Too true. I like the PL-880 for audio quality. Great FM and SW in right antenna conditions. The SR-286 / DX-286 are ultra-portable champs of AM and FM. Decent on SW. Boosted (read: unnatural) mid range and treble audio, but it helps on weak SW.

@@RSears Lol, maybe I need one of each

Thanks 😀 The radio is small and light enough that it worked!

True. There seemed to be more in the video than I recall when filming.

Thanks for checking out the video. I'm honoured. It was a great day - didn't even realize it was raining/misting most of the day. The silence was golden @ 3:27. The acoustics were wonderful. The reverberations of the chopping (@ 3:50 - using my S5X cans) were glorious: damped, wet reflections.

I could see that. In this case, however, it was happening when I was using the Belka alone. Only when I sought to prove that what was coming through was AM stations did I pull out a second radio. And having the 286 near didn't seem to make the problem worse. Some recorded "overloads" (there were many) didn't replicate when I started up the video. Then the IC-705 made a great showing on non-directional beacons (kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHamemSCdtJ8mq8), I haven't gone back to retry either the Belka or the 286. The new DX-286 buries the LW option: LW is off by default.

I like the 286 better, though neither are listening radios by my lights. The 286 and the 330 have narrow frequency ranges. This helps cut through the noise when on SW. Although I haven't measured them, but the 286 seems to have a bit wider frequency range. The 286 appears also to have a mid to high boost; there can be harsh silibants. When the 286 and 330 are compared directly on FM this boost makes the 330 sound less than flat, even suppressed, hollow.This might all be down to the narrow frequency range of the 330, because it is tonally much closer to the 880, except for the unfortunate lack of bass to round out the sound.

@@RSears Thank you for the detailed comments. The DX286 I tried sounded digital like & muddy, the very second I turned it on for the first time. Immediate disappointment for me given all the praise I read. Based on your comments, maybe I got a less than perfect sample or I just hear differently.

Psycho-acoustics is an incredibly interesting field -- quantifying how we perceive what we hear and researching the whys and hows. First looking at your comment I wanted to do some direct comparisons of frequency ranges between the two radios to give you frequencies profiles to ground my perceptions and comments. I didn't get down to it. What I did instead is the common sense warm water test. Is the water warm? Compare some ice water directly with the sample. Then compare some near boiling water. The perceived differences will give you a sense of just where on the range of warm the test case is. The analogy is less precise. My Tecsun PL-880 is the best portable radio I own, and at the top of the market (by many evaluators). So, I compared the 286 with the 330 first, and then compared them each with the 880. That made the 330, by my lights, sound way better than it did up against the 286. It also high-lighted the accentuated sound profile of the 286. Now, you are right, there is a lot, especially in sound preferences, to our hearing. Not knowing your preference profile, I wouldn't be able to guess how these three radios would sound to you. And not knowing how much you evaluate sound and your own listening preferences, that makes it harder. I know some people (not saying you) simply cannot hear some of the artifacts and noise that is present, even on a KZbin video. It is what it is; there are real and variable limits to our hearing. I would say that "muddy" is a good descriptor of a unnaturally boosted midrange. "Digital" could capture the blown out treble. In my opinion, anyone who makes a common sense review of their own preferences up against good "pools of temperature controlled water" (known quality standards) can dig into how radios (speakers, cans, mics, etc...) sound. It begins to give one a framework and lingo just to talk about it. For myself, portable radios do not sound as good as other sources and playback systems. BUT within that specific range of audio gear the PL-880 is top notch. All that to say, I don't think the 286 sounds bad, certainly not compared to other portable radios of the same size. I love it for the sensitivity. Maybe the 286 sounded way off to you compared to what you were recently listening to or to what you expected. Perhaps try a comparison test, with your bestest radio and some middling ultra-portable. Then if it still is not to your liking, just weigh the importance of sensitivity vs sound. To me the latter would trump audio here, even if I hated it, which I don't. So that's my 2 cents, written in too many $2 bills. Thanks for your question and follow up comment.

@@RSears Well said. My daughter can hear 20k cycles on my stereo and could tell you what people are talking about at a table 5 spots away in a noisy restaurant, but she couldn't care less about SQ (sound quality) of reproduced sound. At 72 and having worked in a stamping plant for 16hrs a day before hearing protection was mandated, my hearing is compromised. But I still hear artifacts, distortion, Ham radio operators that are 5 cycles off from their radio's display, etc. Sound, as you pointed out, is very personal. There are very few absolutes in the world. Maybe I'll give another DX286 a try in the future. Thanx for the discussion.

On my iPad with earbuds the Tecsun sounds better in your video.

Such an excellent spot, I can well understand.

