Buckle up, radio enthusiasts, because the ATS-20+ SI4732 Software Defined Radio (SDR) is here to take you on a wild ride through the airwaves! This pint-sized powerhouse is like the Swiss Army knife of portable radios, small enough to fit in your pocket but packed with enough features to make your inner geek do a happy dance. Let’s dive into what makes this little guy a blast to use, especially when you pair it with a tuned antenna for maximum signal-snagging swagger.

A Tiny Radio with Big Dreams

First off, the ATS-20+ is adorably compact. Housed in a sleek aluminum alloy case, it’s like a Matchbox car for radio lovers—rugged, portable, and ready to roll anywhere from your backyard to a mountaintop. The 0.96-inch OLED display is small but mighty, showing off frequency bands, AGC settings, and more with crisp, clear visuals. Sure, you might need your reading glasses to catch every detail, but it’s like reading the fine print on a treasure map—it’s worth the squint!The built-in 3.6V, 800mAh lithium battery keeps the party going for about 10-12 hours, and it recharges via USB-C faster than you can say “QRP.” Plus, with a 1.5W speaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, you can choose between filling the room with sound or keeping it low-key for late-night DXing sessions. It’s like having a boombox and a secret spy gadget all in one.

Software Shenanigans: The Arduino-Powered Magic

The ATS-20+ runs on an Arduino-based platform, which is like giving a kid a LEGO set and saying, “Go wild!” The SI4732 chip is the brains of the operation, delivering DSP (Digital Signal Processing) goodness that makes this radio a tinkerer’s dream. Out of the box, it comes with firmware that supports FM, AM (MW & SW), and SSB (LSB & USB), plus 22 pre-configured commercial and amateur radio bands. Want to fine-tune your listening? You’ve got audio bandwidth filters (0.5, 1, 1.2, 2.2, 3, and 4 kHz) and frequency step options (1, 5, and 10 kHz) to dial in your signal like a pro.But here’s where it gets really fun: the ATS-20+ is open-source, so you can flash new firmware like a tech wizard. Upgrading to something like Goshante’s firmware (available on GitHub) is like giving your radio a software glow-up. It improves the interface, making it more user-friendly, and lets you tweak the BFO (Beat Frequency Oscillator) to nail those SSB signals with pinpoint accuracy.

Strengths That Shine (With a Tuned Antenna!)

The ATS-20+ is a bit like a scrappy underdog—it’s not perfect, but it punches above its weight when you treat it right. Here are its superpowers:

Versatile Band Coverage: This radio covers FM, AM (MW & SW), and SSB (LSB & USB), so you can hop from local FM bangers to distant ham radio QSOs or shortwave broadcasts. It’s like having a backstage pass to the entire radio spectrum.Surprisingly Sensitive: With a tuned antenna (more on that in a sec), this thing can pull in signals that’ll make your jaw drop. Users have snagged ham signals on 75m LSB with just a 9-foot wire or heard Australia from Georgia with a 60-foot dipole.Loud and Clear Audio: The speaker pumps out room-filling sound, and SSB audio is surprisingly crisp for such a budget-friendly device. It’s like having a mini concert hall in your pocket.Tinkerer’s Paradise: The open-source nature and Arduino compatibility mean you can mod, hack, and upgrade to your heart’s content. Add inductors, tweak firmware, or even pair it with a Zachtek “Flea” CW transmitter for QRP transceiving fun.Auto-Hold Settings: Power outages? No problem. The ATS-20+ remembers your settings, so you can pick up right where you left off.

Now, let’s talk antennas. The included telescopic whip is fine for FM, but for shortwave and SSB, it’s like trying to fish with a paperclip. Slap on a tuned antenna—like a long wire, a loop, or a dipole—and this radio transforms into a signal-sniffing beast. A Reddit user mentioned wrapping a 20-30 foot wire around the stock antenna and dangling it out a window for a quick boost, while others swear by outdoor loops or dipoles for DXing glory. A tuned antenna is like giving the ATS-20+ a megaphone to shout across the airwaves.

A Few Quirks (Because Nobody’s Perfect)

No radio is without its quirks, and the ATS-20+ has a few. The display is tiny, so don’t expect to read it from across the room. Without a tuned antenna, it can struggle with weak signals or get swamped by local AM/FM stations due to limited front-end filtering. Some users report the UI takes a bit of getting used to, and the stock firmware can be clunky until you upgrade it. Also, don’t expect Drake R8-level performance for $40, this is a budget radio for tinkerers, not a high-end rig.

Final Verdict: A Fun, Feisty Companion

For the price (around £35-£60), the ATS-20+ is like finding a hidden gem at a flea market. It’s not going to outshine a Tecsun PL-880 or a Belka DX, but it’s a ridiculously fun and capable little radio for the cost. Pair it with a tuned antenna, flash some fresh firmware, and you’ve got a portable SDR that can hold its own for casual listening, ham radio, or shortwave adventures. Whether you’re chilling on the patio, camping under the stars, or geeking out in your shack, the ATS-20+ is like a trusty sidekick that’s always ready to explore the airwaves with you.

So, grab a long wire, crank up the volume, and let the ATS-20+ take you on a radio road trip. Happy DXing

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