CHOYONG LC90 Multi-Band Smart Internet Radio User Manual

1. Product Overview

The CHOYONG LC90 is a versatile multi-band smart internet radio designed for comprehensive audio reception. It supports a wide range of frequencies including FM, AM, Longwave (LW), Shortwave (SW), and Single Side Band (SSB). Beyond traditional radio, it offers extensive internet radio capabilities via Wi-Fi or 4G cellular networks, access to millions of podcasts, Bluetooth connectivity, and TF card playback. Its intuitive interface, voice search function, and high-quality dual-speaker system provide an enhanced listening experience.

Front view of the CHOYONG LC90 radio, showcasing its display, control buttons, and extended telescopic antenna.

2. Safety Information

• Do not expose the device to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, or high humidity.
• Avoid dropping or subjecting the device to strong impacts.
• Keep the device away from water and other liquids.
• Use only the specified charging cable and power adapter.
• Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the device yourself. Contact qualified service personnel.
• Ensure proper ventilation when operating the device.

3. Package Contents

The CHOYONG LC90 package typically includes:

• CHOYONG LC90 Multi-Band Smart Internet Radio
• Owner's Manual
• USB Charging Cable
• Lithium Polymer Batteries (pre-installed)

4. Device Layout

Familiarize yourself with the radio's controls and ports:

A closer look at the radio's capabilities, such as global internet radio, FM/LW/MW/SW support, SSB (USB/LSB), voice search via GPT, Bluetooth, TF Card, IPS LCD with backlight, keyboard backlight, manual/auto bandwidth control, direct frequency tuning, addable internet stations, external antenna support, and access to 10 million podcast episodes.

• Display Screen: IPS LCD with backlight for clear information display.
• Power Button: Located on the top right.
• Tuning Knobs: For frequency adjustment and menu navigation.
• Volume Knob: Controls audio output level.
• Keypad: Numeric and function buttons for direct input and control.
• Antenna: Telescopic antenna for FM/SW reception.
• External Antenna Socket: For connecting an external antenna to improve signal strength.
• Type-C Charging Port: For charging the device.
• 3.5mm Earphone Socket: For private listening.
• TF Card Slot: For Micro-SD card insertion.
• SIM Card Slot: For 4G SIM card insertion.

5. Setup

5.1 Charging the Battery

The LC90 is equipped with a 5000mAh rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery. Before first use, or if the radio fails to turn on due to low voltage, charge the radio for at least 3 hours using the provided USB Type-C cable and a compatible power adapter. The charging indicator on the screen will show progress.

5.2 Inserting SIM Card

The LC90 supports 4G SIM cards globally for network connectivity. Ensure the radio is powered off before inserting or removing the SIM card.

1. Locate the SIM card slot on the side of the radio.
2. Insert your SIM card into the slot, ensuring proper orientation. The most commonly used SIM card size in today's phones is compatible.
3. Gently press the SIM card until it clicks into place.

5.3 Inserting TF (Micro-SD) Card

The LC90 supports TF (Micro-SD) cards up to 32GB for local media playback.

1. Locate the TF card slot on the side of the radio.
2. Insert the TF card into the slot until it clicks.

5.4 Extending the Antenna

For optimal reception on FM, SW, MW, and LW bands, fully extend the telescopic antenna. For enhanced shortwave reception, an external antenna can be connected to the dedicated external antenna socket.

6. Operating Instructions

6.1 Power On/Off

Long press the power button (red button on the top right) for a few seconds to turn the radio on or off.

6.2 Connecting to Networks (Wi-Fi / 4G)

The LC90 offers flexible network connectivity for internet radio and podcast access.

An illustration of the multiple networking methods available: 4G SIM card, 2.4G Wi-Fi, and E-SIM card, providing flexible internet access.

6.2.1 Wi-Fi Connection

1. From the main screen, navigate to the settings menu (gear icon).
2. Select 'Wi-Fi' and press 'OK'.
3. Toggle the Wi-Fi switch to 'ON'.
4. Select your desired Wi-Fi network from the list.
5. Use the tuning knob to select characters and the 'OK' button to confirm, entering your Wi-Fi password.
6. After entering the password, press 'OK' to connect. The radio may restart to save the password and connect automatically in the future.

6.2.2 4G Connection

If a valid 4G SIM card is inserted, the radio will automatically attempt to connect to the 4G network. Ensure your SIM card has an active data plan.

