Raddy RF919 AM FM LW WX AIR CB VHF UHF SSB Shortwave Radio Review

The Raddy RF919 AM FM Stereo LW Weather Alert AIR CB VHF UHF SSB Shortwave Portable Radio is Built from the Ground up for the Enthusiast. Experiment with Antenna Building, Superior FM Reception, Button Back Lighting, APP Control, Record it All, Single Side Band Operation, 1600 Presets, Scanning Mode, Squelch, Twin 18650 Power, Monster Speaker Audio, Aux-In, Quick Tuning, Dual Alarms, Always on Lighting Modes, and More to Keep you Busy Listening to it for Years to Come.
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Features I like about the RF919:
FM Performance.
Build Quality.
SSB is Easy to Tune.
Plenty of Presets.
External Antenna Options.
Adjustable Color Display.
Always On Lighting.
Replaceable Twin 18650 Flat Top Batteries.
Strong Speaker Audio.
Preset Scan Mode.
Proper Stepping for AIR, and VHF/UHF Bands.
Nice Bandwidth Selection.
EQ.
Perpetual Calendar.
Dual Alarms.
Record Feature.
Weather Alert Mode.
Type C Charging Jack.
Aux-In.
Features that could be Added or Improved on:
Scan/ATS button should be split, it is too easy to wipe your Precious Presets.
Better VHF/UHF Reception. My smaller handheld Bearcat scanner is More Sensitive.
Include MW Loopstick.
Overall, the Raddy RF919 gets a Maybe Recommendation at its Current Price Point. The radio is for the Enthusiast that wants to experiment with External Antennas, and wants a receiver that can tune in most of the frequencies that are Bouncing around the Globe.
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#raddy #rf919 #ssb

[@todderbert]

(paid link below) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are no additional costs to you. ▶ The Raddy RF919 Shortwave Radio at Amazon USA: amzn.to/3UygSPQ (paid link below) ▶ Save $15 at Radioddity when using my referral link: radioddity.refr.cc/todderbert

[@kevinfitzpatrick2416]

You better get 1

[@todderbert]

@@kevinfitzpatrick2416 or two.

[@alabamared2568]

Well I admit and admire you Todd and raddy should be happy because YOUR THE ONLY PERSON TO DO A PROPER REVIEW.. there's 3 other well know tubers that reviewed this and they didn't touch on 85% of the functions of this radio you did more in 5 minutes then there whole video thank you Todd!!!!

[@todderbert]

Most Humbled :)

[@godfellas483]

I can't think of a more packed with features radio...and it's a tabletop size. Great job Raddy,,.!

[@Kw1161]

Wow Todderbert…your radio looks just like mine, so I ordered a certain Yellow radio you featured back in June 2023 to one -up you…😂! Paul OMECT video helped me with the antenna settings, but still learning. To get NBFM on CB you must use the VHF setting, also works on 10M Ham band such as NY repeater on 29,620KHZ. To get the SSB CB use normal SW and use the BW to access SSB. The antenna settings are what taking me the most time to master along with the manual tuning knob. For MW and SW reception enabling the low-pass filters really helps. Also it nice to have two separate LNA’s and Attenuator’s can make allot of difference. For VHF and above turn the High-pass filter on and lowpass filter off. Have a great day! 73!

[@todderbert]

Cool, will have to try these settings out. I figured out the top were for loopsticks mainly, since they also use a TRS jack there. The manual tuner is ok, not the best for the internal loopstick, hopefully works well with the optional external one. When using antennas connected on the back jack, the manual tuner has no effect.

[@Kw1161]

@@todderbert 😀 that’s the challenge of this radio…🙏…helps too…😀!

[@spcyakima1077]

Imagine showing this radio to people from 100 years ago.

[@todderbert]

It would be witchcraft :)

[@NTPTM]

​@@todderbertHej i agree with you Todderbert and it wasn't so nice in those days if you were accused of being a witch unpleasant things could happen so lucky we don't live in those days take care Todderbert.

