ZHIWHIS Portable Bluetooth Radio, FM AM Shortwave Radios with Sleep Timer and Preset Function, Rechargeable Digital Recorder, Stereo MP3 Player with Lyric Display, Support Micro SD Card and AUX

This radio is perfect for my need to listen to AM Radio but it has amazingly thoughtful features. I wanted a radio that could tune local AM stations with clean sound (no whistles, static, and hiss beyond what is normal for any AM broadcast of sports games or talk radio. Here are two lists of Features I wanted and the other of features I didn’t know I wanted but appreciate and will use. I wanted an AM Radio that could -- Receive especially local AM and also FM stations. The AM needed to be clean and clear without the whistle, hiss, garble,distortion and bad tuning, common on today’s AM radios. -- Record AM broadcasts direct off the air -- Display Digital frequency -- Allowed direct input of frequency for a station on real numeric keys -- Store more that 6 or 8 stations for AM and FM (it does 40 and 60) This radio does all of these. (It’s very rare for a radio to be able to record. This one does.) The recorded broadcasts were indistinguishable from live. (you need a cheap micro TF flash card.) I’m in Houston. The radio received all local AM stations Receiver sensitivity and selectivity were adequate for local stations and even managed to receive far away stations even WLS in Chicago after sunset. Sound quality was clear, without whistle, hiss and distortion. It worked like my AM radios from the 50’s & 60’s--something lost in most of radios today, even from SONY, etc. But I was amazed with other features which worked well -- a real surprise to find in a single package. 1. The LCD screen is very readable and nicely back lit 2. A button will turn on the back light for several seconds (on battery) 3. The radio will work even while being charged (I did not notice the interference mentioned) 4. The battery is li ion rechargeable and a common, standard size BL-5C and cheap to replace but INCLUDED. 5. Won’t need AA batteries to leak and ruin the entire radio. 6. Has headphones out jack (Stereo on FM) 7. Has auto seek to scan a band and store stations in memory 8. Can store any tuned station into any of 40 or 60 memories 9. Press tune up/down an extra second and it seeks to the next broadcasting station 10. Has selectivity enough to separate close together stations 11. Displays time counter during both record and playback. Can Fast Forward also. 12. Has single button mute 13. Can record live voice via built in microphone (Worked perfect, picked up the room) 14. Comes with soft protective case 15. Instructions are comprehensive and written in quite normal English, printed on quality paper. 16. Recorded files are named automatically and appear like any PC scrollable list of files The included USB cable allows charging from nearly any USB charger (I have plenty) and receives the very common mini-htmi charge connection like the ones on Android tablets and cell phones for a decade. The Antenna is quality but not needed in my experience for local broadcasts. At this time The “List Price” is $30 (but was discounted) and with all of these actually working features, that’s a miracle. Final word. I was impressed by the product's functional completeness. It even had a carry strap (already installed) and a little fob on the strap you insert into the back to partially stand up the radio! All of the above, I have personally verified. I tried the Short Wave band, out of curiosity, with no results—didn’t care and silly to expect otherwise. Amazing radio. Amazing combination of features. Amazing price. I’ll likely buy a spare because this is in a class by itself.

This has some nice features for a low-end portable shortwave radio. Plusses include: - Bright easy to read display - Direct frequency entry - Flexible inputs for use as a computer/Bluetooth/MP3/radio speaker - Ability to record good quality sound from the air, the radio, Bluetooth or Aux input - Very strong sound - Play/Pause button that works both on music files and as a mute button on radio - Equalizer tone control (only works with recorded music, not radio) The radio is compact and convenient to recharge with the included USB cable. But while the display is bright and easy to read, the labels on the buttons are not. In anything less than bright lighting conditions, I can't read the buttons. The the tiny off white or orange labels don't provide strong contrast. You can see this in the last product photo that on my monitor is about the same size as the actual radio. It's professionally lit but the text on some of the labels is not sharp. It's much worse in indoor lighting. I've had many radios, and this the only one I can't read easily. While the sound from the radio speaker is quite good for something this small, the sound from earphones with radio is not. With a good pair of Apple ear buds, the bass disappears and an annoying high frequency hiss is substituted, something not seen in other radio models. I do not think that someone who intends to use headphones for radio will be satisfied with this product. I don't expect any serious shortwave listener will be relying on an inexpensive radio like this, but I should mention that the tuning is not all that selective, allowing clear reception of strong stations when tuned +/- 5 kHz (sometimes even 10 kHz) off frequency. Sensitivity is on par with other radios at this price point. It lacks an antenna jack. Sensitivity is fair, but not on par with something like a Tecsun PL-330. Also the shortwave coverage is limited to 4.75 to 21.85 MHz. The lack of a clock is a mystery and if you want an alarm, you're out of luck. This also means no time stamp on recorded files, but at this price point even radios with clocks don't timestamp recordings for some reason. I found some of the controls not intuitive. When listening to radio, tapping the volume up or down button actually switches between stored stations [This has been fixed with Firmware update 2.4]. Changing volume is click-hold -- but when listening to music you can just tap the buttons for volume. When entering a frequency, you complete the operation by pressing the Play/Pause button. I found that the left and right stereo channels are reversed when playing MP3 files, but correct for Bluetooth and FM. There are much better radios for more money, particularly for shortwave, but for FM plus a music player at this price point, the ZWS-603 is hard to beat. Update: I've had this radio for a year now. I never use it any more. Initially I took it with me largely because of the recording feature; I'd attach a cable to another radio that couldn't record and make recordings with with the ZHIWHIS. It's more convenient to record off the air with my phone rather than carrying an extra radio and a cable. If one has a better radio (I have several), there isn't much of a role for a lesser performing model. My review sounds more negative than I feel about the radio. It's strongest point is the speaker -- it's really good in a subcompact radio. That's what I think of first. This radio is also sold as model K-603 under the HanRongDa brand. Update 2: In 2024 a new version of this radio was introduced with a revised circuit board and firmware version 2.4. I bought the HanRongDa K-603 label. I don't know all the detailed changes but two things that stand out are the improved operation of the volume control and the USB-C charging port instead of USB Micro. The current product description (January 2026) still says USB Micro and the linked V2.4 manual say Micro, but I doubt that's accurate.

