@@N0GIY Funny. No, they have been working on the LC100 for a bit now so I'll be saving my money for that unit just based on what I've heard about what they will be doing with SSB integration. Or so "they" say.
I should add another issue on the LC90 -- although the receiver has SSB implemented through firmware, both the stability of SSB as well as the accuracy in terms of readout, remain a problem. I have noted when in SSB an error on the display relative to the tuned frequency of 200 hz -- so if tuning 9,395 khz in SSB, zero beat is achieved at 9,395.20 variable.
Maybe they were trying to make more radio for the price point. I suspect the updated model will cost more, but if they iron out all of these problems it could be a great, versatile radio.
I still am glad I returned mine to Amazon, because I could not connect to my wifi as I can with my other devices. Their reply was something to do with WPA2 security or something like that. I have a small Ocean Digital, which is a portable Internet receiver which does also receive FM broadcasts. It seems to be a European receiver as it can receive DAB over there, which is not used in N America. 😊
Месяц назад+1
The reply I got was that this is only compatible with 2.4G Wifi- which explains one of the many problems I had with this device.
You should NEVER wait for the technology to get better unless a new release is imminent. Next year there's going to be talk about the new thing following that year, on and on. Rather, start enjoying NOW.
Thanks for the review, Dan. I'm on my second one of these radios. The first one I got kept shutting off after random amounts of time. This would happen both while listening to radio and streaming. When it shuts off, the settings (wifi, etc.) have to be re-set up. I reached out to Choyong, and they asked me which firmware I had. After confirming that I had the newest firmware, they didn't respond back. So I exchanged it for a new unit, and it worked perfectly for a week before it started exhibiting the same problem (just today). I'm wondering if you've heard of anyone having this issue. These radios are on sale right now for Prime day, so I may order another one and return this one. Maybe third time's the charm. If not, hopefully, it's something they can patch with firmware. Other than that issue, I think the radio is great. Maybe it's just a QC issue and I'm getting some bad units. Fingers crossed.
Месяц назад+1
Here's a question: Why would they design this radio to only work with 2.4G Wifi? That seems ridiculous. Beyond that, the radio I just received (5/30/2024) had firmware version 4.2 (not the updated 4.5). SSB not functional, won't connect with my phone's Hotspot, won't install 4.5 though computer download (followed their PDF instructions, failed every time). It's going back. In my estimation, this thing is as big a mess as the infamous Eton disaster.
OK, so to respond to the question on updating: you need to have at least 4.3 firmware as I recall to be able to do easy OTA upgrade. If you don't have that, you will have to use a Windows 10/11 PC and that procedure is a bit involved. If you already are at 4.3 minimum, you just go to SETTINGS (GEAR button) then to VERSION and you should see the new firmware if it is available. But you have to first make sure you are connected to your WIFI. The designer said some time ago that certain WPA security levels will not allow a connection. You may want to post your question on the new LC90 Facebook group where the Mr. Qiang and other Choyong reps are...
Thanks Dan for your update video. However, I opted for the Raddy RF-919 because I have metered internet (Cellular internet). The Raddy sounds nice but has the same issue on SSB as your LC90 shortwave only. The manual is my main complaint as it took me awhile to figure how to access the LNA/Low Pass filters etc. this is not an intuitive radio interface. The Radio is the best FM performance on any radio I have, but no RDS. I really wished they would let me access all the modes with just one button push instead of a round a bout way of accessing NBFM on 10M 11M CB bands. If you put it in CB band you only have AM only , select SW you have AM/SSB only and to get to NBFM you have to select VHF band. My Belka all mode (2022). Model lets you select any mode on the entire coverage .01 KHZ to 30MHZ with just one button so I know it can be accomplished! I also wish the SSB was as simple as the Belka to tune. As it is the Raddy tunes like my Raddy 760 or my GP5 receivers. Since I only had my Raddy two weeks as of this writing I hope they will have firmware updates to address these issues. 73! Have a great day!
I am listening to the Hurricane watch net for Beryl. I am in NE Texas, I have 120 ft. Long wire antenna across my cow pasture with the electric fences turned off. The LC 90 will not tune to the operators voice. It stays Star Wars sounding. On the same antenna the Tecsun PL-330 tunes perfectly fine to the net. In fact the signal strength is better, holding the frequency is more stable And I have volume control on the Tecsun where I am severely limited on volume level of the LC 90. Honestly for a 250 dollar radio, this thing is junk! It isn't even designed for the SWR user with this funky antenna jack and charging port locations. The Chinese missed the mark here and mines going back for something Grundigish!
I really don't see the benefit of buying this radio. I keep hearing about how it benefits from its internet reception, but I can always just buy an internet radio and use it for internet listening or I can listen on my computer or phone with other app's. Unless they make the traditional radio receiver section stronger, it's a non-starter for me.
The LC100 is supposed to be quite the refresh of this radio.
Where do you see an LC100!??! You must be living in next year or something. :P
@@N0GIY Funny. No, they have been working on the LC100 for a bit now so I'll be saving my money for that unit just based on what I've heard about what they will be doing with SSB integration. Or so "they" say.
@@N0GIYI’ve been hearing about this new receiver. It is indeed a refresh of the LC 90
And I would wait a good year after it's release to buy one. My LC90 had an arms-length list of problems. It was sent back.
Agreed.
