Category Archives: New Products

MLite-880 Review: Advanced SDR Performance in a Traditional Portable Design

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Robinson, who shares the following review:

MLite-880 Spectrum Display Portable: Advanced SDR Performance in Traditional Portable Clothes

by Dan Robinson

For years, radio listening hobbyists (as many of us who are still around in 2026) have had numerous choices when it comes to portable receivers. Those of us who got our start as DX’ers/SWLs in the 1960’s (some earlier) or 1970’s have seen a lot of hardware come around the corner.

Some years ago, the Malahit/DSP receivers, firmware, and hardware designed and made in Russia appeared. There was the Belka, amazingly small but a superb receiver that many of us still use. Although shortwave broadcasting has generally been on the decline, we were lucky that companies such as Tecsun, Sangean (reported to have now stopped all production of SW portables), and other China/Taiwan-based companies continued to make impressive portables.

ICOM, Yaesu and Kenwood began putting spectrum scopes in displays a long time ago. ICOM’s IC-R9000 (produced 1989 to 1998) was the first to bring that feature. The more recent Icom 7300, 8600, and 9500 demonstrated far more advanced spectrum displays, as did Kenwood. Ten Tec in its original form put rudimentary spectrum display capability in its RX-350/Jupiter receiver/transceiver.

Today, we’re seeing a number of HT units with some kind of spectrum display. The Radtel 950Pro is one example of this. ICOM’s IC-R30, discontinued but a superb wide band unit, also has a spectrum option though quite limited. Various China-based companies started putting spectrum displays into the ATS series of receivers, and scope displays became standard on transceivers by Xiegu and others.

Malahiteam in Russia licensed firmware out to a range of China-based manufacturers. The China-made “ATS” portables available from AliExpress and Banggood have been through numerous versions, including the ATS25 Pro + AIR desktop, the ATS25 Ultra, ATS25 XF (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJC-pAu4nUk), and these are increasingly emphasizing the spectrum option on the display. There have been some very interesting front panel designs such as the DP-666 based on the TF6686 chip, and the AMNVOLT ESP138, the first with dual 4732/6686 architecture (see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1njJskDSUI&pp=ygUMZXNwMTM4IHJHzGlv)

What we had not seen until recently was anyone putting a spectrum display into a “traditional” portable cabinet (some years ago, I had suggested to County Comm/Maratac which has carried a re-badged Tecsun PL-368 that they consider doing so. At one point I received from them a photo of a prototype which looked like a PL-368 with a spectrum display at the top. But to my knowledge nothing was done to advance that to market).

WHAT IS THE MLite-880?

There have been a number of reviews/demonstrations on YouTube of the MLite-880, including by Tech Minds (see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmO8TIr_VFo). One of the most extensive is a nearly hour-long review by a Russian YouTuber RADIOCHIEF.RU (see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut6cY2jZv7Q&t=1065s) and another excellent overview by Radio Bunker here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgcRoha-mfM).

The major feature can be seen at power on. Instead of just a digital/numerical display of frequency we see the frequency AND below, a 40 kHz slice of spectrum. As the advertising description on the Elecevolve.com website states:

“A new generation of SDR digital radio that can “see” radio stations” . . . and “the radio in people’s impressions stays in the last century.”

The message that Malahiteam wants to convey is clear: this is a major step forward from portable design of the past.

The radio is very light, with a back-stand and a fairly robust whip antenna which stands at an angle when the receiver is being used with the back-stand (unfortunately, the antenna base does not allow it to go vertical).

Around the cabinet, there are a minimum of controls: on top, we have a simple power-on/off switch and a microSD slot (more about that later). USB-C and headphone jack are on the right, and an external antenna jack on the left. The frequency display module of the radio looks like just that — it’s on top above the multi-function keypad and ABCD keys. As for mode displays, there are battery and Bluetooth lights below and next to the LITEMALADSP letters. On the back, we find the 21700 battery compartment, and on the back-stand, we find information about the receiver, but no “Made in…” information whatsoever.

