Sangean ATS-404 AM/FM Digital Shortwave World Band Receiver

by Sangean

Product Details

Product Manual [941kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.2 x 4 inches ; 13.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000226L0
• Item model number: ATS-404
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,691 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 15, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sangean ATS-404 digital AM/FM stereo receiver is a portable shortwave radio with a built-in digital clock. This radio can receive an expanded number of radio frequencies, which makes it an ideal radio for either urban or rural use.

The illuminated time display, which also includes seconds, can be set to show the time of day in either 12-hour (AM/PM) or 24-hour time intervals. The alarm for this receiver has a repeating beep tone which increases in volume once every 15 seconds, for up to 1 minute. The radio has an adjustable sleep timer and snooze control.

The radio frequencies can be tuned in either automatically or manually. The auto memory scan will run through and play each preset station for seven seconds. The auto preset system will hold up to 45 frequencies in memory.

The radio includes a carrying case and stereo earbuds, along with a manufacturer's warranty for one year on parts and labor.

Product Description

Sangean America ATS-404 AM/FM Stereo/SW Radio ATS-404 FM Transmitters

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well Engineered Radio, Good Reception => Happy Customer, February 19, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sangean ATS-404 AM/FM Digital Shortwave World Band Receiver (Electronics)

Being an electronic product designer myself, I usually end up wishing I could offer some design change orders to the manufacturers of the gizmos I buy. However, after a month of use, I haven't come up with much that I want to change here. I did find it rather awkward to set some of the time keeping functions such as zeroing the clock to get it sync'ed with WWV, but managed to get it done. The little bells and whistles such as station memory, auto scan, dual time zones, sleep and alarm functions are the sort of thing we nerdy types appreciate. However, if you don't like programming your VCR, this radio is probably not for you. The manual is written in a far eastern interpretation of British english, and consequently, for Americans, adds something to the challenge of understanding how to work all the features. Also, the radio's designers had an odd understanding of common english parlance in referencing shortwave bands to wavelengths in meters, and carried that quirky english through the radio display design, as well as the manual. However, only HAMs and avid Shortwave listeners will likely notice that.

Reception: FM sensitivity is excellent, seemingly the equal of my home stereo receiver, with excellent stereo and fidelity when listening through the included "earbuds." Those earbuds are the better quality type, too. Medium wave (AM) broadcast reception is OK. Shortwave is good. I listen routinely to BBC, Deutche Welle, Radio Switzerland and Austria, Taiwan and others, all with only the built in telescoping antenna. SW Band coverage is complete, so you can chase the BBC World Service up and down their various operating frequencies as propagation conditions vary through the day.

The only significant technical weakness of the radio, and the primary reason I didn't give it 5 stars, is battery life. I use Rayovac rechargeable alkalines and get about 20 hours per charge, which is OK, but not great. If one were buying non-rechargeable AA alkalines, the battery drain would add up to about $.25 per hour, which is a bit much, I think. A simpler radio, perhaps analog rather than digital, could be expected to go quite a bit longer on a set of batteries. I think Sangean should consider including an AC adapter with the radio, given the battery life. There's a jack to plug one in, but Sangean leaves it to the customer to find an adapter elsewhere.

Overall, after a month of daily use, I'm happy with the purchase. The radio met my expectations.

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good price for a basic shortwave radio, November 17, 1999

By 

"jpshoo" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sangean ATS-404 AM/FM Digital Shortwave World Band Receiver (Electronics)

This radio is very similar to a panasonic I purchased 7 years ago, though that one was $100 and had limited sw bands. For its price, this is an excellent deal.

None of the information I could find prior to purchase explained the sw band range, which is 2.3 to 26.10 MHz, from 11M to 120M. I'm giving this radio a "4" on the basis that some die hard SW enthusiasts would probably prefer something similar to the more expensive models available from Sangean, Grundig, and others. For my purposes though, this radio is more than suitable. Radio Netherlands, Deutche Welle, BBC, Radio China, Russia, etc.. are all easily heard.

Size overall is about 4" high, 6 or 7" wide and 1.5 deep. Light and easily portable for travel.

Other details - has an alarm function, 9 am presets, 18 fm presets, and 18 fm presets. Also comes with "ear bud" head-phones and a nice case. A filter switch cuts out high end noise in the am and sw bands. Has a back illuminated light that can be turned on or off 7 seconds at a time. Has a stereo and mono switch for headphone use. An adaptor may be used instead of 4 AA batteries.

Sound projected from a small 3" speaker, but the clarity is very good without distortion. Very good reception.

In all this is a good way to own a quality SW radio.

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good Thing They Sell it as AM/FM Because SW is Lacking, January 11, 2002

By 

Phillip Dampier (Rochester, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sangean ATS-404 AM/FM Digital Shortwave World Band Receiver (Electronics)

The Sangean ATS-404 is a budget minded travel portable designed for the business or vacationer on the go who wants to take a small receiver along for the trip.

The radio is touted as an AM/FM stereo portable primarily, although the unit also is considered an entry level shortwave portable.

The AM sensitivity and selectivity on this receiver is only fair, and if you are close to a transmitter, the receiver can be overloaded and spurious (secondary) signals will appear as you scan the band.

FM is adequate, but the receiver is also prone to overloading in areas near FM transmitters, with stations appearing in places they do not belong.

The shortwave performance on this receiver indicates that band was an afterthought, much like some boom boxes used to include one long shortwave band for novelty value.

Even reception of strong signals available to North American shortwave listeners such as Voice of America, Radio Canada International, BBC World Service, Radio Havana Cuba and Deutsche Welle were not all they could be. The reception of good quality signals on shortwave requires a decent antenna, and the antenna on this receiver won't cut it. Attempting to hook up an external antenna overloads the receiver.

If you are looking for a travel portable with AM & FM reception, this is an adequate choice, but if you want a receiver that can competantly handle shortwave, choose a higher end Sangean model or a unit priced at $99 or above with digital readout. You'll be far happier.