An astonishing DXing radio: Unboxing the Qodosen SR-286 and first look
The Qodosen SR-286 has been flying under the radar for a few months. Specialist DXing groups and people in China have known about this radio for some time, but it still seems to be quite unknown more widely. This radio has been called "astonishing" by Jay Allen, a well-respected reviewer in the USA. He said it has some of the best FM and MW reception that he has ever seen.
The radio uses a TEF6686 chip, the same chip that is used in many car radios. It is very sensitive. There are a number of TEF6686-based radios available, but they don't seem to be that popular yet. As of now, no well-known manufacturer is using this chip, it seems to be small and independent individuals and companies in China who are creating some new and very capable radios using this chip for signal processing.
I am surprised that this radio and the TEF6686 chip are not more well-known. Performance seems to be off the charts. After reading Jay Allen's review I was convinced, I ordered a Qodosen SR-286 that very same night, from a seller on Ali Express. It took only 12 days to reach me here in South Africa. The dealer page is here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10050...
It is quite an expensive radio though, $129, although some sellers now offer this at about $80 on Ali Express, since the arrival of the Qodosen DX-286, which retails at $80 on Amazon. The SR-286 was a pre-production version and arrived unboxed, simply wrapped in some packaging envelopes and inside a carry case. No manual, no box.
My first tests confirmed the reviews that I have read so far. This radio is an incredible performer.
This video is my "unboxing" - opening the packaging and taking out the radio, as there is no box. It is also a first look at FM and SW reception.
More videos:
Comparing the Qodosen DX-286 and the SR-286: • Brand new Qodosen DX-286 vs SR-286 on dist... and • Brand new Qodosen DX-286 vs SR-286 on dist...
How to use the Qodosen SR-286 (most functions are the same, except on the DX-286 you press and hold RDS to switch between internal and external antenna for MW, and you press and hold SET to switch the antenna amplifier on and off): • Easy guide to the incredible Qodosen SR-28...
Distant Medium Wave catches: • 6500 km MW catch on Qodosen DX-286: Radio ... and • Brand new Qodosen DX-286 vs SR-286 on dist...
Comparison with Sangean PR-D4W and XHDATA D-808: • MW radio showdown: Does the newcomer beat ...
Comparison with Tecsun, Eton and XHDATA radios: • XHDATA vs Eton vs Tecsun vs Qodosen on Sha...
MW reception in the park: • Unbelievable MW reception on Qodosen SR-28...
Daytime MW comparison with Sangean PR-D4W, XHDATA D-808 and D-608WB and Sony ICF-J40: • Big five daytime MW comparison on Radio Le...
Some issues I picked up: • The truth: Qodosen SR-286 is really excell...
Night-time MW DXing: • Friday night MW DXing: Clear catches from ...
Comparison with Tecsun PL-368, XHDATA D-109 and D-808, and Eton Elite Traveler: • Best out of five: Qodosen SR-286 vs four o...
PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately I had to mute some of the music in the video due to copyright restrictions. It is about 30 seconds where I show FM reception. You can see another video with FM reception here: • Super-sensitive Qodosen SR-286 vs XHDATA D...
English manual: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Zh6...
00:00 The radio almost nobody knows
04:00 "Unboxing" a radio that is not boxed
04:50 What you get
05:43 Pedigree
06:10 Size comparison
07:12 No battery supplied
07:45 A closer look at the Qodosen SR-286
10:15 Some distant FM stations - crystal clear!
10:30 Muted due to copyright restrictions
10:54 Back to FM
11:45 Shortwave: Bangladesh Betar, new catch
13:13 Various other SW stations
17:40 My first thoughts