From the videos, and certainly from the name of the radio (LITEMALADSP) we have the impression that the MLite-880 is a cost-reduction version of the Russian DSP/2/3 receivers. Neither 4732 nor TEF 6686 chips are used. While one video review states that an MSI-SDR-M1 chip is inside, Georgiy at Malahiteam states that this is not so.

There was obviously a deliberate choice of the 21700 battery rather than 18650 used in Tecsun, Choyong, and other portables. First adopters say that so far, this battery keeps the receiver going for hours, something I can confirm. Anyone unfamiliar with professional type batteries like this should invest in a good standalone charger; if you already own a Tecsun PLxxx or D808 portable you will be familiar with 18650 and similar cells. [UPDATE]: Larger size 21700 battery does not fit — the battery provided with the radio is a EVE INR21700/50E

The inclusion of a backstand is very welcome, since Russian DSPs and China-made SDR portables often lack one. The whip antenna is not thin and flimsy like those found on some China-made small portables. There’s a mini to SMA adapter included in the box.

One reviewer notes that high-speed microSD cards are needed because files are recorded in WAV format. Georgiy at Malahiteam states that 16 and 32 GB cards have worked, BUT one user reports a 256GB card worked. Recording capability is a feature seen on other portables like the Raddy RF919. A good sized speaker is on the left. The tuning knob has a dual push-pull function for volume and frequency change.

And the radio has Bluetooth capability, which worked fine when I first tried it with a Bluetooth speaker.

In menus under “About” we see “Designed in Russia/Made in China.” I recommend that readers view the various videos available online. While I was in the process of writing, I was surprised when the MLite-880 I had ordered from Banggood showed up on my doorstep. So, I’m able to provide initial impressions, and when a second unit arrives here, I’ll do some unit-to-unit comparisons. [NOTE: Testing done using only the onboard whip antenna]

VIDEO: UNBOXING AND DEMO

Click here to view on YouTube.

“LITE” BUT NOT LIGHT ON FEATURES

If this is supposed to be a “Lite” version of the Malahit DSP receivers, whether the original Russian-made units or those from China, that would not be apparent to someone using this receiver for the first time. Numerous options are brought over from the Malahiteam DSP. We have synchronous reception (but see below) and the ability to correct calibration variations. Recalibration and BFO fine adjust is something we see on Tecsun portables, and China-made SDRs, and the AFEDRI SDR.

I won’t list everything, but we also see Hi-Z/50 Ohm, BiasT, Attenuation, and options for adjusting display brightness, spectrum average, spectrum fill, and RDS view. That is quite a lot of flexibility and reminds me of what we find on receivers costing thousands of dollars. Under Audio settings, we see Filter Type, Filter Low Freq, Filter High Freq, and variable Noise Reduction. One reviewer asserted that NR “works significantly better than on the Russian-made DSP-3, which costs near $500,” and based on my first tests, I agree. NR runs from 0 to 15 and, once set, can be quickly activated by pressing the C button on the right labeled NR. Overall filtering ranges: 0 to 8 Hz, 0 to 12 Hz, 0 to 15 Hz for the three designated filter positions.

AGC settings include AGC limit, AGC gain, and manual control, all settable in dB. On a third page of options, we find NB Mode, NB Threshold, Equalizer Type, Key Beep Level, and SQUELCH Threshold. Recording is accomplished with a direct access button (NOTE: I had some problems getting record working with a 1GB microSD but switched to a FAT32 8 GB and it worked). A quite nice printed manual shows the modes: USB, LSB, CW, DSB, AM, SAM, NFM, WFM. Steps are listed as: 100 Hz, 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2.5 kHz, 5 kHz, 6.2 kHz, 8.3 kHz, 9 kHz, and 10 kHz.

