Sangean AT-S909 Portable ShortWave Radio

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is fairly good for a radio of this size, and probably better than many portables. I find it especially nice for classical music played at a soft to moderate volume. If the tone quality is not satisfactory, then an output on the left side of the radio will allow you to run the signal through an external speaker system.

The 909 rests on a small folding stand which pulls out from its back. As an improvement on this, I would suggest using a plastic radio stand from Universal Radio. This addition makes it an ideal desk or bedside radio.

Again, I've been through quite a few radios, and the 909 remains my very favorite. I would rate it an excellent all-round portable radio. In fact, I have two - one being the "Super" 909. I would highly recommend either version to any one who takes radio-listening seriously. Of all the radios I've tried, it's the easiest and most enjoyable one to use. I would even say it's of truly professional quality.

NOTE ON "SUPER" 909: After buying and liking very much the regular Sangean 909 radio, I learned of the "SUPER" 909 model, which costed an additional $100. I carefully researced and considered this newer model for over a year before I finally decided to buy one. After comparing the two models, however, I have to pass on my opinion that the "SUPER" 909 is NOT worth the inflated price. The sensitivity is, at best, only slightly improved. The tone of the speaker is definitely a bit clearer, especially on AM, but it is also more tinny than the original, and the bass response is in no way improved. In fact, in some ways I actually like the older model's tone better; it's warmer, and better for music. The most significant improvement is in the color of the display light, which is now a brilliant blue!

So, if you're tormenting over buying the super expensive model, perhaps you shouldn't bother. Like myself, you just might like the older less expensive model better. Then spend the extra $100 on some flowers for your wife!

Sangean AT-S909 Portable ShortWave Radio

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quality and durability of most electronic goods just aren't as competent as they once were.....sigh.

Sangean AT-S909 Portable ShortWave Radio

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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.