Just to confirm, the Plus has a 76 to 108MHz bandpass filter and RF amplifier going to the FM pin of the Si4732. The extra connector with the red and black wires is for the LiPo cell sitting under the PCB. Some ATS-20s seem to use the connector and others wire the LiPo cell directly to the bottom of the PCB. I don't know whether that's model specific or just down to which factory it's made in.
Late to the party as usual, but I've just ordered a Plus from AliExpress for £24 delivered to the UK after watching your video. Thanks for the heads-up on the improvements over the non-Plus version. Very helpful. 👍
Looks like they were listening to the people. Great little receiver . Cheers Fred and thanks for putting chirp up for me last week. Alan from Luton 💯🇬🇧👍
You can replace the original LiPo in the ATS-20+ with a 2.75Ah EEMB 605575 available from Amazon UK for up to 48 hours runtime per charge. Stick it down pushed tight into the front left corner of the lower case and it won't foul anything it shouldn't on the underside of the PCB. The connector type and polarity match the original, so it's a straight drop-in replacement. 👍
Great video, again! As I am in the market for a new scanner, my old and trusted Realistic Pro 2005 has finally bitten the dust. (Purchased from Tandy! Cannot remember when) This scanner allowed me to listen to the airband, marine band, amateur radio bands and also the vhf broadcast bands, that modern scanners do not. Does the ATS 20+ receive the airbands? I do not think it has a programmable memory, although I can still read the frequency displays. Thanks for another great video!
Hi. No airband I am afraid. These little 20's are not really a suitable as a scanner and wont give you VHF. Right now i would say one of these radios is the best for that side of things. ruclips.net/video/xmdqjA02NQc/видео.html
Oh well, it looks like spending some real money on the latest scanner and also on a FM broadcast radio. My old Realistic Pro 2005, (400 channels), died a couple of month ago and cannot be repaired. Have to try and get one from Ebay. Got into CB in the 70's in Germany (In the Army). Listened to the local police on a Pye Westminster, which had been modified. Took the RAE in 1986. Have been a semi active ham since.
Well... you convinced me to take up an AliEx discount and have a go with this apparent marvel! I'd held off, when I read of multiple difficulties and dissatisfactions that users were experiencing with the ATS 20. I am so NOTTT a fan of any Arduino/ RaspberryPi etc based stuff. Just a black box of nastiness to me... something I will never learn to use/ program/ fix! Just the whole concept of ever having to tell a gizmo what to do... on what pin... in its own language... yeah/nah. As soon as I see or hear the word Arduino I usually scroll on as it just doesn't apply to me! Anyhow... I've ordered one, and hopefully I will never have to update the firmware to get it going. That will be the very same day it becomes an expensive paperweight.
My ATS 25 MAX is on the way . When I get it , I hope to modify it physically as per your suggestions and my thoughts . Will send pictures when it's done 😊
I have one on order from Amazon. This will be a good test before I can order a transceiver. I have at least three iterations of the cables. I am hoping they did not use some farther off the wall design than the industry standard
It looks like that IC you pointed out on the 20+ might be mounted on the bottom of the 20. There's solder pads for it that appear to have solder on them. Although how they are able to invert it is beyond me. Would be interesting to see the bottom of both boards.
I guess some bad quality control will always slip through esp at this price. Ive not had an issue other than a bad encoder on the mk1 but then again every one got that.
Fred in the Shed both the ATS20+ and the Raddy RF750 which you made a video on your channel i have bought, but withg the ATS20+ i have so few radio station where with the rf750 i can find many radio stations. I could tell people to stay away from the arduino based ats20+ radios they are no good. Also i have seen the same thing on your radio fred the battery only charges to 80% while it has been charged untill the green light got lit! If you wanna buy a computer based radios you can better go with the ones that are more expensive like the SDR receivers like the MALACHIT or other brands! But still fred thanks for sharing this video!
I agree with you on the battery level. Even after a full charge it drops to 80%. However i am not sure the meter is all that accurate as it stays on 80% for a long time. The Raddy RF750 does work well. For £30 though this radio does bring in a lot of stations. Thanks for the comment.
@@CB-RADIO-UK On the battery....you know it is very easy to add your own removable 18650 inside the ATS20, if you need it. Plenty of room. Many thanks for the updated video, Fred. I still love my standard ATS20 but have very much appreciated using Ricardo's firmware updates to them, plus modifying the software myself to include a full band.
