I have the original XHDATA-D808, and to be honest I like the way it has filters on board, this I have found works really well for me. The air band works very well indeed. I like the backlight display. So when in bed having a listen the background light is perfect. I can not understand why so many comments from other places are so negative? For the price its a winner for me, it outperforms my Degen DE-1103 all though that in its self is a great radio. The only gripe I have is the lack of the 8.33 on the air band, but that,s not really that important. I think in my humble opinion I will give this radio a 9/10. I am very pleased with it.
Agreed though I wish the buttons would also light up so I can see what I'm pressing in the dark. I like to listen at night in bed or sometimes go for a walk in the dark with the radio but I often fumble up the buttons when pressing them blindly. I also own a Kaito KA 1102 which is essentially the same thing as the degen 1103 except with a more digital display and I find I can pull in more stations on SW with the d-808. I do wish it allowed for scanning of the amateur bands though. All in all, it's one of the best radios I own, and clearly the best for the size and price. It goes with me everywhere.
I just bought the original a few days ago Feb 7 2024 less than $97..from Walmart and just ordered another for back up in case becomes discontinued like anything else over a period of time etc .. Thanks for the info. ✍👍
A quick summary based on what Giles describes. 1. Positive: You can tell the new model because it uses a USB-C jack. 2. Positive: the display seems to update faster in the new model. 3. Positive: it seems - more test needed - the new version handle better external antennas, it seems prone to overload. 4. Positive: everything else looks and works just fine: MW, SW, FM, Airband, SSB. 5. Negative: The new version has a much simpler front-end circuit. It's more prone to FM station breaking through the SW bands. 6. Negative: if you are in very low noise area, the audio amplifier of the new model won't have the oomph to bring weak MW stations for comfortable copy. 7. Negative: engaging SSB modo is substantially slower on the most recent version. 8. Neutral: LW performance is weak on both. This is a project error, the internal ferrite antenna does not have enough windings to combine with the chip varactors and reach resonance. Veredict: the new model still is a great receiver for its value.
Thank you for the review,i am new to shortwave,and decided to send for this model and am pleased with it as i wanted ssb and air. Thinking of a pl 330 next based on numerous good reviews.
During the recent ice storm in Montreal, I was taking a walk with my Sangean ATS 606A and I slipped and wiped out. My radio went flying in the air and broke into quite a few pieces. Thanks for your review! I just made the order for the Sihuadon D 808!
XHDATA says that the new one has some surface mount components and "pins" to solve problems with premature display failure, and also that the new motherboard is more corrosion resistant.
Thanks for the review, i have been hovering back and forth deciding whether to purchase one of those radio's, after seeing your review, i'm now ready to pull the trigger and purchase one.
Thank you! Your testing confirm the new redesigned, much cheaper, RF front-end. The RF pre-scaler with 4 sub-bands as seen in the original, while not perfect, was good enough for the job. I wonder what improvement have been done in the new version other than cutting costs on expensive LC trimmer components and labour costly time doing RF alignments in the final stages of the assembly line. Probably the next version will feature zero LC trimmers like we see on those cheaper low cost radios that basically follow the DSP IC application note for the cheaper circuit.
Just so everyone knows the fm Breakthrough is a huge deal if you're a SW or SSB listener. The front end filters are what made the old version so good. The new version may still be a ' good' radio for the price but the missing parts is what nade the old radio so great.
Being that I don't do Facebook I can't comment on the group but I can at least look at the posts. My best wishes in hopes that Paul the cat gets better.
A redesigned circuit board is that of the new Sihuadon/XHDATA D-808? In many ways these 2 radios the new & the old are close to each other in reception tests! I have the micro USB so I have an old radio! Thank you, Gilles, for your test comparisons!
I was wondering if you know of a cheap analog radio called Sunflash DR99? I see it on EBay and am curious. I have a Tecsun 9700 analog and love it. Sometimes you can get a winner for a low price . I love your videos , thanks for posting. Best Wishes
Hej nice to hear that you are happy with the new one i have the old one but nice to hear that the new one is also very good take care and have a very nice wednesday.
That settles it. I'm buying the PL-880. I found a real deal I could not refuse...50 percent like the old 808 and 50 percent like the new 808...lol! I'll look again when there is a clear lead...😎
Thanks as always for your fair and honest assessment, Gilles. Seems that if you already have the original D-808 may as well stick with it as there is no improvements otherwise, if anything a slight disimprovement re the filters for FM breakthrough on SW although not the worst.
