Qodosen DX-286 LATEST UPDATE. You changed something !

[@Jaxon1776]

The DX-286 is my favorite new radio released this year. I was pleased when they went on sale and the price was much lower than the SR-286. I had plenty of spare 18650 batteries so it wasn't a big deal for me.

[@richardmerriam7044]

Mine was here early July 2024. I bought 2- 18650 XHDATA batteries (3000 mah). The only radio that competes with it on MW is my CCrane EP Pro. Both are great for MW Dxing. Great video!

[@Kw1161]

Thanks for the info Fred planning on buying a DX 286 to go with my SR-286 for the travel case, and extra batteries make it even better. 73!

[@ItsRael108]

Thanks Fred 👍🌞

[@robertmeyer4744]

Great update ! Hear in the US we have a shipping label requirement for lithium battery . Nice to have a 18650 cell (2) with the radio. Amazon does put correct label on . Cheers !

[@89fingerslouieXRP]

I bought one yesterday from AE after watching your previous vid on this radio.

[@skinnyblinddude]

Batteries were never my criticism! I’ve bought many portable radios throughout my life, and none included batteries! When I bought my QODOSEN DX-286 in June, I bought several 18650 button-top batteries along with it. The DX-286 and the batteries arrived promptly in the same shipping certain from Amazon. I’m deeply grateful to QODOSEN for producing such a fine radio! My main criticism, which I have since dropped, was that of its digital display-induced RFI (whining and static) heard primarily on LW and MW when receiving weak and distant signals via its whip especially with AMP ON. Since then however, I’ve learned about the automatic DIS OFF function that eliminates internal RFI entirely!

[@ditto1958]

So…to anyone who was refraining from buying this radio, you no longer have an excuse. 😊 Buy one- it’s excellent.

[@marcosmza1962]

Love it❤

[@alanslade2319]

Fred did you know that Radio Caroline is back on l legally . Ofcom give him a license there on Am some were. And plenty moreLook Looked Winnipeg and was shocked . Thanks for your help on all electronics . Take care of yourself and yours Alan.👍

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi Alan. Yes i saw that a few days ago. Low down on FM. Ive been thinking about testing a few radios to make a video on it.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Alan the 27.305 has been active all week just before 5pm. I am going on now if your set up ?

[@ClickinChicken]

batteries now included! 👍

[@KongKingman]

Every radio i have bought that takes a 18650 battery even from China direct included one except this company, it shouldn’t have come down to a KZbin petition especially at that price!

[@StratmanII]

Agreed! It made me wonder why Qodosen didn't even look at its competitors like Tecsun and XHDATA. Both of them ship their radios with lithium ion batteries in them. All that was needed is a simple cardboard insulator at the positive terminal. Fun fact: China's air transport regulations prohibit individual lithium ion batteries being shipped by themselves, therefore flashlight companies like Sofirn and Wurkkos actually enclose them in free (cheap) LED flashlights. 🔦 😀

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

Bring on the batteries. :)

[@Ni5ei]

Finally! Not because I need the batteries, but now people stop whining and crying it doesn't contain one. Seriously, I've never heard so much drama about something not including a battery. People can order a radio but have no clue how to order a battery?

[@martinabowm1786]

Hello Fred. I was just looking through radios on amazon and found this radio for reduced price directly from QODOSEN. Looking at the various pictures I found that they still say "without battery,needs to be bought separately" (Product image gallery, page 5). Just fyi. Regards, Martin

[@StratmanII]

I didn't mind the official Qodosen store on AliExpress not including any 18650 cell with my DX-286. Most radio companies will include the cheapest OEM battery they can find anyway. If there's one thing I've learned being part of the flashlight enthusiast community, it's that we prefer to source our own lithium ion batteries rather than paying for the included 14500, 21700 or 18350 or 18650 cell. In most cases I always order my flashlights without the battery, unless the difference in price (with the OEM branded battery) is very minimal. 🙂 The TEF6686 inside this little Qodosen is an automotive radio DSP chip and draws a fair bit of juice compared to say, the Skyworks Si 4735-A10 inside an XHDATA D-808 or Tecsun PL-990. Currently I'm rocking a VapCell M35 button top battery for my DX-286, but plan to buy a true 4,000 mAh VapCell for extended run times. 📻🔋👍

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks for the info on the Teff chip as i did notice it was slightly power hungry but though it was my naff 18650.

