The Choyong LC90 AM/FM/SW/IN Radio. THE PERFECT RADIO DOES EXIST! 

I appreciate the concept of this radio integrating the internet, but at a price of $250, it lacks essential features for a shortwave radio. Firstly, for its cost, it should cover 0.2 to 30 MHz continuously. Unfortunately, the current shortwave band range of 2300-26100 KHz excludes CB and 160 m ham radio. Additionally, it lacks single sideband capability, a crucial feature in this price range. It should also include FM narrow for 10 m reception up to 30 MHz. While the radio has commendable channels and reviews, it falls short of expectations due to its limitations. The concept is promising but requires more features for the value it offers.

Without SSB, it's hard to justify the cost. When you can buy any number of SSB capable portables, I don't see the web features making up for the lack of SSB. And it's not Mid Wave, it's Medium Wave.

Its good to see radios catching up with the times. SSB and Airband would be a good upgrade for the next model. It's not cheap but worth looking at. :)

I mean that's cool but nothing I can't do with a few online sites or apps. My love of radio comes from sweeping some obscure bands in a dimly lit room while trying to max out my antenna capabilities.

No SSB is a deal killer. Also currently unavailable at Amazon.

Thank you for the very helpful demonstration. And I certainly appreciate Choyong's effort. But in the end, I think I would rather have 2: a dedicated Internet radio (or smartphone app or website), and a dedicated airwave radio (Tecsun, Eton, etc). Each will do its own specific job better.

Thanks for the review. I used to have an old Tecsun that I brought with me on a 1 year tour in Alaska… that was in 1989. Sadly it’s been lost over the years. I was intrigued enough to order one of these LC90s. This is the first portable BC radio that I’ve bought in a long time and looks like it’s got a lot of features that I know I’ll be able to use at home, at work and even while we’re out roaming the countryside in our RV.

After watching your video a couple of weeks ago I ordered the radio and am not disappointed. It was a little pricey, but well worth it. It is one unit that does is all very seamlessly. I still need to spend more time with the radio exploring all the features.

We would never find out about this great radio if not for your channel.Hours and Hours of great listening.Thanks !

pretty radio but missing LSB/USB for ham & cb channels like my Tecsun PL660. The preset menu countries / state/ programs is really neat tho

I enjoyed your review and I may purchase one, however, the thing cannot tune SSB. I really enjoy your channel- it’s one of my favorites.

Good frosty morning!! Really neat radio, and I'm sure you'll get hours of fiddle time with it, and hopefully a follow up. Maybe there will be an upgrade with ssb, that would really put it over the top.

Purchased the mini version of this! Should be here in a couple days, real excited to get it!

Love the new opening!

I just ordered this from amazon its very cool it should be at my door by the 5th of this month its nice to know how to work it before you get it .

Hey, love the vintage Pro-34 scanner in the background. Mine still works!

I'm glad that this model has finally come out! There had been some rumours they were gonna make it through 2023. Now I see a lot of interest in radio enthusiasts groups. As a European I'd be also glad to see DAB+ added to this model (but it's not that important if it has the internet connection), and as an amateur shortwave radio listener it would be perfect to add SSB bands. But even without this it seems like a very interesting radio. Pretty nice sound, curious to see some more detailed bandscans to see its abilities. Moreover I'd like to hear your opinion on batteries (how long can they play at once) and external antenna tests. I'm curious it it uses the famous TEF 6686 chip cause it would mean excellent reception on FM. The SIM-card slot was something that I've been waiting for years! It also has Bluetooth and other stuff. Wow. It interests me where it gets the Podcast and Online Station list from - Spotify? Google Podcasts? MediaU or some other?

Great review as always. Thank you!

I have subscribed to Choyong Electronics RU-vid channel. They have 2 vids on this radio. I will be looking forward your follow-ups to this radio, along with other RU-vid vids on it when released to the market. So far, only your vid and Choyong’s are on RU-vid. I am REALLY interested in this radio. The lack of SSB does not matter as I have any number of other radios for that aspect. Thanks for the introduction.

Very expensive radio for us down here in Australia (over $400). I guess the other alternative is to just buy a portable internet radio with DAB and FM (under $100) and listen to SW and AM on traditional receivers. Great review, I would like one but will wait until the price comes down

It would be perfect with full SW range + SSB. Flip stand at the back is missing and those two 3.5mm jacks is such a stupid position. Why not left side?

I bought a 25 ft long wave antenna kit on eBay. Since I've put it up, I don't have problems finding enough SW radio stations.

