ATS 25-AMP (Si4732) SW LW AM FM radio. Is it any good ?
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- Опубліковано 18 жов 2024
- ATS25 -AMP Shortwave LW AM FM RDS Radio Receiver. Latest 4.17 version. Full length review and on air testing.
Buy Here. ban.ggood.vip/...
Overview
This version is the latest real firmware version 4.17, an exclusive modified version in collaboration with the original Russian author. It supports upgrading to the official website of ATS25-AMP and the new version officially replaces the old version of ATS25Max. The 4.17 version supports all features of the old version and adds features not available in the old version
New features in version 4.17:
1. The machine carries the latest genuine firmware and supports subsequent upgrades
2. Add personalized interface
3. Support LNA function (can be controlled on or off on the screen, and there is an indicator light prompt)
4. Support high impedance HI-Z mode (switchable on the screen with indicator light prompt)
5. Support 50ohm mode (with screen switchable and indicator light prompt)
6. Built-in bandpass filtering circuit for filtering, and shielding cover for interference shielding
7. Support CW decoding function
8. Equipped with a 3-inch external magnetic full frequency stereo speaker, the sound quality is better and there is no broken sound. Use headphones to listen to stereo programs within the range of FM broadcasts. The headphone cable is used as an FM antenna. Automatic switching of antenna input.
9. You can adjust the screen brightness or turn off the screen completely to increase more autonomy and reduce interference.
Frequency range: 132KHZ -30000KHZ, suitable for AM, SYNC, SSB, DIGI; 64MHZ -108MHZ, suitable for FM and RDS. CW, according to different modulation modes, is the adjustable bandwidth range from 500HZ to 6000HZ for real-time signal quality measurement and automatic channel search based on acquired data. For SSB, the minimum frequency adjustment step size is 10HZ. The BFO generator can be used to fine-tune any amateur radio frequency band, with accuracy up to 1HZ. Receive RDS information about site name, current program, radio station type and local time to support regional RDS standards.
Product parameters:
Shell material: aluminum alloy
Built-in lithium battery 3.7V/3000ma
TYPE-C program upgrade and charging
Shell size: 11.1*10.2*4.7 cm, excluding protruding parts
Product weight: 500g
Package size: 14*11.5*5.5cm
I've bought the AMP version and I'm really happy I did. It might not be the best SW receiver I have (the Qodosen SR-286 beats in in SW sensitivity) but it's a joy to use, especially for listening to the ham bands. It seems to match quite well with my MLA30+ in my noisy urban environment. Not all my receivers do.
With its big tuning wheel and all its features, it feels like a big Kenwood base station receiver.
Thanks for letting me know this wonderful toy.
Thanks for sharing
Good review Fred .... pity all the ones who watch it can't be bothered to give you the thumbs up 🙄
I wish the screen was bigger! As an older person, I'm struggling with a 15*8cm phone screen. Lovely review and up to date software.
I received mine this morning, no fancy case but a full colour 23 page manual which makes a very easy to drive radio even easier to drive. The wi fi antenna is for firmware updates ota and it works!
Nice one. Its a lot of fun to use. Also the wifi is used for timing for FT8 data decoding and the like.
How many memories have this one? And is it possible to recorder the station name into the memories? Thanks
Hi Fred, I have the max-decoder version and once connected via the antenna there is an led light just to the left of the digital readout that changes colour to tell you if propagation is good on all ham bands ie; red = not good and yellow = not bad but green = good and it works very well also with my version you get a multi page colour manual!! hope that helps gr8 video as usual thanks .......
Pareil ATS25 Max décodeur ❤
Frid in the shed your utube videos are awesome my friend
I like the ATS displays across all the units you have reviewed so far.
that stylus was once the standard defacto for graphic artists drawing pads. architecture/designers/artists...
Thanks for the review. Currently waiting for mine. Let's see if I'm one of the lucky ones who gets it with a user manual in the box but if that's not the case, this video will be really helpful to keep as a reference. Many thanks also to those contributing with useful info in the comments, much appreciated.
Hope you enjoy it!
@@CB-RADIO-UK Thanks !!! Received it today and already having fun. No instructions but in case anyone is interested the pdf manual for the 4.16 revision is easily found in the harduino website.