You say you don't understand why they use old USB mini ports and haven't integrated the programming and the charging port but when you opened it up it shows EXACTLY why. They haven't integrated them because they used pre-made modules. They bought a Nano and a TP4056 module off the shelf to stick onto their board and didn't bother to have to design anything related to USB. They saved themselved quite a lot of headache and money by doing that. And the Nanos are clones. "Nano" isn't the branding, "Arduino" is. "Arduino Nano" is printed on the bottom of the official boards. Neither word appears on the top of the official boards.
Thanks for the video Fred. I've played around with SDRSharp and want to look into getting an inexpensive physical SDR, though regrettably cannot have a permanent antenna in my shared garden. I thought a loop antenna might be a perfect compromise (and one I could sometimes take outside) but a lot of posters on Reddit have told me that it would be no better than a whip antenna. Would you recommend the loop in such a situation?
I ve just fully tested the loop. Straight performance such as pure gain its prob no better than a whip. However as it works on such a narrow bandwidth you can tune out a lot of noise. So if you have a lot of noise at home then it could be the answer.
Hey Fred , I got my radio today , could not believe how small it was ? Quick question for you ? Where does shortwave start and finish ? On the unit they just have AM it does not say if your SW or AM . Thanks buddy .
Hi. Glad you like your radio. SW is all on AM for the broadcast band. Shortwave runs from about 3000 KHz to about 25000 KHz. You will find most stations between 8000 - 12000 during the daytime. Some higher in the eve. This might help. ccrane.com/shortwave-frequency-list/
Hey Fred, what does the 80% in the bottom right corner mean? Also still have not figured the mode button and switch button do ? I had it on left side and still got lsb and usb ?
great review I am new to this radio .they are for sale at Walmart US for $18 free shipping in the US a bargain !is there any firmware updates for this ?just curious
Hi mate Les from Oldham Still watching and learning from your channel If CB home bases are still available could you please give me any advice as to where I can buy one Thank you Les
Just curious... Did you try unplugging the red&black wire that was plugged into the new unit's PCB to see what happened? P.S. - I thought it picked up stations very well with the telescoping antenna....last edit. while listening to you I checked it Amazon and it's selling for $45 USD which is a good price. A Good gift for my Grandson. Active loop? Best, Passive loop? I never got the one I had to pick up much. .. . ok, 'Nuff Said.
I’m sold , I want one . lol thanks for the review excellent advice. All the best from Tucson Arizona formally Coventry England
You cant really go wrong for $35, Enjoy buddy.
Got one on order from Amazon. Less than $50 .
Very good review Fred, shame about the fm mode missing on 11 meters, let's hope they add it in a later update.....all the best 73
Just to confirm, the Plus has a 76 to 108MHz bandpass filter and RF amplifier going to the FM pin of the Si4732. The extra connector with the red and black wires is for the LiPo cell sitting under the PCB. Some ATS-20s seem to use the connector and others wire the LiPo cell directly to the bottom of the PCB. I don't know whether that's model specific or just down to which factory it's made in.
Late to the party as usual, but I've just ordered a Plus from AliExpress for £24 delivered to the UK after watching your video. Thanks for the heads-up on the improvements over the non-Plus version. Very helpful. 👍
Looks like they were listening to the people. Great little receiver . Cheers Fred and thanks for putting chirp up for me last week. Alan from Luton 💯🇬🇧👍
Any time
You can replace the original LiPo in the ATS-20+ with a 2.75Ah EEMB 605575 available from Amazon UK for up to 48 hours runtime per charge. Stick it down pushed tight into the front left corner of the lower case and it won't foul anything it shouldn't on the underside of the PCB. The connector type and polarity match the original, so it's a straight drop-in replacement. 👍
Hello.
This is a good radio
Try using your amplified loop antenna with this indoors it works well. All the best.Geff radio ham
Frid in the shed your new Ats 20+portable shortwave radio with ssb is awesome my friend
Frid in the shed I learn lot from you about bying cb radios and antennas for cb radios my friend
Hi Greg. As always thanks for your cont support of the channel. Look adter yourself and family buddy,
Frid in the shed your utube videos are awesome my friend
Always enjoy the SW radio reviews! btw, on the previous recent presentations I got my UV-K58 in the post, waiting on the programming cable!
