Yes I agree this is one of the best portables overall. I'm enjoying mine. Great radio on all bands especially FM band. I gotten new catches on MW with this radio also. Great review Gilles. Have a great day.
I have the SR 286. It's a great radio. I like that one can adjust the sensitivity when doing a scan. Keep the manual handy--there are lots of features.
Just bought one, the reviews are good, price is good and it’s my first venture in this type radio, my dad was a ham op when I was a kid. His shack was in the attic and I was fascinated by it, I’ve always loved radio and I’m really looking forward to playing with this one
I enjoyed your review! I recently got a Qodosen DX-286 as well and am truly impressed with its performance! I experimented with the MW band and have found that its sensitivity is stellar when connected directly to an external passive tuned loop antenna via a cable. I’m using a Radio Shack #15-1853. Its on par with the Tecsun AN-200, which is still being manufactured. Its built-in loop-stick is utilitarian at best and couples only fair inductively to passive loops. Direct connection is best with the amp turned on. The FM is indeed astonishingly sensitive and selective! I like the audio tone. It’s pleasant for a radio this tiny! Unfortunately for me, I was one of the unlucky few that got a unit that has a rattling vibration emanating from its right side. But, I’m not sending it back. I will eventually buy another and use the one I have now to knock around with. One more thing; thank you for mentioning that the bandwidth settings restore to their defaults when the radio is turned off. I noticed that as well and I thought I was going mad! But, that’s just how it was designed apparently. It’s a great radio!
Thanks Gilles I agree with your review although I have the older SR-286. That TEF6686 chip inside the QoDosen really makes it a DX machine. I do hope TEF designs another chip making it capable of SSB and NBFM. This would make it my go to receiver then. 73! Have a great day!
Very tempted to buy but without SSB and the chuffing (and not going to 30 MHz) I think I will wait for the more deluxe model. I don’t do a lot of pocket radio listening really or I would spring for this, especially for the FM performance. I sure hope they release a more deluxe version
Great review. For the form factor, if you had to choose between only this radio and the PL-990x what would you choose? As a ham I’m leaning towards the Tecsun due to SSB
Great review, thanks a lot! I sat down with my SR 286 and DX 286 duo on the table in front of me and watched the review - fantastic! We truly live in great times with these little gems still being manufactured. 😉
You should get away from the noise of the house and get to the park with this radio and use the telescopic/amp for MW and LW, its pretty crazy just how good it is.
This is a good radio, but what would be more ideal is to build it bigger (which means bigger audio!), add Air Band, SSB, synchronous detection, and throw in Marine Band/CW, since so much can fit in this TE6686 car radio chip!
Hi ,I bought mine this evening! So incredible ! Do you think that we can exchange the antenna by soldering with an SMA in order to put a dx antenna or other to further improve reception even more ?🤪
It appears that the Qodosen DX-286 is a BIG WINNER! Thank you, Gilles! P.S. Lacks compete CB coverage & No SSB. Radio plays better when held by your hands due to conductance. Using an external antenna will both improve signal & eliminate the need for hand conductance. Battery not included...
I would rather have a radio with SSB and a bigger telescopic antenna for the price. I don't think I'll purchase this one. However, I acknowledge that it is an excellent receiver for its intended purpose. Just is not my cup of tea.
it actually beats all the radios that have AM FM... for example if you DX FM or Mediumwave it is way more sensitive than d-808 ... the question really will be do you need SSB or not and if not then this is a better choice
@@OfficialSWLchannel I found the MW ferrite of the D808 to be excellent for MW DXing with a good null too , I understand it is a bit longer than other radios in its class, how does this compare ? don't really do FM dxing
Hi Gill, thanks for your review of the Qodosen DX-286 and your videos featuring it. I bought the Qodosen DX-286 yesterday, so I'm looking forward to receiving the radio at my place in Sweden. The fact that it doesn't have an airband doesn't matter much; I have it in other radios, and I have a radio scanner that I usually use for the airbands. But I agree with you, Gill, it would have been nice if the Qodosen DX-286 went all the way up on the shortwave bands, and absolutely, it would have been so nice if the Qodosen DX-286 had SSB. So we'll see, but if we're lucky Gill, maybe the Qodosen DX-286 will come with SSB in the future. Otherwise, the Qodosen DX-286 seems to be a wonderful radio. I have seen many reviews of this radio and read on many different radio pages online, and the Qodosen DX-286 gets very good ratings and praise from many people out there. Take care Gill and have a pleasant day in Montreal.
The tuning mute just kills it, is it really a must? I think my pioneer car radio with that 6686 chip has 1 second muting on FM and even longer one on AM, but those aluminum radios seem to be able to mostly remove it at least on FM. Stupid, stupid, stupid feature, make it as short as possible, no one needs it, it never had a purpose other than to annoy people who want to tune.