Great Review, still working out if I should get one of these. Currently using an rtl-sdr with laptop for my out in the field SWL. This would reduce my carry load and simplify things a bit, plus it seems, according to you review, that the battery life will be a big plus over laptop battery life.
I've had the ATS25 AMP since last December. I think it's basically similar to the MAX Decoder variant except for the light blue LED indicators and the omission of the physical antenna switch at the back. The AMP is supposed to have additional filtering circuits but I don't know if it does, since I don't have the MAX Decoder to compare it to.
The Hi-Z mode is noisy when the supplied telescopic antenna is used. This receiver really shines when I use an external long wire antenna with a 49:1 balun or the MLA-30+ loop and the pulsating noise disappears. The WiFi connection is required if you want to decode FT8 signals as it synchronizes the internal clock with an Internet time server or to check the propagation conditions.
Everything else seems to be identical to the MAX Decoder as they both run the same 4.17 Air Beta software. There's still no Bluetooth functionality, the speaker pops loudly when the radio is turned on and switching between AM and SSB or FM. The spectrogram was confusing to me at first - I thought it was like my Malahit DSP1 clone but it isn't. The waterfall display is just eye candy and doesn't give me any useful information, since it's based on the audio frequency (the sound) and not the receiver's intermediate frequency. There's a LCD time-out feature to help extend the battery life but the developer hasn't added a sleep feature, which every Tecsun and XHDATA radio with a digital frequency display has. It doesn't have an auto shut off timer until the battery nearly runs out.
I got my ATS-25 AMP from Shopee and it was the lowest price I've seen. I paid to the equivalent of US$74 for mine, including shipping from China. This is a really nice little shortwave receiver but it has a long way to go before it becomes a polished product, free from annoying traits like the audio popping sounds and the noisy telescopic whip. 📻😐
Which is the band for listening to air traffic controller ? Can we upgrade to future release firmware using same license key ?
@@Felix-tz1tk None. The developers haven't introduced an ATS-25 model that is capable of tuning to the Air Band yet. The Si 4732 DSP tuner chip is limited to the FM broadcast bands (64-108 MHz), MW and SW (1.7 kHz-29999 kHz) and has no provision for the VHF AM Air Band. It's not a simple case of firmware programming - the hardware requires an additional daughter board for VHF AM Air Band, which the current ATS-25 radios don't have yet.
The reason why some shortwave radios like the Tecsun PL-660, 680, XHDATA D-808 and Sihuadon R-109 are able to tune into air traffic is because they have a separate VHF AM tuner added to the main board.
If you were referring to aircraft communication with the airport tower using HF, you'll need to look up reception reports of aircraft HF comms. They are usually quite faint transmissions and are harder to eavesdrop compared to the VHF Air Band.
_"Can we upgrade to future release firmware using same license key ?"_
Yes, as long as your license key is valid you can upgrade to future firmware revisions. Just remember never to release your unit's license key in the Setup.
Hello Fred , I hope that all is well & good & thank you for sharing The ATS 25-AMP , it's very interesting & I'll look further into that & may purchase one .
I wanted to mention that the Alinco DX-SR9 cannot be found anywhere on the planet , it's such a brilliant radio for the price ! , I'm very pleased that I purchased mine from Martin Lynch & Son , I was lucky enough to search at the right place at the right time , it was the cheapest HF radio on the market , it's as new in the box , I've had the radio for several months now & I'm very grateful that I saw your DX-SR8 , it lead the path to me finding the DX-SR9 .
Any other HF radio that I have seen similar to the Alinco has been much higher in price .
Hi. Long time no hear so hope your doing well. Such a shame about the SR9 and SR8. Same with the Yaesu 450D no longer sold but replace with a radio costing twice as much. Alinco made so very good sensible priced radios.
Fine video, but I prefer a BNC as it gives a firm action when connected fully. But that's my preference . I also swap antennas around as all radio and antennas go to a patch panel so I can cross connect any antenna to any radio. I am looking at this as a replacement of my current sw receiver. Thank you for your time and work making this.
Fab video, I don’t think lack of FM is a bad thing. Not to many people use it nowadays, most on Ssb now.