It was a wonderful day. A little exposed at the top for my liking, but a fabulous vista.

Thanks! I was impressed with their sensitivity. The in-person audio is better with the PL-880, or rather is more to my liking.

It is definately my most sensitive receiver.

If I am going anywhere and will be actually listening to the radio, not testing performance and such, then I'm taking the PL-880. The frequency range and audio performance is just simply better. However, and sadly, I think on "best days" the 286s will simply outperform the 880. The controls on the 880 are the best, the analog tuning is the dream, and the clock works ;-) On neither the SR or the DX units does the clock keep time. It dances all over the shop without ryhme or reason. In my opinion, nevertheless, the 286s (especially on ext antenna) just do better. There is real areas of overlap, times when the 286 and 880 are neck and neck on MW and FM, but in the end no: 286 FTW. On SW they are - by my tests - par - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJeyhpWcn5aXb8U

@@RSears For the first few days I had my 286 I had the same clock problems, then I realized what was going on. Check the manual, Page 24 near the bottom. "In 'RDS AUTO' mode, if the signal of an FM radio station with RDS is weak, it may cause an RDS decoding error, resulting in a wrong time display." So, when setting the clock, as the last step of the procedure select MANUAL instead of RDS AUTO. I think you will find that your clock keeps near perfect time!

Hey, alright! This would be great. It would prove the interface is the biggest drawback of these units, but if one has a detailed reader (e'hem - I mean you) to help out, the proper hoops can be jumped through. Thanks!

@@RSears I missed it on the first (and second) read through the manual, but when the clock kept getting reset by random amounts I started to suspect RDS. The first several times I reset the clock I kept wondering "I'm setting the clock, why is it asking me about RDS?". Then it hit me, I changed it to MANUAL, and then found the note in the manual. Yeah, I can remember how to do common things on the DX-286, but I need the manual to do "uncommon" things like setting the alarm or deleting memories.

What a rigamarole: set local time zone - set local time - change target "world" time zone. We'll see if it sticks. Thanks. At least the DX unit has a manual. The on-line manual for the SR unit was only in pdf. Either way, the interface is way too high maintenance and fussy for me.

This day it was an unconventional 25' long wire antenna, up a 7m pole, with an 8' counterpoise. I have listed it in the video description. Hey, was your best catch a daytime one? What antenna did you use? Anything other than the internal ferrite? And do you know the wattage of the station you caught? The topography between you and the station also matters if it is a daytime catch.

@@RSears I have a Tecsun loop AN 200 and day time I can't because my worlk, but à few days ago I did catch Bloomberg radio from New York I think 7 am

Long wave reception on MW and SW is marvelous. Hearing beyond horizon of sight, sometimes to the other side of the world is magical. I love it. I have got some great reception with that loop - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmekhKOpaZekidE I can pick up NZ on SW quite often and it is interesting to hear what they put on the radio. One time I was listening to a weekly book reading. That was interesting IMO - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6Kul5iLepiJj80

Hilarious. There were a number of affiliate stations that day with dead air. It took me a few to figure out they were calling some kind of bingo game. I have seen reviews of the PL-330 as the best small radio. The review was put out before the DX-286, but I wanted to see so I bought one. I'd have to check, but maybe the review were done before the SR-286 as well. I found that the PL-880 was surprisingly close to the 286 in FM reception - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2qYnn2bhNJogbc. One day under better atmospheric conditions and antenna placement I didn't have the 880 with to compare the 286's best day on FM, which found 10+ more stations - kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHOTm3mfe995mbM.

@@RSears One thing that kept giving me pause about the 330 was the battery. I prefer something that I can carry spares of and change out easily, so sticking with AAs and 18650s works well for me. Very happy with my DX-286 so far, as well as my PL-990X and CC Skywave SSB. And, I couldn't resist buying a D-219 for $8! The little 219 really performs well.

Yes, there are so many parameters to consider in the perfect radio. I have been prioritizing performance, reception and output. Many have low price and battery replacement/recharging as central. Makes sense, but reception and output sadly don't correlate well with low price. The PL-880 and the GE Superadio II are my top contenders for audio quality. I am warming up to re-capping the Superradio this summer. I don't want to wreck it, but the famous Superadio I and II rebuilder-dude in the US would cost $600 CAD with shipping. Too much. The 286 radios seem to have the portable radio MW and FM reception crown, by my lights. I want to do more testing, but I find my ICOM IC-705 seems to anihiliate all pocket radios on LW and SW - LW kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHamemSCdtJ8mq8 I have also found the sensitivity on MW and FM to be as good as the 286s, but getting the right antenna for broadcast FM on the 705 still needs to be sorted. I ran the 705 in this comparison, but I couldn't narrow the bandwidth enough to isolate the weak stations on WFM. It was picking up a number more stations than the 286, but the selectivity wasn't good enough. It has a totally different form-factor and price [ouch!!], but as far as performance goes, the full-on ham radio really impresses.

