CHOYONG LC90: The Ultimate Portable Digital Internet Radio for Global Listening

Bob, a seasoned radio enthusiast, sat in his attic, surrounded by the warm glow of vacuum tubes from his vintage radio collection. He fondly remembered the thrill of tuning in to distant stations, the crackle of static a familiar soundtrack to his explorations of the airwaves. But lately, that thrill had been replaced by frustration. The local AM stations were plagued by interference, the FM selection was limited, and even his trusty shortwave receiver struggled to pull in clear signals. He longed for the golden age of radio, but with the convenience and clarity of modern technology.

A Century of Sound: A Brief History

Radio’s story is one of constant innovation. From Marconi’s first transatlantic transmissions using spark-gap transmitters to the crystal sets that brought radio into homes, the technology rapidly evolved. Amplitude Modulation (AM) became the standard for long-range broadcasting, followed by Frequency Modulation (FM), which offered superior sound quality. Shortwave radio opened up the world, allowing broadcasts to travel thousands of miles. And now, the internet has revolutionized radio once again, delivering a virtually limitless stream of audio content to listeners worldwide.

The Analog Walls

Despite these advancements, traditional analog radio still faces fundamental limitations. Radio waves, especially AM and shortwave signals, are susceptible to fading and interference. Buildings, mountains, and even electrical appliances can disrupt the signal, leading to static, distortion, and dropouts. The number of stations you can receive is also limited by your geographic location and the power of the transmitters.

The Digital Dawn: Introducing the CHOYONG LC90

The CHOYONG LC90 Portable Digital Internet Radio represents a significant step forward, addressing the shortcomings of traditional radio while embracing the possibilities of the digital age. It’s not just another radio; it’s a versatile audio receiver that combines the ability to tune into traditional AM, FM, longwave, and shortwave broadcasts with the vast world of internet radio, all in a portable and well-designed package.

Beyond AM and FM: Exploring the Spectrum

The LC90’s multi-band capabilities open up a world of listening options beyond the familiar AM and FM bands:

• Longwave (LW): Primarily used in Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa, longwave broadcasts use very low frequencies (153-279 kHz) that can travel exceptionally long distances, often following the curvature of the Earth. This makes them suitable for national broadcasting services and maritime communication.
• Shortwave (SW): Shortwave radio (2300-26100 kHz) utilizes higher frequencies that can bounce off the ionosphere, a layer of charged particles in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. This “skip” propagation allows shortwave signals to travel thousands of miles, making it possible to listen to broadcasts from other continents.
• Single Sideband (SSB): SSB is a refinement of amplitude modulation that significantly improves efficiency. Think of it like this: a standard AM broadcast is like sending a letter with the same message written on both sides of the paper. SSB is like sending only one side of the message – you’re conveying the same information, but using less energy and taking up less space on the “airwaves” (bandwidth). This efficiency translates to clearer reception, especially for weak or distant signals, making SSB a favorite among amateur radio operators and those seeking to tune into faint international broadcasts.

The Internet Radio Revolution

The LC90’s ability to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) or 4G (using a nano SIM card) truly sets it apart. This opens up a world of over 40,000 internet radio stations, offering an astonishing variety of music, news, talk, and sports programming from every corner of the globe.

• How Streaming Works: Internet radio relies on streaming technology. Audio data is broken down into small packets and sent over the internet to your device. The LC90’s internal processor buffers these packets, reassembling them into a continuous stream of audio. This process relies on protocols like HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) to manage the data flow.
• The Vastness of Choice: Unlike traditional radio, where you’re limited by geography and transmitter power, internet radio offers a virtually unlimited selection. Whether you’re interested in classical music from Vienna, news from Tokyo, or podcasts on any topic imaginable, you’re likely to find it online.
• 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and 4G: The Connectivity Backbone: The LC90 uses the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band, which offers a good balance of range and compatibility with most routers. It’s important to note that while many modern routers offer both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, the LC90 is designed specifically for the 2.4 GHz band. Most routers are “dual-band” or even “tri-band” supporting the 2.4Ghz, and will work just fine. The 4G connectivity (using a nano-SIM card in the supported bands: FDD Band 2/3/4/5; TDD Band 38/39/40/41) provides an alternative when Wi-Fi is unavailable, making the LC90 a truly go-anywhere radio.

