My thoughts exactly! Even though the shortwave band is “tight” if you’re patient with it you can still find a lot. Used to have radios with really tight shortwave bands as a kid even though they used regular tech and weren’t really very good but they were still ok.
I'm in Australia I got one of these yesterday I was very surprised to pick up New Zealand international radio in broad daylight and just finished listening to some stations in America and other countries tonight it's now 8:35 p.m. I think DX on SW and MW is excellent on these cheep little radios , I have not tried a extension wire on the antenna yet ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For some perspective, $7 USD in 2024, is about $1.83 in 1980 USD dollars. Or $15 USD in 2024 is about $3.93 in 1980 dollars. The 1980 Radio Shack catalogue lists the cheapest AM/FM portable (Cat No. 12-165) as $14.95 USD in 1980 dollars, which is “worth” about $57.07 in 2024 dollars. The cheapest AM-only portable radio (Cat No. 16-167) was $6.95 USD in 1980, which would be equivalent to about $26.53 USD in 2024. I think that folks who have experience using analog (transistor or analog IC) AM/FM portable radios, prior to synthesized PLL being commonly available in cheap portables, have a positive opinion of this radio. Those who haven't tried using their vintage AM/FM portable radios (including synthesized PLL) in today's RF interference rich environment, seem more likely to expect more from a radio such as this, and are disappointed.
One interesting thing about the MW band, is that the DSP chip is set for 1 kHz steps - this allows the radio to be used for North American 10 kHz, as well as world 9 kHz. This also means that a station will be on several steps so you have to tune to the step where the sound of the station peaks. Great review - looking forward to seeing what all you can do with it in your noisy environment. 📻🙂
I got one for my three-year old twins to play with, and they love tuning around on it! One note with the orange model... the color is very similar to the tuning indicator, which makes it really hard to see, FWIW. Not too big of a deal considering the limited utility of the tuning indicator to begin with.
I have the green version. I got mine on Amazon discount for $6.72 USD and for it's performance I was shocked on it's sensitivity I could pick up stations that some of my bigger radios couldn't as well.. now why I'm not sure but it does work well ty for the video
Interesting. Worth considering because of the price. Btw, try flashing new "Goshante" firmware on an ats-20 receiver, the annoying muting issue is almost resolved.
Reception wise I can't tell the difference The only obvious thing is the 219 is a bit easier to tune even though it is more fiddly when it comes to using the selector switch between bands
Nice for the price. Compliments to XHDATA for a continuous flow of new radios released on the market over the last couple of years!
D219 is cheaper and much easier to tune on shortwave bands... Just an opinion.
XHData seems to impress again! This is a nice product for what it is. A nice little simple design. And seems to work better than expected. 😊
Looks like a good radio to have a couple on hand for family and friends when bad weather of black outs happen. Can't beat the price.👍
My thoughts exactly! Even though the shortwave band is “tight” if you’re patient with it you can still find a lot. Used to have radios with really tight shortwave bands as a kid even though they used regular tech and weren’t really very good but they were still ok.
I am wondering if it has an internal ferrite for the mediumwave antenna? It might couple well with some of the “magic” antennas out there.
I'm in Australia I got one of these yesterday I was very surprised to pick up New Zealand international radio in broad daylight and just finished listening to some stations in America and other countries tonight it's now 8:35 p.m.
I think DX on SW and MW is excellent on these cheep little radios ,
I have not tried a extension wire on the antenna yet ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
PS I also a XHDATA D-808
And I think reception on both are equally as good the D-220 is less chuffy while tuning which is a good Plus
It might be a nice spare of emergency radio.
For some perspective, $7 USD in 2024, is about $1.83 in 1980 USD dollars. Or $15 USD in 2024 is about $3.93 in 1980 dollars.
The 1980 Radio Shack catalogue lists the cheapest AM/FM portable (Cat No. 12-165) as $14.95 USD in 1980 dollars, which is “worth” about $57.07 in 2024 dollars. The cheapest AM-only portable radio (Cat No. 16-167) was $6.95 USD in 1980, which would be equivalent to about $26.53 USD in 2024.
I think that folks who have experience using analog (transistor or analog IC) AM/FM portable radios, prior to synthesized PLL being commonly available in cheap portables, have a positive opinion of this radio.
Those who haven't tried using their vintage AM/FM portable radios (including synthesized PLL) in today's RF interference rich environment, seem more likely to expect more from a radio such as this, and are disappointed.
Amazing when we think about it
I wish I would've had one like this in the 80s ... 😢
My experience matches yours. This weekend I even got a couple of Amateur AM station's on 17 and 40 meters.
One interesting thing about the MW band, is that the DSP chip is set for 1 kHz steps - this allows the radio to be used for North American 10 kHz, as well as world 9 kHz.
This also means that a station will be on several steps so you have to tune to the step where the sound of the station peaks.
Great review - looking forward to seeing what all you can do with it in your noisy environment.
📻🙂
I was wondering how this radio was stepped on the MW band.
Thanks 👍
I bought the orange one. Excellent late night reception on MW.
I got one for my three-year old twins to play with, and they love tuning around on it! One note with the orange model... the color is very similar to the tuning indicator, which makes it really hard to see, FWIW. Not too big of a deal considering the limited utility of the tuning indicator to begin with.
Thanks, Gilles, for a great review on the XHDATA D-220! Its low price makes it a winner!
I have the green version. I got mine on Amazon discount for $6.72 USD and for it's performance I was shocked on it's sensitivity I could pick up stations that some of my bigger radios couldn't as well.. now why I'm not sure but it does work well ty for the video
Very nice 👍
Hi, nice radio. But don't expect to much for the price. This radio like the Qodosen is unavailable on Amazon UK.
Thanks for the content. David M0DUU
This radio works surprisingly well
This little radio is working way beyond my expectations
Interesting. Worth considering because of the price. Btw, try flashing new "Goshante" firmware on an ats-20 receiver, the annoying muting issue is almost resolved.
I got one of these 2 days ago. Not bad, but on the green colored one you can't read which band you are in.
Hi Giles. Any idea how long the batteries will last?
Have not changed them yet, looks like it takes little power
How long is the antenna of the receiver you have there? I received an xhdata D-220 as a gift and its antenna measures just 23 and a half centimeters.
They are all the same
How does the Xhdata D220 compare to D219?
73! Have a great day!
Reception wise I can't tell the difference
The only obvious thing is the 219 is a bit easier to tune even though it is more fiddly when it comes to using the selector switch between bands
The ergonomics on the 220 is better laid out, easier to handle