[@ClickinChicken]

yeah, think about that. Great mind.

[@ClickinChicken]

@@todderbert HA!

[@spcyakima1077]

@@ClickinChicken I'd tell them, "This is how much the radio has evolved over the years".

[@StratmanII]

Raddy sure makes radical looking radios! How can something that looks grotesque can be so cool and interesting at the same time? 📻😱

[@NTPTM]

Hi Todderbert, thanks for the review. The Raddy RF-919 is a very cool radio, and yes, there is competition out there. More radio brands make the same radio, such as Jazmm and Retekess. I also think HanRongDa has a model of this radio, so I definitely agree with you that the prices will probably go down a bit. I think these radios have an interesting and different look; I love that. They remind me of of portable radios we had in the Swedish military in the 80s, so I love the military look. Take care and have a nice day.

[@tenfourproductionsllc]

Raddy and Retekess might be the same company or at least the same radio mfg plant.

[@alabamared2568]

Thanks! For doing a proper and well explained review no one else has done a proper review. I will definitely be buying this raddy!!!

[@todderbert]

I appreciate the Support, and Feedback.

[@markr.1984]

Looks like a nice radio but I'd have to buy it and try it. At $250.00 that's a bit risky. I'll wait for more reviews besides this really good one though. Slightly weird are the allocations for VHF and UHF. In reality, VHF is from 30 to 300 MHz, while UHF is from 300 to 3000 MHz. Here's how Raddy lays out the two for this particular radio: VHF 20-250MHZ | NFM | -9dBuV | 1KHZ, 5.0KHZ, 6.2KHZ, 7.5KHZ, 12.5KHZ, 25KHZ UHF 250-999MHZ | NFM | -9dBuV | 1KHZ, 5.0KHZ, 6.2KHZ, 7.5KHZ, 12.5KHZ, 25KHZ So it looks like they split up the military air band, which is from 225 MHz to 380 MHz. So I wonder if that entire band can be scanned or searched properly and seamlessly?

[@HeartInLight]

This is very cool. So much packed into it. Really impressive. Raddy is doing some Raddy stuff :D

[@davidlingelbach9887]

I got one of the radios we're getting one I need to know about an antenna that I can use outside on my patio

[@chuckermatinger3794]

Very informative. You made this radio approachable. It really needs a memory protect button! I'm a bit surprised to see the mute on tuning and delayed tuning at this price point. A cool radio though!

[@todderbert]

The Scan feature of Presets is Excellent on the AIR, and VHF/UHF bands. I enjoy taking this radio out for a spin every day. I also noticed that when I am on SSB that I rarely have to fine tune when I find a conversation.

[@rickmontanez6053]

Excellent walkthrough of what looks like a fun radio. Thanks,

[@todderbert]

Expect some follow up videos.

[@jamesmao375]

The sound quality seems very nice, plenty of bass and tremble.

[@todderbert]

The EQ modes are helpful.

[@cipheroth]

Beatiful

[@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 the 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 one point of origin to another. You will see on the frequency meter as you do this a visual display that indicates the frequency strength of each individual frequency broadcast through frequency strength 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, ZHIWHIS and Retekess are companies operating from Communist China and are likely owned by the Chinese communist government or their military under various business banners or entities such as Raddy ,ZHIWHIS and Retekess. 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 radios but all future models of this particular radio. They need a revised schematic of this particular radio, a NEW schematic to base all their future production schedules on. 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.

[@skepticalmechanic]

Well said and I agree!

[@phoebus]

Yep I will not pay that kind of money for a radio that mutes.

[@chuckermatinger3794]

Thanks!

[@todderbert]

Awesome Chuck! You're the Best :)

[@christopherp3180]

Todd! The radio is awesome but the antenna setup is complex and instructions are cryptic! Please do a video on the antenna features soon! Clear instruction....thats where C crane shines (to name one of many reasons IMO)

[@todderbert]

I still can't figure out the convoluted mess that the antenna sections are. All that I know is the default settings work well on all the bands.