The MLite-880 contains band ranges selected by pressing the appropriate key and then A/B to scroll through those ranges. Coverage is from 100 kHz to 519 kHz, from 520 kHz to 1710 kHz, and up to 29,999khz. But one can directly enter any frequency in this entire range, regardless of the ranges. Under AMATEUR BANDS, we find 135.70 kHz to 137.80 kHz (2200m), 472 kHz to 479 kHz (630m), 1800 kHz to 2000 kHz, 3500 kHz to 3800 kHz, 5351.5 kHz to 5366.5 kHz, 7000 kHz to 7200 kHz, and on up to 29.700 kHz, with 70 mHz to 70.5, and 144 mHz to 148 mHz. Finally, FM/VHF bands include 65.9 mHz to 74 mHz (OIRT), 76 mHz to 108 mHz, and AIR band 118 to 137 mHz.

The spectrum display on the MLite-880 is 40 kHz. For most people, especially those coming from a portable with just a digital numerical readout, I don’t think this is going to be a problem. The 880 obviously has a smaller spectrum display than the full Russian DSP or Chinese-originated portables. Under VISUAL settings, we have choices of: BRIGHTNESS LEVEL, BRIGHTNESS OFF TIME, SPECTRUM AVERAGE, SPECTRUM FILL.

I have not opened my MLite-880, but RADIOCHIEF.RU on YouTube shows the cabinet back removed (around the 29-minute mark). We see extensive shielding with metal covers over key sections. Very impressive, and it finds me wishing that other manufacturers would have done this. How much better the short-lived “Elite Satellit” by Eton might have been with better internal shielding.

What remains to be seen is the extent to which the MLite-880 monochrome display throws off interference, a well-known issue with the original Russia-made Malahit units and China-made portables. See my interview with Georgiy of Malahiteam, who notes that not all noise is gone. “We weren’t able to completely eliminate the noise,” he says, adding that “it still occurs in places, mostly on the long and medium wavelengths. However, significant attention was paid to the screening, and turning off the display completely solves the issue.” The screen shutoff he mentions is accomplished as of now by pressing the “9” key.

We learn from the few available YouTube reviews that the main microcontroller in the MLite-880 is the STM32H743, which one reviewer says is “about the same as the older version in the Malahit DSP-3”. And he adds: “It’s a full-fledged SDR like the DSP-3 that is, unlike all sorts of superhet Tecsuns and DEGENs on chips with all sorts of soft mutes, the Malachite works just as well but significantly better. . .”

Unfortunately, so far we see that firmware updating is accomplished using the STMCube program used by the Russia and China units and the excellent AFEDRI. I find STMCube to be clunky and often frustrating, though it seems straightforward when explained in the ML-880 manual.

RADIOCHIEF.RU on YouTube provides a demonstration of the MLite-880, comparing it with an ICOM IC-R20 and a DSP-3. He notes that while there are flaws in the 880 they appear to be fixable via firmware upgrades. In the downloads section of the elecevolve website we see version 1.2 dated 6 February 2026. The unit delivered here has 1.1 The printed manual shows “v2.1.0 Release date July 10, 2025”. I’m not aware of videos or other online presence of the ML 880 before January 2026.

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?

SWLing Post readers, whether SWLs or amateur operators, may be asking what the big deal is with the MLite-880. That’s understandable, but let me explain the significance. Much as the Choyong LC-90 became the first receiver to provide HF and Internet radio in a traditional radio cabinet (though without any spectrum display), the 880 shows that placing such a display in a traditional portable cabinet has been quite possible for some time — it just took someone to go ahead and do it. Continue reading →

New Book Release: Volodymyr Gurtovy’s Ukraine War Diaries, Book 3

The RMnoise Project: Using AI to Reduce Noise in Radio Audio

How It Works

In practical terms, RMnoise sits between your receiver and your ears using your computer’s sound card. Audio from your radio is fed into the computer, where RMnoise processes it in real time. The AI attempts to suppress unwanted noise while preserving the signal of interest, then sends the cleaned-up audio back out through your computer’s audio output.

There are several demonstration videos—with audio—that show how effective RMnoise can be with challenging signals:

https://ournetplace.com/rm-noise/videos/

You Can Try It Yourself

Perhaps the most exciting part: you can try RMnoise right now.

