Ats-20 Radio Manual

The ATS-20 is open-source hardware. The community has written superior firmware that the original manual never mentions. The most famous is SI4735 Arduino firmware (ported to ATS-20).

Benefits of updating:

To update (you will need a USB-to-TTL adapter):

Warning: This voids any warranty and requires moderate technical skill. ats-20 radio manual

Hold the Light/Display button to enter the settings menu. Rotate tuning knob to adjust:

| Menu Item | Function | |-----------|----------| | MW SW STEP | Tuning step (1/5/9/10 kHz for MW; 1/5 kHz for SW) | | FM STEP | FM step (50/100 kHz) | | FM DE | De-emphasis (50 µs for Europe, 75 µs for US) | | BEEP | Keypress beep on/off | | LCD BACKLIGHT | Backlight timeout (1–30 seconds / always on) | | BATTERY TYPE | Li-ion / NiMH (affects voltage display) |

Press S to save setting, then B to exit. The ATS-20 is open-source hardware

This unit supports Single Side Band (SSB), essential for Ham Radio and Utility stations.

If you have just unboxed an ATS-20 radio, you have likely discovered two things quickly: it is a marvel of modern portable SDR (Software Defined Radio) technology, and the "manual" included in the box is a small, multi-lingual pamphlet that leaves much to be desired.

Whether you own the original ATS-20, the ATS-20+, or the popular ATS-20 Pro (often based on the Si4732 chip), you have come to the right place. This article serves as the comprehensive ATS-20 radio manual you have been searching for. We will cover everything from first-time power-on to advanced DSP settings, SSB reception, and firmware updates. To update (you will need a USB-to-TTL adapter):

  • TX alignment:
  • Carrier suppression and balance (for SSB): adjust the balanced modulator/USB/LSB phasing and carrier null to maximize suppression of unwanted carrier and opposite sideband.
  • Final checks: verify SWR on the antenna connector is acceptable, perform RX sensitivity and S-meter checks against known signals, and check TX power and audio quality.

    • The stock ATS-20 radio manual lists the buttons, but it does not explain their hidden dual functions. Here is the complete mapping:

    | Button | Short Press | Long Press (2 sec) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Power/VF | Turn on/off (standby) | Enter VFO (Variable Frequency Oscillator) mode | | BAND/VM | Change band (AM/FM/SW/LW) | Enter VM (Variable Memory) / Memory recall | | STEP/AGC | Change tuning step (1kHz, 5kHz, 10kHz) | Toggle AGC (Automatic Gain Control) on/off | | Filter/Mode | Change bandwidth (e.g., 6kHz, 4kHz, 2.2kHz) | Switch receive mode (AM/LSB/USB) | | Volume/Squelch | Adjust volume (0-63) | Adjust squelch level | | Encoder (Knob) | Tune frequency | Fast tune (10x step) |

    Pro Tip from the unofficial manual: On SSB modes, long-press the Filter/Mode button to switch between Upper Sideband (USB) and Lower Sideband (LSB).