SSB Receiver ATS-25 Max DECODER (LW, MW, SW, CB, FM) Review

This radio shares most of the features with the ATS120, which I detailed here: • New SSB Pocket Receive...
Link where I purchased this radio: www.aliexpress.com/item/10050...
Link to firmware developer: harduino.ru/index.php/en/software
In this video I try to describe only what this radio has in addition to the ATS120. The second half of the video shows how the radio actually works.
Pro's:
+ new improved original firmware (harduino.ru) with activated license key
+ large speaker
+ automatic internal SW/FM antenna switch
+ mobile radio form factor
+ 3000mAh LiPo internal battery
+ aluminum alloy box
+ large tuning knob
+ new 4 types of graphic S-meters (BAR, ANALOG, Audio-SPECTRUM, Audio-WATERFALL)
+ digital decoders for FT-8, FT-4, RTTY, CW, HELL (more will be added in the future)
+ functional RDS when receiving FM
+ indicator of the quality of radio wave propagation
+ receiver's system time synchronization via WiFi or RDS
Con's:
- additional LNA (preamplifier) is missing
- high pitch sound when the audio is muted when AGC is on
- reception of strong interference (QRM) from the screen when the internal antenna is connected directly to the BNC socket(telescopic whip)
#ats25 #max #decoder

[@ominkan3129]

The 4.16 air not the beta version will add Bluetooth, LNA, HiZ, and Lock. The activation button will be between the WiFi and volume. Also the max decoder has a new power scheme which make the display illumination more stable and less flickering. On the max decoder the waterfall now actually works giving actual visual information. I like your content and professionalism Paul. Thanks.

[@OM0ET]

Thank you very much for your comment! ;)

[@ominkan3129]

Since buying the max Decoder and having, firmware 4.17 beta air installed, I found there is no BT, LNA or Hi-Z antenna setting features in the radio. Disappointing. So Paul could you do a video on adding those features to your max Decoder?

[@digitalmediafan]

No LNA and HIZ with me using 4.16 and now FT8 doesn't work either

[@ominkan3129]

@@digitalmediafan I think that is a good reason to be disappointed, as I was to find no LNA, BT or Hi-Z after I was told the max Decoder handled all firmware features.

[@OM0ET]

There will be a new version of ATS120 soon with those features. Hope I will be able to test it 😉

[@HKey_Root]

Brilliant Paul. Your videos are a revelation. These small inexpensive units like the Quansheng etc are as cheap as chips and worth experimenting with.

[@m1ian]

Thanks for the video i have just bought a DSP2 and this video has helped me alot in setting it up 73s

[@nordford68]

RBDS is mainly used in the USA…in Europe, we can leave this option switched off. Very nice introduction to this device. Many thx. 73 from Germany

[@chuckp3739]

Thank you for the very descriptive video. I will have to add one to my Ham Shack.

[@leejenkinson5521]

nice video, was I the only one to see the ANT run across at the ATS25 at 16mins 10 seconds lol

[@alasdair4161]

That same ant made his cameo appearance at 11.43

[@NJF60]

The ant seems to like this radio

[@agustinmoralesrodriguez1242]

Do we need one? No. Do we want one? Yes!🎉😮😊

[@canidsong]

I need another radio like I need another hole in my head. Hold my preferred beverage and pass the cordless drill.

[@rlwoodlief]

Great review Paul, thank you. 73's de N4RLW

[@NJF60]

Thank you Paul for the informative presentation. I’m close to purchasing one to explore all it’s cool features. Your videos are always on point and I enjoy watching them. Regards, John from Florida USA

[@OM0ET]

Thank you for watching and for your compliment! :)

[@winstondeegbe3566]

I really do enjoy your video presentations Paul. It's easy to understand you and I learn a lot from you. Did you ever cover the tropical broadcast bands using the Max Decoder II ? If you have please share the link.

[@royramdeen8864]

Great review paul..

[@kofthebaskervilles]

Another excellent review. Thank you.

[@OM0ET]

Thank you!