Great video, again! As I am in the market for a new scanner, my old and trusted Realistic Pro 2005 has finally bitten the dust. (Purchased from Tandy! Cannot remember when) This scanner allowed me to listen to the airband, marine band, amateur radio bands and also the vhf broadcast bands, that modern scanners do not. Does the ATS 20+ receive the airbands? I do not think it has a programmable memory, although I can still read the frequency displays. Thanks for another great video!
Hi. No airband I am afraid. These little 20's are not really a suitable as a scanner and wont give you VHF. Right now i would say one of these radios is the best for that side of things. ruclips.net/video/xmdqjA02NQc/видео.html
Oh well, it looks like spending some real money on the latest scanner and also on a FM broadcast radio. My old Realistic Pro 2005, (400 channels), died a couple of month ago and cannot be repaired. Have to try and get one from Ebay. Got into CB in the 70's in Germany (In the Army). Listened to the local police on a Pye Westminster, which had been modified. Took the RAE in 1986. Have been a semi active ham since.
Keep going Fred. Love radio content.
More to come!
Thanks for your detailed review. I almost buy the old model.
Another great video Fred!
Thanks!!!
My comment to show support for your Works- Big Thumbs Up...
Big thanks
Well... you convinced me to take up an AliEx discount and have a go with this apparent marvel!
I'd held off, when I read of multiple difficulties and dissatisfactions that users were experiencing with the ATS 20.
I am so NOTTT a fan of any Arduino/ RaspberryPi etc based stuff. Just a black box of nastiness to me... something I will never learn to use/ program/ fix!
Just the whole concept of ever having to tell a gizmo what to do... on what pin... in its own language... yeah/nah. As soon as I see or hear the word Arduino I usually scroll on as it just doesn't apply to me!
Anyhow... I've ordered one, and hopefully I will never have to update the firmware to get it going. That will be the very same day it becomes an expensive paperweight.
Hi. I ve never bothered with any firmware update myself. They work well enough out of the box and are great fun.
My ATS 25 MAX is on the way . When I get it , I hope to modify it physically as per your suggestions and my thoughts . Will send pictures when it's done 😊
Hi. Nice one. Remind me what mod are you going to do ?
Very informative excellent information as got me taking a chance its on its way Many Thanks 🙂
I have one on order from Amazon. This will be a good test before I can order a transceiver. I have at least three iterations of the cables. I am hoping they did not use some farther off the wall design than the industry standard
Great video and love the new intro! 🤘😎🤘🍻
Thanks!!
I had a 20 for maybe 2 months and my encoder had locked up.
Hello my friend fantastic and beatiful radio 📻 😊
Many thanks
@@CB-RADIO-UK Happy New day 🆗️👍🤗
Great review, great channel ❤
Looks like Europe is using those LF AM bands to good effect. They are quiet here in Missouri.
Great little receiver for the price 😀
It looks like that IC you pointed out on the 20+ might be mounted on the bottom of the 20. There's solder pads for it that appear to have solder on them. Although how they are able to invert it is beyond me. Would be interesting to see the bottom of both boards.
Yes it could be. Not sure is double layer board.
Good on ya Fred, great review mate.
Sub'd.
A lot of these radios were shipped with Arduinos that had bad USB ports and to update the firmware in mine I had to replace the Arduino.
I guess some bad quality control will always slip through esp at this price. Ive not had an issue other than a bad encoder on the mk1 but then again every one got that.
Fred in the Shed both the ATS20+ and the Raddy RF750 which you made a video on your channel i have bought, but withg the ATS20+ i have so few radio station where with the rf750 i can find many radio stations. I could tell people to stay away from the arduino based ats20+ radios they are no good. Also i have seen the same thing on your radio fred the battery only charges to 80% while it has been charged untill the green light got lit! If you wanna buy a computer based radios you can better go with the ones that are more expensive like the SDR receivers like the MALACHIT or other brands! But still fred thanks for sharing this video!
I agree with you on the battery level. Even after a full charge it drops to 80%. However i am not sure the meter is all that accurate as it stays on 80% for a long time. The Raddy RF750 does work well. For £30 though this radio does bring in a lot of stations. Thanks for the comment.
@@CB-RADIO-UK On the battery....you know it is very easy to add your own removable 18650 inside the ATS20, if you need it. Plenty of room. Many thanks for the updated video, Fred. I still love my standard ATS20 but have very much appreciated using Ricardo's firmware updates to them, plus modifying the software myself to include a full band.
