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. It is being produced in limited numbers. I have not been able to find any information about the manufacturer. Also, quite strangely, the radio arrived unboxed, simply wrapped in some packaging envelopes and inside a carry case. No manual, no box. All quite strange. 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.

You can see a short SW comparison with the XHDATA D-808 and the Tecsun PL-368 here:    • Qodosen SR-286 vs XHDATA D-808 vs Tec...  

You can see a MW comparison with the XHDATA D-808 here:    • Qodosen SR-286 vs XHDATA D-808: A new...  

You can view a user guide here:    • How to use the incredible Qodosen SR-...  

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 XHD...  

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