[@martinryan5069]

Excellent VIDEO as usual very helpful thank you so much 👍

[@OM0ET]

Thank you very much! ;)

[@ronalddaub9740]

Outside of the waterfall I like the simplicity of my old ats 25 .

[@victorkearns1106]

Thank you nice clear steady explanation again thanks easy and informative to listen and watch😊

[@leejenkinson5521]

would love to see this with some sort of tag/hook to connect to a carabiner, or may be a detachable handle to make it easier to carry and transport, plus some method of storing the antenna and stylus to the side of the case. Just minor points which would be awesome improvements to a future model!.

[@nabinchandrapatra5369]

Excellent explained

[@ManuelLausmann-Funktechnik]

Bernhard's software also offers the possibility of time synchronization for FT8 without Internet, but with RDS. Prerequisite, an FM transmitter that sends the time via rds

[@OM0ET]

Thank you!

[@thejoker-ie1mm]

HI Paul, thank you for this videotest 👍

[@OM0ET]

;) thanks for watching!

[@markmontgomery9722]

good job i have just got my ATS 25 MAX AND HAVE THE NIOSE FROM THE FACE OF THE RADIO THANK YOU FOR YOUR VIDIO 73S MARK NORTH IRELAND

[@rafaelzeferino1]

Parabéns pelo vídeo, mesmo sendo em inglês deu pra entender muito bem 👏🏼 como funciona 🙌🏻👏🏼👏🏼🎉 📻

[@user-hj2bn4zs4c]

Eu tenho um,mas o MW nao funciona,isto e nao tem recepçao de emissoras,so da ruido nao sei sera problema de software,o restante trabalha

[@SangiTariq]

Nice radio. Nice video

[@alexanderkatassonow6914]

Thanks for the informative video. Could you now compare two current models ats25max vs. ats25x2 please?

[@laszlovona]

wow! amazing unit! btw around 31:30 you are receiving a Hungarian FM station for about 30 sec 😊 they are talking about a university development program..

[@xe1zlgg]

Hi .. excellent review... Does the muting dissapears when you use 1 Khz tuning step in Am SW band ?

[@stuwilson3146]

Hi Paul.. Great video as always.. Nice radio.. But i'm really hooked on my ATS120.. Cheers..73s from Australia..

[@OM0ET]

Oh I love also my ATS120 too! :)

[@N4GW]

Nice demo

[@OM0ET]

Thank you! :)

[@bilkenhampton]

Very good clip. I wish you would how to update this radio. You have very detailed things very good.

[@jurgenboucher116]

Hi, did you also try the DWD Pinneberg weather RTTY transmission on LW 147KHz? The ATS frequency range starts at 150 KHz, as i know.

[@Homer19521]

Made me smile when you said you were from Slovakia. My mom would always declare proudly that she was a Slovak. Just to drive my dad nuts as he was Hungarian. They were oil & water. Great review. 👍

[@OM0ET]

:) No problem, we love hungarians same as our others neighbors ;)

[@jeromeGrzelak]

@@OM0ET Ilove the way you speek your diction is excellent kg6mn

[@stevec5000]

So why does it need an activation code?

[@PreppedScots]

Just placed an order for one of these, gonna test it out with my wee 27mhz telescopic antenna and also my JPC-12 with a 5m telescoping portion just for sheer length on the lower bands just to see how it goes If it performs well then it’s going into a sigint collections kit,gonna be the first time trying out these wee things so fingers crossed

[@NVRMTmotion]

Did it perform well? They're available for a great price at the moment and I've been tempted daily

[@electricite2552]

What camera are you using now? The quality is good❤

[@KA9DSL]

Yes I agree, having an FM mode on the short wave bands would be good. Especially when 10M 29.600mhz FM is open and active.

[@antoninorusso56]

Impossible for now ... chip Si4732 non support this function.... But we are working, with the release of the next definitive version of the V 4.17 Air firmware (the beta is already available on the site... and is also BPSK31/63 decoder !!!) with the implementation of the FM mode on the CB band and on the 10 meter band... as well as adding new ranges in all modes, 50 Mhz (6 meters), 144 Mhz (2 meters), Air Band (AM) and Marine band (VHF)... you will find everything in the next firmware (we are finishing the test tests...)

