I've had an XHDATA D-808 for a number of years now. Initially bought for an aborted trip to Dubai for airband. Knowing how hot they are with scanners, this is an wolf in sheep's clothing so to speak. Found that it's excellent on all bands, not tried LW to be honest. Listening to HF was surprised to pick up Gander controller coming through loud and clear on 5649mhz one morning a month ago. Compatible with my old Sony 2001D and somewhat more portable. The airband is pretty good which is primarily why I bought it for.
Hi Kevin, thank you for your review. I have had a D808 for 3 years and overall I am happy with it. So much so that I'm happy to recommend it to newcomers to dxing, provided, they don't dx LW! Overall, I believe that it's the best value radio out just now. It makes good use of the 4735 chip which is usually found on the latest, more expensive sets. Its biggest drawback is its bizarre ergonomics, around memories and pages, which I still have'nt quite mastered! Despite, this I have pulled in some good BC bands dx with it, using its telescopic aerial and occasionally, an old Sony AN72 wire reel aerial. It is also very sensitive on MW as others have noted and FM with RDS is good too. Yes, LW is only fair due to the lack of a dedicated LW aerial coil. The radio is quite rugged in construction and has worn well over the years. In appearance, it has had a few changes over the years. Mine is the more common gray color with a (too) bright blue display. Later ones, like yours, can be black with a yellow display. Many of the SIHUADON ones are like this. You might be amused to know that I am I am about to give this radio my greatest tribute; I am going to buy another one! I accidentally damaged the base of the telescopic aerial so it has broken from its internal mounting. I have continued to use it but have decided a new one is in order. 73s and GDX to you and your subscribers in 2022. Jim
I received the Sihuadon D 808 about a week ago. (Feb 2023) and it now comes with a USB-C connection. A few days ago I received radio New Zealand on 9,700 Mhz in Belgium, indoors with the telescopic antenna. Despite the disturbing electrical interference from the electrical grid in my home.
Thanks so much Kevin for posting this video as Sihuadon D-808 reviews are rare on UA-cam. 👍🏼📻 I just took delivery of the same model as yours (bought from an XHDATA online store) and noted that its LCD display font seems to be faint when viewing the readout perpendicularly. Tilting the set upwards a little brings the LCD's contrast back and the digits appear nice and black. I thought of returning my set until I noticed your copy of the Sihuadon has the same poor contrast, so it's not just my radio. My seller informed me that the manufacturer is running out of Sihuadon D-808 radios for both the European and the South East Asian market and added that the black Sihuadon D-808 will become a "limited edition". Once their stock is depleted the factory will revert to making the only the XHDATA D-808 instead. Best 73 from Kuala Lumpur and wishing you a great Christmas! 😃
Interesting. I must admit the display colour of the XHdata looks clearer than the Sihuadon. That said I am happy with my radio and maybe I now have a rare model!
@@KevinOReillyswl When I first saw the original XHDATA D-808 I was attracted by the use or the white LED backlight. Sangean uses white illumination for its ATS-909X/X2 receivers while Tecsun went with amber (or "warm yellow" as my XHDATA seller put it). XHDATA was quoted to have taken feedback from its customers and replaced the D-808's backlight with the amber LED. Personally I don't mind orange backlighting but not it if somehow causes the fonts to become fainter when the LCD is lit. My seller assured me that that both the Sihuadon and XHDATA D-808 radios have the same internal circuitry (she didn't mention firmware differences though) and if I wanted black, I would have to go with Sihuadon and if I wanted grey I would have to order the XHDATA brand instead. I ended selecting the Sihuadon after reading various readers' comments on UA-cam that the 2021 Sihuadon has "lower noise floor", "better audio", etc than its XHDATA cousin. I'm not sure why the XHDATA company introduced the Sihuadon D-808 this year only to cease production and revert to the XHDATA brand. Does it mean customers preferred the (more established) XHDATA marque that they were few takers of the Sihuadon version? 🤔 At least Tecsun has stuck with their brand name and they're not confusing customers with marketing the same model under two different brand names. I hope some UA-cam author will post a teardown of both the Sihuadon and the 2021 production XHDATA D-808 to show whether the internal components differ. Hope you've had a smashing Christmas and wishing you a Happy New Year! 😃
I have it's cousin the Xhdata D-808, find it a very handy travel radio now that we're travelling again. Great for IDing (RDS) FM stations abroad and surprisingly good on MW DX, heard quite a number of US stations listening in Tenerife a few years ago with just it's internal loop. It suffers from internal noises though and the usual chuffing and AGC. LW is absolutely useless the loopstick doesn't have a LW coil, no wonder they gave us the option to deactivate it! Thanks for the review.