Great box though, thanks for the review.
There was a massive 40 W out FM 10+ 11 mtr tcvr being made by the likes of
Anytone a while back .
It sadly went out of production. THe value for money you got for this compared with say a 20 W SSB transceiver that might cost 30% more because of more complex circuitry is worth considering. Perhaps not enough of the world (SA Australia, Nz for example ) who could have allowed 40W CB NBFMM did so and the market then was not there. I'm guessing. Tim F
Frid in the shed your ATS 25 AMP si 47324 ,17 v mw lw fm sw ssb 5 band portable receiver is awesome my friend
Thanks Greg.
For in the shed I learn lot from you about bying quality cbs radios with AM FM ssb and antennas for cb radios my friend
Hey Fred - documentation - why not write a guide up for the community ? :) Nice review!
Wouldn't a software update fix the FM issue, probably a good idea to just ask them Fred. Thank you for the time and effort you out in your videos very grateful 🎯💯‼️
Maybe. We will have to wait and see.
@@CB-RADIO-UKwould've definitely ticked all the boxes for me and the rest for £70 that is a whopping piece of kit going portable with.
Yes its only the muppets thats missing. All the SSB skip is covered on 11m.
I've got the MAX version with 4.16 fw, guess I can upgrade mine to 4.17 but this has better hardware it seems ?
I do like these little ATS radios. The form factor is always going to mean that there will be some compromise in how you operate it, but that's also how they keep them so cheap.
The big challenge though is...Can I sneak another radio in without Mrs Penry noticing? 😁
LOL.
Yes, there's only so many times I can pull "oh this? I've had it years" 😂
Fred I have the ATS120 and it works surprisingly well!
However, I still can’t get over the size of that tuning knob…any bigger I would think they would have designed it giant…😂!
Fred Amazon also sell a 90 degree BNC to SO239 connectors which should help your shelf situation. My ATS120 BT can output to a BT speaker. The WIFI is for computer control via software (Not supplied). However, a Russian Company called Hardrinuo has much better software. I have to by a windows computer to flash my 120, I sure yours can use Hardrinou’s upgrade also. I learned that from Paul’s OMCET channel.
Thanks for the review and video! 73!
Thanks for the information. Its amazing how people write new software to mod radios these days.
Frid in the shed my hobbies are painting pictures 🖼 and listening to shortwave and ssb iam thinking about getting my Grms license and mybe my ham license some time
Looks amazing for its price.
May have to get one.
They do just get better each revision.
At 13:30 Fred demonstrates how the Attenuation control reduces the ATS-25 AMP's RF gain. I'd like to clarify that for some odd reason the ATT function only works on the FM band. It does not affect the SW bands and increasing the attenuation does nothing to lower the signal strength.
Let's hope that the Harduino developers will fix this bug in its next firmware release. 🙂👍🏼
Hi. I use the attenuation a lot on SW. It does work with the ATS to reduce the signal strength and remove noise. Its more pronounced on the signal meter on FM.
@@CB-RADIO-UK Thanks Fred. Perhaps you might do a future episode showing your ATS-25 AMP's attenuation on AM and SSB. 🙂
To be fair, we don't know how many factories in China are manufacturing these DSP radios and mine must have been an early production run, because I ordered mine in late 2023. With this kind of receivers sometimes it pays to wait for a later batch!
If I'm not mistaken the latest version of the vertical format ATS-120 is the ATS-120 Pro. The new model comes with backlit control buttons for BT and the LNA. So far I haven't seen it reviewed on UA-cam yet and am wondering the Pro model comes with some enhancements. 🤔
this is nice. i think i will buy this. too bad they dont have FB CB for the USA & EUROPE.
Hi Fred is this the latest version as I have just seen a ATS 25 Max 2 2024 version available . Is the amp version better than the new max 2 cheers. As not sure which one to buy. Great video. Cheers
Nice review, handy because I have just received mine. Fairly new to this, and have so far found that a mini whip antenna, in my limited space, seems to work. The wifi function easily connected to my router and apart from FT4,8 clock sync, does not seem to do much else. Does this allow an auto update of the firmware ?. Also the BT button is greyed out, and shown as off on the Info page. Would liked to have used bluetooth to listen on a BT equipped speaker or headphones. Overall considering my experience and knowledge I am really pleased with this 25 AMP version.
