Introduction
The CHOYONG LC90 is a groundbreaking multi-band smart internet radio, uniquely combining internet radio capabilities with traditional AM, FM, and SSB reception. It represents a significant advancement in radio technology, offering a versatile and high-quality listening experience. This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, and maintaining your LC90 radio to ensure optimal performance.
Figure 1: CHOYONG LC90 Multi-Band Smart Internet Radio overview.
Key Features
- Global Internet Radio: Access over 40,000 internet radio stations worldwide via 4G network or 2.4G Wi-Fi connection.
- Multi-Band Reception: Supports traditional FM, LW, MW, and SW (SSB) bands.
- Voice Search: Fast and accurate station search via GPT and Google (Functionality updates for version 4.8).
- Audio Quality: Features a sound unit with a mid-bass speaker, silk dome tweeter, and low-frequency diaphragm for excellent sound.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2 for speaker functionality and TF/Micro-SD card support for local music playback (FLAC/WAV/APE/WMA/MP3/M4A formats).
- Power & Charging: USB Type-C charging with two replaceable 18650 rechargeable batteries (5000mAh total capacity).
- Display & Controls: IPS LCD with backlight, keyboard backlight for night operation, three aluminum alloy CNC-machined knobs.
- Advanced Reception: Adjustable reception bandwidth, signal strength and SNR display, external antenna support.
- E-SIM Support: Supports E-Sim functionality for global carrier networks (North America hardware limited, data packages via "Data Sim Card" menu).
- OTA Upgrades: Continuous Over-The-Air (OTA) firmware upgrades for new features.
- Additional Functions: Clock, alarm clock, timer playback, multi-language menu, digital point of sale.
Figure 2: Comprehensive feature list of the LC90 radio.
Setup
1. Battery Installation and Charging
The LC90 radio uses two replaceable 18650 rechargeable batteries, providing a total capacity of 5000mAh. Ensure batteries are correctly inserted according to polarity markings. Charge the radio via the USB Type-C port. If the radio fails to turn on due to low voltage, charge it for at least 3 hours to ensure it is fully charged. Then, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds, release it, and press and hold again for 5 seconds.
Figure 3: Battery compartment showing two 18650 batteries.
2. Network Connection (Wi-Fi / 4G / E-SIM)
The LC90 supports both 2.4G Wi-Fi and 4G cellular networks (via physical SIM or E-SIM) for internet connectivity.
- Wi-Fi Connection: Navigate to the Wi-Fi settings menu on the device. Select your 2.4G Wi-Fi network and enter the password. Ensure your Wi-Fi network is 2.4G. If you encounter connection issues, check your router settings, particularly the encryption protocol, to ensure it is set to WPA/WPA2, as the radio only supports WPA/WPA2.
- 4G SIM Card: Insert a compatible 4G SIM card into the designated slot. The radio will automatically detect and connect to the cellular network.
- E-SIM Functionality: The LC90 supports E-Sim for global carrier networks. Users can purchase data packages through the “Data Sim Card” menu in settings. Note that while the hardware supports E-SIM globally, current limitations may apply to North America. The connection process is user-friendly, though initial network connection may take slightly longer (approx. 30 seconds) compared to physical SIM cards.
Figure 4: Networking methods: 4G SIM, 2.4G Wi-Fi, and E-SIM.
3. External Antenna
For enhanced signal reception, especially for traditional radio bands, you can connect an external antenna to the dedicated external antenna socket. This can significantly improve signal strength and clarity.
Figure 5: External Antenna Socket (EXT ANT) location.
Operating Instructions
1. Power On/Off
Press the power button (usually red) located on the top right of the device to turn the radio on or off.
2. Internet Radio
Once connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or 4G), you can access over 40,000 global internet radio stations and 10 million podcast episodes. Stations are categorized by continent, country, province, city, station type, and popularity for easy navigation. You can also bookmark your favorite stations.
- Browsing: Use the tuning knobs or navigation buttons to browse through categories and stations.
- Adding Stations: You can directly search for radio stations and podcasts on the Choyong website and push them to your device. The radio supports all audio formats such as MP3, AAC, M3U8, etc.
Figure 6: Internet radio interface showing station categories.
3. Traditional Multi-Band Radio (FM/LW/MW/SW/SSB)
The LC90 offers excellent reception for traditional radio bands. Use the dedicated FM, MW, SW, and BT buttons to switch between modes.
- Band Selection: Press the corresponding button (FM, MW, SW) to select the desired band.
- Tuning: Use the 'TUNING' knob for frequency adjustment. The 'FINE TUNING' knob allows for precise adjustments.
- SSB Reception: The radio supports Single Side Band (SSB) for both USB (Upper Side Band) and LSB (Lower Side Band).
