Ats-20 Radio Manual [extra Quality] May 2026

and its upgraded sibling, the , are compact, budget-friendly DSP receivers based on the Si4732 chip and Arduino Nano architecture

. Because these radios are often sold under various generic brands with differing firmware versions, their operation can vary slightly. Core Controls & Operation Tuning/Encoder Knob

: Rotate to change frequencies. Press the knob (on most firmware) to switch between tuning steps (e.g., 1kHz, 5kHz, 10kHz) or to enter specialized modes like

(Beat Frequency Oscillator) adjustment for fine-tuning SSB signals. Band Selection

buttons to cycle through FM, AM, LW, and the various Shortwave (SW) bands. Mode Button : Cycles through modulation types: (Upper Sideband), and

(Lower Sideband). SSB (USB/LSB) is essential for listening to ham radio operators. Step Button

: Selects the frequency increment. Short presses typically cycle through standard steps, while a long press in some versions might display a signal strength bar. BW (Bandwidth)

: Adjusts the filter width to reduce noise or interference from adjacent stations. Key Features for Shortwave/SSB BFO Calibration

: In USB or LSB mode, press the tuning knob to activate BFO. This allows for ultra-fine adjustments (often in 10Hz or 20Hz steps) to clarify "Donald Duck" voices in SSB transmissions. AGC (Auto Gain Control)

: Press to toggle gain settings, which helps stabilize signal strength for clearer audio. Firmware Upgrades ats-20 radio manual

Many users recommend flashing the radio with advanced firmware to unlock better performance and features: PU2CLR Library

: The foundational library for many versions, improving overall chip control. ATS_EX (Goshante Firmware)

: A popular "advanced" firmware that adds a cleaner interface, better battery monitoring, and removes "chuffing" (the brief audio mute when tuning). How to Flash : Most units connect to a PC via . You can use tools like Arduino IDE to upload new Quick Troubleshooting EEPROM Reset

: If the radio behaves strangely after a firmware flash, turn it on while holding the encoder button down to reset the memory to defaults. Antenna Performance : While the included telescopic whip is decent for FM, an external wire antenna

is highly recommended for picking up weak Shortwave or SSB signals. Are you interested in instructions for flashing a specific firmware version like Goshante or PU2CLR?

The ATS-20 hadn’t come with a manual. Just the radio itself, a slick slab of black plastic and a tiny, glowing screen, wrapped in a single sheet of bubble wrap. When Elias had ordered it from an online marketplace for forty-seven dollars, the listing had said: “ATS-20 DSP Radio Receiver – Full Band – See photos for manual.”

The “manual” in the photos was a grainy, low-resolution JPEG of a single page of Chinese text, already watermarked by three different resellers. Elias, a man who liked to read instructions for toasters cover to cover, felt a prickle of unease.

He turned the radio on. The screen bloomed a cool blue. A hiss of static filled his basement workshop. There were only four buttons, a volume knob, and a smooth tuning dial that clicked with a satisfying, oily precision. Without a guide, the device was a monolith. He pressed the buttons at random: BAND. The frequency jumped from FM to shortwave. MODE. The static shifted from a whisper to a roar. VFO. The numbers on the screen began to blur and race as he spun the dial.

He was a caveman with a smartphone.

That night, he found a PDF online. It was a scanned copy of a copy, the diagrams reduced to smudged charcoal blobs. But the text, broken English, was just legible enough.

“WARNING: ATS-20 contain internal spirit. Do not anger with alkaline battery.”

Elias chuckled. He ignored the warning and inserted two fresh Duracells.

“STEP 1: To catch the voice from the before-time, set BAND to ‘LW.’ Spin dial backward through the numbers until screen say ‘0.’ Then spin slower. You will hear the earth turn.”

He followed the instructions. He spun the dial backward. 150 kHz. 100 kHz. 50 kHz. The static deepened into a low, rhythmic thrum. It wasn't a station. It sounded like a heartbeat, slow and planetary. He felt a strange vertigo, as if the concrete floor beneath him was rotating.

“STEP 4: For the numbers station, tune to 4625 kHz at 02:00 UTC. MODE to ‘USB.’ Do not speak to the lady. She is not a lady anymore.”

A chill ran down his spine. It was 1:58 AM. He dialed in the frequency. At exactly 02:00, the static parted. A woman’s voice, eerily flat and pristine, began to recite numbers in German. “Acht… zwei… neun… null… vier…” Elias leaned closer, mesmerized. The manual hadn’t told him what to do when she finished. He found out. After the last number, the voice stopped. Then, a single, clear whisper came through the speaker, as if she was standing right behind him: “Why are you listening?”

He slammed the power button. The screen went black. His heart hammered against his ribs.

He didn’t touch the radio for a week.

Then, curiosity, that old poison, got the better of him. He opened the PDF to the final page. The last instruction was the only one not garbled by poor translation. It was crisp, precise, and written in a different, heavier font.

“FINAL STEP: Turn the volume knob fully counter-clockwise until you feel a click past ‘0.’ This is not ‘MUTE.’ This is ‘MEMORY.’ The radio will then listen to you. Speak your deepest secret into the silence. The ATS-20 will broadcast it once, on every frequency, for one second, to every receiver on Earth. This cannot be undone. Do not turn the knob past ‘0’ unless you are prepared to be truly heard.”

Elias stared at the radio. The blue screen was dark, but the power cord was still plugged in. He picked it up. His thumb rested on the volume knob. He could feel the faint resistance, the ghost of a notch before the final stop. The click past ‘0.’

In the silent basement, he whispered, “No.” He set the radio down, unplugged it, and removed the batteries.

He never turned it on again. But sometimes, late at night, he swears he hears a faint voice coming from the unpowered speaker. His own voice. Speaking a secret he has never told a soul.

Chapter 3: Step-by-Step First-Time Setup (Battery & Antenna)

The original manual is notoriously bad at explaining battery installation.

Step 1 – Open the back: Use a small Phillips screwdriver. Do not strip the tiny screws. Step 2 – Battery orientation: Insert an unprotected flat-top 18650 lithium-ion battery. Positive (+) terminal goes towards the top of the radio (near the SMA antenna connector). Negative goes towards the bottom. Step 3 – Power on: Long press the Power/VF button for 1.5 seconds. If the screen flashes and dies, your battery is low or inserted backward. Step 4 – Antenna: The SMA connector is fragile. Do not over-tighten. For SW/HF, a 5-7 meter long wire is best. For FM, use the included telescopic whip.

Warning: Do not transmit on this radio—it is a receiver only. Applying transmit power from another radio into the ATS-20's antenna jack will destroy the Si4732 chip instantly.

ATS-20 Radio Manual — Focused Exposition

Battery & Charging