G''day & Thanks for the great review of the Choyong LC90 AM/FM/SW/IN Radio I'm an communications buff, & a full on Short wave enthusiasts as well as an Amateur from Melbourne Australia ( VK3ECS ) where 774 ( shown on your review actually transmits from ) in my professional opinion ( mas someone who works in the industry for ( Essential Communications Services in Australia ) there are 4 x major things that disappoints me about this radio with which I feel just a little bit more R & D time that they could have gotten right & it would have been the absolute ultimate radio. (1) The USB-C, Ext speaker & especially the External antenna ports are all in the wrong place what a pain in the rear end is the external antenna port that would directly interfere with using the tuning dial right next to the tuning dial surly they could have put this port, the USB-C port & the external speaker port on the left hand side where it did not interfere with the using of the dials on the right hand side what a huge over sight, hopefully they will bring out a V2 of this radio with these & the below things addressed & fixed then I'd buy one no problem. (2) The SW: 2300-26100KHz(Step: 1KHz/5KHz) band coverage who on earth makes a "Short Wave" radio that only covers up to 26100KHz what about the 11m CB & the 10M Amateur band as well as from the top of the 10m band up to 30Mhz or 30000Khz or at least 29.999Mhz or 29999Khz. (3) This radio does not have or support SSB ( USB & LSB ) so listening to the 40M amateur band that you showed in your review would not be possible neither would listening to ANY SSB utility services like Amateur, Aviation, Marine or the HFGCS just to name a few of many that use SSB be possible. (4) This radio does not have any sort of a fold out stand on the back that would allow you to lay it back on a 45 deg angle & use it in a portable situation. For me the above 4 things are an absolute deal breaker & I feel will be for many others as well. The one other thing that they could have added to the radio which would have made it even better again was AM Aviation Receive 114Mhz to 137Mhz I absolutely LOVE the SD card & the SIM slot as well as the fact that it can run off of WiFi Wow BUT for the 4 reasons above I don't think it will be incredibly popular amongst the "hard Core" short wave / communications enthusiasts. Regards Wayne.

I can stream shortwave stations on my smartphone or laptop computer. I do not need to spend $250 for a radio to do this. This radio does not include single side band which I listen to the Ham stations on. Ill stick with my analog short wave radio that covers signals up to 30 MHz. I use a long wire antenna from my house to a tree. I get excellent reception.

thanks for the coverage of this radio, I'll be checking it out further & btw it is back in stock on AMZ as of this morning :) Congrats as well to the haters for their contributions.....this upload looks to be well on its way to becoming one of your most viewed, despite being live for only a couple of months 🤣

Thankyou for showing us the LC90. Please forgive me if I sound nitpicky however you should know that MW is Medium Wave, it always has been and always will be Medium Wave. Just so you don't continue to call it mid-wave. I appreciate your kindness in showing us the radio. 🙂

I can do the same thing with my smart phone. Admittedly it's kind of pretty but not worth $250 I would be concerned that after a while the links programed into the radio would eventually become broken as these things change all the time.

Seems like some odd frequency ranges.. lw stops at 279khz .. no 160m, cb or 10m.. and fm below 88mhz.. is that for other parts of the world?

Nice speaker sounding however without SSB I would not be interested. For me the short wave bands are full of interesting machine chatter, noise ans signal solely for keeping that particular frequency open, so notvso many national broadcasters on there is great for me. As someone has already mentioned the range also needs to be improved etc etc. I guess this radio is designed not for the sw listening crowd but for families to listen to new stations worldwide and be available in times of crisis allowing one to hear a broadcast when the Internet is down and when emergency services are broadcasting on whatever "common" band and frequency they can. In that case this radio hits the mark. How long does the battery last? In an emergency does one needs a reliable source of power to enable it to work?

No SSB and limited HF coverage? That is not perfect in my book. Looks nice otherwise.

If they can add a few more OTA bands, like ham and have SSB I would definitely be interested in it. Even if it was a little bit bigger. Many of the radios on the market that have all that stuff, less the internet stuff. Just don't seem to work very good. I had ordered one that you reviewed a while ago for a friend who wanted to get into shortwave and when it arrived I opened it up to check and try it out. It was loaded with features and it looked very nice. I just found that the tuner was not very sensitive. I had it hooked to a long wire antenna and it seemed like it just had trouble with stations that were not fairly strong. I had 2 other radios that I was comparing it with. That being said it was about a $100 radio and it came with many extras and I felt it would be great for them just starting out. If it would have had a little better tuner I probably would have ordered a second one for myself. Maybe if I wasn't into it like I am I would have thought it was awesome and that would have been that. Would you ever consider doing a video showing how to make a shortwave antenna out of slinkys? I purchased one many years ago on ebay and I must say it works really well and the length is self adjusting. I have strung it up in the house from curtain rods to door knobs and it works plus you can change directions real easy to help pull in stations from different locations. It's made of two metal slinkys, a piece of wire, two pieces of plastic pipe as insulators, and a alligator clip. Just something that I think others might be interested in.

