QODOSENDX-286 Portable Radio, with TEF6686 Automotive Chip,LW,AM, FM, Shortwave,Data System(RBDS/RDS),Antenna Attenuator,Antenna Switch, AMP Switch,1000 Presets,Tone Switch,Clock/UTC/Alarm/Sleep

This is a VERY sensitive radio on all bands. Just like every other radio, you need to get away from interference like routers, computers and everything else with a processor. There is a bit of a learning curve to milk out the last bit of features on this radio, but I was able to figure out most of it pretty easily. The radio sounds surprisingly good for the small size. The screen is great nd the buttons work well. The hard case protects the radio when not in use. The price is a bit high for a radio without SSB reception, but the excellent reception makes it well worth the price. I don't see a downside to the radio. I need to get a phone mount and make a video of this radio, it's that great.

As a long time radio fan (like 60 years) and ham radio operator, I'm always intrigued by new radios and new technology. I started out with tube receivers, and just look where we are today.I received the package, including the radio, the case, a soft bag, charging cable and a very detailed operators manual. I had also ordered a couple of button top 18650 batteries (button top 18650's are a requirement) and had them charged and ready to power this little radio that has received so much attention. As a ham radio operator, I have several antennas at my disposal, and I've been testing it with a 40-6 meter off center fed dipole.From a short wave listening perspective, this radio is a little marvel. I've been allowing it to auto-tune through the short wave bands, and the results have been quite amazing. Quiet, clear reception of many stations on all the bands. It outclasses all my other shortwave portables including my Sihuadon D-808 and Tecsun PL-330. I am slightly disappointed that the radio doesn't process SSB signals, but I have other radios for that. For short wave listening, the DX-286 is a little marvel.FM reception is also in a class by itself. I haven't tested it thoroughly, but all the stations in the Treasure Valley of Idaho are easily heard, and my favorite rock oldies station sounds perfect. Great stereo separation and broad, adjustable bandwidth. Listening through my Sony headphones is pure pleasure.From a MW perspective, it astounds using the built-in whip, away from the inherent electrical interference of the neighborhood. It is so sensitive that noisy RF environments are unpleasant. It hears everything including the computer power supplies, flat screen TV's and your electric fence. Switching to the internal ferrite antenna, it has no problems picking up our local stations, but be aware you'll need to rotate the radio for best reception.After only less than a day, I have so much to learn about this radio, and the detailed operators manual will help me get there. But first impressions are lasting impressions and I can tell you that for less than $100, this is one amazing little device. A word of warning, be prepared for a learning curve as this is not an intuitive radio to operate. You'll need to spend some quality time with the manual to get the most from it, and I've barely scratched the surface. But from what I've seen and heard so far? Just wow.Note: For a detailed review, please read Jay Allen's take on the radio.

It started for me with the SR-286 from Ali Express. Qodosen seemed like a start up. No one heard of them.The radio became a highly praised curiosity, and was shipped in bubble wrap with no manual or battery. It does have engineering chops from Tecsun and the engineers did a great, no, a fantastic job with the original SR-286.I was impressed as were other radio geeks. It become an overnight sensation with its excellent sensitivity and selectivity, multiple bandwith selections. They sold a LOT of them and they became quite popular. It DX's quite well. It will pick things up that other radios struggle with.Qodosen grew up quickly and now packages the DX-286 up with a professional looking presentation box and a little hard case. My only disappointment was the cheesy velvet bag instead of the nice canvas-like Velcro soft case from the original. Not deducting for that. And no battery? Still? That's OK.Now called the DX-286 with the same internals, but two firmware tweaked keyboard combos to simplify turning off/on the internal MW antenna and on shortwave to disable/enable the internal RF amplifier. I see no other differences. The price drop is also quite welcome. The original SR version sold for $110 - $120.Tip - download the PDF version of the manual, there's a lot going on and the included manual isn't as comprehensive.To address others who say this other radio does this thing, and that other radio does that thing. That's true but all radios are different, that's why there are so many choices. If I want to listen to the ham bands with SSB, I'll use my Tecsun, Sangean, XHDATA, 1960's Zenith, etc... All great radios. Air band is a joke on all of these unless you buy a dedicated air band scanner, they are all too way slow and unusable.For a general coverage radio that literally kicks you-kow-what and fits in your shirt pocket, this really is a no brainer, especially at this price point. It also has fairy impressive audio for such a small form factor and shirt pocket size. Much better audio than an XHDATA D-808.Buy a 3000 mAh battery and you'll get a lot of listening time between charges.(I do not recommend buying any Lithium Ion from here. Look elsewhere, most sellers make outrageously false claims and wouldn't trust a single description or battery sold here.)

UPDATE 9-1-2024My mistakes:There is a button to keep the backlight of display always on.And the world clock keeps proper local time now, so I gave it 4 stars.This portable radio sounds good despite the small size of the speaker. It has good sensitivity and receives lots of AM/FM and SW stations. Also, it allows you to store many stations in memory.The reason I gave it only 3 stars is:1. It won't let you set the clock to 12 hour format. It displays the world clock in 24 hour format.Also, the clock keeps changing back to EST after setting it to EDT. It should retain the correct local time.2. It doesn't have a switch to keep the backlight of the display ON all the time when preferred3. It should have come with an 18650 Li-ion button-top battery at that price. Though, it does state thisin the description. (I bought an Orbtronic brand battery with 3500mAh capacity. So I expect the radiowill operate for many hours with this battery.Finally, I think I'll keep it because it does work well, and is definitely portable.