Hi. The update is via the USB C.
Excellent review. What does version 5.2b add?
Hi Tom, the firmware is 4.17 Air Beta not the 5.2b found in the older ATS-25X2.
@@StratmanII thanks
The trouble is Fred the more they put on it the more the price goes up always been the same and I’ve been into radio since 1968 and it’s the same old same old more stuff bigger price😂👍🇬🇧
Yes your not wrong :-(
nice radio like you say fm on cb band would be good ..an add on with a water fall screen leaving the other screen with all the options just an idea
Fred cheers from the USA. I wanted you to be on the lookout for the NEW RADDY RF-909 you have got to see this new shortwave radio that raddy has upcoming it's a big radio about eton field grundig size raddy has an 8 sec clip on UA-cam but nothing else .. Im also interested in this ats amp I have a look take care Fred!!
Hi. I will keep an eye out as not seen it yet.
Hi Fred,
Did you have to pay import tax or vat buying from your supplier ? thanks content on this radio..
No not from Banggood.
Good honest test.
56CT004.
Thanks.
hi mate i just bought the 2024 UPGRADED second generation ATS25 Max Decoder II .. ill let you know what its like when it gets here. its 2024 gen 2 so should have some interesting upgrades :)
The Wifi synchronized the Clock for FT4 and FT8 Signals.
Thanks for that. Yes the clock was out on mine.
Great show again FRED love the new reserver, and now you got a new pointer instead of your trustee PEN , the new magic wand lol, sorry to bother you again about a cb but I'm having trouble with getting one from the internet, Last month on Facebook nearly got ripped off, lucky someone spoted it and stopped me from sending money, anyway that's put me off of Facebook, so still reaching out for a ssb , sorry for asking you again for help, anyway if you can help me out with someone who has or can you help me out with Knights email address please, because I tried and just keep getting many other Knights but not the one I need, the shop gone but I was told that they are on line, sorry again for pestering you, I know how busy you are, thanks again ALAN from LUTON, 💯👍
Hi Alan. Yes the shop has gone sadly. The only Knights store online i know is this one. www.kcb.co.uk/
@@CB-RADIO-UK thanks very much FRED, and this is it I’m determined to be on by next month, thanks again for your work and help Alan 👍
hey fred is this better than the decoder 2 or max version?? looks like this one is better??? thanks for the videos
LOL its a tough call as they work the same. If you use a LNA amp on your wire then this version has been designed for that. The Max2 will also support LNA but has Bluetooth audio. Other than that there is very little difference between them
Hey Freddo...with all these ATS25 - max decoder / max decoder tune / max decoder II tune ,not seen a video for that one as yet. Which is the best one in your opinion ? Where shouldn't anyone buy one from .
Regards Gaz
I really dont know. Some seem to lack the 3 leds down the side. I can only say that the AMP is an improvement over the original version.
WiFi is used to receive updates if you install v4.2 also it needs to be switched on to receive ft8 and other digital modes.
Another good episode!!! WHERE did you buy it?
Came from Banggood. Link in the description.
Someone REPORTED THIS VERSION DOES NOT have AM AIRCRAFT radio?
Hello Fred! Does this radio cover the 3,5 meter band 83 - 87.5 Mhz?
Hi Fred, how many memories have this receiver? And if has, is it possible to record the Stations name?
I think it has 200 but i did not test that feature.
Hi, really useful info. Can you tell me please if for shortwave you can use a long wire antenna? and how will the receiver perform with that?
Very well. A long wire 20 meters or more will bring in very strong signals. A tuned wire with a balun will work even better.
@@CB-RADIO-UK Thank you very much!! New subscriber here.
I just ordered the ATS25X1 - is this AMP a never model? - 73, Levi in Sweden (the seller said he had installed the newest firmware) - btw, isnt "the original" model the ATS25 in this series?
There seems to be other versions springing up as ive just got the bluetooth model in for review. They all seem to work the same when tested.
