Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares this update to his original Tecsun S-2200x review:
TECSUN S-2200x: Some Updates
by Dan Robinson
Since my original Tecsun S-2200x review, I have run additional tests on the S-2200x and have the following observations, and responses to some comments. I continue to test this receiver, but conclude that really if one has to have just one radio – which I think is usually not the case – one cannot really go wrong with any of the Tecsun portables, whether the 2200x, or S-8800, H-501, or PL-990. With that said, here are my additional observations on the 2200x:
OVERALL RATING: At the end of my original main review, I said that assuming Tecsun can maintain a high level of QC in production, and considering that the important RECAL feature has been retained, and that the radio has no muting, I would give the S-2200x a 4.8 out of 5. This would increase if Tecsun can address the slight alignment issue on the rotatable antenna, the issue in which SQUELCH does not completely silence audio.
However, after extensive testing, I feel that the problem of SYNC losing lock and generally sounding unstable takes the 2200x down a few notches. At present, the receiver is an attractive package with its retro styling, really nice and smooth main tuning knob, no soft muting and recalibration. However, the fact that synchronous mode has still not improved over the H-501/PL-990 means I would rate the 2200x at no more than a 4.5. Had Tecsun taken steps to improve SYNC – if it’s at all possible using the current chips — the radio would easily be several rating points higher.
AGC/SYNC: SYNC mode on the 2200x struggles, especially with weaker signals and regardless of bandwidth. As an example, testing on 15,575 khz (South Korea) using the telescopic and an an external long wire showed that in synchronous, there was a good amount of “pulling” with the signal, which was only at a fair level. The question of whether Tecsun has made any changes to SYNC mode between the H-501/Pl-990 and S-2200x remains, and we would hope to hear from them on this issue.
Here is an additional video showing both the 2200x and a H-501x in SYNC mode on a strong signal. Both receivers exhibit some less than satisfactory SYNC performance, though the 2200x sounds a bit worse:
Reader comments always spark additional thinking. As one user observed, Tecsun could have added AGC FAST/SLOW/MEDIUM options in addition to providing AGC and adjustable manual gain. It is definitely a good thing that SYNC as well as LSB/USB operate not only on SW, but also in AM and LW.
SSB: One reader asked if SSB performance on the 2200x has “the same woeful SSB audio quality issues caused by AGC and a low cut off frequency of around 300 hz making the audio sound thin, lacking bass while on SSB?” The reader also notes that these are “issues with every single Tecsun and most other DSP radios and due to the cost of these radios one should expect perfect performing and sounding SSB.” To adapt a quote from one of my favorite Clint Eastwood movie lines (“Deserves got nothing to do with it”) in this case I will say that Perfect has nothing to do with it. We’re all enjoying a mini-boom in the appearance of new receivers – to expect absolute perfection from a DSP-based receiver is sadly, unrealistic. SSB on the 2200x is probably about as good as it can get. The fact that fine tuning on the 2200x is so smooth is a very good thing.
ANTENNA: I have tested the 2200x using telescopic versus external antennas, including a long wire, W6LVP, Wellbrook and Chameleon loops. Reception is further enhanced with external antennas. The three ATTENUATION positions on the 2200x help to keep any overloading down.
RDS: A number of users/viewers have commented on the absence of RDS in the 2200x. This is indeed a good observation – seems that it would have been easy for Tecsun to include this, and one wonders if the company will consider adding this as a feature not only in the 2200x but H-501/PL-990 as well. However, I believe that Tecsun has just chosen to not increase costs and thus, no RDS.
AC POWER: As everyone probably sees, there seems to be no way to run the receiver on AC power. There is a dual USB-A cube included in the package, but as we have found, running receivers while they are charging is not a good idea. The 2200x does appear to charge fairly quickly via the USB-C port. Anyone with radios using 18650 batteries should invest in at least one good quality charger – these are available at any of the well-known professional battery/flashlight online sellers.
TUNING KNOB: Yes, the main tuning knob still exhibits wobble. It’s a puzzle as to why this can’t be resolved, especially years after the original Grundig 750 emerged and the old models continued to have this issue for years. But the action of the knob itself is really smooth and it’s a pleasure to tune this radio, at least based on the sample I have here.
In the end, our purchase decisions are driven by a number of factors – some potential 2200x buyers may not be as concerned with ongoing SYNC issues, while others might reject a new receiver outright based on this issue. The 2200x offers basically the same features as the H-501/PL-990, but adds AIR band and an excellent mediumwave rotatable antenna, and these facts alone may be enough to justify a purchase of the new radio.
Hi I ordered one of these radios in Australia. The LCD plastic cover was found in the bottom of the box I had to stick it back on so there are certainly QC issues at tecsum.
My main concern with this radio is it’s RF gain control. It seems to do next to nothing and makes a cracking noise that increases the RF gain slightly then return to a normal level. I’m not sure if this is a fault and would love to know if anyone has the same issue and if this is a normal trait of this radio. Thankyou.
