Featuring a DX-Local switch, the Tecsun R-909 multi-band radio with AM, FM and 7 Short Wave bands

This is a review of the low-cost Tecsun R-909 multi-band radio covering AM, FM, and 7 Short Wave bands that unusually features a DX-Local switch! We find out what features it has, if it offers good value for money, and how does it compare with the competition?
Hope you enjoy this little look at this budget Tecsun multi-band receiver and if so, then please give that 'Like' button a click for me or even subscribe for more videos on budget-friendly receivers, some of which offer great value & performance, as well as some other interesting content!
Many thanks for stopping by
TWCG
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[@F4LDT-Alain]

Thanks for the review. I have this little radio and I really like it. It's a very competent SW receiver. Actually more than more expensive DSP-based radios I have. To me, analog radios like this one tend to do better on very faint signals with a lot of fading, and they produce a clearer sound. My only gripe is that the tuning scale is rather inaccurate, off by quite a margin so it's kind of difficult to know what you're listening to. The cheaper KK-9 radio is NOT a rebranded R-909. It's a copy.

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Hi Alain, many thanks for your feedback and thoughts on this little receiver. Like most of the receivers at the budget end of the market, it’s going to have its faults but I am always surprised when reviewing these little budget receivers how their performance can vary. Thanks for clarifying the details on the KK-9, not sure how they get away from virtually copying the format of the R909/ All the best TWCG

[@jeffking4176]

This is one of Tecsun’s cheapest radios. I have the R-9710, And just recently bought the R-911. Both are fantastic radios for the size and price. This is one I have avoided - but I may get it, now, because of your video. 📻🙂

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Hi Jeff, good to hear from you. TBH you do get a lot of radio for not much money and is perfectly fine for normal every day use. The DX/local switch is also useful if you live close to a transmitter and want to avoid overload. Enjoy your radios!

[@konglives4453]

Nice review. I just got mine in the mail today. I attached a long wire using a crocodile clip to the antenna, and the other end I attached to metal bird cage, up on my patio, late afternoon. I am in Lima, Peru and got stations which had Portugues speaking voices, which I assume come from a Brazilian station, and on another I picked up French speaking voices, which I assume come from France, or maybe Canada. I am pleased with this radio, for the price I paid.

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Hi, many thanks for getting in touch all the way from Peru! Sounds like your unusual bird cage antenna worked out very well, pulling in many far away stations. In the UK, I have regularly picked up stations from China, (albeit its possible that they are relayed) as well as eastern Europe and further afield, just on a simple clip on wire antenna like yourself. It's not a bad little radio for the money and lasts quite a long time on a set of batteries. Enjoy scanning for those far away stations 👍

[@alisterwest6987]

Good video I understood you and you explained everything well we are not all expert producers for film and TV your channel is young and progressing well, like everything in life, experience is the key these little radios, very useful in one's pocket with headset in waiting rooms or gardening etc be bored to tears without mine all the best 👍

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Hi Alister, you've made my day! I really appreciate you taking the trouble to get in touch and for your kind observations. I agree, I think there is a lot to be said for these little radios, always one on in the house catching the news and it's good fun trawling the shortwaves to see what's out there. Thanks and regards TWCG

[@josemesquita603]

Thanks for sharing your findings. Concerning the KK-9 based radios that look similar to the Tecsun R-909, I have some later KK-9 variants sold under several brands and all lack the Local/DX feature. The slide switch is there but it is a fake one as there is no functional switch under the button. Granted, all of thesse later KK-9 are DSP based circuits.

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Hi Jose, many thanks for sharing you research on the KK-9 variants. That will help many KZbinr’s who may be considering purchasing these variants. That’s almost fraudulent as you would be thinking that you were getting a Tecsun R-909 for maybe a little less money? I guess it’s a case of buyer beware!

[@gabrielv.4358]

SO that is the difference? The Tecsun is the original analogic and the others are copies with DSP instead of analog?

