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| View Larger Image | Sangean ATS-909 All Band Digital Shortwave World Band Receiver
Sangean
| | List Price: | $389.00 | | Price: | $239.37 | | You Save: | $149.63 (38%) |  | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours | | | | | Sales Rank: | 12240 | | Studio: | Sangean | | Model: | ATS-909 |
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FEATURES |
- AM/FM stereo with continuous coverage
- 261 short-wave frequencies
- ATS auto-tune system
- 9 kHz/10 kHz switch for overseas reception
- 5 tuning methods for accurate frequency input
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ACCESSORIES |
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Product Description
Sangean Electronics is one of the world's oldest and largest manufacturers of multi-band, portable and pocket sized entertainment centers. Established in 1974, the name Sangean is recognized throughout the world for its innovative design, unparalleled performance and matchless quality. All Sangean products are high quality, portable and aesthetically appealing with the kind of feel and performance that has made Sangean the fastest growing radio line in the market today.PRODUCT FEATURES: AM/FM stereo/SW; Tone control; Continuous tuning through all bands; Auto memory preset system; Auto memory scan; Human wake system; Illuminated display; Auto/manual search; Dual time display /12/24 hour; Adjustable sleep timer; Snooze control; 45 memory presets; Tone control. |
Amazon.com Review
Easy to use, quick to get started, but complex enough for the shortwave radio aficionado, the compact Sangean ATS-909 is a terrific travel radio adaptable for use anywhere in the world, receiving FM/MW, long-wave, and shortwave signals. You can set radio frequencies using five methods, including automatically or manually through a keypad or rotary dialing. The digital clock can be fixed to local and world times and provides both an alarm and a sleep timer. You can set the radio so you can fall asleep to music and later be awakened with news, music, or the buzzing alarm. You can also set three different wake-up times, each to a different frequency. This substantial and attractively designed unit also includes a long, retractable antenna for FM/SW and an internal antenna for good reception on medium- and long-wave bands. Tuning can be accomplished in a variety of ways; auto-tune, which scans all radio frequencies and presets your stations to the strongest signals; simple direct tuning to the desired frequency; or manual tuning with the rotary knob. The rotary tuning is quick, direct, and to us, the most effective method for finding and refining reception. An impressive internal memory holds up to 306 radio frequencies, saving you time searching. The LCD displays the current station, frequency, local time, memory location, and the status of the alarms and all other functions. The illuminated display window can also be switched on for viewing in the dark. A small stand on the back opens to permit the radio to sit on a tabletop at the perfect angle for operation, and Sangean has included a handy list of the best times for good reception on various frequencies around the world. The carrying pouch with Velcro closures neatly fits the ATS-909 and the slim shortwave handbook, though unfortunately not the included earphones, portable shortwave reel antenna, or AC adapter. Powered by four AA batteries or the multivoltage AC adapter, the unit comes with a one-year parts-and-labor warranty. --David Greenberger Pros:
- Multiple tuning methods
- Internal memory of 306 presets
- Includes AC adapter and external SW antenna
Cons:
- All the gear doesn't fit in the case
- Weighs nearly 2 pounds
- An intimidating number of functions for the novice
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Amazon.com Product Description
The Sangean ATS-909 All Band Digital Short Wave Receiver features 306-station memory with continuous coverage of AM/FM stations. You can auto scan, manual scan, or use memory recall and rotary tuning for the best frequency reception. The selectable manual tuner allows for tuning from 100 kHz down to 40 kHz. The Sangean ATS-909 features full RDS reception and displays call letters and correct time for any station transmitting an RDS signal. You can recall your favorite station from anywhere by pushing one button, and the wide/narrow filter reduces adjacent station interference. |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 45 reviews)
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My best radio ever! 
I listen to SW since 9 years old and still remembering all frequencies for some stations that no more around... This radio is very high quality, solid and precise. The SW on low/high band is very efficient and sound is very good. As one should understand, any radio is as good as radio conditions are. The time, weather, solar activity they all affect SW waves. If you know what you do and have a good antenna this radio outperforms anything in reachable price range. The memory banks (231 of them) are very well organized, allow banks and automatic scanning through the range and auto selection through the bank frequencies. This is one very smart radio. I purchased mine in 2001 and still no other radio can challenge this brick despite near 8 years have passed since.
July 22, 2008 | |
My Favorite Radio
The Sangean ATS 909 is my very favorite radio. And that's saying a lot, since I have quite a few different models. The 909 is fairly easy to use, once you carefully study the manual a few times. It's by no means a simple unit - having a number of bells and whistles - but the ergonomics seem to be quite sensible.
Covering the shortwave band is as easy as it possibly could be, thanks to the key pad entry, scanner, tuning wheel, and memory presets. I find this not to be the case with some popular shortwave radios, such as the RP2100/CCRadio-SW.
The sensitivity and selectivity of the AM and shortwave bands are very good, especially when the whip antenna is used. In fact, I've compared the AM reception with that of the CCRadio Plus, and found them to be nearly equal - the CCRadio Plus having only a slight edge. On FM, I find the reception to be excellent as well. And twenty-nine pages of nine presets each, each page able to be titled by the user! That's more than enough memory for an amateur. The LSB and USB also perform very well, and allow you to listen to truck and Ham transmissions.
The tone of the speaker is quite good for a radio of this small size, and probably better than many portables. Some, though, may find it a bit flat on AM and shortwave. It seems to sound best on the FM band. I find it especially nice for classical music played at a soft to moderate volume. An output on the left side of the radio allows you to run the signal through an external speaker system, for even better sound quality.
