Raddy RF919 AM/FM/SW/HAM/CB/Air/LW Radio With SSB! 1-30mhz Coverage, BT, SD recording and more!

[@closeoutsaleusa5322]

This is the BEST review on this radio I have run across so far. Thanks for getting right to it and showing and explaining what we need to know.

[@FarpointFarms]

You are welcome

[@Brother_Pugz]

I'm holding out for the next all band radio to include a coffee maker and a frozen waffle toaster. I need a "complete" field radio package. LOL. Nice Raddy though.... Thanks for the review.

[@FarpointFarms]

At the rate they are going, it should be out next week or so.

[@udx-294tn5]

Man, if they ever include a built in coffee maker…. TAKE MY MONEY! Lol

@@udx-294tn5 It needs to automatically add cream and sugar, if desired. Otherwise, it's a no-go! (My version of SSB...)

[@udx-294tn5]

LOL! I don’t disagree with you… potential deal breaker for me too

[@VickyGeagan]

Eric I am glad that you are doing an informercial for this radio. I have one on pre-order. I should be receiving mine pretty soon. I will now know how to operate it. It is really loaded with features for the price. For the current solar storm check out 10 meter, 6 meters 54 mhz, and 2 meters during the day. They should be really active. At night especially late try out 20 - 40 meters. When the radio was first turned on the CW was the UK and Europe's newest Amature band just above the US FM VHF commercial broadcast band. The person was sending CQ CQ.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thank for the tips on what to check and when. These solar flares can either make or break reception.

[@Udx1977sls]

Thats pretty handy all you need in a little radio thanks for sharing hope you and jenn are doing well

[@FarpointFarms]

We are doing well, thank you for asking.

[@LarryParamedic1]

Thank You for your video, this radio would be a good upgrade from my old Grundig.

[@FarpointFarms]

I think it's got a lot going for it. It's a little compilated to figure out, but pretty cool.

[@buffdelcampo]

Monitoring 121.5 MHz on the air bad will sometimes hear emergency traffic. Planes are way up there so it works well even in remote locations. Also 245 MHz is used for emergencies by military aircraft. And 123.45 MHz is sometimes used on air band for air to air comms, although not really legal unless it's over the ocean.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for sharing those frequencies, I am sure they still transmit even over land on occasion.

[@CrazyMike2]

it would be cool to see how well it receives on the CB bands from your mobile, thanks for the review.

[@FarpointFarms]

If I get time, I might have to try and film that.

[@CrazyMike2]

@@FarpointFarms maybe lineup a few portables and test onboard antennas and a fallow up video with external antenna tested against a cb. My guess is the cb has better filtering in the radio for that band… those portables may be a good way to monitor the CB band while away from your transmitter

[@johnkelley6278]

I have never picked up long wave in over 25 years of shortwave. I was looking at a Raddy Rf750 and will see if you have a review on that radio before I order it. Thanks.

[@2148aa]

Morse code navigational becons used to use long wave. Last one I knew went silent around 1980

[@FarpointFarms]

I am fairly sure that I've looked at that radio too. This one costs more, but it is a better radio.

[@2148aa]

1977 when I got my driver's license. The Decorah, Iowa Airport still had one going. The aerial antenna was not that big. Maybe 30 feet off the ground with a dozen redials hanging down 20 degree off vertical and a dozen redials level horizonal circling the antenna I had a AOR scanner that dipped low enough to pick it up and about 3 others. That scanner later was able to pickup 900 Mhz AM passenger phone call down links. Maybe for 20 seconds at a shot. But it was fun.

[@Glen7011]

Longwave in Europe is fading… the few which remain decreased power recently, with 198 in the UK (BBC Radio 4) among the strongest

[@johnfish1194]

Just ordered mine from Amazon. Hope it works well.

[@FarpointFarms]

I hope you like it

[@plaintruth4637]

Just ordered one today.

[@jtc1947]

Did You get that BIGGER EXTERNAL ANTENNA? Came with mine. I ordered from ZON and NOW have to plow through the MANUAL! Wish me luck!

[@FarpointFarms]

No, I never got the better antenna. Still a cool radio.

[@smokymountainoutdoorsman1991]

Curious how does it compare to the Eton 750 Elite? Two different leagues of radios but im curious if this $300 cheaper raddy keeps up? Keep the shortwave reviews coming!

