Sangean ATS-909X2 Teardown - preproduction EU version, firmware 070 

Some guys say the SiLabs chip does all the IF filtering for the radio. Others think it has minimal activity on MW/SW. I'm pretty sure it's active on FM, at least acc. to the 909X schematics online (never found a schematic for the 909X2 yet).

Practice makes it easier. This radio is actually a bit difficult to put together. The case is a bit flexible, and a bit of pressure need to be put to make everything fit together. The flex of the case can also mask the situation where some parts didn't fit properly. In that situation, the radio can externally look fine, but it can sound terrible, because parts of the case will then vibrate.

Sure, it's no problem at all.

@@AndrejaKostic I uploaded a video about your teardown. Thanks

Yeah, that's what the rumors say. Sangean told me that they'll replace my radio with a new version, so I'll do a teardown of the new versionas well, once I receive it. I hope that the quality will be a bit better than what we've seen here.

@@AndrejaKostic Very good, you should receive the new version this month.

@@AndrejaKostic Is there a way to make the alarm buzzer louder?

@@AndrejaKostic I have a V73 June 2021 . The band Am doesn't works ! So they didn't fix the probleme . What can I do . Have you got some advice . thanks

Yes, it did, but there are a few tricky parts. For example, it's important to route the white cable on the right properly (I suspect, but am not sure, that noise which can be heard when hand is placed on the screen might be coupling through that cable). Otherwise, the radio will be too thick to fit together properly and can rattle when assembled. The bandwidth switch should also be properly mated with its outside assembly. The radio case is elastic, so you can actually put it together without using too much force, and it won't be obvious that it's not fitted perfectly until you turn up the volume.

It's just a sticker now, and the date code is part of the serial number. The code for my radio is 2020/10.

Hold the display portion of the X model over and above the top side of he lower chassis. That will allow enough space to get your fingers in there to re-attach the hanging cable. But yes, without discovering this trick, it's a nightmare getting it back in.

Hm... In my region, the ATS-909X2 is more expensive than the Tecsun PL-990X...

Hi! It's difficult to say. I have huge amount of conducted interference at home, so it's difficult to say how much the power supply itself is adding to the interference compared to a linear power supply. My power is simply too dirty. I did test out the radio both with its own power supply, and with a Diamond Antenna GSV3000 (set to 9 V) linear power supply, and the noise with both power supplies was about the same, so compared to my regular level of noise coming from power lines, the Sangean power supply isn't adding anything obvious. However, if you're in an area where the power is cleaner, I can't say if you'll be able to hear a difference or not. By the way, unlike some other Sangean radios (say ATS-505), the 909X2 won't shut down if you connect a disconnected power cable to the receptacle. So this way, a power cable might be used, for example, as a ground radial.

@@AndrejaKostic Thank you Curently I own ATS909X and am very happy with it(allthough I had its antena snap off at the base(was fixed by third party), and I had to clean dust from tunning knob) So I have to justify upgrading :) What I like is filters on FM (I realy missed that on 909x) and hope that they can be configurable And hope I can apply this hack: radio1.dxing.si/index.txt To get OIRT FM band support like on 909X Would like to see some RDS debug info like PI Code but maybe this can be enabled somehow Thanks and please forgive me asking you questions like this 😀

@@DXingSlovenija Well, for the expanded coverage, the radio goes from 64 MHz to 108 MHz on the FM. The configuration options are described in manual, and are public, so no hidden hacks are needed. The RF FM filters are 110 kHz, 85 kHz and 65 kHz. I think that they're quite strange, since many stations in my area (at least) are 200 kHz wide, if not more. There are also 3 AF filters (news, normal, music) , but I haven't found any specifications for them. I suspect that Silicon Labs Si4735 does the RDS decoding, but I'm not sure hot easy to reconfigure it is. I still haven't taken time to read the datasheet and rest of the documentation in-depth. Perhaps it's easy to change the configuration of the chip?

@@AndrejaKostic hmm thanks, I hope filters (since they are dsp filters anyway, not analog filters like ATS909X has) are configurable, what about Auto mode (filters), does it go beyond 110khz? Is it good on blocking adjasted stations? BTW: what tunning steps you can choose from on FM(I guess 10khz if using 64-108Mhz coverage) BTW: can you make a video, demonstrating Airband?

