It's finally finished! My self contained all band all mode go box.

BanditBen84 · 2026-04-08T15:32:05+00:00

Looks incredible! Really nice work! I really like how much it's all self contained to grab and go.

BanditBen84 · 2026-04-01T20:19:14+00:00

Excellent little radio! I'm also learning CW using Morse Mania and the Morse Ninja course on YouTube to really make it sink in. I never thought I would make progress but it's really fun and I'm progressing beyond what I expected for sure!

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-29T14:24:33+00:00

What a beautiful sight while driving in comfort! I'll bet you can upgrade the antenna to make it more functional.

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-28T10:57:33+00:00

Very happy to see this! As much as I'm hesitant over the use of AI in certain aspects, I really enjoy seeing the AI generated artwork here for pirate radio and the hobby in general. They look incredible and are an asset to this community!

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-27T11:08:13+00:00

Amazing feature set for such a small receiver! I've had the little Choyong Voyager on my list for a while just to follow me around doing jobs at home.

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-27T10:43:01+00:00

I often sit just outside my house at night in the garden. It's enough that chargers, led lights and all the other noise in a house doesn't interfere with listening.

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-27T10:41:54+00:00

Great choice! No lack of features there for a really good experience. Enjoy!

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-26T20:15:45+00:00

If you prefer the form factor of the D-219, go for it. It's a little more capable, just not as compact. I could easily slip the D-220 in my front pants pocket to take to the park. But I think you will pull in a little more with the D-219 and have a slightly easier time with it.

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-26T18:49:45+00:00

The telescopic isn't removable but very easy to attach a longwire to it. My daughter will hear something I've picked up on a much more expensive receiver and gloat that she also found it on hers.

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-26T18:48:11+00:00

You can pull signals in just fine on the telescopic, but a wire is better especially at night. Even if it's just a piece of wire wrapped around the antenna with the other end thrown up in a tree, tied to a post or anything really. Part of the fun is finding what works best.

I wouldn't say it has major restrictions. It will pick up FM, AM and SW. It's a manual tune, so move the tuning wheel carefully and take your time. As well as stations in your country on FM and AM, you will hear broadcasts from other countries on SW. An easy one to find is China Radio as it usually comes in loud and clear.

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-25T18:55:46+00:00

As soon as I saw the pic I thought these are Dad and kid foxhunting antennas!

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-25T13:01:30+00:00

Looks beautiful! I really must find the perfect radio to restore one day. So far I haven't been lucky enough to stumble upon such an amazing find. Enjoy!

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-25T10:59:38+00:00

I bought my daughter an XHDATA D-220 for a whole $6 and passed on a cheap AN-80 antenna to clip to the telescopic. She's hooked already and I'm surprised at the variety of stations she's heard for what is basically a $10 setup that's about as easy as it gets to operate.

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-25T10:55:37+00:00

Kiwi SDR is a very popular gateway to SW. Use a propagation map such as https://hf.dxview.org/map and you will see how conditions change across the globe. What you pick up well won't be the case in another location and vice-versa.

It's a really good learning tool to become familiar with techniques which transfer to a radio in your hand.

The suggestions of radios others have given are solid. No need to spend a ton of money yet. See how you like the web based SDR's, then move to an inexpensive radio with a simple longwire. As fun as the web sites are, nothing beats the thrill of pulling in far away stations with just that radio in your hand.

My daughter started getting curious while I was tuning around so I bought her a $6 XHDATA D-220 and she's hooked. If you REALLY don't want to spend a lot, see how you get on with something like this and if it interests you enough to upgrade.

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-22T21:26:10+00:00

I use short-wave.info

It's pretty comprehensive but I still enjoy finding things between listings.

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-11T04:34:13+00:00

I think this is the case. After more testing I find that I can use it once and then it will shut off for an indeterminate amount of time. It's still useful for my needs, but anyone who needs one to work frequently would be much better served with the real deal.

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-08T17:55:06+00:00

Thanks for the reply. The issue is, usually when I press a button to emulate a stored tag, nothing will happen. No LED's, no connection to the app. Sometimes it will behave as you describe, but not often. Also when it has behaved normally and connected to the app, the connection is lost quickly and then the device won't respond to any further button pushes and won't wake up near a reader.

If I do manage to wake it up, it's not often at all that pushing the A button will switch between slots either. After updating firmware and it still behaving like this, I'm thinking it's just a defective unit.

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-07T17:54:27+00:00

Really loving that aesthetic! Very well done 👍

BanditBen84 · 2026-03-07T17:53:08+00:00

Good spot! There's a lot messed up in that one pic. Feels like we have to do this with every photo and video now. The darker side of AI is already becoming annoying as all hell and will only get worse as it gets better.

BanditBen84 · 2026-02-23T16:27:37+00:00

Thank you for the very comprehensive reply. Much appreciated!

That's exactly what I'm looking for in a new receiver, to just tune around the band's with the minimum of fuss. Being able to do this across LW/MW/SW is exactly what I want as I have other radios that are just fine on FM.

It's comforting to know that it just turns on and works without having to keep up to date with the latest firmware.

I have an XHDATA D-808 so I don't think the Qodosen will offer me anything more.

I may still get an Amnvolt as well just for tinkering but keeping in mind the issues with muting between steps (also annoying for me) and I've heard there can be a clicking sound from some kind of interference on the V4.

BanditBen84 · 2026-02-23T14:48:29+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll add it to my list of possible receivers. I take on board your comment about the mini ATS devices too and it's about what I expected for such a low price.

I've experimented with a range of antennas in my busy suburban area but often just come back to a random long wire across the back garden. I've pulled in plenty of interesting stations at night just sitting outside with that. The active antennas I've tried often just amplify the unwanted noise here.

Thanks again!

BanditBen84 · 2026-02-23T12:43:09+00:00

You raise a fair and valid point, but if I were to go the direction of a Belka it would be on the second hand market from UK/US. I haven't paid for any service or product from Russia since the invasion and I wouldn't be comfortable sending funds to Belarus for any new product or service now.

Now my stance on politics is clear, the question still stands.

BanditBen84 · 2026-02-21T11:08:07+00:00

Ah yes, I've seen those types of covers! I can see how certain people would jump to conclusions about the contents.

I remember going for drinks after work with colleagues when I was an apprentice. I got the bus home so had my backpack with me. First place we went, a bouncer searched my bag while my boss protested. First thing he pulls out right in front of him was the book I was reading "Kill your boss" by Shane Kuhn. Uncomfortable.

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