Recently the new XHDATA D-808 AM-LW-FM-SW-AIR-SSB portable has finally
become available to North American purchasers, with a couple of eBay sellers in
China offering the innovative Si4735-chip based model for around $112, plus $10
shipping. As reported in previous posts, the new model delivers a lot of
performance for the price, offering the best AM-DXing sensitivity for any
portable in its size range, along with superb FM-DXing sensitivity. A high
resolution photo of the new model is posted at
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/82se0nphymzayz1vw4fk8vnkia11xedm
The C.Crane Skywave SSB model is also a great performer for the size,
although its relatively short loopstick (66mm vs 96mm) causes it to fall short
of the D-808 in AM sensitivity, as well as in FM sensitivity. At a $169.99 list
price (plus shipping), it also falls quite a bit short of the new D-808 in
affordability. It performed very well in my recent DXpedition to the Cook
Islands, but almost any portable would probably perform like a champion in such
an enhanced environment. In any case, I was curious how the CC Skywave SSB
model and XHDATA D-808 would stack up against each other with exactly the same
Medium Wave antenna-- a 7.5 inch transplanted loopstick (originally designed
for the Tecsun PL-380 model).
After a new XHDATA D-808 model was "supercharged" with one of these
high-performance loopsticks (a very easy process to perform, in comparison to
the same, nerve-wracking operation on the ultra-compact Skywave)
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/vk26lkhhu77q8buzuaido03fmy5s7xst , the two
hot-rodded portables assembled for a high-noon Shootout in the reception of two
ultra-weak daytime DX stations-- the SeaTac airport TIS on 530 kHz (15 watts at
17 miles) and the 1700-City of Auburn TIS (15 watts at 11 miles). A photo of
the two contestants in the high noon sun is posted at
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/2vbsnhbbz5pyq45mki4cnbz45v4l96jq
Both models needed to absolutely max out their volume levels in order to
receive these ultra-weak stations. The SeaTac Airport TIS was received by the
7.5" loopstick CC Skywave SSB model for the first 19 seconds in the following
MP3, and the new 7.5" loopstick XHDATA D-808 model received the same very weak
station for the next 30 seconds (recorded within a few seconds of each other)
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/f3otu59k92e7rfletc093n9uehf0pawl
The next test was in the reception of the 1700-City of Auburn TIS station
(another super-weak station). Once again, both models needed to absolutely max
out their volume levels. The 7.5" loopstick CC Skywave SSB received the station
for the first 22 seconds, while the 7.5" loopstick XHDATA D-808 received it for
the next 32 seconds
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/mucugek9f4rqpnb3us6nlpb6nbp5iqdc
The overall judgement (in my opinion) was that although both models were
fairly competitive in actual signal quality delivered, the CC Skywave
definitely suffers because of its relatively wimpy audio amp in the 1700-Auburn
competition. The D-808 seems to throw in some extra noise in the 530-SeaTac
reception, although the signal quality didn't seem to be improved with the
higher noise level. Someone could say that that the CC Skywave had superior
reception of 530-SeaTac, simply because of the lower level of background noise.
In any case, since the weak-signal reception capability of the two models seems
to be roughly similar (except when the Skywave's wimpy audio amp throws in the
towel), the overall verdict must be that the new D-808 is the value winner in
the "supercharged" SSB travel DXing portable class. For the 1% of the MW-DXing
community that still has the interest and capability to modify portables in
this way, I would strongly suggest that you devote your resourc
es to the new XHDATA D-808. Besides the much lower price, superior FM
reception and powerful audio amp, it also provides decent Longwave performance
(after you transplant the 7.5" MW loopstick into the model, that is). The next
wacky operation scheduled here is a 7.5" Longwave loopstick transplant into the
D-808-- which quite possibly could nail down a reputation as the best
SSB-enhanced NDB-DXing travel portable on the planet.
73 and Good DX,
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
[email protected]
http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original
contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its
editors, publishing staff, or officers
For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org
To Post a message: [email protected]
