Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Robert Richmond, who shares the following series of videos about the new ATS-25 receiver (mentioned in this previous post) from Kevin O’Reilly’s YouTube channel.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, for the following guest post:
by Dan Robinson
After my last update on the Russia-made Malahit DSP-2, I thought it important to add something about the receiver, as it could well influence those who may be on the fence about purchasing one.
In a series of communications, Georgiy at Malahit team has stressed steps taken to attempt to deal with internal interference seen across the bands. And he has asserted
that noise spikes lessen if the receiver is connected to a non-whip antenna.
Most of my tests have used whip antennas of various lengths, in various locations indoors and outdoors, because it’s my view that portability is a major attraction of these small SDR receivers.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark, who recently shared his notes about the new CC Wifi 3 that only recently started shipping:
Howdy Thomas,
I received the CCWiFi3 [last week]. I was surprised at the small box compared to my CCWiFi2. After opening I found the inner box tightly fitted to the outer shipping container. The radio box is quite nice with graphics and I will keep it for later use if needed.
When I took the radio out of the box it seemed lighter so I weighed it. The CCWiFi3 weighs 1 lbs compared to the CCWiFi2 that weighs 1 lbs 2.8 oz (excluding power adapters and antenna). I’ll be waiting to hear what the tech people will find inside the new radio.
Within five minutes I had the radio plugged in, the SSID found and the password entered without issues.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, for the following guest post:
A few weeks ago, I wrote about my experiences with the Russia-made Malahit DSP-2 receiver, and made a recommendation that potential purchasers of the receiver hold off until the design team in Russia made some changes.
Weak points included the SMA antenna connector – specifically the short cable going from the antenna to the PCB board, and sharp noise spikes seen at numerous locations throughout the spectrum from mediumwave up to 30 MHz.
My particular DSP-2 unit went dead after an update to an early version of the 2.10TEST firmware. At the time, I had spoken via Skype with Georgiy on the Malahit team and kept up a string of communications on the Malahit Telegram channel.
It was not clear to me whether the problem with the first DSP-2 was primarily due to SMA antenna issues or also due to a problem with the firmware update I had applied at the time (it was an early version of 2.10TEST).
My appreciation goes to Georgiy who decided to send a new DSP-2 to me. This took about 3 weeks from the end of July until just recently when the receiver arrived (though the U.S. Postal Service made the end of that journey quite interesting).
Here are some observations that I hope will help current and prospective owners of the DSP-2: Continue reading
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Konrad, who writes:
Hello Thomas,
I was checking AliExpress in search of Hanrongda HRD 747 (still nothing yet) and accidentally I’ve found something which might be interesting.
For now there’s not much information about this device, but it seems that somebody produced a handheld equivalent of well known Si473X receivers.
Name is SI-307
https://aliexpress.com/item/1005003010068279.html
https://www.ebay.com/itm/184956500398
Currently there are no details, but they’re mentioning SSB support, which might suggest, that they’re using a well known Si4735-D60 or Si4732-A10 chip. Also it is unknown if device might be programmable as original (non-handheld) version of this receiver. Speaker seems to be built in.
Might be interesting to know, if anybody from The SWLing Post has decided to risk ~100 USD to check this out 🙂
PS: Thanks for your outstanding work, I’m checking The SWLing Post daily 🙂
Thank you, Konrad! Yes, I think you’re right in that this is simply another Si473X-based receiver.
Interesting: the aluminum alloy chassis almost seems to be snap-together. The connection tabs remind me of radio kits that use circuit board material at the chassis.
Also, the buttons and labels on the front faceplate seem so “homebrew.”
Like Konrad, I would be interested if anyone has tried this radio. I’m not sure I’d be ready to fork out money on it quite yet, although it is certainly an interesting take on the Si473X.
Thank you, again, Konrad!
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Adid, who writes:
Hi Thomas,
Yesterday I found this short animation:
So I went to their website to look at this nice black and amber screen new model.
https://xhdata.com.cn/ (strangely enough, they sell there Tecsun stuff also)
I don’t plan on buying it any time soon as I don’t think they added “memories scroll” as there is in the R108.
So any of the members here can comment on the Black SIHUADON D-808 ?
Regards, Adi
Thank you for sharing this, Adid!
I’m also very curious if any SWLing Post readers have purchased the SIHUADON D-808 and could comment on any differences (other than the superficial ones) with it and the XHADATA D-808.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jeff McMahon, who shares a link to a Nixie Tube radio kit via the retailer Shop Simo. We’ve no clue how well the radio might perform, but it covers AM/FM, can play from an SD card and is, of course, Bluetooth as well. The radio requires no soldering–instead, it appears to be a modular snap-together kit. Here’s the manufacturer’s description:
Noyce Joyce introduces a new generation of electronic kits.
The whole kit is made of printed circuit boards (PCBs).
With a simple snap-fit connection, you get a fully functional product. In this case a battery-powered radio/Bluetooth speaker.
Our radio is [truly] unique thanks to the used miniature IN-17 nixie tubes.
These nixies stopped production 50 years ago.
For this reason, this product will be available only be in limited quantities of maximum few hundred pieces.
Right now you can buy the first 100 pieces in advance for half price.
These pieces will be delivered at the end of July.
Of course, you wouldn’t buy this radio for the performance–you’d but it for the Nixie tubes!
Thanks for the tip, Jeff!
Post readers: Please let me know if you purchase one of these! I’d love a guest post about the built and your thoughts about its functionality.