I updated this video, unfortunately it seems like I made a mistake here, it is, unfortunately, not Sudan... A viewer pointed out that the language is actually Turkic, not Arabic, so it is PBX Xinjiang from China, not Sudan. The chase for Sudan continues.
Haha André it totally escaped me, well I probably can't tell Arabic from Uyghur. Never mind, it's still quite an interesting comparison. It happens to me all the time to think that I am listening to some hard to catch radio whereas I'm actually listening to Turkey or China jamming...
One can see that the D-608WB memorizes the last user selected display mode, just like the D-109 models. I find it mildly annoying having to press the display mode button to show the RSSI and S/N numbers each time the D-808 is powered on. This is why in some of Andre's video clips featuring his D-808 the time of day (or the ambient temperature) is shown instead of the signal strength values. 🙂 While Tecsun radios have gotten things right from the beginning, it was only until the D-109 was introduced when the company that made the XHDATA/Sihuadon D-808 and R-108 models realized that it had overlooked this minor issue. It wouldn't be so bad if the radio loses its last memorized display selection only if the battery is taken out or totally loses power, but I wish we didn't have to set the preferred display mode each time the D-808 is turned on!
I really like the fact that the D-608WB memorises the previous frequencies, so when you return to a band you are back where you were last listening. It is particularly useful on the 608 because of the lack of a keypad, makes the tuning just a little bit more convenient. As I said before, I don't mind spinning the tuning dial to find stations at all, but it does help that the radio remembers the frequency where you last were. It is also great that it just always shows the signal strength by default, because, yes, I do forget to change that sometimes on the D-808 :-)
@@swlistening In hindsight I had forgotten to ask you if the D-608WB has a "meter band" button, like the D-808 and D-109. In the absence of a direct entry keypad, if one has to spin the tuning knob from 1711 kHz all the way to 29,999 kHz that would take ages! 😀 There is a reason why analogue shortwave radios don't use a single contiguous, band scale but split it into two or more shortwave bands. For one, a linear band means that the frequency dial will physically be very long and it's going to be a tiring affair to spin the dial back and forth. Two, if the tuning dial were shortened to fit the radio case, the frequencies would be crammed next to one another that accurate tuning would be virtually impossible! The viable solution is to break up the entire shortwave band into sub-bands, e.g. SW1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. so that the frequencies are spread across the bands instead of bunched up into a single band. 🙂 That said, I've never ever spun the tuning knob of my D-808 from 1711-29999 kHz. It's very tiring and I could get carpal tunnel syndrome, bru! 🤣🤚
@@StratmanII The D-608WB does have a metre band switch, the "band" button, when you hold it in, allows you to toggle between the bands easily. So you select your band, say 16m, and then just tune around in that band, then select another band, tune around. It works in the same way as my Eton Elite Traveler. So, fortunately, no need to tune from 1711 kHz all the way up to 29999 kHz. That would be enough to make anyone quite the hobby 🙂
Thanks Michael. Unfortunately I found out that this isn't actually Sudan, it is PBS Xinjiang in Uyghur from Urumqi, I am adjusting the video. So it seems to me that Sudan is still eluding me, looks like maybe they are actually not transmitting. But at least this was still an interesting radio comparison.
A great hunt my friend... really good... the little receiver performs very well... Too bad he doesn't have SSB bands... difficult to find it here in Italy. Greetings. 73. Giuseppe.
Thank you Giuseppe! These two small radios did really well, I agree. I was quite happy to catch this signal tonight, I haven't heard it for many months. Maybe now that they are transmitting again you might have more chances to catch them. Greetings from South Africa!
I updated this video, unfortunately it seems like I made a mistake here, it is, unfortunately, not Sudan... A viewer pointed out that the language is actually Turkic, not Arabic, so it is PBX Xinjiang from China, not Sudan. The chase for Sudan continues.