[@StratmanII]

@@CB-RADIO-UK If I'm not mistaken, NXP Semiconductors never intended its TEF6686 chip to be used in a portable receiver, but in car stereo head units that usually run off the 12 volt lead acid battery with capacities of at least 45 Ah. That's why low power consumption isn't one of its original design requirements.🙂 Fred, if you're looking for 18650 batteries that are exactly, or close to their advertised capacity - look for Liitokala, Molicel or VapCell brand 18650s. These three brands are well regarded and trusted by the vaping, drone and flashlight communities. There a few untrustworthy brands and counterfeits that claim an unproven capacity of 6800 mAh or more and we definitely avoid battery brands like "Ultrafire". As of 2024, 4000 mAH is the biggest true capacity for an 18650 sized lithium ion and it also should feel hefty in the palm of your hand (65 grams or more). An 18650 that feels suspiciously lightweight generally has a capacity of 1000 mAh or less. And no, the DX-286 may not accommodate protected 18650 button top cells. They are generally about 69mm in length due to their add-on protection circuit boards.

[@Ni5ei]

Totally agree with you! I've just received 4 Keeppower 4000mAh protected 18650 cells for over €10 each. I would never trust some unfamiliar unprotected battery with questionable capacity in my equipment. Do people really think Qodosen is giving away over $20 worth of high quality batteries all of a sudden?

[@StratmanII]

@@Ni5ei Radios like the DX-286 don't really require a protected cell, but if you're willing to pay extra for the protection circuit I don't see why you shouldn't use a protected circuit 18650. 🙂 It runs nicely on an unprotected button top 18650 cell as long as you don't use those really cheap, unmarked and often unbranded batteries. The key word here is: "cheap". XHDATA D-368, D-808, D-368 and D-608WB radios are shipped with a non-protected button top 18650 battery. I've tried fitting a protected 18650 in my D-808s, but its extra length makes it impossible to fit inside the battery compartment. Flat top 18650s have a recessed positive pole which prevents making contact with the Qodosen's positive terminal, therefore an unprotected button top is the best fitting battery for this radio. Protected 18650 cells have differing lengths, depending on the thickness of its protection circuit. Older ones from 2020 can measure up to 71mm, making it difficult to fit into battery compartments requiring the standard 65mm 18650. The battery that Qodosen is shipping its DX-286 radios with is certainly not free as there is a notable price difference if one orders a radio without the 18650 cell. That's probably a good thing because the company isn't shipping cheaply made batteries that don't last long or are under-capacity. 10 Euros for that Keeppower battery is about the right price for a 18650 cell with a true capacity of 4000 mAH. 🙂

[@andrewfishpool89]

Only stopped by to see if Grig has got his GMRS license yet?

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

His still thinking about it. Frid

[@StratmanII]

🤣😂🤣

[@ericdixon2898]

Include USB-C, full SW band and SSB.

[@StratmanII]

Unfortunately the TEF6686 has no provisions for SSB or tuning past 27 MHz, unlike the Skyworks Si 4732 or 4735 DSP chips. That's not due to Qodosen's limitations, but NXP Semiconductors which designed the TEF 668x series chips. The upgrade to a USB-C port is however, doable by the Qodosen company.

[@ericdixon2898]

@@StratmanII ah.. thanks

[@JohnBallantyne-y1s]

It would be nice to have them available on ebay UK as well please Qodosen. Thanks for the update. I have one of the silver, smartie button TEF6686 radios already. Is the Qodosen monochrome screen quieter than the colour screen on that radio? Thanks, John.

[@ominkan3129]

I just received my Qo do sen from Amazon, no battery.

