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Reviews For: Sangean ATS 818 / Realistic DX 390

Category: Receivers: General Coverage

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Review Summary For : Sangean ATS 818 / Realistic DX 390
Reviews: 49MSRP: 175
Description:
Nicely priced Good Rx. for the dollars
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.sangean.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00493.9
G4IRX Rating: 2021-11-14
AKA Roberts R827 Siemens RK665 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've added the brands that these radios were sold under in the header. I own the Roberts version which I bought as a curiosity to see how it compared with other Sangean sets I own. The radio used 4 D cells for the radio and 2 AA for the clock and memory backup. I used some EBL AA to D converters which I obtained from Amazon and this allows me to use NiMH AA rechargeables.
Operation and performance-wise, it reminds me of the earlier ATS-803/DX-440 model with it's RF gain and BFO. I use it for occasional SW broadcast listening where it can fill the room with it's large speaker. Overall, it does an "average" job and equivalent or better performance can be obtained from it's smaller siblings of that era - even the pocket-size ATS-606. But at least it has a carry handle!
N9VU Rating: 2021-10-22
Annoying On The AM Broadcast Band Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This radio is OK for the most part. Reception across all bands is good, and sensitive but maybe too sensitive. Their design of the radio in particular on the AM Broadcast band left out a feature which for people like me who are near 50 KW AM stations would benefit. The RF gain control on the AM BCB does not function, not by defect but by design. It works all OK on all other bands, but why not AM BCB? I did note the RF gain does work on the AM BCB with an external antenna, but the internal ferrite rod antenna works so well with nulling out interference I'd rather use that. Other radios like my Panasonic RF-2200 does not need it's RF gain cut back in a high RF area, neither do my Yacht Boy portables need to. Again poor design, even by Sangean (not Radio Shack) design. Something to consider.
KG7M Rating: 2021-08-13
Solid Performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
07/01/2021: I just picked up a RS DX-390 on eBay for $25. It came from the estate of a local, well known ham. Has a light rust stain on the speaker grill from a spill, a set of dead D cells, and a burned out dial lamp. Otherwise, everything is intact and electrically perfect. The going rate for a working DX-390 in 2021 is about $80.
This is a solid portable, with full coverage from 150 kHz through 30 mHz and the US FM Broadcast Band. Sensitivity is excellent and the radio has a Adjustable BFO. SSB, CW, and even DATA Modes such as FT8 are stable enough to be easily decoded. MW reception is solid with the Built-in Ferrite Antenna.
It's really important to protect the 1st RF Amp FET from Static Discharge. Instructions are available on the Internet. I will also disable the mute function, used when tuning. Lastly, I'll replace the defective Dial Lamp with a LED that can be turned On/Off indefinitely.
Apparently the AM Ferrite Antenna is disabled when the EXT ANT Jack is used. Very handy, unlike the Panasonic RF-2200, my other AMBCB Portable DX Hound. I'm apprehensive to bring the Panasonic RF-2200 out in the field due to its rarity, and replacement cost. The Realistic DX-390 will be my new Outdoor General Coverage Receiver!
UPDATE 08/13/2021: I just completed three MODS on the DX-390. I completely disassembled the radio to perform the MODS. It's surprisingly well made. Very robust. I removed the incandescent Dial Lamp and installed a White LED. I added a Bistable Flip Flop Circuit, from China, to turn the LED continually ON or OFF with a single button press. I used a KDA5A rather than a KY002. The difference is that the "PO" Terminal goes to Ground rather than to Vcc on the KDA5A. I added 1N4148 Diodes from the Antenna Input AFTER the External Antenna Jack. This protects both the Whip Antenna and External Antenna inputs, to the RF Transistor, from Static Discharge. Finally I performed the Anti-chuffing MOD. I've got the DX-390 attached to my 80 foot Random Wire Antenna, through my SGC-230 Antenna Coupler, and finally through my MFJ Antenna Tuner. The Antenna Tuner is a Godsend here in Portland due to the strong overload from Many local radio stations. With the Antenna Tuner feeding the External Antenna Jack I'm able to reduce the overload an clearly receive DX Stations on the AMBCB. The DX-390 is a strong performer on the AMBCB. Keeps it's own with the Drake SPR-4 and the Panasonic RF-2200!
RADIOJAMES Rating: 2021-08-11
Nice FM, but that's all that works for now Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hi, I am new here. Yesterday I took a chance on a Sangean ATS818cs for $30.

When I put batteries in all I got was an E when I turned power on. I found 3 broken solder joints at the AC power plug and then it fired up. FM sounds great, but SW and AM are dead. I downloaded a service manual with schematic, but I can't figure out where Q1 FET is located on actual board. If I can change those Q's out for AM and SW I should be OK.
KI6OSH Rating: 2013-02-17
Great entry level receiver Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought this receiver back in the early 1990's and it has provided many hours of interesting radio reception. I'm sure it won't compare electronically with any of the actual ham receivers but not bad for the money. Plus FM and AM bands also. Quality very good and still in use here in my shack.
W2DAB Rating: 2013-02-17
Great little receiver Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had really good luck with this RadioShack version since it was gifted to me by a fellow ham and friend. I don't have an illusions that this will be as sensitive as units costing hundreds more, but for what this is going for on eBay I would gladly buy another. Nice for keeping in the kitchen and casual listening with a cup of joe.
G7NTG Rating: 2011-03-14
good value for money! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
l bought a DX390 new about 16 years ago and it has performed very well ever since. l must say that l have always used an antenna tuner when using an external antenna so l have avoided the static problems. l removed the telescopic antenna and fitted a bnc socket and use either a bnc telescopic or my dipole for 80 metres.
l have had QSO's using it with a telescopic with a QRP homebrew transmitter.l always liked this set!
BXLISTENER Rating: 2011-01-22
Good allrounder Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I owned a Sangean ATS818 ACS for about 8 years and it was a good all round broadcast receiver. I used it almost daily and in the end the timer became faulty but the radio still worked fine. The tuning knob would chuff when band scanning and this was the only flaw that really bugged me. For general non-DX listening it was really good. It is a simple radio to use and I really miss it now that I no longer have it. I'm sad that it is no longer in production.
WA2DZO Rating: 2010-12-29
The Digital part is best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
When I got mine Digital tuner radios were becoming more affordable. Analog radios were just as or slightly more sensitive. Always used an unbalanced antenna with an grounded isolation transformer or a pre-amp so it sill works like the day I bought it. I live in the North East and get Radio Australia in the Morning on the built in antenna! With its length of service and flexibility I can't complain. Audio is is communication quality, not wide enough for my music tastes. I like it enough to not need a replacement but I have ham rigs with overleaping capabilities.
KD7RDZI2 Rating: 2010-12-22
yes, the MRF102! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought this big portable in 1994. It lasted something like 6 months. Using it with an indoor wire antenna it suddenly become insensitive, probably it lost 40db. I waited something like one year and many callphones and meetings to get a replacement. Now it is clear that is a common problem so a better design at the front-end would have solved the problem. At that time I did not know anything about electronics so I did not adventured in repairing a product under warranty. Otherwise this radio would deserve a 4/5, sensitive, good albeit a bit muffled audio and prone to be overloaded.