Please note that two excellent shortwave portables are on sale during Amazon’s Prime Spring Sale:
- XHDATA D-220 ($9.95 on sale) — A compact, ultra-affordable pocket radio.
- XHDATA D-808 ($87.55 on sale) — A feature-packed portable with SSB, air band, and great performance.
The D-808 remains a favorite among SWLing Post readers for its all-around great performance (Carlos Latuff even uses it for many of his recordings), while the D-220 earns praise for its affordability and simple, ultralight design — you might remember Jock Elliott’s “Nutty Idea” DX Contest last year, inspired by this little radio.
Additionally, XHDATA is a proud sponsor of the SWLing Post, and purchasing through these affiliate links helps support the site at no extra cost to you.
I found it curious how so many D-219 owners jumped ship immediately after the D-220 (and D-221 with US WB) was announced. They are basically the same overall dimensions and probably have similar performance as the earlier model.
One issue for international travel with these analogue-tuned DSP radios is the MW frequency step, which is usually set in firmware and not adjustable. For example, XHDATA produced two separate versions of the D-219 having 9KHz and 10KHz steps respectively.
Curiously the product listings for the D-220/D-221 state 1KHz steps. In theory this should allow much finer control over fine tuning while also eliminating the need for separate variants. Can anyone confirm this in practice? It seems to me that such a fine tuning step (1190 separate steps to cover the expanded MW band) would not be possible using the tiny gear-and-pulley varipot mechanism.
The D 808 is a good radio, but I have one main complaint about it. It has an ATS function, but there’s no way to easily scan thru the saved stations. You have to call each one up via two keystrokes. Very cumbersome and not enjoyable. For that reason I don’t use the radio much
I have three D-808’s. I think they are a great little radio.
But being a Amazon Prime member, I couldn’t resist buying the D-220.
If you are a member, the Orange one is 60 cents cheaper.
I look forward to playing with it and comparing it to my plethora of radios.
73 Art K7DWI and for Jock Elliot… WPE5EWN
I couldn’t resist. I just got the D808. I’m eager to compare it to my Qodosen and PL-330. We shall see. Now I have to find room for it. I’m sure I will. I always do.
Thanks for your radio reviews! Do have the Sangean ATS-803 (Radio Shack DX-440, circa 1990), and how does it compare to your other radio? I sold mine ( in high school) and now buyer’s “remorse”…
This is a good price. However, if you’re willing to buy the D808 through AliExpress (as I did last month), you can get the radio for $60.69 with free shipping. This price is after a $8.00 promo code is applied, shown on the web page.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mLD1H43
This is the “old” version of the radio with the micro USB connector. Some say it is slightly more sensitive compared to the new model with USB-C.
I have a D-220. I have to say that it’s not great to listen too for any stretch of time due to the very tinny audio. That said, it is about the smallest form factor radio that a room of people could listen too, and the receiver ability on FM and MW is lightyears ahead of anything else you will find for 10 bucks, and shortwave does work. The pseudo-analogue dial is quaint, a little fun and retro, but also foolproof -everyone knows how to tune it. My recommendation? Buy a bunch of these and hand them out to people to to stick in glove boxes or travel kits, AND ABSOLUTELY give them to kids as “toys” that actually work well (yes, kids love these!).
Note, it has a mechanical switch, so shouldn’t zombie drain a set of AA batteries, but storing the batteries separately is foolproof.