[@ScottH_]

I'm glad to see you reviewed this radio. I saw it pop up on Amazon recently and was intrigued, but the price is just too steep for me. But now, after seeing you cover the many features, I'm going to be really tempted when there is a sale. One question - Is there a setting to disable the muting that occurs when tuning? I've also got a radio suggestion for you - the TEF6686. There's a bunch of variations. The one I wound up getting has the red, yellow, and blue buttons on the front. Great, solid radio. Highly recommended.

[@todderbert]

There is no disabling the Mute on Tuning. Maybe a future update, or revision.

[@thehunter3386]

How many names is this being marketed under? Help me understand...

[@richardfranciscone3392]

If this thing had Line Out recording,it would be the total package,even at its price!

[@todderbert]

hmm, it records the radio fine.

[@richardfranciscone3392]

@@todderbert But being able to record from external devices just adds another dimension. Thanks for an interesting review!

[@todderbert]

@@richardfranciscone3392 I guess having a record feature at all is awesome. Glad they added it. Yes, recording of the Aux In would be great, along with BT.

[@ejc1956]

Sounds like a pretty neat radio but I don’t like the design or the price. I am buying the Raddy RF 757 instead, which I hope that you will review soon.

[@MayanMe365]

Thanks Sir great video!

[@todderbert]

You're Welcome! Will be filming many videos with this radio.

[@drsysop]

This is a DSP based tuner & if you live close to a FM commercial tower you can hear overload bleeding on the Shortwave bands. For the price of this made in China radio best to get a Tecsun PL-990x or H-501x as it does not mute while tuning & no bleed though. -Cheers!

[@todderbert]

I hear ya, that is why I state in the video this is not a good radio for those who are serious about Shortwave and SSB operation. The Mute on Tuning is heavy, and many seasoned listeners will not be fans. For me it is not troublesome, and I actually am happy with the performance from my location.

[@Wren1]

Nice. This look like a great home radio.

[@todderbert]

It sure is, then you get to experiment with all the external antenna options :)

[@ryanheinig7975]

Someone should modify the firmware to reassign the "erase" function to a different key, or a different key press function to eliminate accidental erase of settings.

[@michaelmiller9483]

Years ago I believe you reviewed the Radio Shack DX-375 ..was wondering what you would find comparable today? The thing would go forever on two c batteries and pretty good reception. Thank You for your help!

[@todderbert]

Probably a modern SW radio running on D Cells. Though the 375 may still kick it :)

[@DonzLockz]

Very, very cool. It's on my wishlist. TY Mr Todd.👍🍻🤠🇦🇺⁷³

[@DV-ml4fm]

Great radio. But I prefer a portable SDR radio. Btw, a great review.

[@chriswideman1218]

I thought the CC Skywave SSB had more features. It has a CB band hidden and VHF .

[@todderbert]

The Skywave doesn't let you receive the full VHF, UHF, or LW bands.

[@chriswideman1218]

@@todderbert oh ok Raddy thinks they 4 steps ahead of C. Crane. Next they gonna add digital TV audio to their radios. Watch and see. They might do it

[@todderbert]

@@chriswideman1218 Now that would be cool.

[@phoebus]

@@chriswideman1218 I have an old CCRadio that does have TV audio, but it doesn't work with digital signals.

[@HH-os7zh]

Just received my Raddy RF919 today. I have mostly figured it out, but what I can't find is changing the MW step to 10. It is at 9 kHz, and I can change it to 3 kHz, but not 10 kHz. I must have missed it in the manual, have read it, but just don't know how to do this. I see in your video you have it set to 10 kHz for MW, but I can't find out how. Doesn't seem to be in the main menu. Any Idea's ? Help would be greatly appreciated ! I found it ! Page 14 of the manual, 7.3.3. Somehow I missed this. I thought I read the whole manual, but I just missed it. Maybe others might read this....might help them.

