NIA's New Radio? Beware and Avoid the OR-206 AM FM portable!

[@gklinger]

Aw, nuts! I just ordered one on Sunday for my niece and I hope I don't get the new model. If so, I'm getting a refund as I bought the RD, not the OR. I've seen this before actually. Electronics like this are produced in batches and everyone was selling from that original manufacturing run. Your review created demand and they probably sold out. That's why many are saying they didn't get their radios. The manufacturer then, based on new orders, made another production run. Some components may no longer be available or perhaps cheaper components were found (penny saved, penny earned) and either way, the new production run ends up being an inferior product. Sadly, this is pretty common in China.

[@todderbert]

I hope you get the RD, but you said it so well. I'm going to pin this.

[@gklinger]

I'll report back when it arrives.

[@jeffking4176]

Golan Klinger Many Of is are waiting until you do. 👍

[@ChintanPandya01]

Golan Klinger And..?

[@kerzman]

I wonder what would happen if you rewrapped that coil or just replaced it in the OR-206? I mean if you still had it around?

[@sandokan66]

Hmm, wanted to buy from your amazon store but u do not ship to my country :

[@danpetreikis]

the RD206SP doesn't seem to be available any longer, but I do see a very similar unit on Amazon, listed as the Mika MC002. Anyone know if its similar to the RD206? OR the OR 206? Or is it something else entirely inside?

[@todderbert]

The Mika is different. It is close, but still not the same. Getting the batteries in and out of that one is a challenge.

[@patrickkerns2022]

What about the mika radio .?looks similar

[@todderbert]

I picked up the Mika, its ok, it sounds a bit distorted, and installing batteries is a bit of a pain.

[@todderbert]

Make sure to follow my Twitter account: twitter.com/todderbert , if any of you use that. I was able to post the information immediately so others could be warned as quickly as possible to this problem.

[@teeeeeveeeee314]

Hi Todderbert. I saw your piece here, and I went rushing to eBay to see if there could be an RD version left. When I got there, 3 companies were selling it, and one saying there was only 1 left. I got it quickly for $7, and the reason is that it was that I saw on its heading the term *electronics manual*. The other two had the term *components manual * Is there a distinction of the two, and could the electronics one have possibly been the last RD? Your thoughts...

[@todderbert]

I'm really not sure. That is why I mentioned for people to ask the seller before buying. My guess is they got new batches in from a random chinese factory, and this may be the new revision.

[@bri13wvu1]

Todd thanks for this video. Anyone have updates on these? I just ordered on on flea bay titled "RD-206S." I don't have one of the originals to compare it to, but will report back with how it is...

[@todderbert]

send me a link to my email on my about section. I would love to check it out. I have one with a built in MP3 player that I have yet to review. I love all these copies and variations. Hoping one day they get it right like the original.

[@troytaylor1913]

It wasn't good. Mine had some small solder splashes and the electrolytic cap C23 had one lead not soldered. Both selectivity and sensitivity was poor on AM. I even rewound the antenna by hand with new LITZ WIRE. That helped it a little but not much.

[@todderbert]

@@troytaylor1913 so it is using a crummy dsp also. bummer, thought for sure a rewound antenna may help a ton.

[@troytaylor1913]

I think it did help a bunch. They epoxied the LITZ Wire on the ends so I broke the wire while removing it. I was guessing on how many turns to give it. I got it close because the stations were close to matching the dial. Decent AM radios can get 770 KOB in the daytime about 180 miles away I couldn't get it. I haven't tried it at night yet. I'm thinking if they used that first antenna from long ago it might be great again.

[@troytaylor1913]

I'm done looking at it. Here are some part numbers. DPS chip C9611, audio chip TDA2822. This chip must be a brother C9612 and I found a diagram on how the circuit is connected up. xn--p8jqu4215bemxd.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/C9612.pdf The Kaimeda SR-201 is a much better radio for a dollar less.

[@jeffking4176]

So is the OR 206 the only one being sold now,or are both models available ❓

[@todderbert]

Something you will have to ask your potential Seller, mine has no clue. Its "my problem" type of response. I'll bet that this OR-206 will be the new revision from now on unfortunately. Check with all the sellers by messaging them to see what they say if your still interested in one.

