Originally, the XHDATA D-220 DX Contest was intended to be on shortwave, but prompted by a question from Dennis, K2DCD, I consulted with Thomas (our Maximum Leader) and he said “I say with a radio this basic, simply go for anything and everything logged.”
That makes sense and sounds like pure, unadulterated DXing pleasure.
So here are the new rules:
- You must use a D-220 with native (built-in) antenna (no hooking it up to your two-mile-long Beverage antenna)
- No use of other radios or SDRs as “spotter” radios.
- You must ID off the air.
- Any band the D-220 receives.
- Any location.
- Contest starts 6 pm your local time on Friday, August 16, 2024 and it ends at 6 pm your local time on Sunday, August 18, 2024.
- Log the time, the estimated frequency, the station ID and what you heard.
There are no prizes, just bragging rights.
Feel free to report in lavish detail on your experience during the contest . . . especially if you had fun!
Mine (green!) arrived today. What a fantastic little radio! First thing I heard was CHU on 14670. Very soon thereafter I got Ifrikya FM from Algeria on 17600, and after listening for a bit I got out my D-219 to compare. I would say that on 16 meters the two radios (with built-in whip) compare quite well. I later did a comparison with REE on 17855 and again found the D-220 only slightly below the D-219. I suspect that as I go lower in frequency the shorter antenna will become more of a penalty.
I like the new ‘test rules! Will give a good excuse to try catching some FM tropo and see how it does on MW DX, too.
I got my D-220 delivered on Saturday, and I took it with me for a late-night walk with our always eager goldendoodle, Violet. As I reacquainted myself with analog tuning, I was able to pick up several U.S. shortwave stations, along with Cuba, and a strong signal from RNZ, which booms into the West Coast here at times. Earlier in the evening, I heard live futbol on Rádio Nacional da Amazônia. One of the more fun ways I’ve spent $10 lately!