[@reyesalejandrolandaverdeol3181]

Let’s Go!!!☺️

[@JulianCrippen-w1b]

What is your favorite food

[@ryanheinig7975]

Have FM, good reason to have stereo audio jack.

[@serpo700]

The soft muting is a deal breaker for me right now, if they correct this issue I would consider purchasing.

[@todderbert]

I'm not sure how they will pull it off. Would be awesome if they did. Just got a Tecsun PL-680, and although old, it is a champ when tuning with no muting.

[@serpo700]

Thanks for the reply, Raddy has issued a firmware update that is supposed to fix the muting iproblem but there are customers who have complained that their radio becomes bricked after installing the software. I wonder if Raddy is going to include the updated firmware with this model in the near future? Also at this price point, I think they should include a protective carrying case with the radio, the Zhiwis version of this radio does include the carrying case.

[@phoebus]

Soft muting? Sounded pretty hard to me. Anyway for a radio of this price muting and no 1kh tuning on AM is a deal breaker for me.

[@wu2u]

That excessive muting is a deal breaker for me

[@Frip36]

Thanks. Great info. A little distracting however, the way you talk in a flirtatious manner while gently bouncing on the bed on your knees having a mock pillow fight with girlfriend, careful to not talk much above a whisper lest you wake the parents. If I didn't know any better I'd think you were discussing the new Barbie phone rather than a military looking shortwave radio. Good stuff. Thanks.

[@ronaldzuccala-pv8tu]

WELL WOW. WHATS LEFT YO BE SAID. YES I WAS IN HOPE THAT YOU WOULD REVIEW THIS RADIO. ITS MY CHOICE FOR RADIO OF THE YEAR FOR 2024. YES PLEASE DO A SEPERATE VIDEO ON THE ANTENNA.THANKS VERY MUCH. RON Z. W3090swl. .

[@jonsanchez-4127]

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

[@orgelkraft]

If I bought that radio my wife would kill me and use the radio for my headstone. I'm pressing my luck with a XHDATA D-808.

[@todderbert]

The headstone will turn heads :)

[@johndewey6358]

If you buy this Raddy, buy the life insurance too!

[@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY]

3 kHz bandwidth for NOAA??

[@ClickinChicken]

If you, or anyone else get this. What TF card do you buy for it? It didn't come with one? Any tips? Please like otherwise I won't see it. tehe

[@todderbert]

I use 16GB Sandisk ones, they work perfect. You could use 32GB as well. It goes higher, but then you have make sure it is formatted as FAT32 using the EXFAT allocation table.

[@matthewhajjar-betters3703]

Do you show off any sponsor relationships in your videos? If you haven’t already, we’re you planning on doing that?

[@todderbert]

No direct sponsors yet. Would love to get a paid one :) Possibly in the future, but it has to be radio related, I dont feel like doing Ready to Eat Meal commercials.

[@jerryhenley4533]

NO SSB or AM on 6 Meters (50 Mhz or 144 mhz or 432 Mhz) jeese needs update. Wont give you audio output on scanning airband unless squelch is turned off, it does scan good on airband, just remember to turn squlech off or it will stop on freq and be muted bummer lol

[@todderbert]

that mute when squelch is active on a scan is odd.

[@njm1971nyc]

Anyone know if this has FM stereo (through headphone output)?

[@todderbert]

Yes, I mention this in the video. You can also record in Stereo, but you need to use headphones to monitor it to make sure you are receiving Stereo.

[@njm1971nyc]

@@todderbert thanks! 😊

[@outsider2222]

So is this a serious S.W. dx machine? Or is one better off with a tecsun 880 or similiar?

[@todderbert]

It is serious on SW. But it has Mute on Tuning, I don't mind it though, and it Easy to dial in a HAM conversation fast.

[@skylerphoenix8880]

What makes you say this wouldn’t be for the SSB guys??

