Many thanks to SWling Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who writes:
Hi Thomas,
After the HRD-737 : https://swling.com/blog/2019/01/inside-the-hanrongda-hdr-737-wide-frequency-receiver/
and the HRD-747 : https://swling.com/blog/2022/03/paul-is-impressed-with-the-hanrongda-hrd-747/
here is the HanRongDa HRD-A320
Does anyone have any information about this new receiver released by HanRongDa?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005320277700.html
With the WB band, this receiver seems intended mainly for the North American market.
I found this web page with interesting documents rarely made public:
HanRongDa HRD-A320 High Performance Mini All Band Radio Bluetooth Receiver User Manual: https://device.report/manual/7151781
The user manual is also available: https://device.report/manual/7174111
But what about reception performance? Who has tested the new HanRongDa HRD-A320?
Have a nice day. Back soon.
Paul JAMET
Thank you for sharing this, Paul. I was not aware of the HanRongDa HRD-A320. Post readers, if you have any experience with this radio, please comment!
After operating the actual HRD-C919, I felt that unlike the A320, the frequency could be changed at any time using the double pulleys, making it extremely easy to use.
Reception with standard built-in large ferrite antenna x2 and 9-stage rod antenna is also highly sensitive.
I picked up the Raddy RF919 version this week. So far I’m impressed. Pricey, but they have FINALLY added some of the missing features with this model.
So far, the good:
–Squelch finally works on FM VHF and UHF
–Many antenna options with manual peaking and multiple connectors. Even a reverse-SMA for UHF/VHF
–I think there is a full scanning option for memory scanning on VHF/UHF
–Remote app control is nice
–Displays are excellent
The not as good:
–The many antenna options are confusing. Attenuators, LNA’s, manual peaking, etc. Great once you get it sorted out.
–The illumination is great, but my sample came with one button not lighting up. Not worth sending back for that but annoying.
–I’m not sure if my SMA connector is working on UHF. Needs further investigation.
–FM Audio, while good, is not quite where I was expecting compared to the other HRD/Raddy models I have. Again, I could have something set wrong and will investigate further.
–Pricey, but has more features and frequency coverage than any other portable of its kind (with the exception of the DSP Malahit and similar radios)
The design is interesting. Seems to generate both love and hate comments. Personally I like it. It’s a throwback to the Hong Kong produced faux military radios of the early 70’s, or the Sony 5xxx series radios.
I can see this being well-used in my collection.
I also picked up a HRD-757 this week, which seems in many ways to be a larger 747 but unfortunately does not include SSB or squelch on VHF/UHF FM, but is a really nice sounding radio. I love the tuning knob design. It has a barrel shaped thumb wheel that is very comfortable to use. Purchased on AliExpress.
Although the C919 also has many imperfections, I felt that it would be good to enjoy it as a customized radio device by choosing the antenna and changing various settings.
Thank you.
The higher version HRD-C919 has been registered with the FCC.
It seems that the same model will be released as Retekess TR113.
https://fccid.io/2APU9-HRD-C919
https://amzn.to/43AQHvJ
Thomas: Have the RF320 and is very sensitive in SW MW FM WB specifically. Has a nice audio and a beautiful design. Hope Raddy takes this design and adds SSB and a stronger whip antenna because this a Awesome Emergency portable radio.
Hi Thomas & Paul,
The reception performance of this radio has been improved over the HRD-787 (alias brand Raddy RF75A) by expanding the reception band and by increasing the size of the main unit.
The larger size of the main unit makes it less susceptible to radio interference caused by Bluetooth when using Remote APP.
The DSP used is also the same, so there is no significant change in sensitivity.
(There is a difference in sensitivity to the extent that the size of the antenna has been increased.)
The battery is not a built-in fixed battery, but a popular 18650 battery, which can also be replaced.
Amazon Japan seems to be ready to sell the product, and we expect that the product will be available in the U.S. at the same time.
There’s a web page. No stock or pictures yet.
https://www.radioddity.com/products/raddy-rf320
$100
The version for North America is likely to be sold under the brand name Raddy RF320.
A video of what appears to be a prototype version has been uploaded to YouTube.
I like this one. It looks like an homage to the Hong Kong-style radios of the late 60’s, early 70’s
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/dreamland_solo_sr_600.html
Found a video on YT of someone using it
https://youtu.be/I3zTffbGjxI
The related model HRD-C919 with rotatable ferrite antenna and SSB looks quite interesting too:
http://www.radioscanner.ru/forum/topic52102.html
I haven’t seen it in the market as yet.
Where do I purchase the Hanrongda HRD-A320 radio?
More HanRongDa radios : https://chinahrd.en.alibaba.com/productlist.html?spm=a2700.shop_index.88.21
Bye,
Jarno – PA3DMI
I’m confused when these many “off brand” very small market radios are introduced. How many can they possibly sell to warrant any unique R&D? They all must be clones of each other with a bit of plastic molding. The market for SW is small enough and anyone interested in a “semi” quality radios, at this stage of the hobby, will and should go for the established brands. Just my opinion…
That’s a fair and logical opinion, but when it comes to collecting things, logic goes out the door, lol. I have like 20 watches. Some use the same movement (inner works). But I have different ones because of looks, style, something that caught my eye. To some people a watch is just a tool, but I like to look at them and see them as more than that. I rotate through them based on what catches my eye on a given day.
I suspect it’s the same thing with regard to radios. I personally would buy this radio for the unique looks if it were a bit cheaper. The buttons, knobs, etc., make it stand out.
Hi Thomas & Paul,
Functionally, this product expands the receiving band of the HRD-787 and adds functionality to search for broadcast stations using two types of pulley control (potentiometer/rotary encoder).
Notably, the rotary control using a potentiometer (movable range 225 degrees, actual range 180 degrees) can search the entire band currently being received (meter band).
However, due to specification limitations (rotary resolution), only rough tuning is possible for VHF/AIR/WB.
Fine tuning is done with the shuttle dial or up/down buttons using the rotary encoding.
To enable the rotary, rotate the rotary from the OFF position and turn on the switch linked to the potentiometer.
(Mechanically, it is a potentiometer with a switch.)
To disable the rotary, press the “operation lock” button once to put it in the operation lock state, return the potentiometer to the OFF position, and then press the “operation lock” button again to release the operation lock.
This operation is not necessary to make fine adjustments with the rotary in use.
It is a nostalgic experience reminiscent of analog BCL radio operation in the 70s and 80s.
From the person who performed the operation on the actual device and translated the instruction manual. ?Not the English version)
Pseudo name is “David”.
There is a video of it in action on YouTube…
https://youtu.be/I3zTffbGjxI