It’s simply a matter of installing a small program, configuring it to work with your computer’s sound card, and routing audio from your receiver into the computer. RMnoise picks up the incoming audio, does its “magic,” and outputs a noticeably cleaner signal.

RMnoise is for anyone interested in experimenting with modern signal processing techniques.

Click here to check out RMnoise.

Ian Spots a Snoopy-Themed Shortwave Boombox at MOMA

1 Reply

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Ian Millett, who writes:

On a recent visit to the New York Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), in the kids section of the Design Store, I spotted a retro boombox with AM, FM, and SW bands. MOMA sells the Snoopy-themed BX-85 Bluetooth Cassette Player Boombox, by Retrospekt, for $99 to non-members.

The cassette player’s door has a drawing of our favorite beagle Snoopy in his Joe Cool persona listening to a radio. Peanuts creator Charles Shulz drew a strip published on July 12, 1981, that has Snoopy listening to a “bark” show (sic) on a tabletop radio. We don’t know the coverage of that comic strip radio.

The bandspread on the Retrospekt boombox shows it covers Shortwave 8 to 16 MHz and FM 88 to 108 MHz. Interestingly, the bandspread shows AM coverage from 530 to 1600 kHz. Even the coverage is retro.

Ian Millett N3CVA
Baltimore, MD

Paul Reviews the Radtel RT-880G

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by Paul Jamet

Looking for a versatile radio?

Which radio listener hasn’t dreamed of owning a portable multi-band receiver allowing them to explore the widest possible radio spectrum?

For nearly a year now, walkie-talkies have appeared on the market which, beyond the classic VHF–UHF functions, also allow listening and transmitting on CB (27 MHz) as well as listening to LW/MW/SW bands (LSB/USB/CW). The RADTEL RT-860 has won over those who have tested it.

Read here: Dan Reviews the Radel RT-860

The arrival of the Quansheng TK-11 — available in three versions — has caused quite a stir on social networks. Then, almost at the same time, the RADTEL RT-880 and RT-880G (G for GPS) appeared, also sold under other names such as iRadio UV98.

Among all these available models, I chose — as a radio listener, especially when I’m traveling — the RADTEL RT-880G. My choice is explained mainly by its antenna connectors (SMA-Female and SMA-Male), its large color display, its GPS module, its thousand memory channels, and the possibility of simultaneously monitoring three VHF/UHF frequencies. This device is highly customizable, but its user manual would deserve to be much more detailed and explicit.

The RT-880G comes with a “standard” 18 cm antenna for VHF-UHF bands, which is also used for FM station reception. I haven’t yet tested the device on the 27 MHz (CB) band, for which a dedicated antenna is preferable. No antenna is provided for LW/MW/SW listening.

For listening to LW/MW/SW bands, the device is often shown with small donut-type loop antennas (10 cm diameter).

However, for easier transport, I simply chose this small telescopic SMA-Male antenna, 48 cm long (weight: 20 g): to which it is possible to clip a wire antenna, such as the SONY AN-71, which can prove very useful.

I also used an antenna normally intended for CB, the ABBREE 27 MHz telescopic antenna (130 cm), admittedly heavier (weight: 78 g) and bulkier, but which gives very good results for the HF band.

The purpose of this contribution — which concerns only listening — is to arouse curiosity among mobile (or stationary) listeners, to invite those who own this walkie-talkie to come here and share their experience, and to collect your comments. It is therefore not a full review of the RT-880G, but simply an illustration of what it offers for listening to LW/MW/SW bands.

For LW/MW/SW bands, the RT-880G allows you to set the:

step to 1 – 5 – 10 – 50 – 100 – 500 – 1,000 – and 9 kHz],
bandwidth [0.5 – 1.0 – 1.2 – 2.2 – 3.0 – 4.0],
AGC (Automatic Gain Control)
BFO – (Beat Frequency Oscillator) – used for fine tuning SSB reception (the minimum step being 1 kHz).

Sample Recordings

Local park where some of the recordings were made.