Whoa, thanks for a tip Andre! I think Sudan was inactive on SW for some time indeed as whenever I was checking this frequency or doing general SW bandscans, I couldn't hear them. That being said, I don't remember the exact times I was tuning around there, but there wasn't even a carrier any other than Xinjiang, CRI Chinese, or RFI French on 7205. Whoever is in charge of the radio station now, I'm happy that they reactivated it 😜 As for "wartime radio", well, here in Europe we have it every day from Ukraine on 1278 kHz or its nighttime relay via Lithuania on 1386 kHz. ruSSian (or ruZZian, or naZi, whatever you prefer xD) propaganda broadcasts on 999 & 1413 kHz also count as such, I think. As for receiver comparison, sorry, I wasn't paying attention to that 🤪
Hey Arnie, sure! I was quite happy and a bit surprised to catch this one tonight, haven't heard it for a very long time. I am really curious as to who actually controls this station now... Those other stations you mention are also the only ones I have heard here for some time. You are right about the wartime radio, you hear that all the time now in Europe, sadly. But there are so many other wars that don't make the news, like this one in Sudan. There is too much conflict in our world.
Hey Arnie, I updated this video, unfortunately it seems like I made a mistake here, it is, unfortunately, not Sudan... A viewer pointed out that the language is actually Turkic, not Arabic, so it is PBX Xinjiang from China, not Sudan. The chase for Sudan continues.
It seems like I made a mistake here, it is, unfortunately, not Sudan... A viewer pointed out that the language is actually Turkic, not Arabic, so it is PBX Xinjiang from China, not Sudan. The chase for Sudan continues...
After the conflict in Sudan broke out, I made a point of watching the UK film epic "Khartoum", starring Laurence Olivier and Charlton Heston. That movie, set in the 19th century, centers on a conflict much different than the current one.
That country has suffered so much conflict... I will look for this movie and watch it, thanks for the tip. Sudan has such an interesting history, and some ancient history, like Egypt, that is not so well-known.
Andre great catch and surprisingly good reception from the least expensive radios. It seems the AGC is set faster on the D-368 which caused the rapid fading as compared to the other two…including my soon to be receiver the D-608WB.😊! My tired ears heard about an equally similar reception , but the D-608WB was easier for me to make out just above the D-368, followed by the D808. I hope that the manufacturer reengineers the D808 sound chamber (speaker) like the newer models. 73! Have a great day!
I agree, sound-wise and for ease of listening the D-608WB was definitely tops. The D-808, to my ears, has a bit less noise and clearer signal, but the 608 is nicer to listen to.
Funny how different people can hear it differently 😁 I'd say that the D-808 wins here. Less noise than on the D-608, less deep fading than on the D-368 Again an excellent and interesting video, André. My D-608 had landed in France apparently, so I should have my hands on it some time this week, presumably after paying some tax and import duties...
It seems like I made a mistake here, it is, unfortunately, not Sudan... A viewer pointed out that the language is actually Turkic, not Arabic, so it is PBX Xinjiang from China, not Sudan. The chase for Sudan continues. I am adjusting the video now to reflect the information I received from the viewer.
@@F4LDT-Alain Absolutely, I think sound is a very subjective thing, people do have their own preferences for what a radio should sound like. I like it warmer and with more bass, others prefer less bass. That was actually really fast delivery! I am looking forward to hearing your opinion when it arrives!
@@F4LDT-Alain Thanks I agree everyone hears it differently., the D-808 has SSB which can bring muddy AM signals to readable. Just I was able to understand the D-368 and D-608WB better when strictly on just AM programming stations, however the D-808 is a little bit more hard for me to make out the content. My Belka 2022 model sounds fine when using a pair of decent headphones, but the built-in speaker is very thin sound almost tinny. However the Belka is a DX receiver that can do well on a long wire or tuned antenna. It would fit in the speaker compartment of the D-808 although it is thicker. Amazing advances in technology today, if only the programming would keep up. That is the story of my old Amiga 500…😀! Have a great day!
Oh dear, thank you so much for this. That means Sudan is probably not back yet... I will have to update my video, thank you. To my untrained ears it sounded like Arabic, but clearly not.
I updated this video, unfortunately it seems like I made a mistake here, it is, unfortunately, not Sudan... A viewer pointed out that the language is actually Turkic, not Arabic, so it is PBX Xinjiang from China, not Sudan. The chase for Sudan continues.