[@bengeijtenbeek9394]

Hi Paul , thank u for the nice video, i was wondering if there is a firmware with the airband and if so where i can find this? i cant read russian..

[@DonzLockz]

Thanks Paul. It would be great if it could transmit QRP too. :)

[@jpb37]

I ordered same , max version. 😊

[@buzzsah]

Does this radio have a mem-scan? Can one enter a few channels to listen to and scan them? Will it pickup Digital?

[@krzysztofhalupka]

Super - Thanks. When will you make your next video about ats - 25 ? Greetings from Poland.

[@Smash-n-Grab]

Hi OM0ET, I watched your antenna mast install for your hexbeam.. Brilliant install. Loving this radio i just ordered one from Aliexpress but I would like to connect it to a power supply without the battery. Is this possible?

[@digitalmediafan]

Hmm FT8 decode seems very sluggish. Even a weak burst should give you a dozen or so stations. CW decoder also doesn't seem very good with what sounded like a fairly strong signal to me. Thanks for great review de M1CTK

[@taxineil1]

Does anyone know if the update from 4.16 beta is free or does it cost anything?

[@coinshooters]

hi got one of these receivers , but can't figure out what use the waterfall is? doesn't have a tuneable cursor, also can't enable bluetooth , ? any advice

[@JuanPablo-mt9cz]

Saludos, cual preferia usted la hxdata d808 o la ats25 max decoder, cual es mejor.

[@digitalmediafan]

Something odd has happened I am now unable to get the time so I can't decode any FT8, any ideas why ? Time only works on MW

[@user-by4dp1fk8k]

Hello.. I enjoyed this video, I purchased an ATS25 after watching this. I have one issue I cannot figure out, can you help? The TIME displayed is in GMT. How can I set the Time to display in my timezone/city? Any help will be greatly appreciated! Lou

[@mpatrickthomas]

Does it have memory to save frequencies?.I have heard of radios of this type have no memories.

[@markmontgomery9722]

good job 73s

[@alvarogaitan2529]

thanks, Om0et 73 from kb2uew

[@wrongsideof40]

Great review. Thanks very much! I notice than when you tune in an SSB station, you use 1kHz step size, then go into the BFO for 'exactness'. Does this mean the minimum step-size on the main tuning is 1kHz? If so, what is the point of the two zeros after the decimal point? Thanks again.

[@OM0ET]

No no, sometimes is VFO little shifted and is good to do a small correction trough the BFO.

[@MyspiritMysoul]

Does this also works at AM ? 700-1800 band?

[@warrenookland8169]

I wish they had included a storage hole for the pen. I can see it will soon slip away unnoticed.

[@goranjovic3174]

Very nice radio :) For FM i recomended you to buy one TEF6686 and compare with ATS radios :) )) Pozdrav z Srbsko do Slovensko ! 73s

[@LeslieAB30]

In September I have been licensed 50 years but I do not have any gear at the moment. I intend to buy one of these! 73 all - G0TEO. This was a very good review, thank you.

[@fjdkfdfjdf33]

Can you have an external bluetooth speaker? Is there an app for this device?

[@adrianssolutionsgwm]

HELP CONFUSED ! What is difference ats24max here and ats24x1 £70. What does wifi do / dig radio??? Why are some 25max £65 and some £120 THX

[@SangiTariq]

I love your channel. I Love Radio Tariq Hakeem Sangi

[@stevec5000]

What kind of u-processor does this radio use to give you all those fancy features? It can't still be a simple Arduino can it? Also just about any radio that has a digital display screen will give you noise from the screen if you try to use a whip antenna so don't do that!

[@SangiTariq]

HI SIR WHICH ONE IS GOOD ATS-120 OR ATS-25 MAX DECODER. PLEASE HELP ME I WANT TO PURCHASE ONE OF THEM. I AM TARIQ FROM KARACHI PAKISTAN

[@_bob_8170]

The Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS) is the American equivalent of the Radio Data System (RDS) protocol, which is the standard protocol for the distribution and propagation of data by FM radio signals.