@Kevin O'Reilly Hi Kevin, make a video where you demonstrate the sensitivity in FM and AIR band of your SIHUADON D-808 by comparing it with the other portable radios you own (you should tune an FM station that comes to you with weak signal) so I can know what the best portable radio for listening to commercial FM stations and for the air band. Thanks
Hi Kevin, I've got a similar radio xhdata D-808 it's the same I think with just a different name came to the same conclusions as you, used it for a bit then boxed it up and it's stayed in the cupboard ever since minus the battery, picked up a Tecsun S-2000 after that much better performer, I like the low noise floor at your QTH.
From what I understand, it's so bad that it belongs in your trash can. Am I right? I should have purchased the updated XHDATA D-808 to have the same considerations or maybe modify them. 73!
2:05 Given that the 650 in 18650 indicates 65mm in length, it's hard to see how they keep getting this critical dimension wrong. Some are longer because they have a BMS built in, some because they have a protruding tip.
This is the first SW receiver I've bought, many others after this (too much actually!) and it's still my favourite, maybe with my Tecsun PL-330. A great radio, with air band and excellent performance in SSB.
J'hésite entre le Tecsun PL-330 et ce D808 qui semble 'chirper' lorsqu'on syntonise avec le gros bouton sur SSB ... cependant si le 'fine tune' est utiliser est-ce que le 'chirpage' est encore présent ?
Dear Kevin, I have a question from video view: can I use in this radio a 18650 battery with more amps than the original one? (For example, a 3000 mAh battery) Greetings and thanks for your impressions.
@@lucianotroncosogutierrez5529 The factory issued XHDATA button top battery measures 67mm and is a perfect fit. You can use protected button top battery but keep in mind that the protected type has a custom made protection circuit and depending on the brand, they can be between 69mm to 71mm. The problem is that the D-808's battery compartment is very tight and some protected 18650 button top cells can cause the battery contact spring to bend or even break. I'm using a Panasonic NCR18650B 3400 mAh protected button top for my Sihuadon D-808 and it's a very tight fit. The battery cover bulges a little as the Panasonic NCR18650B is also slightly fatter. The radio draws as much current as it needs and a higher capacity 18650 will last longer between charges. Hope this helps.
@@KevinOReillyswl does squelch open up fast enough in airband in the 2021 version? In the xhdata when I switch on squelch it cuts out beginning 1 second of any transmission. The squelch circuit seems poor.
Das Radio wird noch viel schoener wenn man ueber die Klinkenbuchse einen Aussenlautsprecher anschliesst. Bei mir ist es ein LOGITECH. Der Wirkt Wunder.
I've had an XHDATA D-808 for a number of years now.
Initially bought for an aborted trip to Dubai for airband.
Knowing how hot they are with scanners, this is an wolf in sheep's clothing so to speak.
Found that it's excellent on all bands, not tried LW to be honest.
Listening to HF was surprised to pick up Gander controller coming through loud and clear on 5649mhz one morning a month ago.
Compatible with my old Sony 2001D and somewhat more portable.
The airband is pretty good which is primarily why I bought it for.
Hi Kevin, thank you for your review. I have had a D808 for 3 years and overall I am happy with it. So much so that I'm happy to recommend it to newcomers to dxing, provided, they don't dx LW! Overall, I believe that it's the best value radio out just now. It makes good use of the 4735 chip which is usually found on the latest, more expensive sets. Its biggest drawback is its bizarre ergonomics, around memories and pages, which I still have'nt quite mastered! Despite, this I have pulled in some good BC bands dx with it, using its telescopic aerial and occasionally, an old Sony AN72 wire reel aerial.