[@todderbert]

I love it for SSB, but it has hard muting that many are not happy with. PLL receivers like the PL990, 880s, 680s, 660s, 909X are smooth, and don't mute. Most prefer that, though I'm good with the RF919. In fact I rarely have to Clarify the SSB signal with the fine tuning knob on the 919.

[@DG-zp2wz]

Great review. Is there a way to update the firmware?

[@todderbert]

Possibly, if they do it should be through the micro SD card. The firmware is fairly stable atm.

[@marcovL1970]

can you recieve RDS information on fm stations?

[@todderbert]

No, I wish it would. That would be a major update.

[@alfredindy8058]

Being in Chicago with a lot of RF interference, do you ever have to ground any of your receivers?

[@todderbert]

No, I actually live in the NW burbs. Grounding doesn't seem to help me much.

[@alfredindy8058]

@@todderbert Thank you! You answered two questions for me. Great review videos.

[@Bruce_W]

The design of a lot of these new radios sure look ugly to me. I seem to be a minority as most people like them. To me, they look like several different radios stuck together.

[@InertArmadillo]

Agree. It also makes it look kind of cheap and plasticky.

[@Devo57]

I honestly really like how they look, like a Star Wars or Guardians of the Galaxy type gadget, kinda a retrofuturistic thing.

[@RJDA.Dakota]

Looks rather utilitarian to me. Kinda military.

[@MJ-wk5lm]

I agree, it looks like a Mattel Army toy product from the 1966 Sears Christmas catalog 😂

[@mikevandebunt811]

It does look like a 1980s boom box that got sent to boot camp and went all military. 😁

[@davidlingelbach9887]

I'd like to know if you're using an external antenna and if you are what antenna are you using and how do you have it set up

[@todderbert]

Currently a Fezequin 22' wire strung out to my balcony. This works great for Shortwave, AIR, FM.

[@davidlingelbach9887]

You ran it out to your balcony and you have 22 ft what did you do with the rest of the wire. Like I said I live in an apartment the top floor above me I'm a good 10 feet. So the railing that you have is it wood or metal

[@todderbert]

@@davidlingelbach9887 There is not much extra wire left over, enough to reach my radio bench near the patio door. The balcony is long and narrow. I tied the end up to the wooden railing. Works great, I also elevated the wire as high as possible coming into the door.

[@CanadianPrairiesShortwave]

does the radio mute while tunning?

[@todderbert]

Yes.

[@TomCat4680]

So basically it's really weird looking a communications receiver.

[@MatthewCEBamber]

Functionality looks great but it's defo not a looker 😆

[@JulianCrippen-w1b]

Why you keep saying Iron Man lol

[@paulp.6399]

Because he's the man with the master plan!

[@asteroidcoming]

Perspective

[@michaelturner4457]

Laundry Man is better

[@jerryhenley4533]

Limitations are Lack of bandwidth, lack of modulation schemes on all bands, backlight wont go off even with radio off if not set right. Needs software update. Dont think you will enjoy MIL AIR band wont do anything but 4.5 khz FM Bummer :(

[@todderbert]

I just use the clock and alarm buttons to quickly turn my screens from always on to off. I leave a decent timer for the button lights.

[@todderbert]

It has a healthy amount of bandwitdth options, and I am surprised FM goes down to 20MHz.

[@radellaf]

256GB is cool. FAT32 only or ExFAT support?

[@todderbert]

Don't have a card large enough to test, but I can contact the company and ask them.

[@mauriziolored6123]

Too expensive for me

[@kestutisa3826]

will it work with electric plug, without batteries?

[@todderbert]

Yes it does, though it can reduce reception on the lower bands such as MW/LW/SW. FM/VHF seem to be good with it.

[@kestutisa3826]

@@todderbert great. so it works with Auxiliary (AUX) cable?

[@todderbert]

@@kestutisa3826 Yes, but you need a good power source, I noticed it went into charge mode even when there were no batteries installed. Just keep the volume level moderated to a medium-low setting and you should be ok.