This world band receiver is a high-end portable which tunes the AM, FM, LW, and SW bands. It covers the entire shortwave range and has a digital alarm clock with sleep timer.

A Sangean America advertisement published in the 1988 "World Radio TV Handbook" indicates that the 803A can receive SSB and morse code communications, as well as international broadcasts. It has RF Gain, BFO, bass, treble, lock, and mono/stereo controls. Both analog and digital tuning are possible, with nine presets.

The newer Sangean ATS-818 has some similarities and most of the same features. A review in the 2000 "Passport to World Band Radio" indicates that it has twice as many presets.