Here are a few audio files that will help you form an opinion. The recordings were made with a smartphone placed near the receiver. The recordings were made using a smartphone placed near the receiver. The sound quality is quite good, even surprising. Continue reading →

Michael Reviews the Choyong WT2 Multifunction Handheld Radio

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Michael (BD4AAQ) who shares the following guest post:

WT2 Mini Handheld With Everything Radio

by Michael Ye (BD4AAQ)

What Exactly Is the WT2?

No exaggeration. The WT2, a recent radio developed by Choyong, includes nearly every type of radio imaginable: ham radio, traditional shortwave and medium-wave radio, internet radio and, last but not least, push-to-talk over cellular radio!

The radio is powered by the TEF6686 chip, which has an excellent track record in high-performance radios. This suggests the WT2’s performance will surpass that of the highly regarded LC90. Packing so many features into a handheld device would have been unimaginable a decade ago without state-of-the-art technology and the internet.

I’m fortunate to be among the first to get my hands on the WT2. I’d seen its picture before but was still pleasantly surprised when I unboxed the real thing and saw its actual size. The picture below shows my iPhone 12 Pro next to it for comparison. At this small size, it fits sleekly into one’s pocket. I’ve always wanted a radio to listen to while walking or jogging. Now, I have one.

Continued Success of Choyong Radio Receivers

As a young and innovative technology company, Choyong was the first to launch a radio receiver combining traditional radio with internet radio: the LC90. The LC90 has been a resounding success. An improved version, the LC95, has been launched domestically in China. Rumours suggest that the LC100 is in development to build on the success of the LC90 and LC95.

Now, powered by the TEF6686 chip, the WT2 delivers even greater sensitivity and selectivity. Its unique combination of multiple radio types in a single, compact handheld form factor makes it highly competitive. In fact, I’m unaware of any other radio that packs so many features into such a sleek design. The young team at Choyong boldly leads the way, fearlessly testing the market waters.

Internet Radio

Choyong has confirmed that the WT2, like the LC90, will be available in both export and Chinese versions.

“In terms of the stations that can be heard, the internet radio exhibits significant differences from that of the Chinese version. The Chinese version is designed to exclusively feature Chinese language stations (and a few English language stations) in China. If we liken the Chinese internet radio to a closed system such as iOS, it is stable, reliable but restrictive. In contrast, the export version could be compared to Android, offering more open, inclusive and customisable user experience.

On the export version, the MENU button provides access to the main menu, which begins with the six continents (excluding Antarctica) and allows users to navigate to the desired country and then select a specific station.”

The WT2 supports Wi-Fi for indoor use and comes with a built-in eSIM for 4G cellular connectivity. This allows you to easily carry the WT2 in hand or slip it into a pocket, making it ideal for listening to internet radio while walking or jogging.

Traditional Radio

Shortwave performance is impressive, especially considering the small antenna. Surprisingly, the 13.6cm walkie-talkie antenna extends to a full 48cm. This significantly improves shortwave reception, as well as FM reception. Unfortunately, the WT2 lacks SSB demodulation on shortwave, which is a bit disappointing.

Medium-wave reception is poor with the receiver’s whip antenna. Indeed, what can you expect from a whip antenna without a ferrite bar? However, I experimented by connecting a longer wire to the antenna’s SMA connector, and MW reception improved remarkably, much to my surprise.

Arguably, the WT2’s FM reception is outstanding. I compared this compact radio with various others, large and small, old and new, and the WT2’s FM performance is simply the best. Its sensitivity generally surpasses that of competing models, allowing me to receive stations that were inaudible on others. A prime example is Shanghai’s Classic Music Channel on 94.7 MHz, which many report as having medium to weak signal strength. Yet, the WT2 pulled it in with exceptional clarity, free of the occasional hissing I noticed on other radios.

Ham Radio and Walkie-Talkie

Amateur radio operators will appreciate the WT2, as it covers the standard Ultra High Frequency (UHF) amateur band, with a maximum transmitting power of 2 watts. It also includes the FRS/GMRS bands (not for use in China). The Very High Frequency (VHF) band is expected in future models.

