Review: Digitech AR1780 portable HF SSB receiver

[@philireland1678]

I forgot to mention that the RDS function is quite good, I can get full RDS from Orange 55 kms away. Further to my comments on sensitivity, I'm currently listening to 2MBS-FM 102.5 mHz from Sydney, noisy signal I concede but with ABC Classic fm on 102.7 in Orange, no issues with selectivity. I think its a very good performer on fm. AM is excellent too considering its small size. I get China on 783 kHz and 909 kHz no problems late evening and Indonesia occasionally on 810 kHz. Cheers..... Phil

[@vk3ye]

Thanks Phil - yes I was surprised how well it heard FM stations 200kHz apart. I though 400 kHz was good going!

[@HenryFalkner]

I like mine very much. You can change the tuning step by pushing the rotary dial. You get 5 kilo Hertz, 1 kilo Hertz, and none. Only works on the rotary dial. Up-down button is fixed at 5 kilo Hertz.

[@Mainsail1975au]

They're currently on sale for $89, but I'm still not sure about the radio, but might be okay for a backpack. I do have an Sangean ATS909, but the audio is a bit distorted from leaving it out in a shed for a couple of weeks. I think it has degraded the speaker, but an external speaker sounds okay.

[@digitalmediafan]

You should get the cheaper xhdata d 808 which is better looking and even covers the Russian OIRT FM band...same insides just different design in the case and very slightly larger than the Digitech AR-1780

[@materialdefender3599]

4:18 isn't that a scene from STAR WARS ?

[@mariajosemunoz-quirosespin5043]

After a few weeks playing around with the Digitech AR-1780, my overall satisfaction for the radio was decreasing due to the fact batteries are eaten by the radio when in off mode. If I leave the radio for a few days off, then the batteries gets completely depleted, even if the radio has never been turned on and no alarm is enabled. After some troubleshooting I have discovered the current used by the radio when is in off state is about 2,7 maH, witch it a lot compared with other radios. For instance the Grundig G6 only uses 23uA. This is really an issue for the Digitech AR-1780.

[@digitalmediafan]

Maria Jose Munoz-Quiros Espinosa not good at all...anyone else noticing this ? Puts me off purchasing one

[@jkratoville]

Nope - this has only been noticed by one individual (who seems to be posting this everywhere, under different aliases btw) - giving the false impression it's a common problem.

[@jeffking4176]

Just getting back into DXing after many years. Seriously considering this Radio. Just replaced my C.Crane SWP with a Tecsun PL390. A very impressive radio. Now to replace my (failed)Kaito (Degen) KA1103. Looking to DX MW as well as SW. I found that Digitech now has a U.S. phone number. Any thoughts about this, from Y’all (down there), please let me know. Thanks Good review 🙂👍📻

[@GoA7250]

The same setup and functions as the XHDATA D808.

[@gklinger]

Are birdies inherent to the radio's design or do they vary from unit to unit? I would like to see if I can find the birdies on my AR1780 as I haven't noticed any yet myself. Thanks.

[@digitalmediafan]

Thanks for the review. I like your style. G'day from the 🇬🇧 Any AM stations still in am stereo I wonder ? Great to hear top band AM...but test transmission with music, what is this about ?

[@vk3ye]

I believe AM stereo is dead in Australia

[@scottbelcher9026]

I love my xhdata d-808! Does that mean I would probably like this running on regular AA batteries, I’m not where I can charge batteries good…

[@philireland1678]

Hi Peter, For a pocket receiver they seem to be the "bee's knees"! I'm very happy with mine. I've noticed the birdie on 40m too but I don't have the limitation on the s/n readings on MW, it's behaving the same on all bands. SW extends from 1711 kHz to 29999 kHz on mine. It looks like the usual variable Chinese QC but having said that, I'm very impressed by mine. A great review Peter, well done. Cheers........ Phil vk2gjf

[@digitalmediafan]

Phil Ireland I wonder how it compares to a Tecsun PL 380 on FM...ie sensitivity and selectivity..DSP filtering also ?