[@FarpointFarms]

In my opinion, the Eton is better. Not that this radio is bad, but the Eton is more refined

[@ThunderWarrior01]

What have you done to me. First off my minds blown by your video of the LC90 so i ordered myself one…now this morning after having this on video a few days ago while my wife is sitting with me reading a book she surprises me today by handing me a wrapped gift which turns out to be this… I’m now going to find a video of Ford GT500 next time she’s sitting with me and have my fingers crossed 😂

[@FarpointFarms]

Maybe don't push your luck with that one. Good wife you have

[@ThunderWarrior01]

@@FarpointFarms 😂🤣🙌

[@steveburnham5073]

Thanks for reviewing the radio.

[@FarpointFarms]

You are welcome

[@wxfreak]

That's a cool little radio with really wide coverage! Thanks for the review.

[@FarpointFarms]

No problem!

[@jamesbeemer7855]

Hmm , nice reciever . But , I operated radios with bigger frequency spread . 30 to 75 MHz . And I know there are other frequencies that up to the kilohertz range , that aren’t commercial . I’ve been looking for a receiver that does the whole spectrum of electromagnetic spectrum except radar . Can you think of any one that has that kind of thing ? Radio shack used to have a scanner that covered most of the spectrum , and Tandy put blocks on the bands you not allowed to listen to . Like cordless telephone frequencies

[@FarpointFarms]

Short of something like a Icom 7300, I can think of no other radio that would go past 30mhz.

[@dennistate5953]

Thanks Eric!

[@FarpointFarms]

You are welcome.

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

SSB is a huge deal ! Powdered up it's a stunning thing.

[@FarpointFarms]

For many, SSB is a make it or break it kinda thing.

[@Canopus44]

It looks and sounds really cool! Putting it on my 'down the road, save up for it' list of stuff i want....lol

[@FarpointFarms]

I have a fund for those kind of things- My wish list items

[@billkyle693]

Eric. Do you feel the battery life is far shorter than it ought to be? I bought this radio and really enjoy it, but the batteries seem to discharge a lot sooner than I feel they should. I find myself charging it often. Please let me if you have had the same experience with either of your versions of this radio. Thanks.

[@FarpointFarms]

I don't think I really noticed a big issue with the battery life. Maybe i am just not using it enough to take note

[@Jaxon1776]

The OD green looks great. I may have to pick one up when they eventually go on sale

[@FarpointFarms]

I do like that color as well, reminds me of old military gear

[@paulpuljic6025]

A lot of good buzz in the past two months on reviews...expecting my unit soon...I have a Sangean ANT-60 antenna and going to pull in what I can in Ohio on DX...

[@FarpointFarms]

I think you will be happy!

[@86jekstrom]

Maybe no luck on AM scan because it appeared as if it says NW AM which is narrow bandwidth am generally 2-3 kc wife. It's primarily used for signalling in CW . Not sure but must be Wide bandwidth am option that's closer to 10kc wide

[@FarpointFarms]

AM is never great hear do to all the mountains in the way and the fact that there are no big radio stations near me.

[@86jekstrom]

@@FarpointFarms you'd be surprised but they're all in the garage right now lol. Thanks Eric

[@SigSoftNC]

This radio has a 20W speaker? Boom! How did it sound to you, the music?

[@FarpointFarms]

I have very poor hearing (deaf on one side) so for me it sounded fine

[@lukebray2192]

Yeah I would like to know how the sound is with music. Been looking for one with a really good sound system, 20 W might do the trick. I have the smaller one with the 5W speaker. It sounds really good but could be a little louder.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Also if you have a 6 meter or 2 meter receiver, look for people operating SSB and CW during the aurora.

[@FarpointFarms]

I wonder if it will be silence with all of the interference of it? That is one heck of a solar storm

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

@@FarpointFarms VHF is supposed to benefit from aurora scatter.

[@robertmeyer4744]

great review . lots to hear on SW. the LW CW you got on 153 KHZ is a bacon used in air craft navigation. this is the old system before GPS and used as a back up system . their is 2 HAM bands in LW as well. need a big loop antenna to receive better .Sam with EXT AM loop antenna . yes we got a G5 solar storm. NOAA has warnings out. northern lights seen in NY last night. pic's and video from across the US on face book and you tube. CB messed up with HAM bands . AM aircraft band is used a lot. may just need better antenna and they talk in short times . they quick and scanning mist most of them. 18650 battery is a world wide standard, The time station WWV does broadcast solar weather info . just listen long enough . 2.5 /5/10/15/20/25 MHZ on 24 hours from FT Collins CO. has Mail voice ID. If you hear Femail voice IC that station WWVH Hawaii. great place to start to check how the bands are doing. them time clicks and beep are linked to atomic clock. that the best time we have.

[@FarpointFarms]

Overall, I'm happy with it. I'll be playing with this one for some time to find all it's secrets!