That's interesting. I returned my EP Pro. I was so disappointed in its performance.

@@RSears I bought mine direct from CCrane and had a problem with the first one. They exchanged it with no questions asked. Superb service. The second unit is perfect.

I didn't think mine was a production fault. Could have been. Obviously difficult to say more than "mine didn't live up to expectation" when dealing with a sample size of one.

You are welcome. I glad you liked it. It was really a good day. I enjoyed the second hike to Eagle Lake, but the camera battery died, so I don't have much footage of that trek. I could have stayed in the canyon all afternoon.

Thanks. It was a great day.

Ya. It is not a common story, but it works a treat.

@@RSears reels antennae are pocket friendly and very useful most of times

Now you are making me jealous! Winter and snow and cold gets old fast. Thanks for watching the video. The conditions were pretty perfect. It was fun to check out reception very near the top of the resort.

What can I say? Thanks for watching and commenting. I agree that the best we have to offer is not well represented on MW. But if I was going to think about, then that is true in far too many things... I try not to get started 😖 I enjoy the technical aspects and recall the days well MW opened up new and interesting worlds.

Very practical. If you can't hear it, it doesn't exist. I'm good with such personal inferences.

Does disabling the digital display reduce whine and other noise on FM?

Hey, that's a good question. It never affected the speaker output any of the times I tried it, but I didn't try it recording the headphone jack output. On the list. Thanks.

Indeed. It only really shines IMO with an external antenna. I have listed it in the video description. It is 25' long wire antenna, up a 7m pole, with an 8' counterpoise.

I agree. I hope to recap it this summer and see I'd the dynamic range is better. Probably change the IF filter too.

Somewhat of a complex question. I believe that when you switch the antenna to ANT EXT that it does connect the telescopic antenna, if there is nothing in the ANT jack. I just tried it again and extending the whip makes a ~35+/-dBu difference in reception. Now, whether this is "useful," i.e., better reception is a question only your EFI and QRM will decide. I do not find it better reception than the internal ferrite antenna. Now, I think this is the same with my PL-330, so if you have one, you could compare and contrast. As to whether the amp is in the EXT ANT and whip loop, I'm not sure. As I don't find the whip on ANT EXT better than the ferrite on ANT INT, I don't have much to say on that. I don't know the wiring of the unit. Trying a longer wire in the ANT jack will bring the best reception IMO. A simple roll-up antenna, e.g., XHDATA AN-80, in the right location (e.g., high and clear) does wonders. Here is my best day-time MW reception: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKPdfWSZosinr7M And my best FM reception with just a wire up a tree: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHOTm3mfe995mbM

The 20 db amp can only be used when in EXT ANT mode. I have the DX286 and have tried that.

@@richardmerriam7044 An update. When outside and away from houses and buildings with their many RF sources, the External setting and the whip work marvelously on MW

Nice. Even just clearer line of sight will help. I'm a fan of the external antenna in every case. Been getting good reception with my reel ant in the back yard with the DX-286.

Thanks. I think 😉

Thanks for checking out my channel. Good luck on the SWL contest. Thanks for putting it on.

I think it is outrageous what it can do with the right antenna. Phenomenal FM reception: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHOTm3mfe995mbM And the muting is definitely a drawback. I love my PL-880 for not having that irritating modern "feature." I have to say, though, that I don't find the SW and LW on the SR-286 as strong as its AM and FM. Don't know why it doesn't have the same over-powered performance, but it really didn't blow my hair back. It is good, comparable with good radios, but it simply does not blow other radios away like it does on AM and FM. Here is a link to my SSB comparison with the PL-880: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJeyhpWcn5aXb8U If this is representative, then I wouldn't expect even if it had added SSB demodulation that it would be all that ground shaking. A real ham radio (IC-705) does SSB better than SWL radios IMO.

Glad you like it.

@@RSears I bought the new version Qodosen DX-286 but it's long journey to Egypt and will take sometime to arrive.

I hope it opens up a wider world for you when it arrives.

Getting the job done is what matters. If you are picking up signals, then that's good. I got the PL-880 used (half price new). The SR-286 cost more than that, but with the right antenna and location it digs up AM and FM signals way better than the 880. However, I'd rather listen to the PL-880 any time. What can you do?

That DX-286 that just came out is cheaper than the SR-286 and has some improvements as well.

That one looks interesting. My old Kaito was so much less money, although the reception is nothing special.

