by Robert Gulley K4PKM

The D-226 is one of the newest portable radios in the XHDATA stable. The company contacted me about doing a review of the radio, and as I have reviewed several of their radios, I was interested to see how this one faired.

Some basics about the radio from the company’s description:

Specifications

Brand	XHDATA
Model	D-226
Radio Bands	AM / FM / SW, 11 Bands
FM Frequency	64–108MHz
AM Frequency	520–1730kHz, 9k/10k
SW Frequency	4.75–22MHz
Built-in Battery	1200mAh rechargeable lithium battery
External Battery Option	Supports AA batteries
Charging Input	Type-C DC 5V IN
Power Selection	AA / 3.7V power switch
Other Functions	Telescopic antenna, flashlight, headphone jack, charging indicator, power indicator

 

Dual Power

Several features make this radio stand out from previous models. First, and most impressive to me, is the dual power option. The radio has a lithium rechargeable battery built in (non-replaceable except for possibly the most adventurous of our readers!), and AA battery power by inserting 2 AA batteries and throwing the switch by the battery cover from 3.7 to AA.

This is an excellent feature which means you do not have to go without the radio should the built-in battery need recharging. Pop in two AA batteries and you are ready to go! This also means that when the built-in battery is no longer rechargeable, the radio does not become a paperweight.

I tested both power sources and there was no discernable difference in volume, etc. I also used the radio with both power sources available as I installed the two AA batteries and switched between them. I was not able to find any precaution against having the AA batteries in while using the built-in battery, either in the instruction manual or on the company website.

The second handy feature is a built-in flashlight. My phone has a light, I carry a small flashlight, and having one built in to this portable is just another option for light. While it is not going to light up the night, it is useful for nearby things, and brighter than I would have expected. If you are like me and enjoy sitting outside in the cool of the evening listening to AM broadcasts at night or SW stations, the light can illuminate the ground ahead as I walk back to the house, locate my keys, or other simple uses.

Listening Review

Summertime is always a bit of a challenge to test AM broadcast and SW bands due to storms, solar activity, etc. This summer has been no different! To give the radio a fair shot, I have tried to test it when the atmosphere was reasonably calm, and storms were at least many miles from me locally.

Medium Wave (AM) Reception

AM reception is reasonable, but it is definitely not a powerhouse on AM. While many stations come in at night, for some reason the clarity is not quite there. They are listenable, but only the strongest stations come in with good audio. Some of this is no doubt due to the seasonal issues, but some is simply due to sensitivity. While the radio will work fine for your local stations, I definitely would not expect to use this as a DX radio, at least not without headphones to help with hearing the audio more clearly.

FM Reception

FM reception is excellent as we have come to expect from modern radios. There are so many stations coming into my rural area, one might think I lived near a big city. Scrolling across the dial brings in one station right after another. There are no dead spots to be found! Audio clarity is excellent, the tuning, while firm, is still able to easily land on a desired station when turned carefully, and the strong telescopic antenna is more than sufficient for pulling them in.

The headphone jack is not a stereo jack – both sides are used, but both are mono and the sound meets in the center. When using headphones, there is a slight hiss that can be heard between songs, pauses etc. It’s not an issue to me, but if you are sensitive to that kind of thing, I mention it.

SW Reception

Shortwave radio on any small pocket portable radio like this is, as they say, what it is. No small radio like this of which I am aware, has an antenna sufficient to pull in lower power or weaker stations very well. Obviously, all the usual factors apply to SW reception; static, local interference, distant interference, time of day, season of the year, sunspot cycle, and more. My take on the D-226 is that it falls right in the middle of other similar radios. Not better, not worse. If I want to go DX hunting for shortwave I do not do it with pocket radios, or, for the most part, larger but still portable radios with the built-in antenna. On radios that can handle the stronger signal, I am going to use a long wire, external antenna, or something which either boosts or bypasses the relatively short telescopic whip antenna of a portable radio.

There are plenty of stations that come in during the evening and overnight, as well as a decent amount in the morning before the sun really gets going. During the day, you will only hear the strongest stations on a radio like this. I do not consider this a failing of the radio, but rather a physical limitation of any radio based on size, antenna, and filters with which to make audio more comprehensible.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Dual power capable with switch
• Can run on AA batteries (see Con below)
• Flashlight
• Strong antenna
• Size
• 8 bands for shortwave makes tuning a bit easier
• Choice of colors – I like the green for something different (but red would find it easier!)
• Good price for XHDATA build quality

Cons

• No light to indicate chosen band
• Likewise, no light to see tuning panel
• Touching antenna completely distorts/silences reception
• Non-removeable rechargeable battery (see ‘Pro’ above)

Conclusions

For the price point this radio has good features, good build, two nice extras not typically found in this class of radio, and sufficient reception when expectations are reasonable. I often see people in comments on purchase sites or on the internet in general complain about what a radio doesn’t have – i.e. “It doesn’t have weather alert” or “It doesn’t have the aviation bands” or similar. We should know what a radio does and doesn’t have if we are thinking of buying it before we put our money down. And if we own it, judge the radio on its merits and features, not what we wish it had.

This radio can use a rechargeable battery saving money and waste, but still run if needed when not around a charging port. The flashlight can be useful for a number of things, not the least of which is shining a light into dark recesses to find that quarter you dropped in the car at night at the drive-thru going for your late-night snack! Or is that just me?!

 Amazon Discount Code for SWLing Blog Readers

As XHDATA has done in the past, they are offering SWLing Blog readers a special discount through Amazon, this time with the inclusion of our European readers. Enter the promo code below during checkout at the “payment” page on Amazon, when asked for “gift cards . . . promo code”

For the U.S.:

Regular Price: $24.99

Discount: 40% OFF

Final Price: $14.99

For Europe:

Regular Price: €26.99

Discount: 40% OFF

Final Price: €16.19

Promo Code: NSP7ZTA7

Valid: September 1–15

(The same promo code works for both the U.S. and European offers.)

Thanks to XHDATA for supporting the readers of Thomas’ blog!