[@gabrielv.4358]

A good radio! I wonder if the DX really makes the radio more sensible, or just boosts the audio amplifier.

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Hi, many thanks for your feed-back. Good questions. From what I can ascertain, the R909 is an analogue radio rather than a DSP receiver and from the feedback of other KZbinrs, the cheaper ‘copies’ appear to be DSP. With regard to the Dx-Local switch, if they have gone to the trouble of providing analogue receiver circuitry, then I can’t see any reason why they would not provide the correct attenuation circuit for strong local stations. It does work quite well and overall, the build quality of this set seems good for the price. I understand that the copies don’t appear to be that well thought of from what I have heard.

[@CriLu]

The old models branded kk-9, in reality they were analog, are distinguished by the LED that indicates tuning instead of Power on of DSP versions. Analog versions of the kk-9 usually feature the chip CD2003 or CD1691, recent DSP versions use the chip KT0936 , the same used by the wonderful Kchibo KK-9803...

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Hi, thanks for getting in touch and taking the time to explain the earlier variations on this little receiver. Useful stuff which will be valuable to any KZbinrs considering purchasing one. I agree with your remark on the KK-9803, I suspect that it’s an often-overlooked receiver that has a great performance!

[@CriLu]

You're right, the kchibo kk-9803 is underrated for its ridiculous price, it was actually spectacular when it was analog until 2015 and still is in the DSP version.

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

@@CriLu Hi, thanks for your feedback. Yep, a lot of KZbinrs seem to agree, for the money the Kchibo is an excellent little receiver with some nice features and decent quality.

[@Dr.kuldeepyadav777]

Sir What is DX Mode Exact & Is it Really Useful....📻

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Hi, that’s a good question. When listening to AM (MW/LW/SW) broadcasts, the "DX/Local" switch adjusts the radios sensitivity. If you are listening to a strong station and the signal is distorted, set the "DX/Local" switch to the "Local" position for best reception. For normal or weak stations set the "DX/Local" switch to the "DX" position for maximum sensitivity. Hope this helps.

[@samcam777i]

the tecsun pl-909 also badged under the steepletone label i have this one but i dropped it which did not do it any good since then bin trying get other one but steepletone no longer had one then i went on ebay uk and prices have gone up so i was not going pay those prices untill today when going througth amazon list of shortwave radios came across this for £16.95p so i clicked on the buy now but not released untill 17 of november at least now i will this radio in my colection . ps 909 or steepletone as i got great sound hope it still the same thats all.

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Hi, thanks for reaching out. Sounds like you have been doing quite a bit of searching so well done for tracking one down! Clearly there are a few companies re-badging this particular radio under their own branding, but that said, it must be good or they would not have it within their product portfolio. I have it on at this very moment as I am catching up with emails etc. and is working well. I hope it lives up to your expectations when you receive yours. There are a few budget shortwave radios that I have reviewed, so if have a few spare minutes, might be worth a look as the majority are under £10 ($14) so very pocket friendly. Good luck!

[@martinpradines9841]

6þ

[@bongtechnature]

My nearest fm station is 80 km away. Will this radio be able to catch such distant channels?

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Hi, thanks for getting in touch. It's an interesting question and it can depend upon a few things, but basically it depends upon the power of the FM broadcast transmitter and what the topography is like of your particular area. FM basically transmits on a line of site and doesn't really follow the curvature of the earth, so if your area is very hilly then this could affect the effective range of the transmitter. Additionally, these transmitters tend to be limited in transmitting power as the greater the power, the more costly it becomes. A rough rule of thumb for an 'average' transmitter would be approximately 40 to 60Km so I think you will struggle to pick up an FM station that is around 80Km away. Hope this helps.

[@bongtechnature]

@@TheWobblyCameraGuy thanks. The farthest station,on fm you received on this radio, how much km away from your place? I live in semi-rural area

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

@@bongtechnature Hi, your asking something that I have not really checked upon before so it's great question! Where I live we have many relatively low power local & regional radio stations, so it's a little difficult to give you a comparison to enable you assess the performance of this little radio. There is a transmitter approx. 20KM away that broadcasts some national programmes and they come in very strong & clear. Thus, I would suggest that this radio would pull in FM stations from at least 30 to 40Km from a transmitter outputting at a reasonable power level.