If I compare the XHData with the Tecsun pl-990X, which one has the best reception, tuning and sensitivity? I know that there is a considerable price difference between the two, partly due to the extra options of the Tecsun. Which receiver would you prefer?
Sensitivity is good on both, it is really that you get a radio that does not mute when tuned on the 990x and frequency precision when tuning SSB, amazing audio also. The HXDATA positive points are RDS on FM and VHF Airband
New subscriber here. Thank you for the comparison/review. I ordered the XHDATA D808 from Walmart. They were advertising the choice of the Sihuadon or the XHDATA branded versions on the same page. I chose the X but not sure what version I will receive. It will be delivered tomorrow on 4/16/24 so I will return here and update on which version was delivered.
I do wish HD was easier to find. It’s like it never really took off except for (some) cars, and Sangean. I have the cheapie Insignia HD as a kitchen radio and it is nice some of the extra channels. Was happy to find the one I like best is on a FM translator freq, too.
If I would have know about filter issues would have bought the previous version. Orange display suckered i me in again, like the xhdata 109wb, still waiting for package
Hej Gill thanks for your review of the new Sihuadon D-808 great news to hear that the new Sihuadon D-808 is still a good radio and and a still a great radio and nice on shortwave thanks for all your tests take care and have nice evening in Montreal.
Hi! I have "Retekess" v115 radio, and I'm considering to buy a "Sihuadon" d808 (there is a nice discount now - 68.46$) I'm wondering is it worth to go with it? How much better signal will I get, and can I maybe amplify my "Retekess" with wired antenna? Also, I don't know do I need ssb or air, and in general sw "bad sounding signal" in "modern internet world"? I do understand, that those are the questions, that only I can answer to myself, but want to hear your thoughts or advise Thank you!
Thier are FM filters, I use one on the wonderful hrd 737( radio is terrible) i I aligater clip a tv vhf uuf slpiter with some co aux to the filter to the antenna... It cuts out all the FM chatter... As I go forward with the worlds worst SW radio, im keenly interested in getting a way better SW radio experience.
J'aime pas le temps que le SSB prend à embarquer . Pas possible de scanner le 11 mètre au delà de 26.095 , au delà il revient à 2.300 mhz. Le MW ( AM broadcast ) uitilise la barre ferrite interne comme antenne et n'as pas de jack externe . Malgré cela je capte très bien CJAD même si j'habite ottawa . Savez-vous combien de Kw leur émetteur dispose ?
Hey there, I watch your computer channel, subscribe to it I recognize the 😊voice. I bought a xhdata d109 I'm wondering if you could show how to program the AM stations thanks 😊
I have the original XHDATA-D808, and to be honest I like the way it has filters on board, this I have found works really well for me. The air band works very well indeed. I like the backlight display. So when in bed having a listen the background light is perfect.
I can not understand why so many comments from other places are so negative? For the price its a winner for me, it outperforms my Degen DE-1103 all though that in its self is a great radio. The only gripe I have is the lack of the 8.33 on the air band, but that,s not really that important. I think in my humble opinion I will give this radio a 9/10. I am very pleased with it.
Agreed though I wish the buttons would also light up so I can see what I'm pressing in the dark. I like to listen at night in bed or sometimes go for a walk in the dark with the radio but I often fumble up the buttons when pressing them blindly.
I also own a Kaito KA 1102 which is essentially the same thing as the degen 1103 except with a more digital display and I find I can pull in more stations on SW with the d-808.
I do wish it allowed for scanning of the amateur bands though. All in all, it's one of the best radios I own, and clearly the best for the size and price. It goes with me everywhere.
Thank you for the review and telling it like it is without sugarcoating anything about the XHDATA D808.
I just bought the original a few days ago Feb 7 2024 less than $97..from Walmart and just ordered another for back up in case becomes discontinued like anything else over a period of time etc .. Thanks for the info. ✍👍
A quick summary based on what Giles describes.