[@aro6469]

Radio Satelor Rumunia 153 MHz

[@threeonamatchventura]

I think mine might be broken ? The black , side knob turns next to the small display but it never changes anything. No indication it does anything.

[@FarpointFarms]

Bummer, can you send it back for a new one?

[@parrott350]

My old Realistic Astronaut 5 still works like a champ. Don't know about the new fangled radios :) best regards chuck,

[@FarpointFarms]

I looked that model up, I have seen them before but have never played with one.

[@davidortner9587]

hey question had cb radio yrs ago got out of it n recently got back into it looking for a good radio with am fm and lower n upper side bands but not trying to spend 4 or 509 on a radio with good antenna any recommendations?

[@FarpointFarms]

For a base stations the Antron A99 is good, for mobile the tram 3500 is a good choice.

[@chickenbender01]

this reminds of a 70s radio but digital me likey.73s to the family.

[@FarpointFarms]

I agree, the key pad is helpful

[@thehomesteadcpa2457]

How is this compared to the LC90? Excluding internet functionality

[@FarpointFarms]

I prefer the LC90 but that is just me- This is not a bad radio, I just like the other one better

[@Metaconta]

Quiero saber dos cosas. 1. ¿Se puede dejar fija la luz de fondo? Al tiempo se apaga todo 2. A parte de usar baterías, ¿hay posibilidad de dejarlo conectado al enchufe sin usas baterías? Gracias y muy buen vídeo.

[@FarpointFarms]

1. Yes you can change the timer for the backlite. 2. Yes, you can plug the USB charger to it and power the radio with it.

[@Metaconta]

@@FarpointFarms Muchas gracias por la respuestas.

[@WarehouseMilitaryOutlet]

It’s got a lot going on. Thanks.

[@FarpointFarms]

Agreed, they really packing in the features

[@River5190-Actual]

It looks like a great radio but ... Raddy and other Chinese companies don't get American Radio spectrum like those of us who live here do. For example, CB Radio is AM and FM. UHF Aviation band (225-370 MHz) is actually AM not FM and use by Military Aviation and some Commercial aviation in VHF congested areas. 138-146 MHz should AM and FM as again, 138-144 MHz is designated as Military which is commonly used in AM by aircraft. I just wish Raddy and others would get the spectrum right before pumping the country full of these products we can half use.

[@FarpointFarms]

I get that, it is frustrating when you want to hear something and it will not come in

[@sandybottom6623]

The tuning knobs look like deal breakers. They need to be mechanically solid and to use optical encoders. Also the sensitivity on SSB does not look good - 20μV compared to 0.20 μV on an IC-705.

[@FarpointFarms]

Overall, I like it. I think reception is fine, but there is a steep learning curve to figure out all the many bells and whistles.

[@jamesilish]

I had a 70 foot twisted copper wire going from the house to the garage out back for a SW antenna when i was a kid in the late 60s and my uncles Halicrafter tube receiver and you touch the dial and another station would come in and the radio traffic was very heavy with hundreds of tranmitters all over the world going 24/7 yet today there is nothing compared ! There are many unlicensed ham radio trancievers awaiting a true disaster and ham radios are only standing by right now !

[@FarpointFarms]

It certainly isn't like the old days, but there are still a lot of signals to hear on SW.

[@johnblanton-fd3jf]

Nice review on a great radio!

[@FarpointFarms]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ransfordfearon8780]

Thank You. What is the cost of one of these radios?

[@FarpointFarms]

There should be a link in the description. I don't mention prices since inflation has gone crazy.

[@Kw1161]

I’ve had mine for two weeks as of this writing and enjoy it but hate the manual which made mastering it much harder than it should be. Now if the sun would stop sending out CME which interrupt short wave and medium wave (AM) reception..😮! WFM = Wide band FM NBFM = Narrow band FM. 73! Have a great day!

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks. I could not figure out the WFM mode. I agree that the learning curve on this radio is a bit steep. I am still figuring out how certain functions work.

[@Kw1161]

@@FarpointFarms I am still learning the tricks on this unit also..😀! 73! Have a great day!

[@DV-ml4fm]

The radio is cool but a bit steep in price for me. I have a sdr with HF support for $50 bucks which is good for newbies to shortwave.

[@FarpointFarms]

It is a lot of $$ for a radio, but It does have a a lot stuff jammed into it.

[@DV-ml4fm]

@FarpointFarms I agree. It's featured rich with cool stuff. Anyway, a great review of this radio. 👍👍👍

[@ClickinChicken]

can you time set the recording of the radio? Say like if you wanted to listen to your talk show from the day, in the pm or drive to work? THanks in advance. -Brian

[@FarpointFarms]

If you can, I have not been able to figure it out. I can make it shut off at a certain time though.

