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Reviews For: Kchibo KK-D680 Shortwave Radio

Category: Receivers: General Coverage

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Review Summary For : Kchibo KK-D680 Shortwave Radio
Reviews: 2MSRP: 45
Description:
AM/FM/SW radio
FM stereo
DSP processor
LCD Signal strength indication
Four searching modes :
Manual scan
Auto scan
90 memory presets
Tuning knob
40 levels electronic volume control
Wake-up-to-radio
Calendar
Sleep function
Telescoping antenna
Built-in speaker
Standard 3.5mm earphone socket
Specifications :

Frequency Range :
FM 64 -108 MHz
AM 522 - 1710 KHz (9KHz tuning step only)
SW 2.30- 21.85 MHz
Memory preset (90)
FM (30)
AM(30)
SW(30)
Noise Limit Sensitivity
FM <= 3.5uv
AM <= 3mv/m
SW <= 30uv
S/N Ratio
FM : 45dB
AM : 40dB
SW: 40dB
Single Signal Selectivity >=40dB
Power : External DC 3V or 2 x AA batteries
Speaker : 57mm/8ohm/0.25W
Earphone jack : 3.5mm 32ohm
Size: 121 x 74 x 25mm
Weight : 135g (not including batteries)
Product is in production
More Info: http://stores.ebay.com.au/DPmega
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0023
KWDAVIDS Rating: 2012-01-17
Good at the right price Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
There are two versions of this radio. The original version is pictured, and contrary to the description, the radio CAN be set to 10 kHz tuning on AM with a complex process of holding down buttons for a while and then clicking others. eBay seller DPmega is now selling an "upgrade" version where the AM step is easier to set.

At $41.90 (incl. ship) for the upgraded version, I'd pass on this radio, paying a tad more for a Tecsun PL-380 that's also a DSP radio, but with far more features and better performance, not to mention labels in ENGLISH. I got my original Kchibo for under $25 and at that price it's a steal.

In head-to-head comparison with the PL-380, the Kchibo was almost as good on shortwave and FM, but fell back considerably on AM. (If AM is your primary interest, then this radio shouldn't be considered.) I think they both use the same DSP chip.

The radio doesn't appear to have a sleep timer, but the display has a sleep timer icon that's used to indicate Alarm on/off. The Alarm icon is only activated while you're setting the alarm.

Conclusion: this is a nice FM/SW radio and worth considering at the right price.
VK6JDR Rating: 2009-04-22
OK radio Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is part B of the review I gave not long ago. Now that I've come back from the country to Perth I've found that this radio does have some problems. With there being more FM and TV stations here the unit is troubled with breakthrough. These other stations break through into the shortwave bands and can desensitise the receiver. If you are lucky and listening to the right frequency it'll be alright otherwise you'll always hear talking or music in the background - not good. Also as indicated previously, the digital volume control is not always precise. Sometimes if you just want some quiet music in the background one volume level will be too loud and the next will be too quiet.

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Earlier 4-star review posted by VK6JDR on 2009-04-16

This is a great new radio manufactured in China. I have had many digital radios and still have quite a few. This one is nice as it's so compact and easy to use. Not much bigger than a packet of cigarettes, it can still pull in the stations. It seems to have the same or similar sensitivity on shortwave to my Degen 1102. Suprisingly however, the audio is more clear and easy to listen to (even though this radio is much smaller). I expect that this is due to the unit's DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Another nice bonus is that its so easy to scan the frequencies on each band. There is virtually no delay when stepping up or down the band and not really any chuffing like the radios of old. It runs on 2 AA batteries which seem to last a long time. The display light is also quite bright and comes on briefly when any adjustment is made to the unit. This would make an excellent radio for a someone travelling light. The audio, sensitivity, size, weight and all good. Only one area causes it to lose a point. I may be wrong about this as I can't read the chinese manual but it doesn't appear to have a key lock. I discovered this when I had a "noisy suitcase" I had to remove a battery! Other than that I'd certainly recommend this radio. It's not unlike my old Sangean ATS-606 except a lot smaller. It's also a lot better than those cheap analog radios with digital readout.

Pros.
Very compact
Good sensitivity
Doesn't get whistles and images like single conversion radios - not sure if this is double conversion
Good audio due to DSP circuitry
No delay when tuning
No chuffing when tuning
Has tuning dial!
Uses common AA batteries
Long battery life
Inexpensive

Cons.
Has white noise/static? on very low audio settings
Big jump in volume from step 1 - 2
Does NOT have a key lock
Labelling is partially Chinese - but not difficult to work out
Does get some minor FM/TV audio breakthrough
Can get sore hand from continually clicking frequency change - better to use tuning dial