#66: Sangean PR-D4W

[@alexlawler9515]

The static mute on AM that takes two seconds to settle down is the AM auto tracking kicking in. This is what gives the D4W it's extra sensitivity.

[@baneverything5580]

This is a DXing radio for AM. It`s one of the best and the price is fair. Any serious AM listener always uses batteries. This is a great radio. Use the AC plug when the weather alert is set or you`re listening to FM. If you listen to AM a lot get rechargeable batteries then you don`t have to worry about battery life or interference from switching power supplies. I bought an EBL universal smart charger and enough batteries for all my radios.

[@makarov138]

I purchased a transformer type AC power supply for mine that allows mine to work fine on MW at night instead of the switching one.

[@ZFB2]

I have read, or heard elsewhere that the PR-D4W radio's wall wart adapter is a switching power supply. It's different from the old style linear power supply transformer units that do not put out radio interference. By contrast switching power supplies will put out their own electromagnetic noise, if they do not have substantial shielding. They can be a nuisance to good MW and SW listening.

[@wardelliott3157]

Great PR-D4w review. I have had my PR-D4w for a couple of years. AM sensitivity is great. You can run the radio at headphone volume for a month and a half 8 hours a night on 4 D-cells. I agree the signal strength bars are non functional on this radio. Great little radio. Thanks for the review!

[@veraison777]

I purchased this radio a several years ago (2016) and have not experienced the AC issues. It is on par with my original model GE SuperRadio in sensitivity and selectivity on AM broadcast band. The AC adapter is the likely culprit with the interference/RFI, the one supplied with my radio does not have the ferrite choke on the cable (it obviously didn't need it). Overall great radio for the price! Oh, and an excellent review and opinions both critical and positive.

[@kerzman]

Reference about 17:05 AN-200 on my RTL-SDR shows not much signal to noise increase. The AN-200 does indeed boost the signal but it also boosts the noise floor. The signal spike appears to be sitting on a lump of noise. Almost like it's flipping me an SDR# bird. Sorry about that metaphor but the I think the visual was worth it. Anyway, my guess is that more sophisticated radios(like the Sangean PR-D4W) filter that noise(lump) out? So the AN-200 appears to give no gain. Sorry if this is old hat. I'm new to this game but enjoying it. AND, am enjoying your videos.

[@gklinger]

Thanks for the review. I’m glad to hear you’ll be making more videos this winter as your videos are always top notch.

[@LionRoars918]

Having about 10 AM radios I find that the Sangean PR-4DW is a great radio for MW DX. I agree with the RSSI. I would have loved a bar graph like what the ICOM R75 has. What we have is not unusual though. But this is a tough radio for just a band scan .. due to the AM tuning feature. However if you sit on a frequency .. it shines. I do not use my radio with AC.

[@wildbillo68]

Alot of newer (some older) AM radios have that issue with the wall wart causing interference....So- to fix that- I use old A/C adapters from old Sony radios from the 90's cause those wall warts seem to have something inside them that stop the humm from the wall wart... Strikes me as weird how new companies don't take the time or the few extra pennies to fix that issue.. but not all that surprising either I guess hahaha wow.... 5 band width settings? that's worth the price of admission then for me... SOLD... gonna get one. (I listen to mostly AM)

[@NewBookz]

I had this radio, it was too bulky, and the tuning on MW not fast. It ended being stored and finally sold. The best radio I had was a Degen PLL 1103, compact size and good MW scan and reception. AM dxing at night is mainly what I do. I have a Sangean PR-D9W coming in the mail, it is also PLL synthesized tuning vs DSP.

[@errorsofmodernism7331]

Very good analysis

[@mickeybrumfield764]

First of all really enjoy your reviews and look forward to any future reviews you maybe planning. I own this radio and you do very good job of touching on the highs and lows of this radio. I only run the radio off of batteries and I believe it to be an exceptional performer on AM. Sangean is a little conservative on their battery life rating for this radio rating it at 120 hours it seems to me a person could easily get 200 hours on a good set of alkalines. I have found it convenient to run this radio on the ubiquitous AA rechargeables with D cell spacers. The signal strength indicator is not sensitive enough it will often give no read out on stations that one can easily listen to, I agree the the digital signal strength indicator of the Tecsun/Eton radios is a superior indicator. Even though Sangean appears to be proud of the portability of this radio it is not the most portable but it is hard to beat on AM performance. Thank you for the informative reviews.

