That has to be one of the best pocket Radios you've reviewed so far, it blows the tecsuns out of the water. I like the memory feature which makes it like a scanner too.
@@CB-RADIO-UK Another good feature is that lack of FM on 27Mhz CB would easily be corrected by new firmware - if the UKV58 radio is anything to go by as a comparison, and all the firmware mods it has got to over spec it way beyond the out of box item.
Mrs brought me one 2 weeks ago for Xmas, so can’t wait to try it out. Great channel Fred and been watching for the past few years. Keep up the great content.
Love Fred in the Shed! I'm writing from the Commonwealth of Virginia in the U.S.. This is one of the most thorough and wonderfully detailed reviews of the ATS-120 I've seen so far. Great job! I've learned alot. Shortwave technology, at least the user interface, has come a long way with these SDR radios. It brings me back to when I was a teenager in the 80's with my first shortwave and the long copper wire antenna in the attic of my parent's home. :)
Thanks for the comment. I am going to expand the SW content next year. Its never what it was but i still think its interesting what you can receive on a piece of wire.
I forgot to add, if you go into settings and turn off the 1st option on RDS options you get RDS…on station even displays time in my QTH of Tucson, Arizona. I believe they default RDS to disabled, but translation problems make the RDS option just opposite of what it should be.
Very interesting, I would love to get to get back into radio scanning again I used to have a scanner from Tandy in the 80s your videos will put me in the right direction in choosing a device
Great review with a lot of fantastic information, bravo on planning this video out so well. This was the first video I have seen from your channel and looking forward to watching more.
I bought mine off Bangood back in October 2023 and have enjoyed it, but would have liked the instructions. The LNA should be enabled as a default …I plan to update the firmware off Harandrino (? Soon) the medium wave antenna is compatible with my GP5 external antenna. I use the light all the time when DXing outside and around the house more than I planned to. Thank for the review Fred. Have a great Day!
I like this one. it's on my short list for sure. a thought on the ferrite antenna.... My perception is that there is not an on board ferrite antenna. You can plug an external ferrite bar into the jack on the bottom as there is a screen printed plug leading from the ferrite bar diagram matching the one from the external antenna diagram. Good review! AE5DW.
Ferrite antenna inside a metal box. That is not going to work. Thats why there is a connector, it would however be nice if it was on the top instead of the bottom. The symbol on the bottom clearly shows a plug for plugging in an external ferrite antenna. As long as you don't connect a ferrite antenna to the connector the radio will use the whip antenna. Thanks for the review. It's a fine radio but as you mentioned its a bummer it doesn't have nfm.
Yes.. Hmmm.. Err.. More of the same sadly. I keep thinking they are going to get it right.. Not this time sadly but things like the FM for CB could be sorted out with a software upgrade. Thanks for the review and demo.
Fred you are going to make me destitute and homeless, that's presuming the other half doesn't kick me out first with the words 'HOW MANY @#€£&@% RADIOS DO YOU NEED!!!' ringing in my ears.
Fred, is there any way to contact the manufacturer to find out if they would include FM at some point? I don't know if that is a firmware or hardware update.
Hi Fred I suspect the whooshing noise is due to the SDR switching to another portion of the spectrum. For example, when moving the frequency with the VFO, I think it will be allowing it to move across a 1MHz portion of bandwidth. Then when it gets to the end, pulls the next 1MHz to move across This happens in SDR++ when zoomed in .. but don't get the whoosh of course.
Thanks for sharing. I believe there is a Pro version of this radio going around now, not sure what the difference is. It's hard to know which iteration of any of these ATSs to go for when a newer improved version is just around the corner.
love your videos ...watched one with and bought the loop antenna which i had been looking at...just reperposed a big tripod to attach it to ...have played around with antenna a bit...also have been looking at the 120 all band receiver ...would like to see a video with that receiver hooked to that antenna how it would preform i have a grundig satellite 800 but the thing is huge...not portable as the 120
I wish I'd known about using the LNA amplifier switching, aka the 'mystery button', before ordering an external aerial for LW/MW reception - although given that hideous reception of BBC Radio 4, considering that you're in the UK (I'm in the Rep. of Ireland), I don't think my money will have been wasted! ps -- 'Mystery Button', indeed - all it seems to be doing for me is locking the screen, though as I said elsewhere in the comments, I'm not a 'tech~guy'...
ever tried bluetooth. ? Can't seem to get it pairing up with anything. BT comes up on the screen, but no option to pair. I've not tried on my JBL 310 or a Megaboom, but on my Sony MX-1000 and samsung buds... nothing.. Also Wi-Fi... no idea with that at all. But overall, it's a funky little radio, built well with alloy case, nice touchscreen, decent aerial. It would be nice to see a little bit more in the way of... guidance... !