It does all that, but no HDFM? The very first station you tuned on FM was 89.5 WETS which has 4 sub stations on HDFM radios. That’s the dealbreaker for me! Hopefully they can upgrade that with software? Also, does it have FM RDS? You did a great review, but I’m holding out for HDFM (digital FM) like my Pioneer car radio has.

Great little radio with lots of features!!!

Thanks for the review ! Probably best not having SSB because all the radios now have DSP and SSB sounds horrible on DSP radios which is why I believe that the Tecsun PL-680 is one of th ebest portable radios you can still buy new today because it is pure analogue and the pure audio quality makes ECSS a joy to listen to and this makes it one of the best and true DX'ers radio of choice ! DSP = cheap construction and expensive to buy as DSP is marketed as some kind of magic, it's far from it when it comes to SSB. Internet radio, doesn't do it for me, I'd rather a high quality analogue design. I have roberts internet radios and been through having issues with storing stations and the service behind this now wants to charge a subscription service but this is not just for roberts radios. Without this service you have to manually enter every ip and port number of every station ! Can't beat tuning around the bands on SW but this radio has the typical dreaded muting when tuning, = fail, Just my opinion but it seems like it's not much of a Radio for those who like to tune around the bands, no SSB and if I want to hear highly compressed audio I will use tunein radio on my phone.

Several years ago I had a real good shortwave portable radio and it would not work on SSB so I found a BFO kit on the internet and put it together to try out on the old AM/FM/Shortwave radio. That small kit was easy to put together and worked flawlessly on the old radio. The only requirements were that the receiver should be stable in receive and not drift plus, it had to have a 455 Khz IF which the BFO generated. All a fella has to do to use it on SSB is have a short length of wire near the radio's antenna The Shortwave radios have come way down in prices so I haven't had a reason to use the external BFO for a few years since I've got several general coverage radios around plus Amateur Radios that have multi functions like SSB and AM. .

Looks really good. Im more interested in broadcast radio rather than SW so it looks ideal for me. The only thing is here in the UK we have a lot of DAB but other than that. Thanks for the upload. Cheers 🍻

Came looking for sensitivity and performance data. Left with clone of a Grace digital review.

Yes hello the radio i was speaking of is the grace digital mondo elite. However it is not portible but check c crane they sell it for 219.00 and it does do more. You mentioned bugs what are they. As always i find you always have interesting content. Thank you. Ron. Z.

I recognized the woman's voice on 5935. Looks like a nice radio. I like the knob style tuning.

Might get that this summer if they'll be available then. How's the battery life on it, and is it a common battery that can be replaced fairly easy? I have a tecsun that uses a BL-5C, which is nice. I wonder if that radio uses something like a 18650.

As an internet radio, this looks more user friendly than the Grace or the CCWifi, however, if this unit had ssb capability i would buy right now. Hopefully the next rev will provide ssb. 🙏

If anyone can recommend a decent shortwave receiver for about half that price, I'd love to hear it! Tremendous review, Erik. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on that Choyong.

External antenna jack is in the worst place possible. SSB workes great on my many DSP radios, it needs that for sure. It's basically a internet radio. For the price I would just buy a internet radio and use a real shortwave radio for everything over the air.

The only reason I got into radio is because it doesn't rely on the internet.

I've been using a C.Crane WiFi 3 for a few years and Crane is hard to beat for quality and different models for different users, but they don't have an all in one like this. I would be most interested in the Choyong if it could be programed to record to the memory card when you are busy with something else.

Nice to see a hybrid internet and shortwave radio, and the speaker sounds pretty decent. A few worries though with internet radios, namely if it relies on an external website (which most do) as that might affect the long term reliability and lifetime. Not sure how you could carry that anywhere unless you had WiFi internet access close-by. I can see the attraction but these days smartphones and tablets.... anyway would be interested in how good the shortwave performance is, does it have SSB, what's the frequency range? Hope to see this available in the UK sometime. The UX seems pretty decent - didn't spot the power source, is it a Lithium Ion rechargeable battery? Did someone mention it can take a SIM card for the internet reception?

