Tecsun R-909 AM FM Shortwave Portable Radio | Review 2.0

The wonderful Tecsun R-909 AM FM Shortwave portable radio is my first choice to suggest to someone who would like to get into radio listening on the go.
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Features I like about this radio:
Pure analog tuning goodness.
FM reception is decent.
AM reception is fantastic.
Shortwave reception is fun to explore.
Tuning indicator LED.
Band indicator LED.
Compact form factor.
Speaker has a good tonal quality.
Headphone jack is usable.
DX/Local switch.
Nice color combo.
Easy to tune.
Nice length antenna.
Features that could be added or improved on:
Expand the Shortwave bands.
Add a kick stand on the back.
FM stereo.
Overall, for someone who would like to get started into long distance AM & Shortwave listening doing it the old school analog way, then this radio is for them. I would recommend this radio to anyone in a heartbeat. All the bands work properly on this unit. It is refreshing and fun to explore with this receiver.
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[@todderbert]

▶ The Tecsun R-909 Radio at eBay: bit.ly/TecsunR909 (paid link) As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase. There are no additional costs to you.

[@waynedavis2507]

With an outdoor antenna this radio really rocks. I was amazed with the shortwave stations I was getting. Thank you for the tip. A real gem.

[@konglives4453]

Excellent 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.

[@vimbembrook7408]

Nice tiny radio...I loved it. It sounds good and has reasonable sensitivity. I like to suffer in catching the clear signal, just like we had during 70s and 80s🙃

[@RandomGuy-rn9hn]

I bought the R-909 a while back from Aliexpress when it was on sale for like $13 and I agree that it is a good radio for the price. I only have 3 problems with this radio. Two of the problems are minor annoyances, but their is one that annoys me a lot despite the fact that I like this radio. The two minor annoyances are that there is no kick stand and the volume wheel takes a bit of force to turn off the radio, which scares me that I might break the radio. The major gripe I have is that Tecsun the FM scale is off by like 2-3 MHz. The needle on mine doesn't even go down to where the scale lists as 88 Mhz. For example, if I want to find a station on 91 Mhz, I would have to look around where the radio marks as the 94 Mhz point. I also bought a Kaito WRX-911 for $10 on ebay and the FM scale on that radio is also off as well. So it seems like Tecsun/Kaito has a problem with designing their tuning scales to match where the stations are located. Other than the inaccurate tuning scales, these are good radios to put in your car and just chill out and listen to music/talk show radio.

[@Klassenfeind]

The scale on the small tecsun analog radios are notoriously off, it's really annoying. I agree with you on the volume wheel's on/off function, it needs way too much force, however the switches on those tecsuns are not much better. We get what we paid for. The local/DX switch has contact problems so I never use it. At least we always get the lanyard which is totally useless for most people 😂

[@argentik82]

At the time I was reading your comments, I imagined that Tecsun, Grundig, Kaito and Sangean engineers know well some of these reviews... all this videos are such an useful resources of the performance of their products.

[@salmorreale7900]

My 660 is off too.

[@jjcoolaus]

Do a revisit of the R-9012 please in the long review format. Only pull the antenna out half to 3 quarter of the way to get better fm performance

[@JohnRAllen]

Thanks!

[@stephengaren2219]

I store mine, along with my Retekess AM/FM/WR, Sangean antenna/adapter and batteries for both radios in an old Sport Zone camera bag (late 80's/early 90's). My emergency radio kit. My Tecsun PL-330 fits as well, but with all the push-buttons it isn't as well suited for the camera case. Tornado season is upon us, so having a emergency radio grab and go is a plus.

[@marcosmza1962]

You are right. I could test it and it is a more than decent inexpensive radio. Nice sound and sensitivity. Very selective and well aligned dial. Thanks Pete (again) :)

[@todderbert]

Great! A low cost radio that does the job. Good to hear that the quality is consistent on this model.

[@silviusas5309]

It doesn t have 25 meter band!from 12.10 to 14.95 this is a big minus

[@StratmanII]

I ordered the R-909 from XHDATA's official store on Lazada after watching your informative and detailed review. 😀 It's not for me but for our live-in domestic help from Indonesia. She understands only Indonesian or Malay language so English and other foreign Asian languages on SW would not interest her. I live in Malaysia and there are no local MW stations, only FM. MW Dxing is useless in my part of the world as the only two or three faint MW broadcasts that can be picked up sporadically are from Thailand or Myanmar, in their respective native tongues. On FM there are many broadcast stations in Malay and you've highlighted that FM is the R-909's strongest point. The seller, who is based in China sells XHDATA and Tecsun radios from has also informed me that the R-909's FM performance beats both the slightly more expensive R-9012 and DR-920C - so the R-909 would be the best choice for our maid. As for me, I purchased a Tecsun PL-660 (latest firmware 6622) and have a PL-330 on the way after watching your other reviews of both models! 📻👍🏼