1. Positive: You can tell the new model because it uses a USB-C jack.
2. Positive: the display seems to update faster in the new model.
3. Positive: it seems - more test needed - the new version handle better external antennas, it seems prone to overload.
4. Positive: everything else looks and works just fine: MW, SW, FM, Airband, SSB.
5. Negative: The new version has a much simpler front-end circuit. It's more prone to FM station breaking through the SW bands.
6. Negative: if you are in very low noise area, the audio amplifier of the new model won't have the oomph to bring weak MW stations for comfortable copy.
7. Negative: engaging SSB modo is substantially slower on the most recent version.
8. Neutral: LW performance is weak on both. This is a project error, the internal ferrite antenna does not have enough windings to combine with the chip varactors and reach resonance.
Veredict: the new model still is a great receiver for its value.
Just got a new old one from Amazon. Nothing you have said has left me disappointed. Thanks for your very honest review.
Thank you for your honest review. My question is, is there a better radio than XHDATA D-808 in terms of short wave, SSB, AIR frequencies?
Thank you for the review,i am new to shortwave,and decided to send for this model and am pleased with it as i wanted ssb and air.
Thinking of a pl 330 next based on numerous good reviews.
During the recent ice storm in Montreal, I was taking a walk with my Sangean ATS 606A and I slipped and wiped out. My radio went flying in the air and broke into quite a few pieces. Thanks for your review! I just made the order for the Sihuadon D 808!
Thanks for the reassurance. At my location, I have not experienced any issue with FM breakthrough.
XHDATA says that the new one has some surface mount components and "pins" to solve problems with premature display failure, and also that the new motherboard is more corrosion resistant.
Thank you for the non nonsense review. I know I have the newest version and it’s a nice little performer.
Thanks for the review, i have been hovering back and forth deciding whether to purchase one of those radio's, after seeing your review, i'm now ready to pull the trigger and purchase one.
The frontend filters ARE THERE, but now in SMD form. So there's no lower performance on the new radio.
no they are missing, it shows with all the FM breakthrough that did no exist on the old version
Very cool to know.
So I can still recommend the radio. It seems they put a lot of effort to keep it a great radio.
Great video.
📻😁❗️👍
Brilliant little radio, beats much more expensive sets hands down, fantastic value for money.
Thank you! Your testing confirm the new redesigned, much cheaper, RF front-end. The RF pre-scaler with 4 sub-bands as seen in the original, while not perfect, was good enough for the job. I wonder what improvement have been done in the new version other than cutting costs on expensive LC trimmer components and labour costly time doing RF alignments in the final stages of the assembly line. Probably the next version will feature zero LC trimmers like we see on those cheaper low cost radios that basically follow the DSP IC application note for the cheaper circuit.
Well we were all waiting for this review..! 👍
Love these comparisons with radios 📻
Just so everyone knows the fm
Breakthrough is a huge deal if you're a SW or SSB listener. The front end filters are what made the old version so good. The new version may still be a ' good' radio for the price but the missing parts is what nade the old radio so great.
Being that I don't do Facebook I can't comment on the group but I can at least look at the posts. My best wishes in hopes that Paul the cat gets better.
It is amazing! I own three of the originals thanks to you!!!
A redesigned circuit board is that of the new Sihuadon/XHDATA D-808? In many ways these 2 radios the new & the old are close to each other in reception tests! I have the micro USB so I have an old radio! Thank you, Gilles, for your test comparisons!
I was wondering if you know of a cheap analog radio called Sunflash DR99? I see it on EBay and am curious. I have a Tecsun 9700 analog and love it. Sometimes you can get a winner for a low price . I love your videos , thanks for posting. Best Wishes
Very happy with my new one.
Hej nice to hear that you are happy with the new one i have the old one but nice to hear that the new one is also very good take care and have a very nice wednesday.
That settles it. I'm buying the PL-880. I found a real deal I could not refuse...50 percent like the old 808 and 50 percent like the new 808...lol! I'll look again when there is a clear lead...😎
Thanks as always for your fair and honest assessment, Gilles. Seems that if you already have the original D-808 may as well stick with it as there is no improvements otherwise, if anything a slight disimprovement re the filters for FM breakthrough on SW although not the worst.
Have you tried using the new version outside? It might have better reception on the long waves.
If I compare the XHData with the Tecsun pl-990X, which one has the best reception, tuning and sensitivity?
I know that there is a considerable price difference between the two, partly due to the extra options of the Tecsun.