I love it nice looking and sounding radio.

Cool little radio, but your sweatshirt is definitely the coolest part!

Is there a stand alone ssb radio you can listen to? I like this radio but to much money for me

How useful is this device w/o internet access?

Yes! I want one. Cant find it anywhere. Keep us posted please.

As always, a great video. I'm thrilled... In my opinion, this fills a gap between smartphones and laptops. The only thing missing is the ability to communicate. But that will surely come one day...

I just got mine and it is far better than advertised. Maybe it's a newer version as of 4.2024, but my upper range goes to 29.9 MHz, including CB. Not sure on the lower end but I know it's at least 0.4. The back of the radio still states the older ranges but mine does what I described. This thing is amazing. If you're on the fence and the price doesn't scare you, pull the trigger. Like most of you, I have a lot of radios and I've bought crappy stuff, but this radio is really cool.

That is a nice radio, has a lot of great features. I'm looking forward to when they build a full color touch screen version, with multi-frequency display. If you can do a review on this - 2nd Generation Malahit-DSP2 SDR Malachite Receiver 3.5" Screen Firmware 2.30, it is in the $400 range though. Very cool though.

Those type radios have really good sound.

I have a Barlow Wadley,a good antenna and enjoy twiddling the knobs😂 what I pull in is truly facinating

This certainly appears to be a radio worth having yet…I see no questions or reviews on this listing at Amazon. I didn’t think that was even possible. This does not make me doubt the product yet does makes me concerned about the seller. I guess I better give this some further thought. Thanks for the great video.

I don't get it. I can get any channel this can get on the net, why do I need it, is the SW section superior? I can even get a radio smartphone app. This is $250 US, I don't think it's worth it, I don't think I need internet radio on a radio when I have the same thing on a laptop. Maybe because I an amateur Extra Class with a full station with good quality shortwave, I don't know, am I missing something?

That is really cool. I think I want one! Thanks for showing this today !

Not even watched the full video but adding DAB+ and BT would merge old & new.

I don't understand how that radio is unable to pick up any am stations.

First review I see of this radio, thanks. It's certainly nice to have all of this in a single device, but the price tag is too high for me at this point. It's certainly not the best SW radio, lacking important features as others have pointed out, and internet radios can be found for much cheaper. I think I'll pass on this one.

Great radio Eric. Its because of your vidios i now started to get into this hobby as well as cb radios since the 70s. 360 from Rock hill SC and morganton NC waving the hand. How do i get one of those. ?

You'll need to go outside the building if you want to get signals from Australia, Tonga, Europe, etc. You may even need a long wire antenna.

Thanks for the review Eric . Does this Chinese radio have any excessive power consumption issues like its little brother Qodosen SR286 ? The internet is abuzz over Qodosen's sensitivity but it's tef 6686 chip draws a lot of power resulting in shorter listening times and longer charging time for the 18650 li - ion battery . If you had to critique pros and cons what would they be ? Thanks .

Interesting indeed. Thanks for posting. Does it have a remote control? Be nicer if it also had weather band. The display looks nice; what are the dimensions? I agree this looks like an intuitive easy to use and cool device that blends OTA and internet radio that can be used at home and when traveling.

They just released a firmware update for this radio. It’s tempting to get this radio. I have a Tecsun pl-990 that costs about the same. I run internet radio through its Bluetooth connection. You would LOVE the pl-990.

Very impressive.

Hiya from Italy! By chance do they think to sell one also to Europe? May you ask them or point their website? Or is it only for US market ? I found a couple of website (starting with your link) but it seems Italy isnt listed

How about a review with an actual antenna hooked up to the radio so you can figure out actually how good it is

I’ve owned a Hallicrafters S-38B, a Zenith Transoceanic G500, a Sangean ATS-803A, a Drake SW-2, a Sony ICF-7600G and a Tecsun PL-330. I’ve sold all except for the Sony and the Tecsun. I bought an RTL-SDR v4 dongle and and a MLA-30+ antenna. I don’t use the portables anymore because I usually have my MacBook Along when I travel. This radio may be cool, but I have no need for it. I suspect other folks will feel the same. If you already have a decent laptop, you could get the dongle and antenna for about $80. Software is free. It will do more than this radio.