[@StratmanII]

Updates: I received a poorly made R-909 from the seller. The frequency indicator was slanting and not straight like your radio. The FM band was easily plagued with indoor electrical nterference in between stations. No other radio in my house behaved like that even with the WiFi AP router downstairs turned on 24/7. The speaker grille holes had specks of dust outside the speaker aperture, as if it was from a very old stock. 😞 SW reception is decent outdoors though. The seller refused to have it exchanged as a slanting dial indicator wasn't considered a defect and said that was to be expected for a "new" $13 Tecsun radio. Oh well, lesson well learnt. 😒 Good thing the PL-330 fared much better although its tuning knob was a bit wobbly.

[@marcosmza1962]

The one of two I bought arrived to Buenos Aires (yes, things that happen when you think your order has failed in some www. and you try with another one LOL). I think it will be at home the next week. I want to test it in the mountain in a free QRM environment. I will upload some videos to my channel, dedicated to DXing with low and high cost portables. Thank you Pete!

[@АлександрПоляков-с9м]

Hello. Great video. I can't pick a radio. Choosing between Tecsun r-9012 and Tecsun r-909. What can you advise? Thanks.

[@hielmyz]

My friend have both, and he recommended this R-909

[@jimberence]

If prefer better SW receiving, better R-9012, or else take the R-909 (better in FM & AM band)

[@abbasmohammadbeygi2055]

Thank you for helping me with the purchase

[@artur19846]

I have XHdata 808 it receives everything possible even signals from other continents without special antenna (outside, of course) but I've also ordered Tecsun R909 coz it looks so nice and radioish, as the radios in dear old times!

[@miguelsalami]

Hey if you want I will trade you this KK-9 GOLD JINRU For your d808 that way it would save me $140 bucks on ebay & I wouldn't have to use an outdoor sloper.

[@sumansinghamahapatra1885]

@@miguelsalami realy what a day when kaide kk9 was trending

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

It seems there are some clones of this model sold by QFX (QFX9) and Kaide (KK.9) with slight visual changes. Not sure if they still use the same 100% analog circuitry or use DSPs. I haven't been able to obtain any of these so far but really like the original Tecsun R-909 a lot. When i was a kid i could only dream of ever owning a compact radio like that which receives radio programs from all over the world. Those radios were sooo much more expensive in the 90s.

[@larrystates5874]

I have this radio and it's one of my favorites to use. Solid quality build with very sensitive AM and decent FM and Shortwave.reception. It also has plenty of volume with good speaker tone.

[@todderbert]

I prefer this radio to the R9012 because it has a good FM circuit.

[@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY]

todderbert 76-108 Mhz for R9012 and 88-108 Mhz for R-909

[@todderbert]

@@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY Good to know, though the R-9012's FM reception is the pits. The FM reception on the R-909 is good.

[@silviusas5309]

It doesn t have 25 meter band!from 12.10 to 14.95 this is a big minus

[@nori2598]

Sir todderbert first I want to say I'm a fan here. I want thank you for great videos about radios that are not only informative but also entertaining for me because I'm a radio lover. I have a small collection. I have a Retekess v115, Indin BC-r60, Panasonic RF-2400D, Sony ICF-P26 and other cheap radios from china. My newest is this Tecsun R909 that just arrived last week. I love it so much that I'm planning to buy another one so I have another in case the other one gets old and breaks. But I have a little problem. I have a pair of 1.2V AA batteries and it doesn't fit on this radio that I have to force it a little and I don't want to do that. Do your rechargeable batteries fit on your R-909? Are my batteries too big or the compertment of the R-909 is too small?

[@Eccadairius]

Your radio looks like my Bell & Howell World Band Receiver!

[@krjames5880]

Is this the same as the KK-9 ? Which certainly looks the same with minor plastic case differences.

[@CriLu]

kk-9 is a economic clone, the dx/local switch is a fake...

[@fixman88]

That looks like a nice one to get!

[@todderbert]

I enjoy it. Everything works as it should. Nice to find on an inexpensive radio.

[@josealeixes2861]

Muito bom seus vídeos eu aprendo muito com eles e já vou comprar os 3 modelos parabéns…

[@Dr.kuldeepyadav777]

Respected Sir, With your Experience Which Model is Better or Exactly Difference Between Analog Tecsun R-9012 & R-909. I'm from India. 📻

[@anulearntech]

How does the R909 compare with the R911 and R9710? I've also heard about the R912 and there is the R9012 which I've heard isn't so sensitive.