Haha André it totally escaped me, well I probably can't tell Arabic from Uyghur.
Never mind, it's still quite an interesting comparison.
It happens to me all the time to think that I am listening to some hard to catch radio whereas I'm actually listening to Turkey or China jamming...
@@F4LDT-Alain Thanks Alain!
One can see that the D-608WB memorizes the last user selected display mode, just like the D-109 models. I find it mildly annoying having to press the display mode button to show the RSSI and S/N numbers each time the D-808 is powered on. This is why in some of Andre's video clips featuring his D-808 the time of day (or the ambient temperature) is shown instead of the signal strength values. 🙂
While Tecsun radios have gotten things right from the beginning, it was only until the D-109 was introduced when the company that made the XHDATA/Sihuadon D-808 and R-108 models realized that it had overlooked this minor issue. It wouldn't be so bad if the radio loses its last memorized display selection only if the battery is taken out or totally loses power, but I wish we didn't have to set the preferred display mode each time the D-808 is turned on!
I really like the fact that the D-608WB memorises the previous frequencies, so when you return to a band you are back where you were last listening. It is particularly useful on the 608 because of the lack of a keypad, makes the tuning just a little bit more convenient. As I said before, I don't mind spinning the tuning dial to find stations at all, but it does help that the radio remembers the frequency where you last were. It is also great that it just always shows the signal strength by default, because, yes, I do forget to change that sometimes on the D-808 :-)
@@swlistening In hindsight I had forgotten to ask you if the D-608WB has a "meter band" button, like the D-808 and D-109. In the absence of a direct entry keypad, if one has to spin the tuning knob from 1711 kHz all the way to 29,999 kHz that would take ages! 😀
There is a reason why analogue shortwave radios don't use a single contiguous, band scale but split it into two or more shortwave bands. For one, a linear band means that the frequency dial will physically be very long and it's going to be a tiring affair to spin the dial back and forth. Two, if the tuning dial were shortened to fit the radio case, the frequencies would be crammed next to one another that accurate tuning would be virtually impossible! The viable solution is to break up the entire shortwave band into sub-bands, e.g. SW1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. so that the frequencies are spread across the bands instead of bunched up into a single band. 🙂
That said, I've never ever spun the tuning knob of my D-808 from 1711-29999 kHz. It's very tiring and I could get carpal tunnel syndrome, bru! 🤣🤚
@@StratmanII The D-608WB does have a metre band switch, the "band" button, when you hold it in, allows you to toggle between the bands easily. So you select your band, say 16m, and then just tune around in that band, then select another band, tune around. It works in the same way as my Eton Elite Traveler. So, fortunately, no need to tune from 1711 kHz all the way up to 29999 kHz. That would be enough to make anyone quite the hobby 🙂
Just wanted to say these are very interesting videos with a lot of information
Thanks Michael. Unfortunately I found out that this isn't actually Sudan, it is PBS Xinjiang in Uyghur from Urumqi, I am adjusting the video. So it seems to me that Sudan is still eluding me, looks like maybe they are actually not transmitting. But at least this was still an interesting radio comparison.
A great hunt my friend...
really good...
the little receiver performs very well...
Too bad he doesn't have SSB bands...
difficult to find it here in Italy.
Greetings.
73. Giuseppe.
Thank you Giuseppe! These two small radios did really well, I agree. I was quite happy to catch this signal tonight, I haven't heard it for many months. Maybe now that they are transmitting again you might have more chances to catch them. Greetings from South Africa!
I updated this video, unfortunately it seems like I made a mistake here, it is, unfortunately, not Sudan... A viewer pointed out that the language is actually Turkic, not Arabic, so it is PBX Xinjiang from China, not Sudan. The chase for Sudan continues.