You say you don't understand why they use old USB mini ports and haven't integrated the programming and the charging port but when you opened it up it shows EXACTLY why. They haven't integrated them because they used pre-made modules. They bought a Nano and a TP4056 module off the shelf to stick onto their board and didn't bother to have to design anything related to USB. They saved themselved quite a lot of headache and money by doing that.
And the Nanos are clones. "Nano" isn't the branding, "Arduino" is. "Arduino Nano" is printed on the bottom of the official boards. Neither word appears on the top of the official boards.
Yes that makes sense.
Interesting content 👌
Frid in the shed my hobbies are painting pictures and listening to shortwave and ssb iam thinking about getting my Grms license
i have the + version if you click on the tuning nob it scan the selected band,works only on AM atleast at work at mine i think i have a other filmware
Thanks i will give it a try.
Yes, it does. Mind you, i have updated my firmware, too.
@@englishrupe01 i didt update mine came with this firmware idk how to update tbh
@@19TC504 Yep, that's fine....if you don't know basic Arduino i wouldn't mess with it, but if you do it's fun.
Have they at least offered to ship new free knobs?
BY the way I have been enjoying the channel for a while now,thank you.
Thanks. Love your avatar by the way. "Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day "
❤❤❤❤
Thanks for the video Fred. I've played around with SDRSharp and want to look into getting an inexpensive physical SDR, though regrettably cannot have a permanent antenna in my shared garden. I thought a loop antenna might be a perfect compromise (and one I could sometimes take outside) but a lot of posters on Reddit have told me that it would be no better than a whip antenna. Would you recommend the loop in such a situation?
I ve just fully tested the loop. Straight performance such as pure gain its prob no better than a whip. However as it works on such a narrow bandwidth you can tune out a lot of noise. So if you have a lot of noise at home then it could be the answer.
Hey Fred , I got my radio today , could not believe how small it was ? Quick question for you ? Where does shortwave start and finish ? On the unit they just have AM it does not say if your SW or AM . Thanks buddy .
Hi. Glad you like your radio. SW is all on AM for the broadcast band. Shortwave runs from about 3000 KHz to about 25000 KHz. You will find most stations between 8000 - 12000 during the daytime. Some higher in the eve. This might help. ccrane.com/shortwave-frequency-list/
How about 10 meter FM reception? There is spot in 10 meter where FM is allowed.
Yes. It works really well on 10m. I have a video coming up on Friday.
Hey Fred, what does the 80% in the bottom right corner mean? Also still have not figured the mode button and switch button do ? I had it on left side and still got lsb and usb ?
I think it signal strength.
great review I am new to this radio .they are for sale at Walmart US for $18 free shipping in the US a bargain !is there any firmware updates for this ?just curious
Yes i believe there are. Lots of info in forums etc.
can it pick up AM VFH Airband?
No not this model.
can somebody tell me if the sound quality is enough to plug the audio into a computer and decode FT8 JS8? digital modes?
Hi mate Les from Oldham
Still watching and learning from your channel
If CB home bases are still available could you please give me any advice as to where I can buy one
Thank you
Les
Hi Les. No longer made Iam afraid. See this video. ruclips.net/video/fYaehCXja4g/видео.html
@@CB-RADIO-UK ok thanks no worries
No link for the mag loop antenna?
Not yet. Full review will be up on Sunday.
Just curious... Did you try unplugging the red&black wire that was plugged into the new unit's PCB to see what happened? P.S. - I thought it picked up stations very well with the telescoping antenna....last edit. while listening to you I checked it Amazon and it's selling for $45 USD which is a good price. A Good gift for my Grandson. Active loop? Best, Passive loop? I never got the one I had to pick up much. .. . ok, 'Nuff Said.
No i did not but it looked like a power cable. I wonder if it was for the USB C socket.
Fred…I don’t see a link for the antenna….
Hi. Yes not reviewed it yet. Link will be with the video.
@@CB-RADIO-UK thanx Fred! 👍💨
how to update the filmware?
Not sure myself. I will be leaving ver 1.5.
i have filmware version 3.0.4 i order it from aliexpres few weeks ago
Yer the first one was rubbish. They gave me my money back though so fair enough
'new' it isn't new at least a year old..
Not to me ;-)