[@OM0ET]

Thank you so much! :) I am learning whole life ;)

[@ilijapilipovic]

Stupid

[@wtmayhew]

There’s one thing I see on the ATS-120 that also seems to be on the ATS-25 is the mute that seems to happen briefly in SSB mode when the tuning is advanced about 6 KHz, but seems at time to be at irregular intervals. My guess is that it is an internal artifact of the Si4732-A10 radio chip. Does the ATS-25 also have the same problem with picking up images of the FM broadcast band stations in the shortwave band? Where I live in the US, a strong image on an FM station on 89.7 MHz falls right on top of WWV on 10 MHz. Over all the ATS-25 Max Decoder looks very good for the money. It is particularly appealing because it comes with an upgradable version of the Harduino firmware which should help prolong its usefulness. The current version appears to be 4.16. If shoppingmon Chinese web sites, be sure to order a radio with up to date and upgradable firmware.

[@OM0ET]

Yes, seems that both radios are based on the same design. Next version of ATS25 should have front end filters added ;)

[@adrianssolutionsgwm]

25X1 OR 25 MAX if want am fm gagic radio mellow magic etc with best sound quality is the much cheaper xi ok pls. Do all x25 have same 3 inch speaker, is it really hot glued on, would you advise dissemble and mechanically fix. thx

[@adrianssolutionsgwm]

DIFFERENT PRICES MODELS the atx25 max is available from 70 pounds to 126 pounds here. For am fm rds is there a diffence or same unit. what is activation paid for, is it relevent to am fm rds I see a wifi aerial on this model but not on other ats25 max .. why.. i assume this isnt internet radio Is the cheaper ats25xi just as good for am fm rds is the speaker/sond quality same for all models, is it really just suck on. IS RDS25MAX A DECENT SOUND QUALITY .. i have a high quality tabletop pure radio right now but menus real hard and cant see buttons in the dark. This looks great to use.

[@kevargao5031]

I believe the ATS25AMP has LNA, by all the accounts that I have read, the 25AMP is slightly better than the 24 Max Decoder, but hard to judge as there are no comparisons so far.

[@ArclampSDR]

I updated mine and its asking for a code I was never given ;(

[@emersonmsd]

Looks good Paul but interacting with the 2,4 ich screen would drive me nuts. I appreciate a bigger screen needs more battery power. The firmware looks great. 73

[@OM0ET]

Power consuption is very low ;)

[@richardsage3139]

So does it decode cw or not??

[@iliebelcea512]

Questo ricevitore si collega al pskreporter?

[@deesalkelly3069]

wish there was a power switch at the front...would like to rack mount a few

[@OM0ET]

Yes, this is very good idea, hope that designer will read this ;)

[@Anomeley]

But does the Wi-Fi actually work this time? I have each model thus far and have vowed to never own another but I admit, if one actually worked as advertised I would buy it again.

[@OM0ET]

Yes, WiFi works OK in this version

[@adrianssolutionsgwm]

is anyone using this radio to listen to domestic music stations ie magic fm (105 around london) is similar to sangean sw11 sw22 in quality of sound. Can I but the £60 version which appears to have no wifi and needs liscence, would I still get rds.

[@user-hj2bn4zs4c]

In my ATS 25 MAX DECODER not recepçao in MW,only noise problem

[@ronalddaub9740]

Can the older ats 25 that is like that to have a waterfall?

[@OM0ET]

After HW modification and FW update it can.

[@Janom66]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@antronx7]

Thanks for doing these reviews so other people don't throw money away on these cheap toys.

[@OM0ET]

There are also many not wealthy people who wish to go in hobby but don't have money to buy expensive radios ;) Thanks god there are chinese manufacturers who made this :)

[@antronx7]

@@OM0ET The problem is these radios have such poor performance that it's better to save up a little extra money for good name brand used radio that will provide much better enjoyment of the hobby.