Whoa, thanks for a tip Andre! I think Sudan was inactive on SW for some time indeed as whenever I was checking this frequency or doing general SW bandscans, I couldn't hear them. That being said, I don't remember the exact times I was tuning around there, but there wasn't even a carrier any other than Xinjiang, CRI Chinese, or RFI French on 7205. Whoever is in charge of the radio station now, I'm happy that they reactivated it 😜
As for "wartime radio", well, here in Europe we have it every day from Ukraine on 1278 kHz or its nighttime relay via Lithuania on 1386 kHz. ruSSian (or ruZZian, or naZi, whatever you prefer xD) propaganda broadcasts on 999 & 1413 kHz also count as such, I think.
As for receiver comparison, sorry, I wasn't paying attention to that 🤪
Hey Arnie, sure! I was quite happy and a bit surprised to catch this one tonight, haven't heard it for a very long time. I am really curious as to who actually controls this station now... Those other stations you mention are also the only ones I have heard here for some time.
You are right about the wartime radio, you hear that all the time now in Europe, sadly. But there are so many other wars that don't make the news, like this one in Sudan. There is too much conflict in our world.
Hey Arnie, I updated this video, unfortunately it seems like I made a mistake here, it is, unfortunately, not Sudan... A viewer pointed out that the language is actually Turkic, not Arabic, so it is PBX Xinjiang from China, not Sudan. The chase for Sudan continues.
Interesting….I’ll try to listen out for this.
It seems like I made a mistake here, it is, unfortunately, not Sudan... A viewer pointed out that the language is actually Turkic, not Arabic, so it is PBX Xinjiang from China, not Sudan. The chase for Sudan continues...
After the conflict in Sudan broke out, I made a point of watching the UK film epic "Khartoum", starring Laurence Olivier and Charlton Heston. That movie, set in the 19th century, centers on a conflict much different than the current one.
That country has suffered so much conflict... I will look for this movie and watch it, thanks for the tip. Sudan has such an interesting history, and some ancient history, like Egypt, that is not so well-known.
Andre great catch and surprisingly good reception from the least expensive radios. It seems the AGC is set faster on the D-368 which caused the rapid fading as compared to the other two…including my soon to be receiver the D-608WB.😊! My tired ears heard about an equally similar reception , but the D-608WB was easier for me to make out just above the D-368, followed by the D808.
I hope that the manufacturer reengineers the D808 sound chamber (speaker) like the newer models.
73! Have a great day!
I agree, sound-wise and for ease of listening the D-608WB was definitely tops. The D-808, to my ears, has a bit less noise and clearer signal, but the 608 is nicer to listen to.
Funny how different people can hear it differently 😁
I'd say that the D-808 wins here. Less noise than on the D-608, less deep fading than on the D-368
Again an excellent and interesting video, André.
My D-608 had landed in France apparently, so I should have my hands on it some time this week, presumably after paying some tax and import duties...
It seems like I made a mistake here, it is, unfortunately, not Sudan... A viewer pointed out that the language is actually Turkic, not Arabic, so it is PBX Xinjiang from China, not Sudan. The chase for Sudan continues. I am adjusting the video now to reflect the information I received from the viewer.
@@F4LDT-Alain Absolutely, I think sound is a very subjective thing, people do have their own preferences for what a radio should sound like. I like it warmer and with more bass, others prefer less bass.
That was actually really fast delivery! I am looking forward to hearing your opinion when it arrives!
@@F4LDT-Alain Thanks I agree everyone hears it differently., the D-808 has SSB which can bring muddy AM signals to readable. Just I was able to understand the D-368 and D-608WB better when strictly on just AM programming stations, however the D-808 is a little bit more hard for me to make out the content.
My Belka 2022 model sounds fine when using a pair of decent headphones, but the built-in speaker is very thin sound almost tinny. However the Belka is a DX receiver that can do well on a long wire or tuned antenna. It would fit in the speaker compartment of the D-808 although it is thicker.
Amazing advances in technology today, if only the programming would keep up. That is the story of my old Amiga 500…😀!
Have a great day!
The language is Turkic not Arabic,. So it's Xinjiang PBS from China in Uighur.
Oh dear, thank you so much for this. That means Sudan is probably not back yet... I will have to update my video, thank you. To my untrained ears it sounded like Arabic, but clearly not.
D808.
It's good here, yes!