Category Archives: Reviews

Weathered, Worn, and Still Tuning: Carlos’ Story of His XHDATA D-808, ‘The Beast’

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Carlos Latuff, who shares the following guest post:


“The Beast”

by Carlos Latuff

Since December 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its height, I have had an inseparable companion: the XHDATA D-808 radio.

This receiver has accompanied me in many situations, on the beach, in the countryside, in light rain, in cold and hot weather, and its durability has been more than proven, which is why I affectionately named my radio set “The Beast”.

I have received everything with this receiver, from military and clandestine transmissions to radiofax of weather reports and news (Kyodo News). The selectivity and sensitivity of this model are useful for both DXers and radio listeners eager for news (like me). Since this is my field radio, “The Beast” has already lost its antenna (I currently use a 3-meter long wire), and has scratches and marks resulting from several falls. And it continues to work perfectly. Even the battery remains the same.

I don’t use FM much, my focus has always been on MW and SW, bands where the XHDATA D-808 has shown excellent reception. Maybe it’s time to buy a new model, but I’m reluctant to retire my beloved “The Beast”, since, even after so many years of continuous usage, this receiver continues to serve me very well.

I usually use other Japanese-made models from the 80s and 90s, but without a doubt, the China-made XHDATA D-808 has proven to be unbeatable. Here are some recent listenings made with this transistorized wonder.

Radio Nikkei 1

Radio Nikkei 2

(April 15) Kyodo News English Edition, received via radiofax in Porto Alegre, 16970 kHz:

China, Vietnam agreed to boost trade, Nvidia plans to manufacture AI chips in US, fugitive India jeweler arrested in Belgium, Ghana prohibits foreigners from trading gold, Philipines’ Antipolo church eyes Guiness, Japan govt mourns death of former US officer, India weighs Japan’s next generation of bullet train.

“Voice of the People”, clandestine radio station operated by the South Korea’s intelligence service, 4560 kHz, April 15, 10h03 UTC, listened in Porto Alegre (enhanced audio):

Audio Player

Initial Impressions of the Tecsun S-2200X

By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM

Bob Colegrove inspired this, with his excellent post “Pressing Buttons. Twirling Knobs and Throwing Switches.” If you haven’t read it, go do so now.

And it was our Maximum Leader, Thomas, who some time ago was asked “What’s the best shortwave radio?” His response (if I recall correctly): “The one you enjoy using.” That’s worth taking to heart. It doesn’t matter if you have the highest, techiest, super zoot receiver or SDR with the best lab numbers, if you don’t enjoy using it, how much will you really use it?

Given my age and my radio experience, my belief is that a real radio has a knob or button or switch for just about every function and a real tuning knob that doesn’t snap, crackle or pop as it changes between tuning increments.

The photos show the Tecsun S-2200X is studded with knobs and buttons, enough to satisfy an old retrocrank, but how would it perform? Dan Robinson had already reviewed it here. I respect his reviews, but I had to see for myself. With some trepidation I ordered the Tecsun S-2200X.

It arrived a couple of days ago. First impression: it’s a large radio – measuring approx. 15 inches wide, 7 inches tall, and 5 inches deep. It can run off 4 D batteries or 2 18650 rechargeable batteries, so technically it is a portable, but you’ll probably want something like a gym bag or backpack to transport it.

The fit and finish are pleasing, what you would expect from a radio in this price range. The front panel is studded with (if I am counting correctly) 33 buttons for activating various functions, 7 knurled metal knobs, a lighted analog signal strength meter, and a 3.5 inch by 1.5 inch (approx..) lighted liquid crystal display that serves as information central for the S-2200X.

On the right side are two BNC antenna connectors (one for FM and airband, the other for shortwave), a pair of clips for attaching a shortwave wire antenna, and a switch for selecting between internal and external antennas.

