
-Manual better than most Chinese radio
manuals, written in good English
-Good build quality, but TINY
-Many, many radio features
Quibbles:
-Learning curve, steeper than most
-Non-intuitive controls
-Perhaps a little too small? 🤷♂️
-Value for price- meh
I mean it’s just a radio- a very good radio- but
just a radio, no other features like BT or MP3,
yet it’s 2x the price of my XHData. Hmmm…
Grade: Incomplete
Bottom line: highly recommend. Excellent radio. But also, if money is tight, the XHData D-109WB is a steal- is very close in sensitively to the Qodosen, and adds Bluetooth speaker , MP3 player, weather band and NOAA alerts.
I've had this radio for several months now and one of the main features on FM that I haven't seen mentioned online is the ability of this radio not to drop multiple dbs reception of weaker stations when in multiple FM stations in urban setting running anywhere from 2-10kWs, the other DSPs such as the Xhdata d-808 are noticeably affected in very strong FM reception areas, the Qodosen retains the integrigyt of the weaker, recovered singals where the other DSPs do not - its the only radio in my collection that has this feature and its an important one.
The FM AutoBW function is also excellent and just one example I have a "blowtorch" FM transmitter nearby on 102.6 running around 2 kilowatts at least, when auto tuning this Qodosen stopped on 102.5 as it heard a weak station a couple of hundred miles away, such is the power of this little radio...
dont be fooled by its size, its a huge performer on MW and LW also using the telescopic with the amp activated. I was amazed at how many UK stations it could hear in Pisa including Caroline on 648 and even BBC Radio Somerset on 1566, that is amazing to say the least.
The display is spot on as was mentioned here. I'm looking forward to what people make of the new DX-286 but for now the SR-286 is my go-to travel radio having taken over from the D-808.
Great video, thanks for sharing.
Can someone explain to me what's the difference between the two please I have the sr286 and will it be worth buying the dx version. Thanks total novice here I love the Qodosen sr286 I listen to mostly shortwave I have two antennas the mla30+ loop antenna and the x1hf vertical antenna...Ged Ireland...
@@corpo33 No difference as such, just fewer buttons to press for access to various options and cheaper price, otherwise its the same radio.
@@tonymagnier9846 cheers for the response appreciated.... the qodosen sr286 is such a gud Radio im really enjoying using it .
Excellent points on that radio Kevin. I plan to buy the DX version from Amazon at $79 here in the U.S. Have a good evening and have a great week.
You won't be disappointed Danny its a good radio.
Bought one. Well worth the money.
You made some great points on the Qodosen radio. I am supposed to receive the DX version from Amazon on Friday. I am very interesting in finding out for myself how it does as an overall radio. Have a good weekend.
Hope you enjoy it!
Which one is the good radio over all. Tecsun PL-330 or Qodosen?
If you don't need SSB then it's the Qodosen
The pronunciation of Qodosen (according to another website) is Chudosen or Choodosen. Oh,well. I bought the Dx 286 on July 5, 2024 for $80.00 USD. Online reviews from Jay Allen and Todderbert convinced me to buy it. It's rather amazing to hear the improvement using the automotive chip, given all of the adjustable settings. Great video.
The one thing about the Q is that it doesn’t overload….I can connect it to my 220m wire and it behaves almost the same way my JRC NRD-535DG behaves, certainly once you get to a very large antenna signal strength is not noticeable between radios. It’s more of a case of notch filters etc making the most of the signal to pull out to be more intelligible.
Tks for the nice reviews Kevin. You mean the 2010 not 2001....
In Europe or certainly in the UK it was the 2001D
I'm surprised that your Xhdata and PL-330 are deaf on longwave....my PL-880 with internal ferrite antenna receives 198 kHz very nice and strong here in NW Belgium. And the developers of that Qodosen have looked very well at the vintage Sony ICF -SW1...quite similar looking IMHO. Thanks for the video....73 ! Patrick
Interesting video, thanks. You do know that the new DX-286 variant is now available for ~80$, don't you?
Not available everywhere though. It'll come when the stock of existing SR-286 run out, I guess.