[@RETROTV1394]

Just purchased this radio recently. A decent radio but it disappoints for Am Dxing at night. I am an avid Am dxer. And compared to the Retekess 629 blew it away. No fooling . The much inferior Retekess 629 found 79 Am stations compared to on 58 stations on the Sangean PR-D4W. I am disappointed with this radio. So far it doesn't cut it for me. Not for serious Dxers. Plus it picks up alot of background noise . Sometimes i find out that really sensitive radios pick up alot of unnecessary interference. Thats what ive found out through my years of dxing. And as you stated it does not bode well with a passive loop. Only slight improvement.

[@denmoer]

Thanks for answering the one question I have had about this radio, that no other reviewer has mentioned, "how does it work plugged in to AC?" thanks for a detailed answer to AC power

[@tomgorden3762]

Help! My Sangean PR D4W radio is now partially displaying and left a oval ring on the display. Do you deal with this issues?

[@tomgorden3762]

Didn’t mention the Auxiliary function of the radio.

[@anthonymartin5466]

Great video, very informative. Thank you.

[@rayturbin]

I like your radio review-very clear and precise. You consider things that are important.As a visually handicapped person, listening to radio means a lot. Also the clarity and visibility of the tuning screen and the ease and placement of controls is important.Please keep in mind visually impaired issues in your intelligent discussions.Thank you for your intelligent reviews.Ray Turbin

[@nickv4073]

Dude, didnt you read the instructions? You can change the increments by pressing and holding the display button.

[@profd65]

The C Crane EP Pro doesn't cost significantly more than this radio. I think most persons would rather spend $25 more and get the Ep Pro, which as a pure AM/FM radio seems clearly superior to the PR-D4W. The Ep Pro does lack the weather bands, which might be a sticking point for some.

[@denmoer]

I have the PR -D4w, and I have the same issues with the external power, I get a low hum on all bands, FM,AM, and AUX, all have that hum

[@terrywho22]

Nice review, although why don't you use your fancy linear regulated supply to power the radio and see if the included SMPS is the problem?

[@j.frankparnell6195]

This thing is a beast on battery for Dxing. The stupid switching power supply is a nightmare. I can only use it with FM, because long range Dxing is hopeless with all of the noise that it adds.

[@skinnyblinddude]

I have a PR-D4W as well and I agree that its RF performance is surprisingly good especially for its price! Frankly though, I disagree with Jay Allen''s assessment of the FM band. I have auditioned at least three units and have observed an issue with that band exhibiting spurious emissions. These spurious emissions are not obvious because they do not generate whistling sounds, but rather an odd sound very similar to typical FM Static one here's when between signals. These spurious emissions have a rough tone to them and trigger the radio's signal strength meter. Collapse the FM aerial entirely and then run through the frequencies on the FM band. You will notice at various points along the band, that the signal strength meter will be triggered with no audible FM signal present. You will also notice that the FM hiss changes tone and becomes a bit rougher sounding on these frequencies. I suspect it's due to improper shielding of components. Therefore, on a scale of 1 to 5, I rate its FM performance as 4. I've spoken to Jay about this matter and he says that he has not observed this phenomenon. That said, he rates the FM performance at 5. Its AM is unusually good and I love the selectable bandwidth filters! Through its speaker, its audio is fine for voice, but music lacks richness. The C. Crane CC2E excels in the audio department with its rich and pleasing tone. At over twice the cost of the PR-D4W, it should! Lastly, I'm disappointed that the PR-D4W has no carrying handle and comes without a protective carrying case.I would happily have dropped another 20 or $30 for a case. This little radio truly deserves it!

[@alexlawler9515]

Thanks for your comment. I've noticed 10 FM frequencies that generated spurious emissions which in turn affect 100 KHz either way meaning there are 30 frequencies that are not usable for DX.

[@alexlawler9515]

I was tempted to buy a 2nd unit because I love its selectivity but I'm hesitant. Are there any other FM portables out there with a 40 kHz FM bandwidth option?

[@skinnyblinddude]

@@alexlawler9515 unfortunately none that I know of at. I wish that Sangean would recognize that many people greatly appreciate selectable bandwidth filters.

[@alexlawler9515]

It's good for AM/MW DX but not for FM. Although selectivity is acceptable it's sensitivity is poor. For FM DX the Sangean D19 is a much better option.

[@ronaldzuccala1889]

Hello. Yes a really good am radio but not for the very serious dxer.i do not have the ac problems you noted. I really enjoy your reviews hope to see many more. Thank you. Ron. Z. Pgh. Pa.

[@radiophysicsandelectronics6923]

Thank you!