[@43wagonwheel]

I have had 2 of these and they don't power up. First one did not power up. I sent it back. I decided to order another one. This too does not power up. I have 4 fully charged batteries. Am I missing something here? I am in process of getting this one replaced. If it does not power up, I'm done. For good.

[@Greg-et2dp]

Frid in the shed your KZbin videos are awesome my friend

[@andrewfishpool89]

Yes Grig , they are.

[@deandaniels203]

How would you compare the DX -286 to the tecsun pl 368.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Not got that Tecsun myself. the tecsun would have finer tuning being PL and not DSP based. However i doubt it would have the same FM performance as the Teff chip in the Qod.

[@StratmanII]

I have both radios, but in the interest of fairness I compared the DX-286 to my Tecsun PL-320 and Sihuadon R-108 since neither have SSB capability. However if I had to compare the DX-286 against the PL-368, I'd take the DX-286 to trips where I don't foresee getting ham radio transmissions at the place I'd be staying at. For general shortwave and FM radio listening, I'd take my DX-286 along for its superb sound quality alone.

[@StratmanII]

@@CB-RADIO-UK I concur, the TEF6686 is much superior to the Si 4735 when it comes to the FM bands, but the Tecsun PL-368 uses the Si 4735 DSP tuner. It's not PLL. In the Tecsun world, all of its shortwave radios with a digital display use either the Si 4734 or the Si 4735 DSP chip. There are five notable exceptions though. The PL-600, 660, 680 and S-2000 are analogue PLL synthesized receivers while the inexpensive DR-920C is a single conversion analogue radio with a digital frequency readout. The PL-880, 990, H-501, S-8800 and S-2200 are hybrid, triple conversion receivers that combine analog PLL synthesis and DSP decoding/filtering with the Si 4735 chip. Their VFOs are PLL analogue, which is the reason they don't soft mute/chuff between frequencies. 🙂

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thats GREAT info on the Tecsun PLL tuning. Nice one.

[@safugpac2691]

I am interested if the new Xstar 4000 Mah 18650 battery will fit. Length 69.6 mm

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Not sure. Message Qodosen and I am sure they will answer.

[@safugpac2691]

I did and they didn't reply. Can you kindly measure the inside of the battery compartment? Maybe can be even moded to take 3 X AA batteries for a total of 4.5 volt.

[@d0ml0h]

I'm using Vapcell N40 Protected 4000mAh cell, it fits nicely in the battery compartment. Protected cells are always longer than the normal button-top.

[@JoeAyres-m8n]

Good evening Fred my name Joe iam new to radio my radio is CRT 9900 how would I contact you on 11 meters ps I live in IRELAND

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi. Only way we could make on air contact is by a very rare condition known as short skip. These conditions are very hard to predict an normally last a short period only. However you should hear the USA this time of year in the afternoon from Ireland on 27.025 AM and prob 27.385 LSB.

[@ericdixon2898]

It really could use two 18650

[@StratmanII]

A single 21700 lithium ion cell takes up less space than two 18650 batteries. 🙂

[@ericdixon2898]

@@StratmanII thanks.. obviously I'm new to this

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

I think it was because the non removable battery was considered safer.

[@StratmanII]

@@ericdixon2898 No worries. If you're interested in learning what battery types there are, just follow the flashlight or the vaping communities. These folks are pretty serious when it comes to the batteries that they use for their devices. I learned a lot about LiOn batteries from the flashlight channels on YT in just three months. Radio enthusiasts - not so much. Many know little beyond the AA sized batteries they grew up with, and lithium ions are usually outside their comfort zone. I came to know a few Tecsun PL-880, 990, H-501 and D-808 owners who are complacent with the substandard 18650 batteries that came with their radios. 🙂 If the battery comes free with the radio, it's usually at very little cost to the manufacturer, since they buy in bulk.

[@Greg-et2dp]

Frid in the shed I learn lot from you about bying cb radios and antennas for cb radios and power supplys for cb radios my friend

[@Greg-et2dp]

Frid in the shed 73s my friend

[@Greg-et2dp]

Frid in the shed your Qodosen DX-286 AM lw Fm sw 4band portable receiver is awesome my friend