I think they are only controls programming "improvements." I'm kicking the DX unit around. The LW is now switchable on/off, but I haven't yet compared perf.

Home brew is perhaps some of the most fun part of SWL.

Fun. If you can try these radios with these new chips, you might find a new exemplar for best FM reception. With a wire up a tree, this radio wipes the floor with my Tecsum PL-880 for FM reception. See my kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHOTm3mfe995mbM

glad you liked it

Excellent. Glad you liked it. Thanks!

Yes it is. Income tax return, sale, and hopes of getting my license in June or July. In the RAC class now :) I quite like how it can be used for SWL and ham.

@@RSears ... a great radio. I have the 7300 and they are very similar. I just do not go out enough to replace my Yaesu FT-891 (which I got used and a great deal). Congrats on the class.

Thanks 🙂

It ain't perfect, for sure, but it is not too much to pay for the AM and FM capabilities it has. It is one of the best, FM especially. Here is me finding 48 stations, where, in my area, with the PL-880, 14 is normal: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHOTm3mfe995mbM And, of course, absolutely no one should look for the air band or SSB from a radio that doesn't have it.

Thank you Giuseppe! I just need the fabulous view from your balcony :) 73

@@RSearsCiao dear friend, And I am fascinated by your country, Canada, by the immense spaces and forests... I live in a small town in central Italy, on the Tyrrhenian Sea, Formia, and I have been retired for about 6 years... I've been listening to the radio practically since I was 6 years old... I lived on the island of Ponza, my grandmother had a Telefunken Domino near my bed that every night I was curious to listen to in the dark the distant voices... her magic green eye it lit up my room, a magical atmosphere that I will never forget... I've never stopped listening since then... I wish you the best and pray for me... 73 from Italy.

I gotta say I quick enjoy the smaller kit, and when they are mutually supporting, even better.

Excellent. I have found the noise reduction a very subtle, but effective way of shaving off some of the more irritating noise. Yes, it makes listening way easier long term. And on headphones small improvements can be bigger than one might expect.

Thanks! Fixed. Typos, they happen.

And v cool that you were a "local." I so enjoyed finding it. It was the most piled up QSO I've heard. I listened to it for quite a while. And I thought there may be other connections in the recording than radio stuff. And there was! Thanks for taking the time to pass alone the erratum.

@@RSears I wished I had dad’s radio as it picks up worldwide. Dad passed and my mother sold in a darn yard sale . It was from Berlin when we were posted in France

That is a hard way to lose connection with it. In my opinion, if the itch is worth scratching, then finding a "replacement" (or functional equivalent) can work wonders. Just saying.

@@RSears i haven't found anything yet comparable. 4 dials on it .

Giuseppe, thanks for checking out my channel! And thank you; I'm honored you like what I'm doing. I hope one day to have a prolific "junk drawer" like yours, so I can try out all your antennas, loops and mobile ferrite antennas.... I’m not a technician either, just a simple, passionate listener and [one day a] qrp’er -- if you don't mind me borrowing your self-description :) 73

@@RSears My pleasure to be able to help you but from what I see you are already very passionate... everything I build, I do only for my passion for listening and being out in the open air... I only use recycled material for my "unlikely" antennas but they help reception a lot, even the most extreme ones, as I like... I hope I can still have many contacts with you... see you next time then... I subscribed to your channel. 73 and enjoy listening. Giuseppe.

For sure. Value propositions are yours to make! I make no recommendations on anyone's use of their money. It is a wonderful thing that Airspy HF+ Discoverys exist at $200! Thanks for watching and commenting. For myself, I love not being tied to an office chair and a PC. Alternatively, I just don't want to have to buy a laptop that can handle the 50% duty cycle software and have a bright enough screen just to go outside. Although Framework is finally doing laptops right, frame.work/

I still want to check the impact of good antenna grounding for picking up the navi beacons. And I could while away some time on a road show logging the beacons in AB I can't get from here. Lots to explore ;) Blog or Die put out some trials on navi beacons and grounding, using his PL-990 (which can use the ext ant for MW/LW).

@@RSears .. I tried the 320 kHz beacon. Nothing, just way too much noise here.

That's frustrating. QRM is bad ;)

I'm glad the bhi was redeemed, somewhat. I have a flat coax (through-jamb) cable, but I haven't settled down into a single room, nor have I settled on what I think is a sufficient antenna.

@@RSears .. ok. Way cheaper than the Comet / Diamond ones, Amazon has type N ones at like 1/3rd the cost and are the same otherwise. I use them for ADS_B where type N may be desired vs UHF. Maybe cause I am a warm weather guy, I just cringe when I see it is outside, but at least it is not super freezing now.