Raddy ATS200 AM FM LW AIR Shortwave SSB Radio Review

[@todderbert]

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[@ominkan3129]

That is the original free firmware, which is the Chinese firmware. The one time paid firmware 4.2 is the way to go to really appreciate the radio and bug free. Which also, will give you over the air updates. The firmware you have will not be updated or hasn't been for years now because 4.2 is desired.

[@Funkteon]

Where do you download the good firmware?

[@ditto1958]

Seems like they should sell the radio with good firmware already installed. 😢

[@ominkan3129]

I think you would find Raddy doesn't make the radio but associated their name with it. Please tell me if I am wrong. The ATS 200 is the hand held version of the ATS 25 max decoder //. For either of the radios to realize their full potential, is having the paid Firmware version 4.2 installed, which refines the radio graphicly and feature wise and keeps being developed and improved with updates over Wi-Fi. The new firmware gives the ability to decode FT8, CW and more. The firmware on the radio out of the box will not thrill most radio users, but this is a serious radio with the 4.2 firmware.

[@todderbert]

Is the 4.2 firmware free? If it is, Raddy should ship the radio with it. Yes, Raddy is getting into these different brands to expand their Shortwave line-up. They have the Malahit DSP 2 as well. I think this was named the ATS120 before it was the ATS200. Based on similar firmware as the 25.

[@ominkan3129]

@todderbert No, the 4.2 firmware is not free. You can download it but it needs a licence key to unlock it. Many of the ATS 25 max decoder models and max disorder II models have the license key installed. The ATS 120 is the model without the decoder built in where the ATS 200 has the decoder for CW and FT8 signals but will not work without the 4.2 firmware. The UI graphics have also been extremely refined with multiple signal meters and CB section, and a scan that graphs the present signals active on the band, so you can tune directly to them. So much has been done to the firmware since the Chinese version, you are using.

[@Kw1161]

Thanks Todderbert for another great review of the Raddy 200 . I have the ATS 120 that I bought on Bangood about a year ago without the air band. The ATS 120 has the best RDS of any radio that I have, but I guess mis-translated menu required me to un-select the “FM button for RDS” afterwards the RDS works automatically and even showed a clock on a couple of stations. However I miss a built-in clock in the radio. For DXing I turn the Bluetooth off as I was getting interference on weak stations. I have not had the lock-up on the radio yet. I plan to buy the 4.2 firmware when I find the site. Remember Un-select the FM button RDS for automatic RDS. No Instructions came with mine so I came across a KZbinr who went over the basics. 73! Have a great day!

[@todderbert]

Doesn't work on the ATS200 I have. RDS only shows when the FM Button is pressed, and it goes into the hard locked presets.

[@todderbert]

Ok, got it to work! Disable it in the Settings Menu. What the heck. I never would have figured that out.

[@hamrad88]

Very informative. I was on the fence on this radio. Based on your video, I will definitely pass on this radio.

[@todderbert]

Thank you Tom.

[@noelwalterso2]

There's a feature I would love to see on these type of radios. So I'm just putting it out there in case someone wants to pick it up and run with it: On the preset selection screen each preset should have its own little signal strength indicator, or even just a carrier detection indicator. Also useful: if the frequency you are listening too matches one of your presets then it should indicate this fact and allow you to recall any other settings stored in that preset, like bandwidth, side band mode, stereo mono switch, etc.

[@W5NWA]

I have a lot of Raddy radios and have never had a problem until this one and the RF757. Something has happened to their QC but their customer service WILL take care of exchanges. Just this week I returned not one but TWO RF757's. After the second one they acknowledged there was a batch with display and charging defects that went out. This ATS200 is buggy as heck too. I'm not even halfway through this and see you are having some of the problems I have had. Waiting for the sound to go off then come back on then off again. It will happen. I'm not sure why they don't wait to release these radios until they are bug free but whatever. I still love them but it's over the top annoying.

[@todderbert]

Heard about that display problem. Hopefully you can get a unit that is fixed.

[@lew9223]

I like Raddy, they have some innovative designs but there is too much going on with this model. I doubt I'd have any more fun with that one than I do with my little ATS-20+. Great honest review Todd, thanks.

[@jamesmhebert]

Cool radio, todderbert, but clearly with “still developing” beta software. Something to watch, however. If they smooth out the bumps, looks like it will be worth it. (Was that reception static or speaker distortion during the violin music around 22:13?) Thank you for this first look!

[@todderbert]

Reception, the transmitter has been a bit flaky on me with the line level adjustment. Needs a cleaning most likely.

[@GiladGazit]

Excellent video! Thank you! Very interesting. Thanks for the negative recommendation at the end. You saved me the buck on an unnecessary purchase😊

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

I like 👍 the backlit feature of this radio 📻. Can ya DX with it? Your friend, Jeff.

[@todderbert]

Yes, using the proper external antenna. You may get decent results on Shortwave using the whip antenna and the LNA turned on.