Caution: When transmitting with the WT2, retract the extended antenna to avoid damaging the device.

Although the WT2 is a compact handheld, it includes features found in other walkie-talkies, such as squelch, tone squelch and scanning, all packed into this sleek device.

PoC Talking

Push-to-talk over cellular (PoC) is not new, but it has gained popularity in recent years with the rise of 4G and 5G mobile communications.

A decade ago, taxi drivers in Shanghai used traditional walkie-talkies to communicate within their network for vehicle dispatch or casual rag-chewing. Some were radio amateurs, but I suspect others were not and were thus operating illegally without a proper license. Years later, most of them, if not all, had switched to PoC, a modern method offering legal communication with crystal-clear audio and virtually no distance limitations.

I gave it a try, and of all the people who could have answered, it was BA8BM, a fellow ham in Sichuan, China. Needless to say, the audio was excellent!

With the WT2, users can create as many groups as they like, each supporting up to 10,000 members!

Other Features

The WT2 features a TF card slot that accepts cards with a maximum capacity of 32 GB. This storage can be used for playing music or serving as an external data drive.

The Bluetooth connection supports internet radio but not traditional radio. I successfully connected my AirPods and Bose headphones. They work well for internet radio but by design not for traditional radio.

The WT2 is equipped with a 2,500 mAh rechargeable lithium battery. Unlike the LC90, the battery is not user-replaceable. For a lightweight radio like the WT2, I’d say 2,500 mAh is sufficient for most daily use.

Key Takeaways

The WT2 is a remarkable compact radio that combines traditional and modern radio technologies. It features a 240×283 mini screen with a vibrant, high-quality colour display that’s truly impressive. The extendable antenna enhances shortwave and FM reception. The audio is crisp and clear but slightly soft. Bluetooth supports internet radio but does not work with traditional radio.

With its four-in-one radio capabilities, users can communicate or listen however they prefer. Want to make a CQ call with a fellow ham? You have amateur radio. Craving crystal-clear conversation? PoC is available. Feel like tuning into nostalgic, sometimes noisy broadcasts over the airwaves? Shortwave, medium-wave, and FM are ready. Eager to explore internet-based radio? There’s a wealth of stations from across the country or around the world.

The WT2 is much smaller (though slightly thicker) than an iPhone and can be used handheld or, via Bluetooth, slipped into a pocket for walking or jogging.

The WT2 has a voice assistant to help you navigate its internet radio and other features with ease.

A versatile little gadget for radio hams, shortwave listeners (despite lacking SSB), and broadcast listeners alike!

The Choyong WT2 Kickstarter Campaign: A Walkie-Talkie with Shortwave, Internet Radio, and Much More

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One of our sponsors, Choyong Radio, has launched a new Kickstarter campaign for what they call “the next generation walkie-talkie.”

Click here to check it out.

According to the campaign specs, the WT2 combines:

Dual-Mode Communication:
- Analog 450 MHz band for classic two-way radio.
- Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) via 4G/Wi-Fi for worldwide communication.
World-Class Reception:
- High-sensitivity FM and shortwave (SW) reception powered by the TEF6686 chip.
- Pulls in extremely weak signals most radios miss.
Global Radio Streaming:
- Access to 50,000+ internet radio stations in the palm of your hand.
- Built-in ChatGPT search — just ask it to “find a jazz station in New York” and it will.
Smart, Portable Design:
- 2500 mAh fast-charging battery.
- Brilliant high-resolution display.
- Sleek, modern styling built for both outdoor adventures and everyday carry.

Choyong’s vision: “This isn’t just for outdoor adventurers or radio enthusiasts—it’s for anyone who values staying connected and entertained.”

I’ll admit that Choyong has done an impressive job with the LC-90, packing a lot of features into one radio. I can see where this HT-sized unit would really appeal to those who enjoy traveling. Keep in mind, though, this is a crowdfunded campaign—so you’re investing in a product to help bring it to full production. Unlike many first-time campaigns, however, Choyong already has experience successfully taking products from design to market.