[@tvradio1972]

This is how QFX should’ve made their R-9 world receiver instead of the way they actually did it. By the way, I finally ordered a couple of radios through Amazon tonight. Hint: They’re two radios that you have reviewed before. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@todderbert]

C.Crane Skywave SSB and Sangean 909X! :)

[@tvradio1972]

todderbert Good guesses, but way less expensive. I ordered the Tivdio V-111 & the Retekess V-115 and will be receiving them on Saturday. The V-111 for its size & the V-115 for its recording capabilities.

[@jeffking4176]

De_Cos1972 📻👍

[@tvradio1972]

Jeff King Thank you Jeff. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@todderbert]

@@tvradio1972 Those two radios will be fun. Great choices for low cost portables.

[@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY]

As you opened the back of the radio, You may modify it’s tuning range for AM to expand it, originally, it starts from 520 kHz up to 1630 kHz but I expand it up to 1700 kHz but the tuning starts at 530 kHz at the very start.

[@hoanganhle2576]

Got this and a bunch of other radios you've featured in your channel for around $10 each, living near China definitely has some advantages lol. Great quality radios though.

[@user-dl5fv8wl8k]

Tecsun R 9012 or tecsun R909, what do you think?I am more interested in medium and short waves.

[@jimberence]

Get the r-9012 if u just like AM & SW band, it's more sensitive on those band as well as it's got more SW frequency coverages from about 3.9 Mhz

[@stephenwilliams5201]

Kinda grainy audio. what class af amp? Or is it just the speaker that dosen't have proper bandwidth . Interesting rig tks.

[@NewEnglandBeachDetecting]

Recently purchased this radio works great the only thing I’m noticing is the needle is off any adjustment to fine tune it?

[@ghumneyketa7810]

Does this play BBC ?

[@CovidPhone]

Hi Dear All What is the DX Mode. Is it Really Helpful for Improving Sensitivity. Plz Guide...❤

[@todderbert]

The radio defaults to DX mode, the Local mode is used when the signal is strong, or close.

[@marinho12111983]

Hello! Very good video! Congratulations! In your opinion, what Tecsun model is better on Medium Wave, the R909 or R9012? TKS! 73!

[@todderbert]

Probably the R9012. The 909 has a better balance on all three bands. Its FM is much better than the 9012's.

[@marinho12111983]

Thank you so much for your attetion! So if I want to listen more MW radios it is better to buy the R9012, correct? Do you know the construction differences between both? Because they look so similar. TKS!

[@imwatchingyou6113]

@@marinho12111983 which did you purchase and was you happy with your choice and is it still working ok...thank you..

[@tech29X]

XHDATA D219 vs Tecsun R909, which one would you choose?

[@user-li3mk6wu9f]

@tech29x. The Tecksun r909 is a very good radio real analog , but the XHDATA its a little bit better and has a DSP chip.Personaly i have the Tecksun r 909.

[@mickeybrumfield764]

Looks like a good inexpensive radio always like the tuning light on a radio. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@todderbert]

Thank you, Happy Thanksgiving.

[@soldierloz]

Hi there, looks a good budget radio? Is there an indicator to tell you what SW band your on or is it via the slide switch on the top? Thinking of buying one for my bug-out bag. Do you recommend it for this purpose? Thanks, Lance

[@todderbert]

that would work out nicely. just store some of those energizer lithiums that have a long shelf life with it.

[@todderbert]

The shortwave band indicator is by the switch.

[@JohnRAllen]

Todd if I can get this for under 25 bucks....do you still like this radio ? Tks

[@todderbert]

Yes, still a fun radio to use, and carry.

[@abcdxyz2383]

Sir tecsun r909 analog radio

[@lacrossewieas2411]

Looks like one I have, the bell and Howell, I almost got a Eskip on fm on this also how about this or a PL-310et what’s better

[@todderbert]

The 310ET all day long.

[@alfredoagosto1196]

What buy this iron-man 52 cards and tecsun r-909 radio.

[@nor4277]

I haveing trouble finding that one you did with the ajustable am tuneable antenna ,you gave sites where we could buy it.