Which receiver would you prefer?
Sensitivity is good on both, it is really that you get a radio that does not mute when tuned on the 990x and frequency precision when tuning SSB, amazing audio also. The HXDATA positive points are RDS on FM and VHF Airband
New subscriber here. Thank you for the comparison/review. I ordered the XHDATA D808 from Walmart. They were advertising the choice of the Sihuadon or the XHDATA branded versions on the same page. I chose the X but not sure what version I will receive. It will be delivered tomorrow on 4/16/24 so I will return here and update on which version was delivered.
Which did you receive? How is it performing on medium-wave?
Thanks for the reassuring review lol. Just bought the new one.
im still deciding getting one of those or an AT25 AMP , help me
Are they both same on FM ? Or which one feels better in FM reception?
I need a Radio with AM, FM, HD, SW, Air, NOAA. HD is a dealbreaker for me. I also need DRM if possible. I wish C Crane would finally do it.
Yes, I agree. There are HD stations here where I live.
I do wish HD was easier to find. It’s like it never really took off except for (some) cars, and Sangean.
I have the cheapie Insignia HD as a kitchen radio and it is nice some of the extra channels. Was happy to find the one I like best is on a FM translator freq, too.
I am going to buy new one..What is the battery back up on this radio after fully charged...
If I would have know about filter issues would have bought the previous version. Orange display suckered i me in again, like the xhdata 109wb, still waiting for package
Well as always I agree with your assement on the comments. I agree and your reviews are still the most honest. Thank you .Ron z.WA3090SWL.
Hej Gill thanks for your review of the new Sihuadon D-808 great news to hear that the new Sihuadon D-808 is still a good radio and and a still a great radio and nice on shortwave thanks for all your tests take care and have nice evening in Montreal.
Recently i purchased this latest version which comes with USB-C ...Front branding still says XHDATA not SIHUADON 🤔
May I ask the battery life and the SW performance of the new version of D-808？ Is the battery life per charge runs longer than the original version?
If i put another radio turned on next to the radio with ssb will it demodulate ssb if i tune the right frequency?
Hi!
I have "Retekess" v115 radio, and I'm considering to buy a "Sihuadon" d808 (there is a nice discount now - 68.46$)
I'm wondering is it worth to go with it? How much better signal will I get, and can I maybe amplify my "Retekess" with wired antenna? Also, I don't know do I need ssb or air, and in general sw "bad sounding signal" in "modern internet world"? I do understand, that those are the questions, that only I can answer to myself, but want to hear your thoughts or advise
Thank you!
D-808 is a big improvement over the V115
Thier are FM filters, I use one on the wonderful hrd 737( radio is terrible) i I aligater clip a tv vhf uuf slpiter with some co aux to the filter to the antenna...
It cuts out all the FM chatter...
As I go forward with the worlds worst SW radio, im keenly interested in getting a way better SW radio experience.
What antennas do you recommend for AM listening?
Hey. Do you still consider the Tecsun PL-330 the first place and this 808 in the second place? Thanks!
Someone else said it has SMC components for the front end?
Thanks for this review.
Best portable radio is the Sony 7600gr
Antenna for the new version?
Don’t be Happy! Great work!
Squelch in airband is not responsive?
J'aime pas le temps que le SSB prend à embarquer . Pas possible de scanner le 11 mètre au delà de 26.095 , au delà il revient à 2.300 mhz. Le MW ( AM broadcast ) uitilise la barre ferrite interne comme antenne et n'as pas de jack externe . Malgré cela je capte très bien CJAD même si j'habite ottawa . Savez-vous combien de Kw leur émetteur dispose ?
Hi, just wondering does the new one still have hiss sound when volume down and Pop when changing modes ?
No more pop on band change and I don’t hear much hiss but yeah it isn’t the same dead quiet as turning it off, with the volume all the way down.
Does anybody know how to access the stored ATS stations once the scan is done???
press the page button and then type 01 02 03 etc.. to get each saved station, it is a pain on this radio to get the memories
@@OfficialSWLchannel Thank you! I was afraid of that.
Hey there, I watch your computer channel, subscribe to it I recognize the 😊voice. I bought a xhdata d109 I'm wondering if you could show how to program the AM stations thanks 😊
Top parabéns …
Where can I buy one? How do I know I'm getting the new one