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!
The D-200 looked interesting but I was undecided; you’ve prompted me to join the fun. I wish I had seen this post earlier in the week; I ordered on Thursday and my orange radio is due to arrive Thursday, August 15 – Saturday, August 17. Hopefully this will be one of those times that an Amazon order comes early, but if not I’ll still get to play a bit.
Got back into SWL a few years ago and have been doing some MW DXing lately so looking forward to seeing how the D-200 does on that band.
Brilliant idea for a contest, Jock.
Elizabeth (KQ4HSI)
I received the special ops “black” D-220 yesterday and have to say I was pleasantly surprised to hear WWVH booming here in the upper midwest on 15mhz just using the small whip!
Also, for a very inexpensive radio the noise level is much much lower on shortwave than the competing radios like the Retekess V-115 and similar. Same is true for MW and FM.
This will be quite fun, Jock!!
Just got a black one from Amazon. Should arrive tomorrow. Looking forward to DX with this little rig.
Don,
I was just listening to classical music on WBCQ, Monticello Maine on 9330 with the D-220 while reading your comment. Then I tuned the same broadcast on my Satellit 800 with the 50-foot horizontal room loop. Of course there is a difference, but It’s really amazing how well the D-220 pulls in the signal. (Of course, I have the high performance yellow version.)
Suddenly I am stuffed through a rip in the space-time continuum: I am no longer an oldster with eight decades in his sights; I’m a 10-year-old boy discovering the simple joys of tuning around, and the magic of signals arriving from far away.
You’re right; this will be quite fun.
As Eric Fetters-Walp neatly put it: “One of the more fun ways I’ve spent $10 lately!”
Cheers, Jock
PS — Big Thank You to Robert Gulley for setting this whole thing off with his first look at the D-220.
Hey Jock – ” discovering the simple joys of tuning around, and the magic of signals arriving from far away” – I couldn’t have said it any better! I took the D-220 outside for the first time last night around 10pm to check it’s MW sensitivity and found it to be a decent performer for both near-local LP stations above 1500 khz and catching some of the 50kw clear channel stations.
SW bands were also good last night under 15 mhz especially in the 49, 41 and 31m bands! That had me then thinking, “What about FM DX??? Is it possible with the whip and conditions just right?” I tried but, of course, 10pm is not the time for that test. I’ll be checking the MUF reports this week!
– Don
PS – Joe, I hope you received the black ops special D-220!
Don ,Fm seems good .I live in Winnipeg,Manitoba and i just picked up a Fm station 96.5 in portage la prairie just west of me and just over 50 miles away.ERP is 24,000w.So yes fm is also good.
Amazon is playing games with these it appears. Mine was supposed to be delivered tomorrow. Now it might be shipped next Wednesday.
Was there a run on these because of Jock’s idea or the price break?
Forgive me as I’m a newbie to the land of DX SW but
is this contest looking for ONLY DX stations across all waves or every station you can here along the dial regardless? Just wanted to clarify.
This sounds like a great time.
Grabbed a radio from Amazon tonight that should be arriving sometime tomorrow.
Timothy,
As Thomas (the guy who runs SWLing) neatly put it: “I say with a radio this basic, simply go for anything and everything logged.”
Basically, if you can hear it with your D-220 on its built-in antenna, log it!
Cheers, Jock
Sounds great!
Thanks for the replay and everyone enjoy themselves.
Tim
I wasn’t going to get the D-220 but saw this post and decided to join in. Seems the Orange ones were grabbed up already and I was left with waiting for Green or getting Black next day – going with Black! Got is free with my discount and points. XHDATA is probably wondering why sales are up!
Can’t wait!
Don,
There is a rumor going around that the black version has properties has so special that people are not even talking about it.
I mean, think about it: clearly it was developed under a black budget . . . and . . . FREE?!! . . . just proves my point.
Well done!
Cheers, Jock
Agree, Jock! Black ops have enhanced the D-220 so that we can hear all secret comms around the world! Amazon says mine is out for delivery today – so, I assume it will arrive in a black truck or SUV surrounded by agents!
