The ATS-20 is a portable, battery-powered shortwave radio receiver designed for the beginner or hobbyist. It offers a range of features that make it suitable for listening to shortwave broadcasts, amateur radio, and other communications.
The ATS-20 radio is a powerful little receiver, but its small size hides complex functionality. The manual is not an afterthought – it’s a necessary companion. Take 30 minutes to read the key sections, bookmark the menu reference page, and keep it handy. You’ll go from frustrated button-pusher to confident shortwave and SDR listener in no time.
Happy listening! 📻
Report: ATS20 Radio Manual Review and Comparison
Introduction: The ATS20 radio is a popular ham radio transceiver used by amateur radio operators worldwide. The manual provided with the radio is a crucial resource for users to understand its features, operations, and troubleshooting. This report reviews the ATS20 radio manual and compares it with other available resources to determine if there are better alternatives.
ATS20 Radio Manual Review:
Comparison with Other Resources:
Better Alternatives:
Conclusion:
Recommendations:
Rating: 4/5
Limitations: This report is based on a limited review of available resources and may not be comprehensive. Users are encouraged to provide feedback and share their experiences with the ATS20 radio manual.
Since the official ATS-20 and ATS-20+ documentation is often limited, enthusiasts typically rely on community guides and firmware-specific documentation to get the best performance. Quick Start Guide
Initial Setup: Attach the rubber feet for stability, screw the telescopic antenna into the "ANT" port, and charge via the USB Type-C port until the LED indicator changes.
Switching Bands: Short press the BAND+ button to enter selection mode, then rotate the encoder knob to choose your desired band (FM, AM, LSB, USB, etc.).
Fine Tuning: Use the Step button to select your tuning increment, then rotate the TUNE/BFO knob to dial in the frequency. Advanced Features & "Hidden" Settings
Many units come with or can be upgraded to Goshante's ATS_EX firmware or similar versions, which unlock deeper settings:
Soft Mute (SM): Adjustable from 0–32; lower values reduce the "chuffing" silence between tuning steps but may increase noise while rotating the knob.
Sync Mode (Syn): Can be enabled for SSB to help stabilize reception of shifting signals. ats20 radio manual better
Bandwidth (BW): Press the BW button to cycle through filters; narrower settings help reduce interference from nearby stations. Essential Tips for "Better" Performance
The "Hand" Effect: The radio's sensitivity often drops when you set it down. A common fix is using a BNC-to-banana adapter with external copper wires to act as a simple dipole antenna, which reduces noise interference.
Power Source: Use battery power whenever possible. Charging while listening often introduces significant mains hum and electronic noise into the receiver. Documentation
: If you need a more detailed English manual, many users recommend the ATS-20+ Advanced Firmware User Manual for detailed button maps and setting definitions. Lets upgrade the ATS 20+
and its upgraded sibling, the , are popular all-band radio receivers known for their compact design and versatility. While they offer great value for hobbyists, the factory manuals can often be brief or unclear. This guide serves as a practical manual to help you master your device. Core Controls and Navigation
The radio features a primary rotary encoder (the "TUNE/BFO/ATS" knob) and eight functional buttons to manage its features: Tuning: Rotate the TUNE knob to adjust the frequency.
Auto-Scan: Press the TUNE button to automatically search for the next available station.
Step Selection: Use the STEP key to cycle through tuning increments (e.g., 1kHz, 5kHz, or 10kHz) for faster or more precise frequency changes.
Volume Control: Adjust audio levels using the VOL+ and VOL- buttons. Overview of ATS-20 Radio The ATS-20 is a
Band Selection: Quickly switch between FM, AM, LW (longwave), and SW (shortwave) bands using dedicated band buttons. Advanced Features and SSB
One of the ATS-20's standout features is its support for Single Sideband (SSB), essential for listening to amateur (ham) radio operators.
BFO Adjustment: When in SSB mode, the rotary encoder often acts as a Beat Frequency Oscillator (BFO) control, allowing you to fine-tune the "pitch" of a voice to make it intelligible.
Soft Mute (SM): Found in many firmware versions, this setting (0–32) reduces background static when no strong signal is present.
Bandwidth Control: Use this to narrow the signal window, which helps filter out interference from nearby stations on crowded bands. Operational Tips for Success
Battery Safety: It is highly recommended to turn the radio off and recharge once the battery hits 10%. Draining it completely can cause power-cycling issues that may stress the internal Arduino Nano controller.
Antenna Use: While the included 29-inch whip antenna is sufficient for FM and local stations, an external wire antenna (even a simple 16ft clip-on) significantly improves shortwave and SSB reception.
Handling Overload: If you experience heavy distortion or "ghost" signals, the receiver might be overloaded. Shorten your antenna or adjust the Automatic Gain Control (AGC) settings if your firmware supports it. Enhancing Your Experience ATS-20 starter set by Patomoi setup review - Facebook
| Parameter | Value | |-----------|-------| | Chipset | Si4732-A30 | | Frequency range | 0.1–30 MHz, 64–108 MHz | | Tuning step | 1 kHz min (SSB: 10 Hz via menu) | | Sensitivity (HF, AM) | < 2 µV @ 10 dB S/N | | Selectivity | DSP filter: 1.8–4.0 kHz | | Audio output | 0.5W into 8Ω | | Battery | 3.7V Li-ion (800–1500 mAh) | | Current draw | ~120 mA (backlight on) | | Antenna impedance | 50Ω (SMA) | Comparison with Other Resources:
Before we dive into the good stuff, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. The original ATS20 manual has three major flaws:
To get a better experience, you need a better source of truth. Let’s build it.