It is also very sensitive on MW as others have noted and FM with RDS is good too. Yes, LW is only fair due to the lack of a dedicated LW aerial coil. The radio is quite rugged in construction and has worn well over the years. In appearance, it has had a few changes over the years. Mine is the more common gray color with a (too) bright blue display. Later ones, like yours, can be black with a yellow display. Many of the SIHUADON ones are like this.
You might be amused to know that I am I am about to give this radio my greatest tribute; I am going to buy another one! I accidentally damaged the base of the telescopic aerial so it has broken from its internal mounting. I have continued to use it but have decided a new one is in order.
73s and GDX to you and your subscribers in 2022. Jim
I received the Sihuadon D 808 about a week ago. (Feb 2023) and it now comes with a USB-C connection.
A few days ago I received radio New Zealand on 9,700 Mhz in Belgium, indoors with the telescopic antenna.
Despite the disturbing electrical interference from the electrical grid in my home.
does the external antenna socket work for MW and LW too or just SW and FM ?
@@tonymagnier9846Only SW and FM.
@@rvdb8876 thanks I'll give it a skip so.
Thanks so much Kevin for posting this video as Sihuadon D-808 reviews are rare on UA-cam. 👍🏼📻
I just took delivery of the same model as yours (bought from an XHDATA online store) and noted that its LCD display font seems to be faint when viewing the readout perpendicularly. Tilting the set upwards a little brings the LCD's contrast back and the digits appear nice and black.
I thought of returning my set until I noticed your copy of the Sihuadon has the same poor contrast, so it's not just my radio.
My seller informed me that the manufacturer is running out of Sihuadon D-808 radios for both the European and the South East Asian market and added that the black Sihuadon D-808 will become a "limited edition". Once their stock is depleted the factory will revert to making the only the XHDATA D-808 instead.
Best 73 from Kuala Lumpur and wishing you a great Christmas! 😃
Interesting. I must admit the display colour of the XHdata looks clearer than the Sihuadon. That said I am happy with my radio and maybe I now have a rare model!
@@KevinOReillyswl When I first saw the original XHDATA D-808 I was attracted by the use or the white LED backlight. Sangean uses white illumination for its ATS-909X/X2 receivers while Tecsun went with amber (or "warm yellow" as my XHDATA seller put it).
XHDATA was quoted to have taken feedback from its customers and replaced the D-808's backlight with the amber LED. Personally I don't mind orange backlighting but not it if somehow causes the fonts to become fainter when the LCD is lit.
My seller assured me that that both the Sihuadon and XHDATA D-808 radios have the same internal circuitry (she didn't mention firmware differences though) and if I wanted black, I would have to go with Sihuadon and if I wanted grey I would have to order the XHDATA brand instead.
I ended selecting the Sihuadon after reading various readers' comments on UA-cam that the 2021 Sihuadon has "lower noise floor", "better audio", etc than its XHDATA cousin.
I'm not sure why the XHDATA company introduced the Sihuadon D-808 this year only to cease production and revert to the XHDATA brand. Does it mean customers preferred the (more established) XHDATA marque that they were few takers of the Sihuadon version? 🤔
At least Tecsun has stuck with their brand name and they're not confusing customers with marketing the same model under two different brand names.
I hope some UA-cam author will post a teardown of both the Sihuadon and the 2021 production XHDATA D-808 to show whether the internal components differ.
Hope you've had a smashing Christmas and wishing you a Happy New Year! 😃
I have it's cousin the Xhdata D-808, find it a very handy travel radio now that we're travelling again. Great for IDing (RDS) FM stations abroad and surprisingly good on MW DX, heard quite a number of US stations listening in Tenerife a few years ago with just it's internal loop. It suffers from internal noises though and the usual chuffing and AGC. LW is absolutely useless the loopstick doesn't have a LW coil, no wonder they gave us the option to deactivate it! Thanks for the review.