- Bandwidth Control: Adjust the reception bandwidth for optimal clarity.
- Signal Information: The display shows signal strength and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR).
- ATS (Auto Tuning Storage) & Direct Frequency Tuning: Utilize ATS for automatic station scanning and storage, or directly input frequencies.
Figure 7: Multi-band radio display showing tuning and signal details.
Figure 8: Multi-band radio capabilities.
4. Bluetooth and TF Card Playback
The LC90 can function as a Bluetooth speaker or play music directly from a TF/Micro-SD card.
- Bluetooth Mode: Press the 'BT' button to activate Bluetooth. Pair your device with the LC90. The radio supports Bluetooth 5.2.
- TF Card Mode: Insert a TF (Micro-SD) card (up to 32GB capacity) into the designated slot. Press the 'TF' button to switch to TF card playback. The radio supports folder management and direct chapter tuning via the keyboard. Compatible formats include FLAC, WAV, APE, WMA, MP3, M4A.
Figure 9: Bluetooth and TF card functionality.
5. Voice Search
Utilize the voice search feature to quickly find radio stations, podcasts, and global music via GPT and Google. This feature supports multiple languages for fast and accurate results.
Figure 10: Voice search interface.
6. Other Functions
- Clock & Alarm: Set the time and configure alarms as needed.
- Timer Playback: Schedule specific content to play at set times.
- Multi-language Menu: The radio supports multiple languages for its menu interface.
- Keyboard Backlight: Buttons are backlit for easy operation in low-light conditions.
- 3.5mm Earphone Socket: Connect headphones for private listening.
Maintenance
- Keep the device dry and clean. Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures, humidity, or direct sunlight.
- Clean the exterior with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents.
- Ensure the antenna is fully retracted when not in use to prevent damage.
- When not using the radio for extended periods, remove the 18650 batteries to prevent leakage.
Troubleshooting
Common Issues and Solutions:
- Radio fails to turn on (low voltage):
- Charge the radio for at least 3 hours to ensure it is fully charged.
- Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds, then release it.
- Afterward, press and hold the power button again for 5 seconds.
- Cannot connect to Wi-Fi:
- Ensure your Wi-Fi network is 2.4G.
- Check your router settings, particularly the encryption protocol section, to ensure it is set to WPA/WPA2, as the radio only supports WPA/WPA2.
- "Network Error" messages with E-SIM:
Compared to physical SIM cards, E-SIM may have a slightly longer (30 seconds) network connection time during startup. Once connected, the experience should be identical, significantly reducing the occurrence of "Network Error" messages.
- OTA Upgrade Issues:
During an Over-The-Air (OTA) upgrade, it is crucial not to press any buttons. The radio will automatically restart after the upgrade is complete, which typically takes 1-2 minutes. If the upgrade fails, ensure a stable internet connection and sufficient battery charge before attempting again.
Video 1: How to perform an OTA (Over-The-Air) upgrade for the LC90 radio.
Figure 11: Important notes regarding OTA upgrades and troubleshooting.
Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | CHOYONG |
| Model Number | LC90 |
| Type | AM / FM, FM, MW, SW, LW, Internet Radio |
| Style | Portable |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 20*14*4 cm |
| Power Supply | Rechargeable Battery Pack (2x 18650, 5000mAh) |
| Battery Included | Yes |
| WIFI | Yes (2.4G) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Screen | Yes (IPS LCD) |
| Function | Built-In Speaker, Clock, Built-in Amplifier |
| Package | Yes |
| High-concerned chemical | None |
| Origin | Mainland China |
| Certification | CE, FCC, WEEE |
Note: Dimensions are approximate. Bluetooth is listed as 'No' in specifications but 'Bluetooth 5.2' is mentioned as a feature. Please refer to the product's operational interface for Bluetooth functionality.
User Tips
- Podcast Language Filtering: As of Firmware Version 4.8, podcast programs are recommended based on the selected language. If your radio is set to German, only German-language podcasts will be shown.
- Expanded Favorite Stations: Firmware Version 4.8 increased the number of favorite FM and SW stations you can save from 50 to 200.
- Advanced Music Search: With Firmware Version 4.8, you can search for music via ChatGPT and Google, supporting many languages. The playback prioritizes high-bitrate audio sources.
- Multi-language Support: The menu is available in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, Polish, and others, making it user-friendly for a global audience.
- Power Source: The radio uses a rechargeable battery pack, specifically 18650 cells, which are common and replaceable.
Warranty and Support
For warranty information, technical support, or service inquiries, please refer to the official CHOYONG website or contact your retailer. Keep your proof of purchase for any warranty claims.