It is not twice the price in fact the 330 is more expensive and second if you are a real FM DXer it blows the 330 away by a longshot.. so all depends what you want to do
When I first saw this radio, I did not think of the SW1 right away. The size are a little different and the DX286 was made with a different purpose in mind.
One reason I would definitely buy one is that it's a great design, and Sony will never resume producing their receivers-that's gone. So, in my opinion, it's really cool that Qodosen used that design as inspiration (it's not an exact copy, by the way).
The Sony ICF SW1S sold for $350 in 1987. I owned one. That's equivalent to $950 in 2024 dollars. The SR/DX 286 is a MUCH better radio. It does have similar design elements to the Sony, as do radios like CC Skywave, Radiwow, etc. Since Sony long since abandoned that market, I can't follow the idea that anyone should look at the Qodosen as having done anything to infringe. It is a completely different circuit in every way. Incidentally, Sony used inferior capacitors - very few of those radios work more than ten years.
Always good to see new radio come out on the market. Radio is alive and kicking.👍
Hi, I agree with you. The release of a new radio that is as good as the Qodosen DX-286 is great. Take care and have a lovely day.
Yes I agree this is one of the best portables overall. I'm enjoying mine. Great radio on all bands especially FM band. I gotten new catches on MW with this radio also. Great review Gilles. Have a great day.
I bought this last year. I'd wish I have more time listening with this radio. It is an amazing machine.
Thanks for the review. I bought one. Boy is it small! It also came in a nice hard case.
I have the SR 286. It's a great radio. I like that one can adjust the sensitivity when doing a scan. Keep the manual handy--there are lots of features.
Thank you for mentioning the external antenna connector, which are being scarce on portables.
Just bought one, the reviews are good, price is good and it’s my first venture in this type radio, my dad was a ham op when I was a kid. His shack was in the attic and I was fascinated by it, I’ve always loved radio and I’m really looking forward to playing with this one
I enjoyed your review! I recently got a Qodosen DX-286 as well and am truly impressed with its performance! I experimented with the MW band and have found that its sensitivity is stellar when connected directly to an external passive tuned loop antenna via a cable. I’m using a Radio Shack #15-1853. Its on par with the Tecsun AN-200, which is still being manufactured. Its built-in loop-stick is utilitarian at best and couples only fair inductively to passive loops. Direct connection is best with the amp turned on. The FM is indeed astonishingly sensitive and selective! I like the audio tone. It’s pleasant for a radio this tiny! Unfortunately for me, I was one of the unlucky few that got a unit that has a rattling vibration emanating from its right side. But, I’m not sending it back. I will eventually buy another and use the one I have now to knock around with. One more thing; thank you for mentioning that the bandwidth settings restore to their defaults when the radio is turned off. I noticed that as well and I thought I was going mad! But, that’s just how it was designed apparently. It’s a great radio!
Mine arrives tomorrow. Will check it out. Thanks for the video
Thanks very much. Ordered one encouraged by your prior band scanning videos
So looking forward to this review!!
Just got mine from amazon a few days ago. Still working my way thru the menus/options but VERY impressed so far.
This is a fun radio. I spent an evening easily jumping around from New Zealand to Montreal, and that’s after only having it a couple hours.
Agreed!! Incredible Radio!! Thanks for the review....
Thanks Gilles
Great review 🎉
Thanks Gilles I agree with your review although I have the older SR-286. That TEF6686 chip inside the QoDosen really makes it a DX machine. I do hope TEF designs another chip making it capable of SSB and NBFM. This would make it my go to receiver then.
73! Have a great day!
can't wait to get my hands on this one
Here in the uk I am hearing ndbs on long wave using a few metres of wire in the daytime that are inaudible on my tecsun, sangean and xh data radios
Very tempted to buy but without SSB and the chuffing (and not going to 30 MHz) I think I will wait for the more deluxe model. I don’t do a lot of pocket radio listening really or I would spring for this, especially for the FM performance. I sure hope they release a more deluxe version
This radio is really good. Maybe future models will have SSB like you mentioned. I'd like a PL880 sized version with a bigger speaker.
Great review. For the form factor, if you had to choose between only this radio and the PL-990x what would you choose? As a ham I’m leaning towards the Tecsun due to SSB
Great review, thanks a lot! I sat down with my SR 286 and DX 286 duo on the table in front of me and watched the review - fantastic! We truly live in great times with these little gems still being manufactured. 😉
You should get away from the noise of the house and get to the park with this radio and use the telescopic/amp for MW and LW, its pretty crazy just how good it is.
