By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM
Official Disclaimer: “Yes, XHDATA is a supporter of the SWLing Post but this is my own crazy idea, and we aren’t getting any commissions from the sales. XHDATA doesn’t even know we’re doing it!”
It’s all Robert Gulley’s fault. He had the temerity to post an article about the XHDATA D-220 entitled “A Throwback to a Simpler Time” — I read it, was intrigued, and ordered one.
It arrived today, and, by golly, it actually works. I snapped a couple of AA cells into the battery compartment and discovered immediately that it appears to have a pretty hot FM receiver section. Then I tried medium wave and pulled up several of the local AMers. Then, the acid test: shortwave. Robert Gulley was right: “you will want to turn the dial slowly, very slowly.” But, sonuvagun, if you use a safecracker’s touch, you will actually discover and receive distant shortwave stations on that dinky telescoping whip antenna . . . with an exceedingly inexpensive radio.
So here’s my Nutty Idea: How about an XHDATA D-220 DX contest?
Rules:
- You must use a D-220 with native antenna
- No use of other radios or SDRs as “spotter” radios.
- You must ID off the air.
As Thomas, our Maximum Leader, put it: “It’s so insanely cheap, it’s a great way to have everyone on a level playing field. Well, unless someone gets the yellow version which we all know has special powers.” (Yes, I bought the yellow version.)
Further, I proposed we kick this thing off at 6 pm your local time on Friday, August 16, 2024 and it ends at 6 pm your local time on Sunday, August 18, 2024. You log the time, the estimated frequency, the station ID and what you heard. There are no prizes, just bragging rights. The object: to have fun!
So, whaddya think?
Or should I go back to the home and start taking my meds?
Most of the stations are gone, but I have had no lack of enjoyment playing with these wireless confections that have come along in the past dozen years. The D-220 is no exception. I keep thinking back to our old radio console I cut my SWLing teeth on in 1958. The SW dial ran from 5.5 MC to 18 MC, and was barely twice the length of the D-220 dial. There was unexplainable mystery and intrigue in not knowing what frequency you were on. IDing off the air was the only way possible. Forget it if you didn’t know the language.
Being of a more conservative bent, I have the green model. Thank you Mr. Gully, and I hope SWLing Post received a suitable commission.
Bob,
“There was unexplainable mystery and intrigue in not knowing what frequency you were on.”
Exactly!
I once had a conversation with Tom Kneitel, editor or PopComm. He said, “My job is 10% telling people how to do a thing, and the other 90% is selling the romance of doing it at all.”
For me, part of the romance of radio is simply tuning around the dial.
Cheers, Jock
You might be crazy, however, I bought the Green one, thinking it might save the planet….
Mine is scheduled to arrive tomorrow! The “contest” sounds like fun, although IDing off the air will be difficult. So many stations for which I don’t speak the language and have to rely on Internet sources to ID. Of course, that works best if you can read the exact frequency, which will be impossible on the D-220! I guess I’ll have to fall back on some retro skills for a retro radio. What the heck, it sounds like fun!
As I have posted elsewhere (more than once), I ordered the green version in tribute to my first radio, a Zenith Royal 100 “Zenette”, which was similar in size, ran off three AAs, and was AM only. I’m sure the green version will impart special DXing skills to me, just like back when I used to listen to the big three-letter clear channel stations: WLS, WWL, WSB, and WSM.
Dave,
I’m sure it will 😉
However, I bought the (clearly) higher performance yellow one.
Cheers, Jock
For various reasons, I have never owned a smartphone. My only regret is the feeling of great deprivation which overcomes me when I sit in a waiting room and see everyone else surfing the net. I can’t help but wonder what would happen in these situations if I pulled out my D-220 and began surfing the SW band.
Bob,
“I can’t help but wonder what would happen in these situations if I pulled out my D-220 and began surfing the SW band.”
Do it!
And report the results here.
You might even “win some converts.”
Cheers, Jock
William,
Retro skills for a retro radio . . . sounds like a plan.
I agree: the green version will impart special DXing skills . . .
Me, I plan to guess a lot.
Cheers, Jock
Jock, you genius, you! That sounds like more fun than a barrel of monkeys! I’m in!
Robert,
Well . . . so started it . . . and I’m glad!
Cheers, Jock
It’s a brilliant idea!
The XHDATA DSP family is indeed growing! I can’t wait for the D-220 to be available on amazon.fr to order it … which won’t be long … I hope to receive it in time to be on the starting line on August 16.
A little bird tells me that its capabilities are well hidden beneath its vintage look! With each new XHDATA receiver comes an improvement in sensitivity, sound quality, design…
This reminds me of the arrival of the D-219, initially sold for between 6 and 7 dollars. I was quick to share my enthusiasm:
Paul explores the incredibly affordable XHDATA D-219
https://swling.com/blog/2023/02/paul-explores-the-incredibly-affordable-xhdata-d-219/
No, it’s not a crazy idea, it’s a beautiful idea… because the more the merrier!
Paul,
” because the more the merrier!”
Exactly!
Cheers, Jock
Just AM Broadcast Band or any band goes Jock?
Dennis,
Let’s go for the gusto: the shortwave bands!
Cheers, Jock
Dennis,
Let’s go for the gusto: shortwave!
Cheers, Jock
My Orange Flame Thrower will arrive on Friday and the discount code worked. Can’t beat $7.99