@@CB-RADIO-UK yes, there seems to be many versions of this radio
Was just looking at this one on Banggood & think you have just cost me a stack of money yet again 🤣
BTW I don't think you'll ever get FM CB on these radios as the Si4732 is a consumer radio chip with a lower FM frequency of 64MHz wideband with no way of modifying it (by studying the datasheet). I think the only way it could be done is for them to completely redesign the front end or use a different chip which I don't think is probable on this open-source design series.
Its a shame really. Its amazing what they have already done with the Si4732
I think you better of with the max decoder.
Max de oder is officieel supported, the Amp version not
You can upgrade the max decoder with new firmware.
The Amp version not.
Note : If you upgrade a ats25 check your license key and write it down.
The license is not expensive.
For simply listening to HF ham radio - would you recommend this over a shortwave radio? Like the Tecsun 880 or eton exec?
No if Iam honest the 880 is the better radio.
I would not have guessed that a little portable radio would be better than this. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
Spectrum display and waterfall will show when you turn volume up.
Disagree with your comment about BNC socket, good as is. Use a patch lead if you want to go from heavy cable with PL-239.
Yes that would work
Other than the display is there any difference in performance between the ATS25 amp version and the ATS-20+. Other than bells and whistles. Thanks.
Yes scanning function mainly and memories. The little 20+ does the job though.
Thank you
I just received same radio ATS25AMP My tuning knob works opposite to yours. Ie to turn up volume I turn to left. Same when adjusting frequency. Any way I can fix this. Mines also on V17 thanks. I paid £173 for mine.
Hi Yes this is how mine arrived. In the menu there is an option to reverse the encoder.
@@CB-RADIO-UK thank you so so much I have it correct now. I also want to know how to save favourite stations? Maybe it’s through WiFi?
I suspect the wifi might be for ( future) remote lustebing/controll vua an app
I've watched a few of your videos now and would like to know how to get into ammeter radio please. I have ordered the Qansheng as a start.
I think the best way would to be search out a local HAM radio club near you.
when they finaly have FM CB then this thing works....the CW band could be improved i like to change the bandwith in the CW modus ....then in the digital modes there could be options for the number stations but that would be really the cherryy on the cake and the number stations do change modes ..but it is a very fine radio!!!
Totally agree on FM CB.
@@CB-RADIO-UK do you know by case whether the radiochip SI supports FMon shortwave since broadcasting shortwave is am usually ?????? CB radios have another chip than budget world receiver where the SI is taken from ...
@@CB-RADIO-UK UPDATE on the SI4735 chip: i went trough the C++ code for theSI4735 andthis chip does not support the CB frequencies in FM but only in AM.. that means that you need a hardware extension to the radio that receives the CB band in FM...... SI 4735 does not support thesee frequencies in FM lg
And ten meters amateur radio band FM 29.600 MHz as well
Yep
Does this version have airband? There are some videos on yt showing a firmware update that enables airband... not seen you cover this yet.
My version does not.
@CB-RADIO-UK Just had a look at their website, it seems to be hardware modifications to allow it to receive airband and 2mtrs...
Oh yes, the waterfall works well on shortwave, if you think about it you dont need it on the FM broadcast band.
You're making yourself sound as thick as Andy Kirby, never mind.
LOL ah leave old Andy alone his alright. Often chatted to him on CB radio. :-)
Peter Gore Seer,
I Am Getting A Head Pain. My R2000 And Loop Antennas Work For Me, Its Insane To Chase Radio Signals, People Like The Little Blips.
Fred have you tried the terminal mode on the ats-25 amp ?
Hi. No
I purchased the ATS25X2 model and was very disappointed with it. When turning it on, it makes a loud thump/crack. When moving around between bands, like SW to FM or back, it makes this same loud noise. It is very loud in the headphones and makes it almost unlistenable, as it is quite startling. Is this normal for these radios or did I get a lemon?
I ve not noticed this on the versions i own.
ATS 25 MAX is superiors version as compared to ATS 25 AMP ?
Not really sure. I ve got the BT version to test. Seems certain models offer different features.
Hi all I’ve purchased one of these but when it’s connected to my WiFi the time is out by 1 hour? Any ideas? I’m in the uk. Tia
I am guessing that its not allowing for British summer time. My clock set itself via the radio RDS on FM and it seemed to get it right.