Hi. Yes a simple instruction sheet with the radio would be nice. My BT seemed weird like i could not turn it off. My phone picked it up but did not try headphones.
I dunno - I remember a time when you didn't need a half - hour + tutorial (or a computer science degree) to work a radio, even such a capable one as this!
That has to be one of the best pocket Radios you've reviewed so far, it blows the tecsuns out of the water. I like the memory feature which makes it like a scanner too.
Thanks. I ve not tested any Tecsuns recently but my older 600 is a bench mark. This radio has far more features of course.
@@CB-RADIO-UK Another good feature is that lack of FM on 27Mhz CB would easily be corrected by new firmware - if the UKV58 radio is anything to go by as a comparison, and all the firmware mods it has got to over spec it way beyond the out of box item.
@@irongron nowt worth listening to on 27 anyway these days less you enjoy gobshites & pissheads talking bollocks on 19.
LOL :-)
My 808 blows this out of the water.
Mrs brought me one 2 weeks ago for Xmas, so can’t wait to try it out. Great channel Fred and been watching for the past few years. Keep up the great content.
Thanks. Its a nice little radio esp if you like gadgets.
Hey,this video is only 7 hours old? I don't think (according to my calendar anyway) you're supposed to know that.
Love Fred in the Shed! I'm writing from the Commonwealth of Virginia in the U.S.. This is one of the most thorough and wonderfully detailed reviews of the ATS-120 I've seen so far. Great job! I've learned alot. Shortwave technology, at least the user interface, has come a long way with these SDR radios. It brings me back to when I was a teenager in the 80's with my first shortwave and the long copper wire antenna in the attic of my parent's home. :)
Thanks for the comment. I am going to expand the SW content next year. Its never what it was but i still think its interesting what you can receive on a piece of wire.
I forgot to add, if you go into settings and turn off the 1st option on RDS options you get RDS…on station even displays time in my QTH of Tucson, Arizona.
I believe they default RDS to disabled, but translation problems make the RDS option just opposite of what it should be.
Very interesting, I would love to get to get back into radio scanning again I used to have a scanner from Tandy in the 80s your videos will put me in the right direction in choosing a device
Great review with a lot of fantastic information, bravo on planning this video out so well. This was the first video I have seen from your channel and looking forward to watching more.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Fred in the shed your Ats-120 Banggood
Mw lw fm sw ssb 5band pocket receiver is awesome my friend
As always thanks for your comment Greg and take care of yourself.
Oh I will buy that for sure soon. That will be very handy. Still need to get a good antenna for my old JRC NRD-525 receiver.
I bought mine off Bangood back in October 2023 and have enjoyed it, but would have liked the instructions. The LNA should be enabled as a default …I plan to update the firmware off Harandrino (? Soon) the medium wave antenna is compatible with my GP5 external antenna. I use the light all the time when DXing outside and around the house more than I planned to.
Thank for the review Fred.
Have a great Day!
In the USA here and going to order from Amazon. If it doesn't work out, easy returns. But hope it does.
I like this one. it's on my short list for sure. a thought on the ferrite antenna.... My perception is that there is not an on board ferrite antenna. You can plug an external ferrite bar into the jack on the bottom as there is a screen printed plug leading from the ferrite bar diagram matching the one from the external antenna diagram. Good review! AE5DW.
Yes you could plug in a ferrite T bar type antenna which should improve things.
Yes, that was my take on the screen print, it indicates that a bar ant. can be plugged in via the 3.5mm socket.
The screen print clearly shows the ferrite antenna as a plug in.
Frid in the shed I wish you and your wife and kids a happy Thanksgiving and a merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 and a happy new year 🎄
Fird in the shed I learn lot from you about cbs radios with AM FM ssb and antennas for cbs radios my friend
Thanks for the thorough review.
Frid in the shed my hobbies are painting pictures 🖼 and listening to shortwave and ssb iam thinking about getting my ham
Ferrite antenna inside a metal box. That is not going to work. Thats why there is a connector, it would however be nice if it was on the top instead of the bottom. The symbol on the bottom clearly shows a plug for plugging in an external ferrite antenna. As long as you don't connect a ferrite antenna to the connector the radio will use the whip antenna. Thanks for the review.
It's a fine radio but as you mentioned its a bummer it doesn't have nfm.
Looks like a
Nice little set.
Another great video - many thanks mate.
Glad you enjoyed it
Yes.. Hmmm.. Err.. More of the same sadly. I keep thinking they are going to get it right.. Not this time sadly but things like the FM for CB could be sorted out with a software upgrade.
Thanks for the review and demo.