[@ClickinChicken]

@@FarpointFarms well, I'll find out! haha, thanks CB guy! Money burning a hole in my pocket, I guess. Things I like!!!

[@uncledanny7]

It looks like a very nice radio

[@FarpointFarms]

I was impressed with all the goodies they stuffed in there.

[@jonathanfauver7395]

Try an alligator clip on a long wire to pick up short wave radio. I used my old underground dog fence wire and run it outside. Works great

[@FarpointFarms]

That is a great idea if you have one- Thanks for sharing

[@jonathanfauver7395]

@@FarpointFarms I picked up a pack of alligator clips at harbor freight and I already had the wire. Clothes line wire should work also

[@jonsanchez-4127]

Anybody know how to disable key beep when pressing the buttons on the radio? I’ve looked through manual without any success.

[@FarpointFarms]

Anyone? I could not figure it out as well

[@jonsanchez-4127]

@@FarpointFarms Official Radioddity site says the button beep isn’t user definable and is factory set at a low volume. Only way to avoid beeping is to use the limited App which is used.

[@tinachavez8712]

Can you let the intro song play a tad longer, as its a great part of your videos ... thx.

[@FarpointFarms]

I have a video of just that intro song. Feel free to listen as much as you like

[@tinachavez8712]

@@FarpointFarms thx

[@spresc2180]

I am sorry to say that FARPOINTFARMSER, nor FARPOINTFARMER is considered a valid discount word on the link you provided. Price is not reduced. ???

[@FarpointFarms]

Try this one: FARPOINTFARMS

[@wxfreak]

Does it have squelch for narrow FM?

[@FarpointFarms]

I am not 100% sure, sorry

[@wxfreak]

@@FarpointFarms found it out does. I'm liking this radio more and more!

[@george-ev1dq]

Shame it does not have FM on the 10/11 metre band, FM would have made the set more suitable for European use.

[@FarpointFarms]

Good point. Here In the states FM mode has been a flop. No one uses it.

[@epnuzuluaga766]

WFM is just wide FM.

[@FarpointFarms]

thanks for sharing

[@e.palpatine2464]

Nice radio. 👍👍

[@FarpointFarms]

I think so with all those features

[@jerrybeeler-nv9ut]

Why are you trying to sell it?

[@FarpointFarms]

I have 30 short wave radios. Some of them have to go!

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

HF was terrible for most people last night with the aurora, but I've noticed somebody commenting that medium wave AM was good.

[@binsbins1]

I live in Eastern Wyoming and usually listen to Chicago AM stations when I drive to work early in the morning. I usually get fair to very good reception. This morning all I had was static. The only Am station I could receive was a local station in my town. I usually get Texas, Nebraska and sometimes California AM stations too. But not today.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

@@binsbins1 Earlier last evening I was getting some signals on the 40, 30, and 20 meter HF bands. But 60 and 80 were unusable. By midnight there wasn't much on 40, 30, and 20. I'm in northeastern Pennsylvania.

[@FarpointFarms]

I think the interference just killed every thing. I tried to listen this morning and nothing

[@binsbins1]

Sirius XM was unaffected. I don’t know if that was expected or not.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

@@binsbins1 I heard some people complain about GPS problems.

[@jaysaw8151]

Can't transmit tho ..kinda takes the fun out of it guess I'll pass.....I did want to see one in action ..thanks for showing us

[@FarpointFarms]

Yes, this is only for receiving. I will say, they did pack it full of features.

[@johnishikawa2200]

WFM stands for Wideband FM .

[@FarpointFarms]

Cool, thanks for letting us knkow

[@johnd7400]

Lot of money for that radio

[@wxfreak]

@johnd7400 Is there a cheaper radio that goes from Long Wave to 999 MHz?

[@FarpointFarms]

With inflation, there is nothing cheap anymore-

[@johnd7400]

@@FarpointFarms Ya Thats true.

[@derekbreame2039]

It's all very well these radios we would love to own if only it was as easy here in the UK as it is in the U S to obtain one over the counter even a basic AM F M set seems difficult for a shopkeeper to demonstrate at one shop I had to suggest putting batteries in only to be handed over to a red faced put out attitude of the shop manager please U S A come to our rescue Tandy..U K was our last Hope and gone it seems for good That is in the U S RadioShake

[@FarpointFarms]

I miss RadioShack, I am sorry that it is as difficult as it is for you guys.

[@bobjones9727]

Nice review. I'm sure it's a great radio but for me a little pricy.

[@FarpointFarms]

With inflation, everything is pricey.