[@robertmace8261]

You did not post a link for us to see who sells it any where on your posting.???

[@todderbert]

The link takes you to their site. Raddy hasn't put this radio on Amazon yet.

[@NTPTM]

Hej Todderbert thanks for the radio review the Raddy ATS-200 is a cool radio, but it needs improvements and newer firmware, so maybe it will be better then. I think, as you say, that the radio right now is a pass, and also for radio enthusiasts, so it is a pass for me. And it's like that sometimes when a radio has too many features, it can't be good at everything, but we'll see what happens with this radio. Of course, I listen a lot to the shortwave bands, single side band and so on, so I like that it was good at those bands, but still, this radio must be better on the other bands as well. Take care Todderbert and have a lovely weekend.

[@MrSparks54]

I have the ATS-120 which looks identical. Any idea what the differences are? Thanks Todd

[@todderbert]

I think the ability to run a different firmware if I'm not mistaken..but I think both radios probably have identical parts on the inside.

[@todderbert]

Also, does the ATS120 have BT audio send? this is such a great feature.

[@MrSparks54]

@@todderbert No BT audio send that I can find but that doesn't mean it's not there 😄Also no Airband but there may be a firmware upgrade

[@todderbert]

@@MrSparks54 Hope that is possible, I would think so. Probably the same DSP, just a band that wasn't utilized. BT send is automatic, and in the menu. I'm assuming your radio has the ESP32 microcontroller which is famous for having onboard BT, and WiFi.

[@MrSparks54]

@@todderbert Yes the 120 has the ESP32 chip

[@chriswideman1218]

Which is more expensive and the best radio? The Raddy AM FM LW SW AIR SSB radio or the C Crane CC Skywave SSB radio?

[@todderbert]

I'm going to say CC Skywave SSB, reason, it is ultra portable. It may not have all the options of the RF919, but it is small, and tunes SSB, and has Weather Alert. All while running up to Seventy Hours on two standard AAs.

[@chriswideman1218]

@todderbert I still love my skywave SSB

[@elmofeneken4364]

I figured one of these would show up sooner or later - the ATS120, the ATS120Pro, the ATS120D, the ATS200, and the little brother the ATS100. Boy those Chinese companies are all in cahoots together, now Raddy jumped on board. Soon ZHIWHIS, HanRongDa, and Retekess will probably follow suit.

[@todderbert]

Those other companies may not, Raddy is out on a limb with these specialist radios. I like them, when the firmware works. The simple ATS-20+ is a Champ, so much can be had for a little cash :)

[@elmofeneken4364]

@todderbert I got an an ATS20+ and you're right, its a lot of radio for the money. I also got a ATS100 which ain't bad, AM(MW) is bad FM somewhat OK - it's more a SW machine and it gets some getting use to, but I got that cheap also

[@ominkan3129]

Your ATS 20 plus firmware can be updated for free, to the firmware that adds many features. You probably know already.

[@NTPTM]

Hej you are right and I don't have the ATS 20+ but I will definitely buy that radio take care and have a nice weekend.

[@ominkan3129]

@NTPTM Be careful which ATS 20 plus you buy. There are ones that have problems, that the unit will not see the computer and has a chuffing sound. Look for the manufacturer that has the straight style A like this and not angled. Also look for the edges of the back panel fitting perfectly and not hanging past the metal case. If you can see the back make sure the back panel has a de-bossed design on it and not just smooth. I hope you get a good one.

[@NTPTM]

@ominkan3129 Hej okay thanks for the info very good to know it's always good to get info before buying a certain radio so thanks for that take care and have a nice friday.

[@lew9223]

That is the ATS-20+ I recently bought, with the sharp A. Great little radio

[@ominkan3129]

@lew9223 Yes it is. Works as it is supposed to. Glad to hear it.

[@dxace1]

These also suffer from local FM/AM signal break in...

[@todderbert]

That I have not noticed, but I have not juiced it with a long wire yet. I did have a great time on MW with a Passive loop directly connected.

[@markr.1984]

I don't need air band but if it has it I'd want it to work right. And too many other problems so far. And I don't want to have to update the firmware. So I'd wait a year or two until they come out new ones with better firmware already installed. Until then I'll pass.

[@scottthomas7870]

I could never own an AM/FM/SW unit such as this. I have enough problems texting on my android phone (teeny-tiny characters) and reading the responses. As far as smaller radios, my CCrane Skywave is within reach on a shelf next to my office desk. Besides, the Raddy looks as if it happens to fall out of your pocket, the cool electronic display will go dark. No thank you.

[@todderbert]

I agree, this is for the tinkerer, and programmer type. The coolest feature is the Bluetooth Audio Send. Glad to start seeing this on radios. Oh, and I have a great time tuning it with a Terk Advantage Passive Loop hooked up to it. I'll have separate videos for those scans.

[@michaelk.2210]

Totally useless product. Tinny sounding AM/FM and as always with all these products no reception for short wave.