As a U.S. resident,i would like the C.B. band to have fm just to see if i could receive some U.K. 11 meter skip. Thanks for the videos.
FM has been approved for use in US, you just need a compatible radio.
Frid in the shed my hobbies are painting pictures 🖼 and listening to shortwave and ssb iam thinking 🤔 about getting my ham license
I'd love to see someone make a rubberized case for this.
Frid in the shed your utube videos are awesome my friend
Fred you are going to make me destitute and homeless, that's presuming the other half doesn't kick me out first with the words 'HOW MANY @#€£&@% RADIOS DO YOU NEED!!!' ringing in my ears.
Its always "just one more "
Estou colecionando rádios também. É um prazer viciante. 😂😂😂
Fired in the shed your utube videos are awesome my friend ❤
Fred, is there any way to contact the manufacturer to find out if they would include FM at some point? I don't know if that is a firmware or hardware update.
I really dont know. I mention it on most reviews that i make. We can only hope.
Hi Fred
I suspect the whooshing noise is due to the SDR switching to another portion of the spectrum.
For example, when moving the frequency with the VFO, I think it will be allowing it to move across a 1MHz portion of bandwidth. Then when it gets to the end, pulls the next 1MHz to move across
This happens in SDR++ when zoomed in .. but don't get the whoosh of course.
Yes your prob right. All this type of radio's do it. You get used to it but i wish they could program it out.
Fird in the shed your utube videos are awesome my friend
Thanks 👍
Thanks for sharing. I believe there is a Pro version of this radio going around now, not sure what the difference is. It's hard to know which iteration of any of these ATSs to go for when a newer improved version is just around the corner.
I believe it has the CW decoder included but that is with the firmware upgrade needed.
Nice little radio but i prefer building them myself :)
love your videos ...watched one with and bought the loop antenna which i had been looking at...just reperposed a big tripod to attach it to ...have played around with antenna a bit...also have been looking at the 120 all band receiver ...would like to see a video with that receiver hooked to that antenna how it would preform i have a grundig satellite 800 but the thing is huge...not portable as the 120
Hi. Yes iam planning to use the loop on SW next year as it receives really well. Not sure if i will have to de tune it again.
This should have had BNC or SMA antenna connection.
Looks like a great SWL box, shame about lack of cb FM, maybe a firmware fix soon?
Maybe. Yes they missed a trick on the lack of FM.
Very Nice Review. There is also a ATS 120 PRO v4 that comes up if you search. Any idea what they changed ?
Muito top perece interessante parabéns…
Great content. L&S
I wish I'd known about using the LNA amplifier switching, aka the 'mystery button', before ordering an external aerial for LW/MW reception - although given that hideous reception of BBC Radio 4, considering that you're in the UK (I'm in the Rep. of Ireland), I don't think my money will have been wasted!
ps -- 'Mystery Button', indeed - all it seems to be doing for me is locking the screen, though as I said elsewhere in the comments, I'm not a 'tech~guy'...
Hi. Yes that button has 3 functions. Encoder lock - Screen lock- then LNA
@@CB-RADIO-UK Aah - cheers, thanks for the SP.
China radios just get better? Or do we lower our expectations and just give up?
Its not a am antenna its a diagram of one connected to a plug... 20.35 in so far cheers Fred 73
I am not 100% sure on that as i watched a strip down video on this radio and it was soldered to the board.
ok FRed, THere are 120D, 120PRO v4.1 versions, what;s the diffence?
Not really sure. Have to wait for someone to do a review.
Hello Fred, do you know where Can I find the manual?
No afraid not.
@@CB-RADIO-UK thanks 🤷
Fird in the shed 11 meter band you can get the BBC my friend
ever tried bluetooth. ? Can't seem to get it pairing up with anything. BT comes up on the screen, but no option to pair. I've not tried on my JBL 310 or a Megaboom, but on my Sony MX-1000 and samsung buds... nothing.. Also Wi-Fi... no idea with that at all. But overall, it's a funky little radio, built well with alloy case, nice touchscreen, decent aerial. It would be nice to see a little bit more in the way of... guidance... !
Hi. Yes a simple instruction sheet with the radio would be nice. My BT seemed weird like i could not turn it off. My phone picked it up but did not try headphones.
Is there a newer version out
One
Not on the 120 as far as iam aware.
Здравствуйте. Разбирать планируете 120 модель? Посмотреть как устроено внутри.
34:37
😊
fred
Nice User Interface spoilt by a mediocre receiver and a terrible built in speaker. Biggest plus point is not having to listen to the muppets !
I dunno - I remember a time when you didn't need a half - hour + tutorial (or a computer science degree) to work a radio, even such a capable one as this!
The speaker sounds like a Bose when compared to my Raddy 760…now that’s a terrible speaker.