Eric I appreciate the reviews on all the receivers and radios you have received but I think a lot of us would like you to get on the air and do a true check as in like your new base radio and said get cotton this tracker 955 I'm not actually seen you on the air talking and reviewing it❤

It's an interesting concept but as a new SWL (just picked up a Tecsun Pl-368 and loving it!) the thing I like the most about the hobby is the analogue nature of it. If I wanted to listen to Internet radio I could have bought a smartphone. I adore the simplicity and complexity of analogue. It's a century old technology that is still relevant and still evolving. Internet anything is just Internet. I got my first eQSL a few weeks ago and I look forward to checking my email a few days after sending off my reports. I even have an Echo show that I use to display them. (I love the alligator from the good people at WRMI Okeechobee 😅) can I get that joy from an Internet radio? I don't speak a word of Chinese but I enjoy getting a hit reception from half a world away and logging it for simple posterity. The weird thing is I was going to buy a Roberts pocket DAB. I'm so pleased I went with an SW receiver because it's reingnited a love of the persuit in me. I just don't think I'd feel the same about another Internet device

Well sort of impressed. However not nowhere near the 1st inter net there are more than several for half the price currently on the market.. i like your show. Thankyou.

I’ve seen internet radios that were able to pull in the visual display provided by the radio station. Currently this radio seems only to have a generic place card(s). I wonder if they have plans to update the radio to add this feature?

I am interested to know is it possible to see anywhere online what stations are currently supportes by this radio? Thank you!

I just ordered one. Will I be able to swap my iPhone SIM card temporarily into the LC90? Also, it is one of my hopes to fully explore the MP3 playback function. Do you know the TF card capacity? Thanks again for your excellent video.

Ive heard it doesn't have SSB and does its SW limit till 26100?

Last time i had a radio w/video. The display caused a hum that precluded any weak signal. And pressing on the display. No better. So it sets on the shelfe.. hope the smart radio is better tks om

I would like to see the organized list for short wave stations or am as the Internet list is available on any smart phone or computer

The 4G network bands in Australia are FDD Band1, 3, 5, 7, 8 and TDD band 40, while this radio supports 4G FDD bands 2, 4, 5, and TDD band 40. Only Band 5 and Band 40 are common bands, which leads to the inability to normally connect to the 4G base station network. There is apparently a European version that is available to get around the issue but not sure who offers that one for sale.

A plus for this radio is the batteries are replaceable.

Might not be a fair question for obvious reasons, but if you had to purchase this radio or the Eton 750, which one would you go for?

Its a nice radio, to be able to take with you.. i just ordered eton elite 750...i havent even received it yet. How does it work without internet?..and is this tracable?

😍😍, Thank you so much and will check it out

Will the Internet radio work forever? What happens when the URL's change. Who is maintaining the directory (if there is one)? Internet radio stations come and go.

Does it support single side band?

And when WWIII kicks off for real, all those stations will magically become Radio Beijing. 😎

Looks like a fantastic radio!

Nice review, great tech. If it only was smaller to fit a pocket. I know I have a high threshold.

Have you done anything on the Uniden Beartracker 855? A common man's opinion would be useful. I want a CB radio for safety reasons when I'm way out there and away from the grid, but an emergency is something you never want and work hard to avoid- if you're smart. So some extra listening in features like the 855 has, I would find very attractive. Any plan to review it?

Thanks for the heads up on this radio. It has become my favorite. I bought the mini LC90 from Amazon. I have some very high quality shortwave radios that have great build quality and capabilities, but the LC90 is by far a more entertaining radio. There is always something to listen to. I'll pick it up and explore all the bands and internet radio stations for hours. The fact that mine has an SD card and Bluetooth too makes it even better.

why sure, i'll give the CHICOMs the password to my internal LAN wifi - LOL! this is a far more sophisticated intrusion than the 'kill switch' embedded in all CHICOM handheld and mobile transceiver

i wonder if this radio's 4G will work in Australia and does the batteries easily replace? or swap out?

Just ordered one today, excited to get my first shortwave radio.

Cool, a portable internet radio. Does it tune Upper and Lower Sideband signals?

thank you i just saw back lighting your a great help just need how to set the time ?

Hello, thank you for the review, but have you ever try Short Wave reception or just the popular AM bands with this radio???...this radio is deaf about AM bands, short wave bands are very noisy, with external antenna you can improve a little bit the quality of SW because you isolate the radio circuit from the signal, but in black and white, this radio is excellent for internet radio, but that's it...

Thanks for the review, mine will be here Tuesday 1 23 2024!

A jumper wire with alligator clips will allow you to connect your radio's antenna to a metal frame window. In the field use the jumper to connect to a metal slinky hanging from a post or tree limb. Works great. On the gulf coast after a hurricane all local stations went out. I got the latest news out of Nashville, TN AM and SW stations.