[@DE-iv8if]

What does this dBu|dB mean? Is this something like dB over 1µV? And basically most of this new little SW-Receivers seem to have a little "Dropout" when Tuning. However, overall Reception seems to be not that bad with this Receicers. And they have a lot of Features compared to older Receivers of that Price Range. (And they seem to be mostly DSP-Receivers now..) Edit: Just saw the Question about the dBu answered at 06:22 .. (I think it is not the dBu with 0.775 V into 600 Ohm... )

[@G4KDXlive]

Cheers Peter. Looks like a capable portable receiver. I am surprised to hear an amateur station transmitting shortwave station interval signals on 1825 kHz. Is this legal in Australia?

[@vk3ye]

It was adequately identified and no interference was caused so no one has any objection. Besides it was handy to test the various bandwidth settings!

[@G4KDXlive]

Thanks! The rules seem to be a bit more flexible than here in the UK,

[@CameraBryan]

I wonder if this is made by the same manufacturer that makes the C. Crane Skywave? The lettering on the radio looks very similar is some places. The Skywave, by the way, is an extraordinary little receiver.

[@vk3ye]

It looks almost identical so I'd say it is.

[@AirwolfBadarse]

Hello VK3YE have you tried LONGWAVE on this radio? Did it come in ok?

[@frankchristensen2477]

Nice, solid review--thanks!

[@alalan3735]

Nice! Would be cool if they came out with a matching portable transmitter as well!! ;)

[@walkingmanvideo9455]

Getting one this week.

[@digitalmediafan]

What's the dimensions of this receiver ? To have no QRM on 160m must be a dream. 9 plus of it here in over crowded UK

[@vk3ye]

Dimensions: 150(W) x 95(H) x 30(D)mm It sounds quiet on 160m as it's needs a bit of wire to hear weaker signals. Then the noise comes up. I'd have to go to a remote beach to get low noise reception on 160m but even 500m away from houses makes a big difference.

[@smallenginedude71]

good review peter. I was looking at this radio a while back, great that it does SSB. many radios do not have that capability. Ben VK3FBIC

[@neilcampbell4833]

Not many people use SSB anymore . I'm not sure why the radio's with SSB are still so expensive . It's better to get a RTL SDR dongle to listen to radio online as there's digital Encoding. Most channels are now digital anyway . There's not many band's on SW anymore I've been listening to web DSR recently and it's pretty empty.

[@nine7295]

@@neilcampbell4833 many utility, military, amateur radio, are all SSB on HF / SW. Don't know why you said there isn't anything there.

[@subzerolives]

I like it , small with useful features but the crooked power/sleep text messes with my OCD.

[@jamespatterson7218]

Seems to pick up alot of interference up on HF...??.Im yet to go to Jaycar over here in Auckland to try one.Thanks for the review.$149 over here.NZ $.

[@cmvb69]

What does the USB stand for on the screen?

[@vk3ye]

upper sideband

[@philireland1678]

Hi Digitalmediafan, Selectivity on fm serms very good as you'd expect with dsp however in comparison to my Tecsun PL-390 (I don't have a 380), I feel the sensitivity is slightly lower but perhaps too close to call. I had an excellent signal from 106.5 mHz fm from Sydney about 200kms away but lower frequencies weren't quite as good. Conditions perhaps Speaking of conditions, 5045 has been quite variable of late. Cheers..... Phil

[@digitalmediafan]

Phil Ireland ok thanks very much for the info. Just read your reply !

[@sigint99]

This receiver is actually made by REDSUN and the DSP chipset is a clone of the si4735DSP.

[@KandiKlover]

Ah so same as XHdata and the repackaged version of it they make for C Crane, the SKywave SSB.

[@OM0ET]

Looks like more advandced TECSUN technology, or some kind of copy... similar as CountyComm GP-5 SSB.