Don,
Just don’t forget the pass phrase and you’ll be fine.
Cheers, Jock
The rules say “any location.” Does that include a Cessna 172 at 9000 feet?
My green D-220 arrived a couple days age, and I’m impressed. Hearing lots on the short wave band.
Bob AD5I
Bob,
“The rules say “any location.” Does that include a Cessna 172 at 9000 feet?”
Absolutely, but you have to report it . . . and I would love to see it!
Cheers, Jock
Been there, done that, unfortunately the usual digital avionics upgrades cause a horrible noise floor in the cockpit from LW through SW in most light aircraft nowadays. Once I tried using the ADF receiver (with its sense antenna still in place and all) in an upgraded big old twin on AM — the RFI from the screens still rendered radio reception (and the ADF gauge) less useful than it should be.
My orange D220 is doing a tour with the Amazon shipping.
Ordered on Tuesday July 30.
Shipping Tracking shows:
——————————
Picked Up By Shipping Partner, USPS Awaiting Item
ETNA, OH 43018
August 1, 2024, 1:36 am
Shipping Partner: AMAZON
———————————-
Departed Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item
ETNA, OH 43018
August 2, 2024, 1:28 am
Shipping Partner: AMAZON
——————————–
On Its Way to USPS
Departed Shipping Partner Facility, USPS Awaiting Item
CONCORD, NC 28027
August 3, 2024, 2:24 pm
Shipping Partner: AMAZON
—————————
Not sure when I’ll get it.
Maybe I should have ordered the Black or Green one – but the orange just looked so cool!
73
Bill WD9EQD
Smithville, NJ
Bill,
Maybe if it well traveled it will pick up DX better?
Seriously, I hope yours shows up soon.
Cheers, Jock
My plain-Jane black D-220 is due to arrive this afternoon.
My wee black radio arrived a few minutes ago.
In my closet, I discovered that I had boxful of XLoop sunglasses, which I use for hiking and cycling. Each pair comes in a little sack with a drawstring. I never use those sacks for the glasses, but they fit snugly around the D-220. Now I can throw the radio in my backpack, and not worry that it will get scuffed!
Paul,
A free anti-scuff system?
Well done.
Cheers, Jock
The green version definitely has magical powers. This afternoon, I stumbled on the 20 MHz signal from WWV. In a little side by side comparison, the D-220 was “hearing” the time station better than my C Crane Skywave SSB. Same on FM. The D-220 was getting WBJC (90.5 MHz-Baltimore) when the Skywave wasn’t. That one is 40-plus miles from my Washington, D.C., QTH.
Tuning at the top end of each of the four bands is somewhat sticky/glitchy and I’ll be interested to see if that improves with usage. Makes me wonder, though, what this little thing would do with an upgraded tuner control – one that isn’t so hard on the thumb.
I’ll look forward to the Aug. 16 weekend follies.
Here’s an idea (ok, a “Frankenstein” one :D)
3D Print some kind of support to host the radio at one side and a vernier reduction knob at the other, connect the vernier shaft to a “rubber wheel” so that it will be in contact with the radio tuning knob, at this point the radio will have a vernier tuning with reduction 😀
Andrew,
That’s very cool and creative.
You build it, and I’ll test it . . . deal?
Cheers, Jock
PS — Good to hear from you.
SamA,
” This afternoon, I stumbled on the 20 MHz signal from WWV. In a little side by side comparison, the D-220 was “hearing” the time station better than my C Crane Skywave SSB. Same on FM. The D-220 was getting WBJC (90.5 MHz-Baltimore) when the Skywave wasn’t. That one is 40-plus miles from my Washington, D.C., QTH.”
Impressive! I’m having fun with mine.
Cheers, Jock
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.
William,
“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.”
Glad you like the new rules . . . should be buckets of fun.
Impressive reception on “first light.”
Cheers, Jock
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!
Eric,
Good to hear from you.
“One of the more fun ways I’ve spent $10 lately!”
I thought so too.
Cheers, Jock