Where did you purchase the encoder for the ATS-20?
I did not change it.
Hi!
Can I save the frequency to the memory channel?
Can I scan the frequency?
Why why why no CB I would've snapped at least 2 of these for that price in a heart beat. Would've been a game changer arrrggghhh 🧐
Yes i know. Just missing the FM
@@CB-RADIO-UK FM missing for CB is so annoying but switched my one on today for CB and it was on AM was surprised to pick up some chatter the airwaves wear good today 3/3/2024 10mt was very active too
Does anyone have any idea when the SSTV will be available in a future FW version? That would be so cool!
Can you do. Video showing it decoding morse code into alphabet ?
The wifi is for FT8 decoding.
Thanks
Just received my ATS 25 MAX. I use a digital antenna and the only thing I can pick up is FM channels. Live a quarter mile from a very busy interstate between Pennsylvania & West Virginia. What am I doing wrong? Thanks for any assistance anyone may give.
I would suggest you run a simple long wire antenna which works best for SW.
@CB-RADIO-UK
Will do. Thanks
In radio, the answer is nearly ALWAYS "antenna." How much space do you have to work with? If you can't get outside and up high, you're starting from a disadvantage.
@@notreallydaedalus
Good to know. Thanks.
Shame it doesn't support Digital Radio Mondiale.
What in door antenna would you recommend i see you had a loop would this cover all the bands I have a miracle whip would this do?
Your whip is tunable but a loop will work better to remove interference. Its a bit trial an error. This was a cheap loop i tested and with a cheap LNA it could work very well. ua-cam.com/video/5lOU_AxMvqc/v-deo.html
@@CB-RADIO-UK have you got a link for the loop?
Hi. Its in the loop video description.
why this and not an XHDATA D-808 ? basically same price ?
I guess this is more of a homebased bench type radio and the very good 808 is classic portable. Both good.
@@CB-RADIO-UK do you think sensitivity and selective wise they are same level? i like listening overseas LW broadcast radios , im afraid SI4732 cannot deliver it
I have the newest! The ATS25 Max Decoder Ⅱ w/ Bluetooth! Maybe a review on this one also!
Hi. I have one on order :-)
Doe the radio support Digital Radio Mondiale?
No sure.
Can I listen to airband with this?
No just SW
They need to change the Roman font on the bottom to the same font like the rest, it cheapens the look !
The wifi is for updating the firmware.
Not for the ATS-25 Amp. You have to flash the downloaded firmware file manually via the USB-C cable connected to a computer.
The WiFi connection is only for checking the propagation conditions and to use the FT4/FT8 decoder. The radio has no way of connecting to the Harduino file servers.
The ATS-25 Amp uses the 4.17 Air Beta firmware, not the 5.3b firmware for the ATS-25X2.
Can it receive SSB at 4Khz?
Did they use arduino nano inside ? Why cant they use ESP32 ?
I thought they did but not 100% sure now.
They say that the so-called 'communications receiver' is the best shortwave receiver on earth. I wonder if or not this ATS machine is as good as communications receiver.
Prob not as good as my Yaesu 8800 but for the money its a good entrance into SW radio listening.
This unit too should have the (Am Sync feature) ? in this video it shows how to engage it.. ua-cam.com/video/KOmF-ii9lng/v-deo.html ...thanks Fred for this great review...Cheers from Canada.
Can this radio be used as a fire and police scanner?
Nope its HF only.
Here in the U.K. the femergency services use digitally encoded tetra so no one listens to to them
How is the reception vs sdr play
Not as good as SDR as no dsp.
@@CB-RADIO-UK thanks
Go on then thumb up 289
Can this receive internet radio?
Hi. No
Air band missing ...Grrr
Yeah its shortwave.
Aitch
Still horrible distortion on ssb !
zero preselect on - terrible!
the live tuning is fake
It looks real though.
@@CB-RADIO-UK I got to give them that it does look real
Hi Fred is this the latest version as I have just seen a ATS 25 Max 2 2024 version available . Is the amp version better than the new max 2 cheers. As not sure which one to buy. Great video. Cheers
You know I am not sure. Too many versions coming out now.
The wifi is for updating the firmware.