Inside the LC90: Deconstructing the Technology

Let’s take a closer look at the key components that make the LC90 such a capable receiver:

• Digital Signal Processing (DSP): The heart of the LC90’s superior performance lies in its DSP chip. This specialized processor takes the incoming radio signal (whether analog or digital) and performs a series of operations to improve its quality. This includes filtering out noise and interference, adjusting the audio levels, and even compensating for signal fading. DSP is like having a tiny, highly skilled audio engineer inside your radio, constantly working to optimize the sound.
• Audio Decoding: The LC90 can handle a wide variety of audio formats, including MP3, AAC, M3U8, APE, FLAC, WAV, and M4A. Each format uses a different method of compressing digital audio data. The LC90’s decoder chip converts these compressed files back into a playable audio signal.
• The Two-Way Speaker System: Achieving High-Fidelity Sound: Unlike many portable radios that use a single, full-range speaker, the LC90 employs a two-way system. This means it has a separate tweeter (for high frequencies) and a woofer (for mid and low frequencies). A passive diaphragm further enhances bass response. This design allows for a much more accurate and detailed reproduction of sound, with clearer highs and richer lows. The fully enclosed sound chamber also contributes to the impressive audio quality.
• Firmware Upgrade:
  The LC90 can be upgraded remotely. The key features of the V4.7 update are as follows:
  1. RDS Functionality Added: Integrated the ability to receive RDS signals, LC90 can now display PS (Program Service), RT (Radio Text), PI (Program Identifier), and PTY (Program Type) information.
  2. Podcast Feature:Choyong’s Aggregator includes over 10 million podcast episodes, categorized into 18 genres including news, music, sports, and more.All podcasts will be updated automatically. Excellent programs from Spotify and Apple Podcasts can be found on the LC90, and can also use voice search to find your favorite podcasts.
  3. ChatGPT Integration: Includes ChatGPT’s speech-to-text engine, along with optimized search result matching algorithms that greatly enhance the accuracy of voice search. This feature can be used to search for radio stations and podcasts.
  4. Subscription Function for Radios and Podcasts via Choyong Website:
     Directly search for radio stations and podcasts on the Choyong website and push them to your devices.
  5. Account Management and Synchronization: Version 4.7 allows devices to be linked to your email account. Once linked, you can remotely push programs to the device and sync your saved content to all of your Choyong devices.
• Antenna Design: Why it Matters: A radio is only as good as its antenna. The LC90 features a long, 40-inch telescopic antenna for FM, SW and MW reception. The length of the antenna is important because it needs to be a certain fraction of the wavelength of the radio waves it’s trying to receive. For even better reception, especially in fringe areas, the LC90 includes a 3.5mm external antenna jack, allowing you to connect a more powerful antenna.
  

Real-World Reception: Putting the LC90 to the Test

Let’s revisit Bob and see how the LC90 transforms his listening experience. In his attic, he easily tunes into local FM stations with crystal-clear clarity, thanks to the DSP and the two-way speaker system. He then switches to shortwave and, using the SSB mode, pulls in a faint broadcast from a station thousands of miles away – something his older radios struggled with. Finally, he connects to his home Wi-Fi and explores the vast world of internet radio, discovering new music genres and talk shows from around the globe.

To further illustrate the LC90’s capabilities, let’s consider a few specific scenarios:

• Weak AM Signal: A listener in a rural area wants to tune into a distant AM news station. The LC90’s DSP helps to filter out noise and improve the clarity of the weak signal.
• Shortwave DXing: A radio enthusiast wants to pick up a rare shortwave broadcast from a low-power station in another country. The LC90’s SSB mode allows them to receive the signal with better clarity and less interference.
• Internet Radio Variety: A listener wants to explore different genres of music. The LC90’s internet radio capability provides access to thousands of stations, offering an unparalleled selection.
• Power outage: In case of no electricity at home, a fully charged battery can provide up to 48 hours of continuous listening, ensuring access to vital news and information. The LC90 also uses two replaceable 18650 batteries.

User Interface
The Choyong LC90 features a classic design with a modern twist. It has three rotary knobs, crafted using aluminum alloy CNC technology, controlling volume, tuning, and menu navigation. The buttons, while not backlit on most radios, are backlit on the LC90, a thoughtful detail for low-light use. The IPS LCD screen provides clear and easy-to-read information, showing the current station, frequency, signal strength, and other relevant data.
Adding a station is made simple, directly inputting a URL on the radio, supporting various formats like MP3, AAC, M3U8, etc.

The main menu provides access to various settings, including Wi-Fi configuration, 4G SIM card setup (if applicable), Bluetooth pairing, TF card playback, and system settings. The interface is intuitive, making it easy to navigate the radio’s many features. The “Lang” button activates the voice search function, powered by ChatGPT, allowing for hands-free station or podcast selection.

Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of Radio

The CHOYONG LC90 isn’t just a technological marvel; it’s a testament to the enduring power of radio. It seamlessly blends the nostalgia of traditional broadcasting with the limitless possibilities of the internet age. For Bob, and countless others like him, the LC90 represents a rekindling of a passion – a chance to reconnect with the world through the magic of radio, but with a clarity, convenience, and variety that was unimaginable in the past. The LC90 is a bridge, connecting the rich history of radio with its vibrant future. It’s a reminder that even in our hyper-connected world, the simple act of listening can still be a source of discovery, connection, and joy. The ability to effortlessly switch between local FM broadcasts, distant shortwave signals, and a global library of internet radio stations makes the LC90 a truly versatile and indispensable companion for anyone who loves to listen.