Hello to all ,
So I have been chomping on the bit to purchase a quality radio to listen in from other countries broadcasts , ham radio ,etc . I’ve done an internet search of reviews for Sangean radios , numerous Tecsun radios and Eton and stumbled onto this site . I have read numerous reviews and I can’t help but come away discouraged that each radio offers trade-offs , one radio performs much better. in one application while the other radio does a better job in this band .
I realize radios under $500 can’t compete with higher end dedicated base receivers in the $2,000 and up range but is there ONE clear winner in the portable/ desk top field of radios that would bowl a novice over and not find me regretting my purchase one month after buying it . I do plan on buying a Par EndFedz half wave antenna to help receive .
Any advice would be appreciated ,
thank you ,
Dan
[email protected]
I’ve had my S2200x for several weeks now. It is a good receiver and compares favorably with my Eton E1 in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. The audio is better than the Eton E1. The SYNC mode on the Tecsun is poor and never locks even on a strong signal, while on the E1 the SYNC is excellent even on weak signals. Not sure why they even included it as a feature. Hopefully it can be improved in the future. I will be using this mostly on DXpeditions and vacations as I have better receivers at home. JRC-NRD-545, etc.
Thanks Dan for the update. You would think since the Eton E1 was made some time ago and has excellent SYNC capture that Tecsun could do theirs at least on par with the E1 or even better. That’s a shame.
Thanks for the great reviews!
Hi Dan,
Thank you for your update.
Glad to read in the comments that the 27mhz and above deafness was not a S220x issue – just a coax cable matter.
What tuning steps are available for SSB??
Is it 1KHz as the fine tuning is listed on Anon-CO’s spec sheet?
Or
Is it 10Hz per the other Tecsun, eg 501, 8800, 990, 880, 330?
Thank you Bob C for sharing your experience, I have a question:
Loops
Living in an apartment I use several loops. Mainly an active AOR LA400 see Universal’s description here https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/sw_ant/5051.html
And AOR’s here:
http://www.aorja.com/antennas/la400.html
So, to my question:
With your mod for connecting loops to the telescopic rig also work with active loops or would that overload the system?
I’d usually try stuff empirically but not on this occasion for fear of damaging electronics in radios I cherish.
Thanks Bob also for the Grundig 800 / Tecsun Ham-2000 tuning knob fix for the 750 and presumably also for the S2200.
We have the 750 and the 800 / Ham-2000 (Tecsun made the 800 and sold it under their name in Asia). The 800 is one of my favourite radios. In addition to it being an excellent broad band receiver, I like the look and the spacious layout and funnily enough, although it is essentially a Drake SW8 inside, with the separate bass treble controls etc, I find it is marginally better at receiving and intelligibility than the SW8, this may be a factor of the larger speaker and separate tone controls. On the downside, the 800, although it can be battery operated and it does have a handle, it is a big box radio better suited as a table top. The SW8 is considerably more compact, though it’s a bit too big and heavy to put in an overnight bag…. For portability I’d compare the 800 with the Yaesu FRG7 which also has a handle and battery compartment but if you tried taking it as hand luggage you’d either have to check it or ditch your overnight bag….
Apologies for meandering off track.
Thanks again Dan for your very helpful update.
Hope you can the S2200x’s SSB tuning steps.
73
Julian
Julian,
I would not connect an active loop across the whip and ground for the reason you described. The preamp is likely designed to work with the whip. I use only passive, resonant loops which rely solely on the Q at resonance for gain.
Bob C.
Crippled AND overpriced!
No thanks. Better off getting a Belka or a Sangean ATS-909X2. Tecsun doesnt care about radio performance.
Thanks so much Dan for this update. Having two 750’s that have failed for various reasons I’ll be considering the 2200 but will wait awhile to jump in. Disappointing to know it’s deaf on the high side of the HF band. Might be a deal breaker. Let me know what you figure out with the int. ant. working better up there. The H501x performs well enough to be it’s current replacement. Can’t beat the form factor of the Grundig.
No sensitivity loss on higher frequencies. I corrected my earlier comments. The issue was a fault on a coax line.
Hi Dan, thanks for your reviews.
1. As a former Sattelit 750 owner and current Sattelit 800 owner, I note there are two external antenna inputs, 50 ohms and 500 ohms, and assume the S2200x is the same. It would be useful to indicate which input is used for external antennas. Clipping a long wire to the whip antenna is also a good solution as this input offers an additional RF preamplifier. I have actually rigged up a 1/8″ jack for connection of my loop antennas to the whip and chassis ground.
2. I have long discontinued the use of SYNC in favor of SSB (ECSS) tuning of weak AM signals. It offers the same advantages of smoothing out the fading and selective tuning of sidebands. There is no cutting in and out. When continuous tuning, the heterodyne with the incoming carrier is a reliable indicator that you are approaching an AM signal which otherwise might be missed.
3. Some years ago there was a former employee of Drake (designer of the Grundig Satellit 800) who sold parts on eBay. He had a supply of 800 knobs. These had a bushing which attached to the front panel and held the knob steady. I bought one for the 750 and it worked well. It was a simple fix for the wobble, which Tecsun might want to revive.
Bob C., also in Maryland