[@TheRadiogeek]

I have noticed that on the low cost radio on a chip radios the radio chips are older generation IC's. I think the Chinese buy old stock or maybe recycled IC's to make low cost radios and when the part source runs dry they redesign with another obsolete Ic that can be had for next to nothing. Very interesting life cycle.

[@todderbert]

This newer old stock IC is horrible on the FM, so I imagine even with a better wound antenna coil the AM would still suffer. Its all about the quality of this "radio on a chip" architecture.

[@thomasniner001]

The old bait and switch game. The package says the right number.

[@todderbert]

The package is dead on to the other model. They just changed out most of the guts, and used a cheaper fab on the plastics, probably why the battery doors don't work properly.

[@gklinger]

Having to modify the packaging costs more than you might think so they just keep printing off the old masters. Tivdio is doing a similar thing to save a few bucks with their HR-11* radios.

[@teeeeeveeeee314]

It looks like the RD was digital, and the OR seems to be an analog. Your opening of both radios at the end seems to confirm that.

[@todderbert]

I think they are both based on a DSP chip. The OR-260s chip just doesn't seem to be optimized with its antennas, or is just a poor chip maybe? Analog looks a lot different inside. The tuning capacitor is the big giveaway. My recent Kaito KA230 is an analog style, listen to how it moves through the band. You will notice there is no stepping heard.

[@Kuraio]

May I know which seller you got this from?

[@todderbert]

I have an open case pending, when it closes I'll post it publicly.

[@wildcatcreeksurvival2414]

Thanks for the comparison!

[@todderbert]

Your Welcome, you can really see the difference. I had to get this out in the wild because so many of us were recommending this radio.

[@wildcatcreeksurvival2414]

I would imagine that if the production of the RD has ceased that it's value will climb among the ultra-light collectors like the Sony SRF-59 did when it's production ceased, though it's actual value has tapered off along with general interest since so much more has come on the market since then, but at it's peak I saw units still in the original package actually selling for $125 - crazy, lol.

[@losbanos999]

I saw your other video on the original great cheap radio and ordered it in February from eBay. Guess what happened? Yup...I got the OR-206 instead. AM tuning is horrible. SAD...as I really was expecting to have the great tuner you talked about before. I gave the seller a NEGATIVE review for "bait and switch".

[@royrow8879]

Thanks for the warning. I ordered the radio months ago when your first video came out. Ìt never came. I just got my refund from ebay last week. I was going to try again until I saw this. I appreciate the warning.

[@todderbert]

Your Welcome, I really wanted this radio to stay the same..but it didn't. Shame.

[@nathanm8232]

If you want a radio that will last for years, get a Sony ICF-F10 or anything that’s in the ICF range

[@mcdus78]

Nate All my Sony Radios are ICF! (SW22 and SW7600GR). I really want to have the F10 and J40 but very hard to find in the market. Ebay will just rip me off.😄

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

thanks for the heads up. 73,KB3AUM

[@todderbert]

Your Welcome, I see a lot of unhappy people in the next few weeks when their radios start to arrive. I just got mine after a four week wait.

[@ArndroidInc]

Thanks man.

[@todderbert]

Your Welcome Arnold, just trying to get the word out, because I promoted the heck out of this radio. Now its damage control. :(

[@valobou]

thank you !

[@todderbert]

Your welcome, glad to get the word out.

[@RobertNES816]

Wow that's a big difference in build quality. What a shame.

[@todderbert]

It seems about right from China. Will we see an earlier example again? I'm guessing not..which is sad since this was such a great find for the money.

[@RobertNES816]

todderbert yeah it seemed like it was. I was on the fence about ordering one since I've heard about people ording things from China and never getting their order. I guess the most Chinese radio I'll ever get is that Toshiba I ordered haha. Oh and I also ordered one in black....the black one is way nicer looking BTW. At least it is to me, the Toshiba also has good consistency between them since the alignment and reception seems to identical between them.

[@RobertNES816]

todderbert Also when I call the Toshiba Chinese I mean its internal parts. They're all from Chinese manufacturers which makes me think the board might be outsourced or at least the components are.

[@tedspang1945]

Ughhhh... that's the one I got.

[@tedspang1945]

Btw, I ordered a new one on ebay that said it was a RD-206SP. What are the chances that it's really the OR-206 ???

[@todderbert]

Chances seem likely. I mentioned for potential buyers to ask the sellers if the radio is the new OR-206. Good luck, I hope you find one.