Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Uli (DK5ZU), who writes:
Hi Thomas,
I hope you are fine! I just bought a Sangean ATS-909X2 despite of the mixed reviews it earned in the beginning. There are a lot of reviews as on SWLING and other sources. But I think no newer models have been reviewed.
Mine is build in May 2022 and has a firmware version 078. This is quite ahead of the reviewed versions with 073. Unfortunately, I cannot find any information throughout the net, what changes where made since the version 073.
I just have the radio for one day, but for example the noise when touching the display is gone and I found no birdies so far. The SSB is still low concerning the audio level compared to AM but the SSB sounds much better as on my Tecsun 501x I had once.
As of now, I am really happy with this rig, and if current production line and firmware fixed some issues of the older one’s I guess this should be known since there may be folks interested in the radio which do hesitate to buy one because of the probably outdated reviews.
Do you know a source, where a firmware update log could be found? I just found this:
https://www.qsl.net/n9ewo/ats909x2_firmware_log.pdf
But this one ends with version 073.
Would you mind to post this question on the blog?
If you need more infos please let me know.
Best regards and 73,
Uli
DK5ZU
Post readers: If you can share a link to firmware revision logs or any information regarding the latest firmware updates for the ATS-909X2, please comment!
UPDATE
Sangean America Notes in our comments:
[S]oftware version 0.78 is a compatibility update for the new LCD hardware in the ATS-909×2 this update is only for units that use the new BU91510KV LCD display. it does not improve the performance of the ATS-909×2
The low SSB audio on USB and LSB with either batteries or the filtered power adapter is just not acceptable. I’ve gone back to using my original ATS-909 as that model has better SSB audio volume and features a signal meter that actually displays meaningful results.
This attenuated audio on SSB is not acceptable for such a premium priced shortwave portable. It’s a deal breaker for many as SSB is essential in any modern shortwave portable. How Sangean got this so wrong is baffling.
hello, i have a ATS-909X2, wen i plug ta AC cable shows ROM DUMP an nex ROM FAILURE this is normal??, my radio dnt work
the radios software is corrupted it would need to be sent in for service please contact [email protected]
Since a few days I’ve been testing the new ATS909X2 and comparing it with the 909X.
The 909X2 with version 078 continues to have noise in the medium and long waves on weak stations or free frequencies, an issue that did not happen with the 909 or 909X. But reception is better on the 909X2, in addition to its effective filters. I hope they fix it. otherwise great
I just got my 909×2 (0.73) after hanging on to the 909x (P01) for a while. I must say that the quality is a step up from the X. Everything feels solid. All buttons work fine and the wheel is nice and smooth. Only big issue that I have sent a note to Canohm Australia the Sangean distributor in AU is the power adapter they supply. It is not a Sangean branded one but a $30 no name brand. The unit is useless when trying to run it on AC. Seriously, why cripple your product by swapping a decent switch mode with a crappy one! No response as of yet…
My unit does not buzz when the LCD is touched but does a couple of birdies on MW (one each unfortunately on 576 and 702 kHz which are the main stations I listen to….. other stations a fine). Haven’t found any on LW with the beacons nice and strong. Additionally no MW breakthrough detected unlike my X. FM is superb and the bandwidth selection allows my to listen to a weak community station on 99.9 MHz right next to my local powerhouse 100.1 MHz with minimal interference. The biggest thing I am pleased to say is that my unit seems spot on with frequency on all bands. Even switching to LSB and USB might require a 10 hz click to center. This is MUCH better than my X and I have not noticed any drift…..
One thing that I wonder if another owner might check for me, the signal meter seems quite low on MW compared to LW and SW. I note that it is near impossible to get maximum displayed signal with just one station getting close at an indicated RSSI of 80bdb. Most sit around 6 to 7 bars at 65 to 70 dB. One bar in MW is about 46 dB but n LW and SW one bar is about 30 dB. This seems weird to me…..
How do you update your ATS-909X2?
You sell your current one and get a new one (you can’t flash your radio’s firmware)
Hi all,
thanks for your comments and a special thanks to Sangean America for the clarification and the feedback.
Best regards and 73,
Uli
DK5ZU
The PDF cited originally has already been updated by N9EWO based on Sangean’s notes – good work all!!
Ver 0.73 supports with original MC5502 LCD driver (discontinued).
Ver 0.78 Supports with the newer BU91510KV LCD driver only. ? ?
The software version 0.78 is not compatible with ats909x2 manufactured before April 2022
software version 0.78 is a compatibility update for the new LCD hardware in the ATS-909×2 this update is only for units that use the new BU91510KV LCD display. it does not improve the performance of the ATS-909×2
I have version 078 and my biggest problem is when I go to SSB, LSB is seriously reduced in volume and USB is completely silent (I can hear nothing, no matter how high the volume )
I don’t have this issue on any of my other portable radios.
I have two of the excellent Sangean ATS-909X2 models. The newer radio was built in March of 2022 and has firmware VER 073. The change to VER 078 must be quite recent.
Using SSB on 909X2 requires turning the audio volume up from what is used for AM reception. Sometimes the audio level should be advanced a little more from that for LSB as opposed to USB. I doubt that this trait has anything to do with the firmware version. My first 909X2 (build: October, 2020) behaved the same way on SSB with VER 070 before and after reflashing that radio to VER 073. Furthermore, my two earlier ATS-909X models (build 2014 and 2018) exhibit the very same SSB audio quirk.
The only difference I found with VER 070 and 073 on the 909X2 is a change in the menu selections available from the INFO button. Hand capacitance is a non-issue with this radio and is easily avoided by hand holding the 909X2 normally. Every one of the many portable radios I have ever owned exhibited hand capacitance to some degree or another. Audio quality of SSB from the 909X2 is the best and most stable that I have heard from any recent multiband portable (use the 10 Hz SSB resolution option).
I hope that this information is of some help to you. I haven’t the slightest idea what changes software VER 078 may entail. Perhaps a call to your Sangean distributor (listed on your warranty card) may be of help.
oftware version 0.78 is a compatibility update for the new LCD hardware in the ATS-909×2 this update is only for units that use the new BU91510KV LCD display. it does not improve the performance of the ATS-909×2
Thanks! I didn’t contact you yet you have answered the question quickly. Sangean America’s customer service can’t be beat.
Hi,
My sangean 909×2 doesn’t catch any station on lw, xw, mw only on fm .
what can I do ?
thanks !
Best Om’s , my Sangean ats 909X2 has the same problems whit lsb . But the rest of the rx is very good.
My rx has firmware 73 . I hope there is coming a new firmware for all the Sangean ats 909X2 .