@@DXingSlovenija Well, I did take a look at the filters in the Si4735, but I couldn't find anything conclusive. When I have a bit more time, I'll try to read the whole documentation set. In general, DSP filters does not imply that it's possible to re-program them. They might be pre-computed and stored in ROM or PROM or similar. Again, I'm talking in general, I still don't understand all the details about the Si4735. The auto bandwidth option just switches between the available filters, and there aren't any extra auto-bandwidth filters. It can get a bit annoying, if the signal is on the edge between two bandwidths, because the radio will keep jumping between them. For FM, there are the 50 kHz, 100 kHz and 200 kHz steps. I didn't really test out how good it is at blocking close stations. I'll have to find some, and then try it out, or test it out with a small FM transmitter. For air band, I'll see if I can do some videos. I'll definitely have to wait until the weekend for the free time. In general, I have mixed opinions about the air band. I'm very happy with the audio quality (compared to my Yaesu FTM-400XDE and my Icom IC-2730E), but the radio doesn't have the new European 8.33 kHz step! This is a big issue for European users, since the migration period ended in 2018. The radio does have the 5 kHz steps, which are often close enough, but it can only scan with 25 kHz steps, so it misses 2/3 of the channels. I don't really have anything to say about the sensitivity: I don't have the means to do a useful test or comparison. The squelch option does seem to work fine. I did write to Sangean, and ask if there's a solution for the screen buzzing issue, if it's possible to change the FM deviation (which might be of interest of you want to take the radio to the US), and if they have any comments about the airband step. The response was that they're aware of some issues, and that they'll replace the old radios with new version, but they didn't say anything more specific than that. So if you're trying to justify the upgrade, my advice would be to wait until the reviews for the new production version start coming out, especially if you find the airband important. Also, if you haven't already, check out o00scorpion00o's channel. He also has some videos about the 909X2, and should also get the new version, once it comes out. Do feel free to ask, if you have more questions! :)

Hello Ken. I'm sorry, but I really don't know. I haven't used the Sony ICF-SW55, so I really do not know, so the post below is mostly my speculation. From old Sony radios, I've only used the ICF-2001D, and well, it's a bit difficult to say which is actually better, but I prefer to use the ATS-909X2. When I compare the 2001D with 909X2, the problem is that 2001D was designed in time when AM radio in general was taken much more seriously, so it has synchronous reception, the medium and long wave reception is better, and sometimes, I have a feeling that the audio on SW is better too. However, the 2001D is a big radio, the batteries are heavy and last a short amount of time (and I, due to RF noise, almost exclusively use the radio when portable in a park or similar). Also, the older radios bring their age-related issues with them: LEDs might be very weak, they might be off-frequency and require tuning, and opening them up and adjusting them is not the easiest procedure. Looking at the prices of the ICF-SW55 here in Germany, it tends to be around the same as the 909X2. So unless I could get the ICF-SW55 significantly cheaper, or if I felt very comfortable servicing an ICF-SW55, I'd go with the 909X2. Also, from what I could see, the ICF-SW55 doesn't seem to do SSB, and 909X2 sort of does.

@@AndrejaKosticThank you for answering my question. Keep up your good work.

Hi, nice to hear from you! I did not send mine. The Sangean said that they would contact me, when they sorted the issues out, and they didn't, and I didn't remind them. :) In any case, the bugs which were reported as fixed in the firmware do not affect me, so I wasn't in the rush to send it back because of that. Additionally, my firmware version (070) has the option to show both received signal strength and the SNR. I got used to this mode on the Tecsun radios, so it's the only mode I use on the 909X2, and from what I've seen, it has been removed in the current firmware, which I find really annoying. Additionally, I've seen that there are radios with the new firmware which have the low SSB volume issue (and that's the main issue I have), and that there are others which do not have this issue. So just getting the firmware done won't fix the low volume. I was actually thinking about trying to contact Sangean and ask if there's a service manual for the ATS-909X2 available (I politely asked one for my old ATS-505, and they sent it to me), and seeing if the low volume is something that can be fixed in hardware.

@@AndrejaKostic @Андреја Костић @Андреја Костић Sangean has problems with email storage I think, maybe try contacting them again Firmware 073 does not have combined rssi/snr so you will loose that if you sent your radio, I sent mine because it had hardware problems (mine had 073 firmware), here is a changelow if you need it: radio1.dxing.si/sangean/firmware/changelog.txt Also here: radio1.dxing.si/sangean/firmware/update-jig/ Are some suprises waiting for you :) Another suprise you may find usefull: radio1.dxing.si/sangean/manuals/ATS909X2/Service%20Manual/ATX-909X2%20Service%20Manual(CE).pdf Yea I got armed with things since my last comments here :), hope you find them usefull BTW: mind sharing your service manual for your ATS-505?

There is a strong birdie at 610 kHz on my X2. An external antenna defeats it, but on the ferrite rod, it's bad. MW, LW, & SW sensitivity is also handled differently compared to the two previous models. At first it seems that the X2 is noticably less sensitive than its predecessors. And when near strong signals using an external antenna, you don't need to turn down the RF gain as much, or at all. But it could have better RF dynamic range and the RF gain pot could also cover a wider range of resistances.

