{"id":61777,"date":"2025-01-18T08:43:14","date_gmt":"2025-01-18T12:43:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=61777"},"modified":"2025-01-18T08:43:14","modified_gmt":"2025-01-18T12:43:14","slug":"qodosen-dx-286-first-impressions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/01\/qodosen-dx-286-first-impressions\/","title":{"rendered":"Qodosen DX-286 First Impressions"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM<\/strong><\/p>\n

There was quite a bit of excitement in the ultralight radio community in 2024 when folks \u201cdiscovered\u201d the Qodosen DX-286 radio.<\/p>\n

The very first version of this radio was the Qodosen SR-286. Its Big Trick was that it was based on the NXP TEF6686 DSP chip which is designed for car radio use and delivered impressive performance on AM (medium wave broadcast band), FM, and shortwave (it also receives LW; I have not tested that.). The SR-286 was later refined and became the DX-286, which late last year I bought. The two versions of the radio look virtually identical except for the model designation on the front panel.<\/p>\n

The bottom line: I can, indeed, confirm the performance of the DX-286 is, as my Dad used to say, \u201chotter than a two-dollar pistol.\u201d<\/p>\n

While I don\u2019t actually know much about the thermal properties of cheap handguns, I can say with authority that the DX-286 is very pleasing to own and operate.<\/p>\n

The DX-286 is a small radio, measuring 5.28″L x 1.18″W x 2.99″H. The fit and finish, for the most part, are excellent. The front is studded with 23 buttons, a speaker grill\/opening, and a digital display. On the left side is a port for plugging in an external antenna. On the right side, you will find a tuning knob that can be pushed in to change the tuning step and auto tuning, a volume adjustment wheel, a charging port, and a port for plugging in headphones.. On the back is a hatch for accessing the rechargeable 18650 battery and a flimsy-looking flip-out foot for propping the DX-286 at an angle. On the top of the radio is a fold-out telescoping metal antenna that measure about 19 inches long when fully extended.<\/p>\n

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The DX-286 comes in a neat foam-cushioned plastic case that includes an extensive user manual, a drawstring bag for protecting the DX-286 when it is out of the case, a charging cable and an optional extra battery.<\/p>\n

From the DX-286 manual, here are the frequency ranges that the DX-286 can receive and the tuning steps are available.<\/p>\n

Frequency Range\/Tuning Step<\/strong><\/p>\n

FM: <\/strong><\/p>\n