[@century2298]

Wow.... they sent you the good one. $269

[@FarpointFarms]

Ha! Yes! I love these guys and I guess they felt like throwing me a bone. It has a bit of a learning curve, but it's fun!

[@boknows3841]

It does everything, it just doesn't do it very well. You're money would be better spent on a old ham radio. $400 will buy you a jumk Yaesu, ICOM, Kenwood that will do the entire HF band plus 6 meters. No License, just disconnect the microphone and throw it away.

[@FarpointFarms]

The problem there is that a lot of those older rigs are just not working well anymore. The caps are leaky and they dials scratchy.

[@jrbaretta]

Raddy is essentially selling a shortwave radio with a major DEFECT, what is known as, muted tuning, meaning you cannot hear what is being broadcast on all t he stations as you surf the channels when you tune the radio from frequency to frequency, whether you tune it manually with the fine tuning knob or when you press a button to tune the radio from frequency to frequency. You will see on the frequency meter as you do this a visual display that indicates the frequency strength of each individual through signals represented visually on the signal meter station or channel you surf through. But muted tuning means you will lose the audio momentarily so that the audio level drops off the board, as they say, completely, not allowing you to hear what is being broadcast unless you stop at any given frequency and stay there. Muted tuning can make it possible for you to inadvertently pass over channels or stations you might otherwise prefer to stay on and listen to. That this particular Raddy radio has this muted tuning is not a feature but a design flaw whereby the Raddy company should issue a recall and have their customers send the radios back to Raddy for a fix but Raddy will not do this unless forced to by either the US government or by a court ruling and neither one is likely to happen unless lawsuits are filed against Raddy and they will be forced to answer the lawsuits in open court or agree to an out of court settlement. Raddy has not been responsive enough to address customer concerns about this defect. They offer a quick-fix email link but so far, the half dozen people I've spoken to who have this radio and are stuck with this muted tuning defect have tried to follow Raddy's directions to correct this muted tuning flaw but this quick-fix does not work in actuality. At least not for the six people I spoke to. How many other Raddy customers have gotten similar run-arounds from Raddy, I don't know. But as I said in my prior comment below, Raddy is a company operating from Communist China and are likely owned the Chinese communist government or their military under the business banner they call, Raddy. And so far, from what I have seen of Chinese companies who produce products with defects, they always fail to correct problems or address customer concerns. Once they have your money, they could care less. In China, over the past 40 years, there have been a never-ending number of inferior shortwave radios being produced in China and sold from there. Only a few of them have had any merit. Most of these radios have come and gone because of inferior designs and built-in defects. Let's see what happens with this particular Raddy radio. Let's see if Raddy takes the initiative and accepts the responsibility it should and begin not only fixing these adios but all future models of this particular radio. They need a revised schematic upon which to base refute production of this radio. I personally will not buy this radio unless Raddy corrects the defect and markets all new versions of this radio with the problem of muted tuning eradicated. All such future models of this radio must then be sold with a new model number to reflect the fact the muted tuning defect has been corrected.

[@FarpointFarms]

What you are talking about is called "chuffing" all digital radios do that. It's normal. These are not analog so rolling the dial actually is changing a digital channel selector. I'm sure they told you that, but in case they didn't, that's what is going on. If you want endless tuning without pause, you'll need an older analog radio, but sadly many don't work well any more due to age.

[@thehomesteadcpa2457]

They have, as of 10/24 fixed that

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

This radio doesn't have good aesthetics.

[@FarpointFarms]

Sorry you don't like it.

[@Ghost_Swe]

tune mute on hof in not"wow" that sucks big time

[@FarpointFarms]

If anyone can understand this sentence, care to translate?

[@Ghost_Swe]

@@FarpointFarms yeah "anyone" can translate when you missed something that other testers of tha radio apparently found that muting between the steps when tuning on hf.

[@benedit71]

Too expensive.

[@FarpointFarms]

That is everything now with inflation. Even a dozen eggs is like $5

[@imafreakinhistorian2169]

2 numbers, NOT 3

[@FarpointFarms]

Huh?

[@scaramonga]

It's rubbish BTW ;)

[@FarpointFarms]

Sorry you feel that way

[@scaramonga]

@@FarpointFarms It really is, unfortunately.

[@overwatch2671]

For 269.00 on Amazon. No thanks

[@FarpointFarms]

Always funny to see comments on my channel trashing radios for not having full coverage, or not having SSB, and then I get to see the comments when I finally show one that has all those features and people realize that adding all those things costs a lot of money!

[@overwatch2671]

@@FarpointFarms Not to mention the inflation rate