[@todderbert]

How to Improve your radio's AM FM & SW Reception: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2SzemBon7BqnpI

[@miguelsalami]

Not a bad little SW 👍👍 Just bought a very inexpensive under $10 "Gold Jinru" FM-TV/MW/SW1-7 Multiband, Model KK-9 Rom www.banggood.com it looks very simular to this Tecsun 909 & the FM works very well, just got it today so will have to see if SW works at night IDK but it's a very cheap radio. I'm considering this 909 for my next SW then for 3rd the Tecsun R9700dx. Btw I've had a Analog GE Super radio that's hard to beat on AM. Thanks for sharing💛

[@putraperdana4941]

I want to ask what the function of the local DX is for, sir, I don't know about it...? Explanation please

[@todderbert]

If you have a strong station near you, the setting to local is preferred. DX is for fainter signals that you are trying to receive.

[@jorgeperez-gk8qj]

Precio uno tecsun R909??

[@ryanpascual9598]

It's a world receiver!™

[@vorontsovip]

909 супер

[@avijitmallick3106]

Mr todderbert...if i want both am and fm work fantastic,which one would be good....r 909,r 911 or r 9012....

[@todderbert]

out of those three the R-909 is the best all around. The R9012 is the best on AM/SW. The R-911 fits around the middle somewhere, the speaker is smaller so the sound is a bit on the high and tinny side.

[@avijitmallick3106]

mr.@@todderbert thank u a lot...i have bought 3 radios after watching your reviews..three of them worked fantastically..my next radio is going to be tecsun r 909...thanks for ur radio reviews.u r doing a great job :)

[@jeffreyarnold2929]

Just got this one in mail today. I'm very pleased with it. Your reviews are excellent I also got the R9012 for my wife and our beach house in SC. It is also excellent.

[@user-kq1lf4lk3m]

909 or 911 which is best....can u tell me plz?

[@todderbert]

909

[@tmthanhable]

I prefer 909

[@guara212]

I bought one but the pointer of the dial, is a little off 3 mm is this normal in yours? Bruno MG Brazil

[@todderbert]

My dial is fairly accurate, not 3mm off, you may be able to adjust yours if you feel comfortable taking radios apart and tuning the oscillators.

[@guara212]

@@todderbert tanks

[@taba524]

Which one have a better sensitivity R909 or degen De321?

[@CriLu]

Degen de-321 use a dsp chip, is better in all, but missing the analogue sensation...

[@bigkamran]

Is it analog or DSP type?

[@todderbert]

Analog

[@tmthanhable]

True analog !

[@silviusas5309]

It doesn t have 25 meter band!from 12.10 to 14.95 this is a big minus

[@aniljadhavar2376]

Praice kitana hai

[@todderbert]

About $20 USD.

[@harishorder730]

@@todderbert appreciate you taking the time out to translate the query.

[@richierich4810]

If i was in the uk could i pick up the usa stations on it?

[@gabrielgomez2483]

It’s analog so yes!

[@joseaugusto8284]

@@gabrielgomez2483 Analógico puro ou DSP?

[@SangiTariq]

What you find about this radio. Is it good, best or better

[@todderbert]

For the price it is "better".

[@SangiTariq]

@@todderbert for Reception is it not good?

[@todderbert]

Reception is good on all bands.

[@SangiTariq]

@@todderbert Good

[@SangiTariq]

Tecsun R-1012 is good or Tecsun R909 good for Reception?

[@pokedude104]

I've been using this as an AM radio as there are still a couple stations around playing music over AM. Found the FM to be very poor for my area and shortwave being almost non existent in the western world anymore all I can ever get is that religious nut who seems to be broadcasting 24/7. Probably would help if there werent dozens of devices all around me spitting wifi signals everywhere

[@MauricioHermosa]

Review Sony icf m260

[@jeffking4176]

📻👍🙂‼️

[@user-pk8mk7fm3c]

Это все мыльницы которые больше трещат чем работают как надо?

[@todderbert]

I have yet to have a Tecsun "crack". Anyone else here have one of these radios crack on them? Not by a hard fall either.

[@1starshina]

@@todderbert He meant crackling and noise during the radio broadcast.

[@xtc2v]

Surely tuning indicators are a waste of battery power. Just tune by ear? Go right over the station and draw back to the peak

[@gabrielgomez2483]

@@ashab1 lol deaf people? I think a tuning led would be the least of their problems trying to use a radio

[@ghumneyketa7810]

Can it play BBC ??

[@todderbert]

Most likely if the conditions are good. I may look into a dual conversion circuit for better selectivity on the analog band. The Tecsun R9710 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZW7nIConturlbs .

[@CriLu]

but... Chinese character on the body and dial, and little speaker...

[@CriLu]

but little speaker like R-911...

[@NSNorfolk]

Rather an uninspiring performer, overall. Then, it is a $22 radio.

[@Dr.kuldeepyadav777]

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