If they make a model with full shortwave band, air band and SSB, I'll definitely buy it 😉
This is a good radio, but what would be more ideal is to build it bigger (which means bigger audio!), add Air Band, SSB, synchronous detection, and throw in Marine Band/CW, since so much can fit in this TE6686 car radio chip!
Hi ,I bought mine this evening! So incredible ! Do you think that we can exchange the antenna by soldering with an SMA in order to put a dx antenna or other to further improve reception even more ?🤪
Besides SSB, I would like the ability to upgrade the firmware for new features or fixes
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
If they are going to add SSB, they should also add DRM and other digital modes used on shortwave.
Will Qodosen manufacture a receiver with same quality and ssb? It would be nice.
I hope tecsun or xhdata will make a shortwave radio with the car chip in 2025
I think it's time to compare this radio to some of the other portables.
How do you think it compares to a xhdata d-808? Should they perform similar? Just started the video. :)
Manufacturers should provide access to the entire HF band if they want to call it shortwave.
It appears that the Qodosen DX-286 is a BIG WINNER! Thank you, Gilles! P.S. Lacks compete CB coverage & No SSB. Radio plays better when held by your hands due to conductance. Using an external antenna will both improve signal & eliminate the need for hand conductance. Battery not included...
Can you change the AM bandwidth using the tuning knob or is that possible on FM only?
yes on any band
I would rather have a radio with SSB and a bigger telescopic antenna for the price. I don't think I'll purchase this one. However, I acknowledge that it is an excellent receiver for its intended purpose. Just is not my cup of tea.
No SSB makes it pretty well just an AM/FM portable, I'll stick with the XHDATA D-808
it actually beats all the radios that have AM FM... for example if you DX FM or Mediumwave it is way more sensitive than d-808 ... the question really will be do you need SSB or not and if not then this is a better choice
@@OfficialSWLchannel I found the MW ferrite of the D808 to be excellent for MW DXing with a good null too , I understand it is a bit longer than other radios in its class, how does this compare ? don't really do FM dxing
If you do not do any FM dxing probably fine on the 808 .. the FM dxing is really making it better than all others
Interesting feature that it works best held in the hand.....
Oh wait you need a live human hand?
Hmmmmm.........😅
Does the external antenna connection work for medium wave?
yes
Hi Gill, thanks for your review of the Qodosen DX-286 and your videos featuring it. I bought the Qodosen DX-286 yesterday, so I'm looking forward to receiving the radio at my place in Sweden. The fact that it doesn't have an airband doesn't matter much; I have it in other radios, and I have a radio scanner that I usually use for the airbands. But I agree with you, Gill, it would have been nice if the Qodosen DX-286 went all the way up on the shortwave bands, and absolutely, it would have been so nice if the Qodosen DX-286 had SSB. So we'll see, but if we're lucky Gill, maybe the Qodosen DX-286 will come with SSB in the future. Otherwise, the Qodosen DX-286 seems to be a wonderful radio. I have seen many reviews of this radio and read on many different radio pages online, and the Qodosen DX-286 gets very good ratings and praise from many people out there. Take care Gill and have a pleasant day in Montreal.
The tuning mute just kills it, is it really a must? I think my pioneer car radio with that 6686 chip has 1 second muting on FM and even longer one on AM, but those aluminum radios seem to be able to mostly remove it at least on FM. Stupid, stupid, stupid feature, make it as short as possible, no one needs it, it never had a purpose other than to annoy people who want to tune.
Do the buttons light up?
No.
Why would I pay twice as much for this radio vs that of a Tecsun 330 and it doesn't even have SSB????
It is not twice the price in fact the 330 is more expensive and second if you are a real FM DXer it blows the 330 away by a longshot.. so all depends what you want to do
Since it has many different bandwidths on FM, can it also tune in SCA signals, or would additional circuitry be needed for that?
This radio copies the exact design from Sony ICF-SW1, one reason I will definitely not buy one.
really dont care about that personally
When I first saw this radio, I did not think of the SW1 right away. The size are a little different and the DX286 was made with a different purpose in mind.
One reason I would definitely buy one is that it's a great design, and Sony will never resume producing their receivers-that's gone. So, in my opinion, it's really cool that Qodosen used that design as inspiration (it's not an exact copy, by the way).
The Sony ICF SW1S sold for $350 in 1987. I owned one. That's equivalent to $950 in 2024 dollars. The SR/DX 286 is a MUCH better radio. It does have similar design elements to the Sony, as do radios like CC Skywave, Radiwow, etc. Since Sony long since abandoned that market, I can't follow the idea that anyone should look at the Qodosen as having done anything to infringe. It is a completely different circuit in every way. Incidentally, Sony used inferior capacitors - very few of those radios work more than ten years.