The 909 rests on a small folding stand which pulls out from the back. As an improvement on this, I would suggest using a plastic radio stand from Universal Radio. This addition will hold the radio at an angle that's much easier for viewing the display, and will help to make the 909 a practical desk or bedside radio. However, the numerals indicating the time of day (in 24-hour format, rather than 12) - although they are always displayed - are rather small for reading late at night. At two in the morning, it's difficult to focus on such tiny digits hiding in an olive green lit display. The beeper alarm is also rather soft. If you're a heavy sleeper, this radio may not suffice for the bedside.
Again, I've used quite a few different radios, and the 909 remains my favorite, alongside the CCRadio Plus. I would rate it as an excellent all-round portable, the very best for sitting down late at night and running through the various bands until your wife says, "Come to bed; it's late!" In fact, I have two (two 909's, that is) - one being the "Super" 909. I would highly recommend either version to any one who takes radio-listening seriously. Of all the models I've used, the 909 is the easiest and most capable and enjoyable one. And although it may not suffice as a bedside model, it makes an ideal desk radio, especially since its 8 1/2" body takes up so little space.
NOTE ON THE "SUPER" 909: After buying and liking very much the regular Sangean 909 radio, I learned of the "Super" 909 model, which costs an additional $100. I carefully researced and considered this modified model for over a year before I finally decided to buy one. After comparing the two, however, I have to pass on my opinion that the "Super" 909 may not be worth the inflated price. The radio's sensitivity is admittedly improved, though not drastically. The tone of the speaker is brighter, especially on AM and shortwave, but it's also more tinny than the original, while the bass response is in no way improved. All considered, this amounted to an unexpected and expensive disappointment, especially in light of the glowing review found on www.radiointel.com, which originally persuaded me to buy the Super model. In fact, in some ways I actually like the older model's tone better; it's warmer, and better suited for music. The most outstanding improvement is in the color of the display light, which is now a brilliant blue when the radio is plugged in, but faint blue when running on batteries. Oh yes, I'm quite pleased with that modification. But even in these environmentally correct times, I wouldn't spend $100 on a blasted light bulb!
So, if you're tormenting over whether or not you should buy the Super 909, perhaps you should at least lower your expectations. Like myself, you might like the older less expensive model just as well, or even better. Then, with the saved $100, take your wife out to dinner!
January 23, 2008 | |
A Fine Performer, But Sadly, Didn't Hold Up Very Well 
I purchased this radio several years ago and found it to be a really fine performer. Excellent sw sensitivity, good am and excellent fm as well....considering the ATS 909's rather small size. Sound is quite good, too, for it's size. And it's got a fine assortment of settings/buttons for improved performance.
The big problem was that it didn't hold up well over the long haul. Firstly, the numbers/letters on the buttons that I used most often rubbed off, including the silver paint underneath, and became totally illegible. Then, about a year and a half after purchase, the digital clock refused to hold the correct time. I had it repaired but the clock went bad once again a few months later. And lastly, the speaker went bad, giving only fuzzy, low fidelity sound. It's now, essentially, unusable.
Were it not for the abovementioned problems, I'd rate it five stars. At the fairly high selling price of around $250, the ATS 909 should hold up for a lot longer than it did.
I guess that these days, quality and durability of most electronic goods just aren't as competent as they once were.....sigh.
December 26, 2007 | |
Powerful Little Radio 
Good things come in small packages they say. Well this is certainly true for this compact little shortwave radio. Reception is clear and the sound is good quality in all areas.
September 29, 2007 | |
Weak Reception and Poor Sound
I've had a 909 for 10 years. It's gotten several thousand hours of use, has fallen on the floor a few times, and is still going strong.
It's very true that this radio is hard of hearing using its whip antenna. It has inferior sensitivity. I just bought a $20 analog SW radio which is vastly more sensitive. You must add your own external antenna. The reel antenna will do nicely. After that, the 909 truly performs. It can hear everything then.
The speaker is also poor. It has inferior sound. Again, the $20 analog I bought has vastly superior sound to the 909. The sound on the 909 is disappointing. I only ever listen to it using headphones.
The 909 has a tuning knob, which is much better than up/down buttons for tuning. You can tune in 1 KHz increments. That's fine for SW.
The narrow/wide filters are okay. Not great. Using the narrow filter and tuning away from an interfering station can help with the interference.
The tuning for SSB is unacceptable. SSB should not sound like Donald Duck in a radio with this price. If you rip off the display glass, you can adjust the BFO screw and almost get SSB to zero-beat. I prefer the BFO knob on the YB 400PE to what the 909 has. Poor SSB performer.
The sound mutes when you tune. That is bad. I ripped my radio apart and modded the radio so it would not mute.
The radio frequently beeps when you press buttons. This is annoying. I ripped my radio apart and removed the beep speaker.
The memory function is very nice. Nearly 30 pages of 9 memories each. Most of them are preprogrammed and out of date. You have to find a cheat online to bypass the memory lock so you can store your own countries and frequencies.
Decent FM and MW reception. MW DXers will not be disappointed.
No DRM. This is an old radio. If you want DRM, you need to do another mod, buy a mixer/filter chip, pipe the signal into your computer, and decode it with the appropriate software.
No synchronous detection. At this price, the radio really should have had sync. It makes a huge difference in terms of listenability. Sync completely removes adjacent interference and fading distortion. If you listen to SW you want it. The 909 doesn't have it.
I like the 909. But I must suggest you get the Sony ICF-SW7600GR instead. It is much cheaper. It has much better sensitivity. It has much better sound. It has synchronous detection. Or if your focus is SSB, get the Grundig Yacht Boy 400PE. It is cheaper, has better sound, and zero-beats SSB.
Sorry 909-lovers, but your radio is greatly outclassed by the competition.
August 19, 2007 | |
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