Hey Chuck, sorry for the late response, I've been quite ill this week. The difficulty depends on where exactly the antenna broke. The whip is connected to its base by one screw, so if the whip itself broke, then you don't have to replace the base: Your remove the whip from the new antenna and install it on the old antenna. If the actual base of the whip, which pulls out of the radio body, broke, then it's a bit of work. You have to open the radio. At 15:55 in the video, you can see a black screw. I thin that this screw holds the antenna base connected to the rest of the radio. The "up-side" here is that you would only need to open the radio to unscrew it. You don't need to remove any of the circuit boards and so on, but on the other hand, screwing the radio back together is a bit difficult, and if you don't do it properly, the case can crackle when the radio is playing.

​@@AndrejaKostic Thank you for your reply. I hope you get over your illness quickly. The antenna broke on the radio side of the swivel joint, so the easy fix will not apply in my case. Take care ... Chuck

Is it only on that radio, or on all RDS radios? I've had situations where radio stations would commonly transmit incorrect time over RDS, and the only option was to disable time synchronization using RDS.

@@AndrejaKostic You must test the car radio or RDS at the station to certify that it is correct or that the radio or transmitter hours are correct.

It sounds like you have the “Time Set” switch on the right hand side of your DX-398 set to “Auto” and are listening to an FM RDS station transmitting an incorrect RDS time signal. Change the small black “Time Set” switch on the right hand side of the radio to “Manual”, set the correct time using the normal process and this problem should then be resolved.

Hm... Good question! When the antenna is deployed outside of its protective compartment, and at its shortest length, it's loose enough so that I can move the tip 2-3 cm with almost no force needed at all. So it might be called loose. On the other hand, outside of that movement, on my unit, the antenna is actually tight. When I rotate it, outside of area allowed, I need to intentionally do that. It won't move on its own.

I have Capacitance Hash when moving The Antenna on my 909X. I have tried to tighten on the Outside and applied Locktite on the Screw inside the Radio. No Difference but this Screw is bad to Loosen as the Radio is used, I at least fixed that issue.

@@maddog57ful ... My antenna is broken. Do you advise an amateur not try to replace it?

@@chuckbarlow1334 Physically Whip broken or Loose on the inside?

@@maddog57ful It's physically broken, definitely need to be replaced.

www.sangeanshop.eu/en/ats-909x2 Это европейский дистрибьютор, который находится в Нидерландах, и я купил радио у них. Однако, возможно, будет дешевле попытаться найти местного дистрибьютора, если получится.

Хм... Панасонике до сада нисам имао прилику да испробам, нисам ни знао да производе КТ радије још увек. Који су добри модели њихови за АМ?

@@AndrejaKostic _Panasonic RF-2400 D radio prijemnik AM i FM. Je super prijemnik na AM području. FM je malo slabiji, ali kad se podigne antena onda je dobar. Imam Sangean ATS 909X i zadovoljan sam samo kod FM kanala dok AM i ostali kanali su vrlo problematični. Loša osjetljivost i brujanje kod pojedinih frekvencija. Imam i Sony ICF-SW 7600 GR . Radio ima super osjetljivost na svim područjima. Kupio sam ga 2000-te godine i još je u super stanju. Da se vratim Sangean prijemnik je vrlo simpatičan i lijep radio ali šteta što ima smetnje i lošu osjetljivost na AM i SW pa i na LW band-u. Veliki pozdrav._ 🙋

@@DIlic-iz9tx Све најбоље! :)

Hm... I might. From Tecsuns, I currently only have PL-880, and it's a bit difficult to take apart, due to all the shielding cans it has, but I'll see if I can do something. I actually ordered the XDATA D-808, but it still hasn't arrived. Are you sure it's actually Japanese? It really looks like a Chinese design to me, but I haven't researched it yet in detail.

Well, I got the XDATA D-808 yesterday. My first impression, based mostly on plastic material used, and general quality of the chassis, is that it's a cheaply built and quite horrible radio, and that quite a bit of time was saved by rushing the case design. After using it for some 5-6 hours, I still stand by that opinion, but the actual "radio" part of the radio is fine. It has a small and weak loudspeaker, and the interior doesn't look like it was designed for sound, so the speaker is OKish, but not even close to ATS-909X2 or PL-880, or even ATS-505. On the other hand, unlike many radios, the headphone jack is free from digital buzzing noises and works "fine". To me, it looks like a super-ultra-cost-cutting radio, but all the costs that were cut are in places where it doesn't impact actual radio part of the radio all that much. Insides are mostly OK, but some of the trimmer potentiometers on the inside look as if they were in the oven on a temperature which is a bit too high for their plastic, and of course, all of remains of the (hopefully no-clean) flux from the hand-soldering are still on the inside. The telescopic whip and ferrite bar antennas are both partially secured with hot glue, which worries me about reliability after a few years. I'll see if I can post some comparison videos in the coming weeks.