[@vahanyazarian3705]

I bought one via sihuodon / e- bay and the on /off switch was defective . Returned for refund . Purchased Tecsun R 9012 and Happy with performance and Quality.

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Hi, thanks for getting in touch. Sorry to hear of your switch issue - the one on mine seems to be working OK so it may be just a case of pure bad luck with yours. Had a quick look at the radio you replaced it with - looks interesting - similar spec to the R909 so I would be interested to see how you get on with it. Best regards TWCG

[@anulearntech]

Another reviewer said that the R909 is more sensitive compared to the R9012. What's your experience? There seems to be quality control issues with tecsun

[@Slav2077]

Can this radio receive sw?

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Hi, thanks for getting in touch. Yes it covers shortwave (SW) across 7 selectable wave bands bands from 5.95 to 21.65MHz. Hope this helps.

[@Slav2077]

@@TheWobblyCameraGuy thank you

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

@@Slav2077 Happy to help. If you are interested in SW, then there are reviews of some other low cost short wave radios on my channel that you might enjoy as well.

[@radioweebdx7680]

Some of those copy R-909 radios are not analogue but DSP, and don't perform as well. I've seen some videos comparing some of these copycat versions.

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Hi, appreciate you sharing that as that is something that I and I would guess most KZbinrs would not be aware of. I'm on the look out for a budget friendly analogue type SW receiver from AliExpress and if I find one, I will definitely make a video so keep checking in from time to time. Thanks & regards TWCG

[@radioweebdx7680]

@@TheWobblyCameraGuy There is nothing wrong with DSP radios if they have a digital display, but they go dreadfully wrong when they are on an analogue tuner style radio. I quite fancy an R-909 myself, as well as the Tecsun R-9012 both are analogue radios.

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

@@radioweebdx7680 I hear what you say my friend, maybe I'm just a little old fashioned LOL. The R-909 is a decent receiver for the price, but in my humble opinion, the little Kchibo KK-9803 that I have also reviewed just had the edge in terms of 'bang for your buck'. Enjoy scanning the shortwaves!

[@radioweebdx7680]

@@TheWobblyCameraGuy Most people don't really take these cheap radios very seriously, but I have seen people build entire KZbin channels with these cheap radios. A small handful of cheap AM radios, and a smartphone you can make a channel. People like to see band scans on these radios, as well as comparison videos of signals between different makes of radios. If you want to do the more serious SSB stuff, use a WebSDR receiver online. I have been posting up quite a lot of X06 videos which send 6 tones over the air. The station is used to send out a 6 figure ID to its target embassy. People don't realise that these type of signals can be easily picked up on these kind of radios. The Shortwave radio hobby does not need to be very expensive.

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

That is exactly what I have done so I appreciate your comments. My subscribers list is small but slowly growing, but I do it for just for the fun of it TBH and making myself step outside my comfort zone a little. You are a mine of information my friend. I will be seeking out your videos and gaining some much needed education! Thank you for both your support and your knowledge. 🙏 @@radioweebdx7680

[@davidrhodes9997]

We didn't hear what it is like or what it can do on shortwave.

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Hi David, thanks for getting in touch. Sorry you are struggling to find the shortwave part of the review. If you go to approx. 8 minutes into the video, you will reach the part where I review it working on the shortwave bands. What I have found on some of my videos is that although my video editing software indicates a good level of sound, when you upload to KZbin, the audio level does seem to get reduced a little for some reason, so if you are struggling to hear the review, please just turn the volume slider up a bit. Thanks & regards TWCG

[@вікторАндрияшин]

Аналог бывает лучше.

[@TheWobblyCameraGuy]

Привет, для большего контроля над настройкой я бы согласился, но имейте в виду, что это радио по бюджетной цене.