The SR/DX-286 is also superior to the TEF6686-based "silver sardine can" radio. I've bought one too, and despite the nice features like the information-packed large colour LCD screen, it's clearly noisier even on an external antenna.
However, the lack of SSB mode is a major hindrance and AFAIK this can't be done with this DSP chip. Although I'd love to be proven wrong.
You have two TEF6686s? Lots of opportunities for experimentation! I have TEF6686-V3-1, the board which was used in the early "sardine can" variations; it has no shielding over the radio chip, signs of chip overclocking, RF-overloading and noisy indeed. Lots of convenient options in the firmware, but chances are the SR(DX)-286 is a better designed radio (circuitry).
Thanks!!!! Fellow SW Dxer !!!!
My tecsun pl 990x is horrendous for battery drain when not in use
Here, here, that's an unbiased review from an owner of different receivers. The D-808 always puzzled me with its weirdly poor display-building a monochrome LCD is not rocket science, after all. It still surprises me why literally no one else can integrate a decent large matrix monochrome display like the one in the V115 (which, by the way, is being sold for as low as ~$8.50/£6.80). So, at least the SR-286 has a proper segment display. It still feels overpriced to me. I'm cheap, so I bought a TEF6686 radio with a TFT display for $37/£29 and will wait for the price to drop for the SR-286 radio. So far, it's definitely the best of the portables for someone who doesn't care about SSB. After all, Sony won't resume manufacturing their ICF-SW1-never again. There's simply no better alternative to SR-286.👍
I agree it was overpriced before, but the DX-286 I got for $80, and that's fair value. I don't find it performs notably better than similar $40-60 receivers, but it has a lot else going for it, even so. The buttons, display, speaker quality, AM ext ant. I don't get the sensitivity hype, though. My only guess is that if you're in a really low RFI environment, then it might pick stuff up that the other radios won't.
And I totally agree about the 808 LCD. They could have done much better with readability straight on, and viewing-angle-wise.
@@radellaf I guess once DX-286 starts being sold on a well-known 🇨🇳 marketplace, it would be possible to get it for 65~70:- (with promos, coupons, "coins," etc.), which finally sounds fair. Regarding the advantages of the TEF6686 over other DSPs, it's all about FM. I found it extremely useful for FMDX'ing during abnormal propagation. It can literally pick up ultra-weak signals that other receivers wouldn't hear. On LW/MW/SW, it's not convincing at all; for weak signals, the result would be the same as with the cheapest SI4732-based receiver (~30:-). I've seen all those reviews and comparisons-no miracles. The TEF6686 may perform better with its built-ins, but I don't care, as I don't usually go to the nearest park to play with my little radios. 📻 Regarding the D-808, another issue with its display is that the main info (the frequency indicator) occupies slightly less than 50% of it. RDS info, for which they have reserved about 40%, is a less frequently used option, and one has to stare at a half-blank display most of the time. Plus, the signal meter, being the same size as the frequency indicator, also says a lot about their UX designer. Nevertheless, it's the only DSP receiver in this price range which *had* tunable hardware band filters, so on LW/MW/SW, it would definitely perform not worse than the (SR)DX-286.
@any_username I can't agree that " It's all about FM" whilst the FM band performance is likely to be the driver behind buying this Radio I can say it is light years ahead of the D808 and PL 330 on Longwave, both.of those radios are next to useless on LW. On Mw I would rate it better than the 808 or 330 and on SW it as at least equal.
@@KevinOReillyswl I remember your comparison video, where the SR-286 receives Morocco on LW (where it should be), and the PL-330 receives Voice of Russia instead 😀 (due to mirroring from MW). I must have missed a comparison with the D-808 though... I said "~the same on LW/MW/SW" because of my own experience of comparing the TEF6686 (as such) with another SI-4732* receiver, but I don't have either the PL-330 or the D-808, so your opinion is more reliable. Thanks!
@@KevinOReillyswl Fair enough. There is no LW in the USA. I can't get it to noticeably out-perform anything (decent) on MW but it is certainly no worse, and I love the sound and aesthetics, if not the memory system.
I'll take it out to the boonies some time and see if I can get it to impress me more in a near-zero RFI environment.