I should add another issue on the LC90 -- although the receiver has SSB implemented through firmware, both the stability of SSB as well as the accuracy in terms of readout, remain a problem. I have noted when in SSB an error on the display relative to the tuned frequency of 200 hz -- so if tuning 9,395 khz in SSB, zero beat is achieved at 9,395.20 variable.
Thank you Dan Robinson for your excellent review.
So what I get out of this excellent review is to wait until next year with fingers crossed. Thanks Dan!
Maybe they were trying to make more radio for the price point. I suspect the updated model will cost more, but if they iron out all of these problems it could be a great, versatile radio.
I still am glad I returned mine to Amazon, because I could not
connect to my wifi as I can with
my other devices.
Their reply was something to do with
WPA2 security or something like
that.
I have a small Ocean Digital, which
is a portable Internet receiver which
does also receive FM broadcasts.
It seems to be a European receiver
as it can receive DAB over there,
which is not used in N America. 😊
The reply I got was that this is only compatible with 2.4G Wifi- which explains one of the many problems I had with this device.
Thanks 😊 yes
You should NEVER wait for the technology to get better unless a new release is imminent. Next year there's going to be talk about the new thing following that year, on and on. Rather, start enjoying NOW.
Thanks for the review, Dan. I'm on my second one of these radios. The first one I got kept shutting off after random amounts of time. This would happen both while listening to radio and streaming. When it shuts off, the settings (wifi, etc.) have to be re-set up. I reached out to Choyong, and they asked me which firmware I had. After confirming that I had the newest firmware, they didn't respond back. So I exchanged it for a new unit, and it worked perfectly for a week before it started exhibiting the same problem (just today). I'm wondering if you've heard of anyone having this issue. These radios are on sale right now for Prime day, so I may order another one and return this one. Maybe third time's the charm. If not, hopefully, it's something they can patch with firmware. Other than that issue, I think the radio is great. Maybe it's just a QC issue and I'm getting some bad units. Fingers crossed.
Here's a question: Why would they design this radio to only work with 2.4G Wifi? That seems ridiculous.
Beyond that, the radio I just received (5/30/2024) had firmware version 4.2 (not the updated 4.5). SSB not functional, won't connect with my phone's Hotspot, won't install 4.5 though computer download (followed their PDF instructions, failed every time). It's going back.
In my estimation, this thing is as big a mess as the infamous Eton disaster.
OK, so to respond to the question on updating: you need to have at least 4.3 firmware as I recall to be able to do easy OTA upgrade. If you don't have that, you will have to use a Windows 10/11 PC and that procedure is a bit involved. If you already are at 4.3 minimum, you just go to SETTINGS (GEAR button) then to VERSION and you should see the new firmware if it is available. But you have to first make sure you are connected to your WIFI. The designer said some time ago that certain WPA security levels will not allow a connection. You may want to post your question on the new LC90 Facebook group where the Mr. Qiang and other Choyong reps are...
Thank's Dan, appreciate your review. I'll hold off until the LC100. A proper working SSB is imperative and hopefully we see that in the next version.
Still cheaper for me to use a Sihuadon R108 (I don’t do SSB), plus the Radio Garden free app and SiriusXM (which I got a deal on for $5 per month)
Does this radio have VHF Marine?
Thanks Dan for your update video. However, I opted for the Raddy RF-919 because I have metered internet (Cellular internet).
The Raddy sounds nice but has the same issue on SSB as your LC90 shortwave only. The manual is my main complaint as it took me awhile to figure how to access the LNA/Low Pass filters etc. this is not an intuitive radio interface. The Radio is the best FM performance on any radio I have, but no RDS. I really wished they would let me access all the modes with just one button push instead of a round a bout way of accessing NBFM on 10M 11M CB bands. If you put it in CB band you only have AM only , select SW you have AM/SSB only and to get to NBFM you have to select VHF band.
My Belka all mode (2022). Model lets you select any mode on the entire coverage .01 KHZ to 30MHZ with just one button so I know it can be accomplished! I also wish the SSB was as simple as the Belka to tune. As it is the Raddy tunes like my Raddy 760 or my GP5 receivers.
Since I only had my Raddy two weeks as of this writing I hope they will have firmware updates to address these issues.
73! Have a great day!
Hello Dan .could you please explain in detail how to upgrade to the new firmware via wifi. Thanks Ron Z. WA3090SWL.
Still no Air Band
There are no plans to add AIR band to the LC90. You can't have everything that other radios have...
I am listening to the Hurricane watch net for Beryl. I am in NE Texas, I have 120 ft. Long wire antenna across my cow pasture with the electric fences turned off. The LC 90 will not tune to the operators voice. It stays Star Wars sounding. On the same antenna the Tecsun PL-330 tunes perfectly fine to the net. In fact the signal strength is better, holding the frequency is more stable And I have volume control on the Tecsun where I am severely limited on volume level of the LC 90. Honestly for a 250 dollar radio, this thing is junk! It isn't even designed for the SWR user with this funky antenna jack and charging port locations. The Chinese missed the mark here and mines going back for something Grundigish!
I ordered and canceled this Smart Radio twice on Amozon due to negative issues by you and several other youtubers who are specialists in Radios.
I really don't see the benefit of buying this radio. I keep hearing about how it benefits from its internet reception, but I can always just buy an internet radio and use it for internet listening or I can listen on my computer or phone with other app's. Unless they make the traditional radio receiver section stronger, it's a non-starter for me.
Better get one while you can things not good with the sneaky Chinese spying on everyone
Especially TikTok. 😅
Yeah, and they might just use the LC90 to spy on us. After all, it's a smart radio.