Dewdude,
I have no first-hand knowledge of the 909x, but from what I read on the SWL/DX boards, it's good on SW with an external antenna. Not so good without. Excellent on FM. You may be disappointed, though, that there's not as much on SW as there used to be, many of the former "big guns" like BBC and Radio Netherlands have ceased broadcasting to N. America. They're putting their resources into web streaming now. I still can get China, Australia, and Cuba most nights here on the West Coast, however. You may be able to hear more where you are.
Read a review here:
http://radiojayallen.com/sangean-ats...eview-updated/