THE JURY IS STILL OUT ON THIS UNIT. I'LL GIVE A REVIEW WHEN I HERE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE JURY HAS MADE A DELIBERATON: The verdict is ....GUILTY AS CHARGED. OK. To explain my jurisprudence, getting too far ahead of myself. I want to explain my ONE STAR. I give the unit a Three. Five...maybe FOUR, but that's about it....this is awarded to the dot com company. I wrote to them ten days ago, April 18, no reply. Adios, Amigo! As for the unit itself, it works good, very similar to others that I have. The one item is that if the battery 'takes a hike', you can replace it, or maybe 'reboot' by taking it out, but I don't know if that really works....I've tried it. NO CLOCK. ok, I didn't need it as I have a night-stand unit, but sometimes, I would like to look at it....no biggie. I have no issue with it. Other ONE star reviews had other issues that I do not. As said previously, no answer from the parent company to answer my simple request....send me a different long form operating manual. the quickie that was included is somewhat vague, and I send them an E to D/L me a much more explanatory one that THEY suggested I do. (Paper edification, etc.)NADA.WTF? If they suggested getting a complete manual, Y did they suggest it? DUH! The simple question was; To set the timer, what other buttons do I press to set? Simple question. I have several other similar units so I am not out of the loop. However, after waiting several days(10), I pursued the unit and FINALLLY, figured it out. DUH! Y didn't they include that info in the first place? Some Buyers are not that astute electronically from what I have read previously on other electronic products. Oh, to explain myself, I know electronics...built a few computers, know how to figure things out. sometimes one needs to elaborate on these things, which I am doing here, an esoteric understanding for people looking for a certain product. In conclusion, I will repeal my advisory admonitions. Caveat Emptor. UPDATE: NO REPLY FROM THE PARENT COMPANY! My inquisitive nature: Why did they include the gmail.com if they don't respond to it? Oh. They did include other webs but I figured as long as I had a gmail.com, I use it. NADA. I can't figure it out. If they want to promote their product, why include 'other options'? I'm confused. UPDATE; 4-30-2025 Ok, I posted a scalding review earlier which I am amending today. I did get a reply apologizing for the long delay. The person who responded was on vacation. Only one body monitoring the E mails? Well, ok, maybe that is the premise. BUT HE DID RESPOND! THANK YOU. the e mail explained the procedure....simple. I also asked for a longer version manual....got it in a PDF form! All's well and good. As I previous stated its a good unit if you know what you are purchasing....and READ THE MANUAL! Thank you Zhiwhis. I heretofore amend my one star to a five star!!!!

I almost sent this back. Purchased in the summer of 2023 for I’m listening to and recording a series of conventions. Didn’t think there was a way to get below 87 MHz. Wrote the seller who gave these very detailed instructions on how to get to the FM mode for 64 MHz to 108 MHz: “The latest version of the machine is V2.4. The new version V2.4 has updated:… 3. The system menu can set the FM band range: you can choose 64-108MHZ or 87-108MHZ by yourself. FM band range Setup Operation(For ZWS-603 V2.4 version) 1. In FM radio mode, long press the MENU key to enter the System Setup screen. 2. Press the ">>|" or "|<<" key to select "FM band set" and press the “>||” key to enter the sub-item. 3. Press the ">>|" or "|<<" key to select the FM band range (FM1:64-108MHZ or FM2:87-108MHZ) and press the “>||” key to confirm the setup. ….. Sincerely yours, ZHIWHIS Product service center” So glad I contacted the seller! This is a good radio, but I do have to put it in “the right spot” in order to reduce static when recording sometimes . That may be the venue and not the radio, however. Good volume with or without earphones. Just used it again last weekend. Vitamin did a good job. Just don’t forget your earphones so you won’t disturb others listening to the program.

Apple has tried to make it nearly impossible for you to record a radio station or steaming station and acrually get it *out* of your Mac or iPhone. (There *are* ways around this, but they are a pain!) Android phones allow you to do this, but the best app I have found records in m4a format, which I don’t want to mess with. This radio has a nice one-button recording feature, and records to mp3 files very well, provided you are catching a BT signal. (Over the air radio? Not so much. It buzzes.) Then, to get files onto a flash drive, just pop out the mini flash card and copy them over. Very easy. What would be nice: I *wish* it had an “interrupt” button I could press, ending recording of one file and starting another immediately. A timer function for recording, letting me make a series of ten or thirty, or whatever minute mp3 recordings would be even better. (If it did *that*, I’d have been will to pay a lot more!). You *used* to be able to do this on Mac, but not since System 7, I think! For the money, you really cannot go wrong with this. (One negative: When I end the recording over BT, the file plays immediately. Fine, but I’d like to begin another recording. It seems impossible to go back to BT mode right away. I have tried many things. As near as I can tell, I have some random series of buttons that gets back to BT mode, but I have zero idea what the series is.)