@@AndrejaKostic, thanks for your real opinion and observations. In today's time as short wave and ssb are on high demand a reliable and sturdy device must be produced by any good brand of company. such an useful thing but lacks manufacturers, only available options are limited and has pros and cons,,,,, if you buy one you get some features but lacks others, if you buy other you get other but lacks old features. a piece with all feature is hard to find. im too much thinking of pl 330, xhdata d 808, pl680, pl880 and pl990. but pl990 seems sturdy and can be used without caring it like a child. but it is not portable, and lacks air band. Laughingly comparion and head spinning videos watched on you tube... reading specifications and features, ease of batteries.... so on anyone can get mad. just use what you like no hard feelings as there is no perfect thing.

@@yuvrajkote5918 By the way... I've been playing lately with the ATS-20 (also known as the Si4732 radio), and it seems to be relatively close to D-808. If I remember correctly, the D-808 also uses the Si4732 internally, but the ATS-20 comes with a metallic box, which you can throw around. The firmware on ATS-20 can also be changed by the end user, so it's possible, with very little effort, to adjust many of the smaller annoying things, such as button press delays, AGC time constants and similar. On the other hand, ATS-20 doesn't have a ferrite rod antenna, which the D-808 does, so D-808 has much better LW/MW reception in noisy areas. For Tecsuns and D-808... Well, I've used a PL-368MP, and have a PL-880. The D-808 just isn't in the same class of radio as the PL-880. Yes, they mostly do the same things, but PL-880 is more luxurious, larger and heavier, while the D-808 is small, thin, light, and (to me at least) gives a strong sense of cost-cutting. Another thing about the airband: In some areas, the airband switched to 8.33 kHz steps (but round to nearest 5 kHz when speaking on air). The ATS-909X2, and the D-808 can't scan using that step size, so this could be something to keep in mind.

@@AndrejaKostic. thanks. we will keep searching and researching about radio waves and devices of electronics to get some knowledge. thanks a lot for your videos.

Well, let me write a bit about my background: I don't really have teardowns of "monsters". I've only posted a teardown for ATS-909X2 (I think at least!). I'm not a real, professional, RU-vidr, and if you look at my other videos, you'll see that they're mostly stuff of interest for my friends and family. Therefore, I do not have any sponsors, and am not interested in getting my videos monetized. But about teardowns.... Well, there are a few aspects: Ever since I was a small child, I liked taking things apart, and trying to understand how they work, and to be able to see how they are assembled. As I aged, I developed my technical affinity, started collecting tools, and started getting proficient with tools. I studied electrical engineering and telecommunications (and also got my amateur radio license along the way), but am now working as an engineer for medical devices. During my studies, I got used to reading datasheets, and to try to understand roughly how electronic devices work. I've disassembled many of the devices I have, and I'm proficient enough that I can either re-assemble them correctly, so that they work like new, or that I know when the device is too complicated for me to tear it down, and then stop before I damage it. I decided to move from my birth country to another country (and learn new languages), where engineers are payed well enough, so that the $100 for a radio isn't really that much. I can afford to get one each month, without thinking too much about it. I also do not smoke and drink very small amounts of alcohol, I do not have a car, so there are no fuel expenses (and in my region, fuel is very expensive), and I do not purchase expensive clothes. Additionally, I'm in the phase of my life where I am not married and do not have a family which I need to feed. Therefore, for me, this teardown did not cost anything extra: All the tools which I used, I already have, since I like having tools. I got the radio, because wanted to buy it anyway, and I already had general knowledge of what I would most probably need to do to take it apart, and the radio works fine now when I re-assembled it, so I had no losses on the radio. I did the video, since by chance, I was among the first who received this radio from the manufacturer. For many other radios which I've torn apart (and re-assembled), there were already videos or photos of the internals on the Internet, but this one was new and fresh, so I wanted to repay the "community" in a way: I've looked for many years at pictures other made when taking things apart, and now I hope that someone can take a look at my video, and avoid damaging his radio, when opening it. I hope this answers your question.

@@AndrejaKostic Real work real efforts your are a real person, no ego no fancy about skills, salute to the modesty. very much thanks for reply.

Hm... A neighbor of mine has an ICF-2001D. I might borrow it, and compare the 909X2 with it on LW and MW.

Yup, sure is. On the other hand, back then, there were no professional tear-downs of this radio, so it might have been useful for those who could stomach such horrors.

@@AndrejaKostic are there any proffesional teardowns of this radio now :) I think your one is still the only teardown

@@DXingSlovenija I haven't seen any, but I don't want to exclude the possibility that there are some which I haven't seen.