Yes I did think the ability to disable LW might be related to the poor performance
@Kevin O'Reilly
Hi Kevin, make a video where you demonstrate the sensitivity in FM and AIR band of your SIHUADON D-808 by comparing it with the other portable radios you own (you should tune an FM station that comes to you with weak signal) so I can know what the best portable radio for listening to commercial FM stations and for the air band. Thanks
Hi Kevin, I've got a similar radio xhdata D-808 it's the same I think with just a different name came to the same conclusions as you, used it for a bit then boxed it up and it's stayed in the cupboard ever since minus the battery, picked up a Tecsun S-2000 after that much better performer, I like the low noise floor at your QTH.
Adam, thanks for the comment. Yes the xhdata is identical just a different colour case I think.
so XHDATA was available in Sihuadon in version 2 also I guess.
From what I understand, it's so bad that it belongs in your trash can. Am I right? I should have purchased the updated XHDATA D-808 to have the same considerations or maybe modify them. 73!
Not sure why you think this. I actually like the D808 it’s a good radio.
Thanks for the video. Will stay clear after seeing the poor reception on long wave.
Long wave is poor, strangely medium wave performance is pretty good.
2:05 Given that the 650 in 18650 indicates 65mm in length, it's hard to see how they keep getting this critical dimension wrong. Some are longer because they have a BMS built in, some because they have a protruding tip.
Tell me, how does this compare to the Sihuadon R-108? Thanks.
I don't think that the R 108 has SSB so you would not be able to listen to Hams or Utilities. Also I don't think the 108 has RDS on FM
im planning to buy a radio... which is better? tecsun pl 330 or sihuadon d 808?
There is not much in it. If you are not bothered about RDS on FM or Air band then the pl 330 is a good little radio.
This is the first SW receiver I've bought, many others after this (too much actually!) and it's still my favourite, maybe with my Tecsun PL-330.
A great radio, with air band and excellent performance in SSB.
J'hésite entre le Tecsun PL-330 et ce D808 qui semble 'chirper' lorsqu'on syntonise avec le gros bouton sur SSB ... cependant si le 'fine tune' est utiliser est-ce que le 'chirpage' est encore présent ?
Je ne suis pas sûr de Chirp sur le D808 mais je dirais que les performances SSB sur le 808 sont aussi bonnes que sur le 330.
Wow Radio's look is AWESOME. But that soft mute knob Oh no. Hope XHDATA would have planned a smooth knob.
Dear Kevin, I have a question from video view: can I use in this radio a 18650 battery with more amps than the original one? (For example, a 3000 mAh battery) Greetings and thanks for your impressions.
Yes you can. Just bear in mind some 18650 batteries are slightly physically larger so check the dimensions.
@@KevinOReillyswl Thanks a lot for your answer! :D
@@lucianotroncosogutierrez5529 The factory issued XHDATA button top battery measures 67mm and is a perfect fit. You can use protected button top battery but keep in mind that the protected type has a custom made protection circuit and depending on the brand, they can be between 69mm to 71mm.
The problem is that the D-808's battery compartment is very tight and some protected 18650 button top cells can cause the battery contact spring to bend or even break.
I'm using a Panasonic NCR18650B 3400 mAh protected button top for my Sihuadon D-808 and it's a very tight fit. The battery cover bulges a little as the Panasonic NCR18650B is also slightly fatter.
The radio draws as much current as it needs and a higher capacity 18650 will last longer between charges. Hope this helps.
@@StratmanII Thanks a lot!
Yes you can
Is the 2021 version better? If so what?
Sorry, I am not aware of any updates. My radio was purchased in 2021.
@@KevinOReillyswl does squelch open up fast enough in airband in the 2021 version? In the xhdata when I switch on squelch it cuts out beginning 1 second of any transmission. The squelch circuit seems poor.
Das Radio wird noch viel schoener wenn man ueber die Klinkenbuchse einen Aussenlautsprecher anschliesst. Bei mir ist es ein LOGITECH. Der Wirkt Wunder.
Dosnt look good. Scrap it
I don't agree
@@KevinOReillyswl looks good to me.
@@KevinOReillyswl I agree with you Kevin great for the money
I have had a Sihuadon D-808 for a year now. I love it. Very nice radio for the price