[@Meta963]

Its Features are Similar to the Chinese Radio XHDATA..! Which is little bit More Aesthetic...!

[@DANNYGATESTHEAGEDSINGER]

I found your video very helpful and informative what i want to know is can I put a mic on it instead of receiver make it into a transceiver and it said SSB is that upper side band and lower side band and where can I buy one

[@vk3ye]

Not possible. You will need to buy or build a separate transmitter. Read up on radio basics first - many books are available.

[@DANNYGATESTHEAGEDSINGER]

@@vk3ye thank you

[@jamdiversified9698]

Is the wire length clipped to the antenna critical? Different lengths for different bands?

[@vk3ye]

Not critical for a receiver

[@jamdiversified9698]

@@vk3ye OK cool, how about wire guage?

[@vk3ye]

@@jamdiversified9698 Doesn't matter at all

[@jamdiversified9698]

vk3ye Awesome, thank you for your help!

[@gglee1720]

Anyone have the Digitech AR1780 SSB radio? Quick question does anyone know where to select Voice/Music selectable audio filter? It is shown as an item but nowhere can I find how to choose either.

[@jkratoville]

It also shows "WX" under the bands, but there is no weather band. I think this display is used for different radios. Alas, there is no Voice/Music filter. I have to admit, this radio doesn't need it - superb audio.

[@arabman19837]

What's better sangean 909x or this one ? And what's the different plz ? Thanks

[@vk3ye]

Wouldn't know - haven't owned a Sangean.

[@daryllamble732]

Does it have airband squelch like the c-crane has?

[@KandiKlover]

It has everyband squelch. This is great for listening to local comms.

[@johntraeger2125]

cannot work out how to store freq in radio.apart from that.any clues.?👍

[@jkratoville]

Hold the button down for 3 seconds. That's it.

[@johntraeger2125]

Jack Kratoville thanks jack. sorry about delay👍

[@cmvb69]

Whats the furthest clear transmission you have gotten ?

[@vk3ye]

worldwide

[@SeAfasia]

Thanks for the review...73..

[@ofthedawn]

Is it as good as c cranes skywave? And van it be used in the United States?

[@vk3ye]

1. Don't know. 2. Probably.

[@James_Bowie]

Review by Chicagoan: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGS3kJaemsuZeZo

[@charlesmay4723]

I am considering purchasing this radio. Can anyone tell me what is the best Bank is to receive Single Side Band Radio. I am very unfamiliar with SSB but very interested as I had a Radio on my Stereogram many years ago that picked up Radio Hams etc. Also does anyone know where to pick up English Broadcasts in SW now as VOA and BBC do not broadcast to Aus anymore in SW. English broadcasts from Japan, Korea would be appreciated apart from the dominated Chinese Broadcasts. I would very much appreciate your input. ... Charles May 5/8/20

[@vk3ye]

Sorry I don't know what you mean by bank. For SSB the amateur bands are best - eg just above 7 MHz day and night or just above 3.5 MHz night.

[@charlesmay4723]

@@vk3ye Thank you for your quick response. Sorry for the typo, I meant Band. Not being too familiar with Radio . I take it that you are referring to 7 Mhz and 3.5 Mhz in the AM or FM Band. Would this be correct? I have noted by your video that some of the Broadcast for SSB was in SW. Could you please clarify

[@vk3ye]

@@charlesmay4723 3.5 & 7 MHz is shortwave. All SSB you hear will be on shortwave.

[@charlesmay4723]

@@vk3ye Thank you very much for your help. One final thing I noticed in your video that you had a wire clipped to the aerial for increased reception in SSB. I guess if I purchased an aerial and clipped it into the aerial socket it would serve the same purpose for SSB reception.

[@vk3ye]

Yes.

[@boweandrew3]

I think I will pick this one up or a grundig satellite model great job Peter AB9EW ANDY

[@latifesmer7251]

Xhdata d808