[@pin00ch]

These things are everywhere and the price spread is HUGE!! I found one for $40 and others for $160. What gives??

[@jeromeGrzelak]

The 160 model comes in a velvet box

[@Woddy-bd7ns]

Can this decode emergency services ?

[@kamehousegoku7349]

👍

[@jimallen4809]

Will this receiver receive signals as low as 10 KHZ? You have a great site my friend!

[@OM0ET]

Thank you! No, it receives on LW at mininum only.

[@shizukanikitaruakikazeno5270]

DR OM0ET DE JAPAN HAM . TNX FB INFO ABT ATS-25. THIS ATS-25 IS SO GD. YOU PRESEN WAS VY WELL. HPE CU ON AIR HF BAND BT GL TU TU 73!!

[@TVSNOWOWL]

So no air and Maritieme band :(

[@bhuralal1317]

Hi friend how much is price and this radio model to online shopping counet address is sending please

[@steveblanchard7293]

The ants were very annoying. Also to note that my browser rejects the ZIP files for the update as tampered with. There is also the concern that the software could be used to spy on the user.. However the review is good, but due to the lack of MAC updates it is another no go.

[@Zerpentsa6598]

But still no air bands.

[@microwave-vh2uc]

even without any antenna the S meter reads S5 Not very good

[@wadekennon7385]

Will this receive police and rescue frequency

[@scaramonga]

NO.

[@nascar0509]

A shame the display isn't larger.

[@brochiloski]

Recibe banda aerea?

[@OM0ET]

No

[@metatechnologist]

My problem is that Ch1na is engineering backdoors into every cpu they make. See bleeping computer for examples. Besides this thing being completely closed source and not repairable. It needs to have a non Ch1nese cpu, be risc v and not closed source.

[@olafelsberry420]

Ahoy.

[@adrianssolutionsgwm]

HELP PLEASE AM FM ONLY In uk and want this radio for am fm only, to listen to our local radio music stations like magicfm 9on 105 fm) because the screen looks bright and easy to use. . . .is it a good radio fo this.. . . This model varies in price from £60 to £126 i THINK the cheaper models dont have wifi, or activation, but this shouldnt be needed for am fm right? Is there a difference between all these models called as25max, are some clones built more cheaply. SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME IF THIS IS GOOD ALTERNATIVE TO SANGUIN TABLETOP FOR FM AM OR NOT 111 thnkyou

[@LeicaM11]

The softkeys with „10M“ and „30M“ would bother me a lot, as it is „10m“ and „30m“ correctly. It is meter and no miles at all Wouldn‘t buy therefore.

[@MsDenver2]

The sound is awful how can anyone listen to that , if it’s not clear then what’s the point?

[@patrickdemeyer2210]

Aliexpress ? No thank you , been F...ed over one time to much .

[@user-yy5rk5tz6f]

что ты несешь

[@kcstafford2784]

You lost me when showing how to glue on the rubber feet...that's just silly ...why would they put the power switch on back?????

[@sputnik4216]

Learned really nothing from the video, just watching a guy push buttons and dictate what's obvious. However learned very much from the viewer comments. It seems various firmware versions exist with just as many surprises. I won't buy this radio yet.

[@G3PWP]

Junk complete junk poor quality I threw mine in the bin just rubbish stick with brand names

[@therodandclintshow2549]

It's a great starter radio for us poor folk. Been using mine for 6 months and have logged tons of SW stations not to mention amateur, military and trans oceanic air traffic.

[@paul.alarner6410]

where can we download the firmware?

[@user-vm7kg7gf1z]

2e0ryp chris whear did you get magnetick loop from paul

[@OM0ET]

om0et.com/ultralight-mla-mc-20.html

[@paul.alarner6410]

do the pieces of rubbish still chuff when tuning?

[@OsageArcher1066]

Yes, the volume is turned off between frequecies as one tunes at whatever step interval is selected. So it doesn't "chuff" but the sound is still annoying. Mine was also deaf on SW even when connected to a Wellbrook antenna. I sent it back.