6.3 Using Radio Bands (Internet, FM, AM, LW, SW, SSB)

The LC90 supports a wide array of radio bands.

The radio's display showing signal strength, SNR, and band width for shortwave reception, emphasizing its multi-band performance and tuning controls.

6.3.1 Internet Radio & Podcasts

Access over 40,000 internet radio stations and 10 million podcast episodes (including Spotify and Apple Podcasts) categorized by continent, country, province, city, station type, and popularity.

• Use the tuning knob to navigate through categories and select stations.
• Bookmark favorite stations with one click.
• You can also search for additional stations and podcasts on the CHOYONG website and push them to your device.

6.3.2 Voice Search Stations

Utilize the voice search feature via GPT and Google for fast and accurate station and podcast discovery.

1. Press the dedicated voice search button (often labeled 'LANG' or with a microphone icon).
2. Speak the name of the station or content you wish to find.
3. The radio will display search results for selection.

6.3.3 FM/AM/LW/SW/SSB Radio

Switch between traditional radio bands using the dedicated FM, MW, SW buttons.

• Tuning: Use the tuning knobs for precise frequency adjustment. The radio supports manual/auto bandwidth control and direct frequency tuning.
• SSB (Single Side Band): The LC90 supports SSB (USB/LSB) with 1KHz/10Hz step adjustment for advanced shortwave listening.
• Station Search: Perform automatic station searches to find available broadcasts.
• Favorites: Save your preferred stations to the favorites folder for quick access.

6.4 Media Playback (Bluetooth / TF Card)

The LC90 can function as a Bluetooth speaker or play media directly from a TF card.

Demonstration of Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity and TF/Micro-SD card support for playing various audio formats, including folder management and direct chapter tuning.

6.4.1 Bluetooth Mode

1. Press the 'BT' button to enter Bluetooth mode.
2. On your external device (e.g., smartphone), search for and connect to 'LC90'.
3. Once connected, audio from your device will play through the LC90's speakers.

6.4.2 TF Card Playback

1. Ensure a TF card with audio files (FLAC, WAV, APE, WMA, MP3, MP4A) is inserted.
2. Press the 'TF' button to enter TF card playback mode.
3. Use the navigation controls to browse folders and select tracks. Direct frequency or music number input via the keypad is also supported.

6.5 Additional Features

• Clock & Alarm: Set time, alarms, and sleep timers.
• Multi-language Menu: Select your preferred language for the user interface.
• Key Backlighting: The keypad features backlighting for visibility in low-light conditions.

7. Maintenance

• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the radio's exterior. Do not use abrasive cleaners or solvents.
• Battery Care: To prolong battery life, avoid fully discharging the battery frequently. Charge the device regularly, even if not in use for extended periods.
• Storage: Store the radio in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

8. Troubleshooting

8.1 Radio Freezes or Becomes Unresponsive

If your LC90 radio experiences a freeze and none of the buttons seem to work:

1. Long press the power button for 5 seconds until the screen goes black.
2. Wait until the radio screen goes completely black.
3. Then long press the power button for 3 seconds to restart the radio. This will restore the radio to its normal state.

8.2 Wi-Fi Connection Issues

• Ensure your Wi-Fi network is 2.4GHz, as the radio only supports 2.4G Wi-Fi.
• Check your router settings, particularly the encryption protocol section, to ensure it is set to WPA/WPA2.
• Verify the Wi-Fi password is entered correctly.

8.3 Firmware Upgrade (OTA)

It is recommended to check for and perform Over-The-Air (OTA) firmware upgrades to ensure your radio has the latest features and bug fixes. The latest version is 4.7 or higher.

1. Insert a TF card (Micro-SD card) with a capacity no larger than 32GB into the radio.
2. Restart the radio and ensure that the Wi-Fi is connected. You can confirm the connection by streaming radio stations.
3. Press the settings button. In the settings menu, select 'Version Info' and follow the instructions.
4. Important: Once the upgrade begins, do not press any keys! The radio will automatically restart after the upgrade is complete. The entire process will take about 1-2 minutes.

9. Specifications

A visual representation of the radio's physical dimensions: 7.87 inches (length) x 1.57 inches (width) x 4.8 inches (height).

10. Warranty and Support

For warranty information and customer support, please refer to the official CHOYONG website or contact your retailer. Keep your purchase receipt as proof of purchase for any warranty claims.