On the back are two hatches for installing batteries and inside one of the hatches, a switch for choosing between powering the receiver with D cells or the 18650 batteries. Also on the back, stereo line-out sockets.

On top, there are a retractable carry handle, a rotatable LW/MW antenna with a connector on the backside for an external LW/MW antenna, and a pull-up telescoping whip antenna for SW, FM, and air band.

On the left side is a port for plugging in the charging cable for the 18650 batteries.

Ease of Use

The S-2200X is straightforward to operate for basic operations (Memory operations will require consulting the well-written manual). On either side of the tuning knob are buttons for selecting FM, MW/LW, SW and Air bands, as well as selecting memory pages. Prolonged pressing of certain band buttons will activate Auto Tuning Storage of frequencies in that band, and these buttons are clearly labeled.

For shortwave, there are two buttons: SW+ and SW-, and, if you are in AM mode, these are used for incrementing between shortwave bands. However, if you are in either upper or lower sideband mode, these buttons will increment between amateur radio HF bands.

Below, and to the right of the tuning knob is a small button for switching between memory mode and frequency mode. A long press of this button will activate scanning of whatever band or memory page is active. To the lower left of the tuning knob is a button for changing tuning steps.

Below the signal strength meter is a 12-button keypad, and to the left of this are buttons for selecting synchronous detection, USB, LSB, and bandwidths. Volume and tone controls are knobs below the speaker grill.

As they used to say in the old sports car magazines: “The controls fall readily to hand.” If your goal is to pop in some batteries and start using the S-2200X right away, I found it easy to do. I particularly enjoyed the smooth tuning – both mechanical and audio – provided by the large, dimpled, tuning knob. On the unit I purchased, the tuning knob, though solidly mounted, wobbles a tiny bit.

Performance

The S-2200X acquits itself well. FM is top notch and the stereo audio is pleasing through headphones, which I routinely use to listen.

The MW performance was also satisfying, and I enjoyed using the rotatable LW/MW antenna to peak signals . . . it works! I tried plugging a Terk AM Advantage loop antenna into the jack on the backside of the rotatable antenna and found no discernable improvement in signal. To be fair, if you want the ultimate in MW DX performance, there are “hotter” MW receivers available, but I was not disappointed. I did not test LW performance.

Airband performance was average. An ATS scan of airband found five active frequencies in my area, and there is the ability to scan stored memories, stopping at each one for about five seconds.

On SW, the S-2200X delivers satisfying performance through its telescoping whip antenna. Using time stations as standards for testing, and switching between the whip and a 45-foot indoor wire loop antenna, the signal strength meter showed signals received on the whip often equaled or were only slightly less strong than those from the loop. Note well: if you conduct this experiment for yourself, there is a noticeable – perhaps one second – delay in the signal strength meter reacting to the change in antennas. If you are a SW  program listener, there are a variety of bandwidths and tone controls to fine tune the signal to your liking. I tried using the synchronous detection, and it sharpened the audio but introduced a pulsing quality to the signal that I did not like.

Most of my HF listening concentrates on single-sideband voice signals: the HF ham bands, Coast Guard weather forecasts, aeronautical voice communications, and the like. Here the S-2200X also delivers satisfying performance with impressive sensitivity on the whip antenna, a variety of bandwidths to choose from, and a fine tuning knob for dialing in the signal.

Noise Control

Now here is where the S-2200X got really interesting.

Not long ago, I became aware of a technique used by some of the experienced old hands. They would tune up on an SSB signal, then reduce the RF gain to remove as much noise as possible while preserving an intelligible signal. It made listening much more enjoyable and less fatiguing.

I tried this on my Icom IC-706 MkIIG and found that it was indeed an effective technique, but I wanted a radio I could park bedside so I could listen SSB signals on headphones while the Better Half drifts off to sleep. The Icom requires a separate power supply and an external antenna, and that seemed impractical for a bedside radio. Further, none of my portables have RF gain control.

The S-2200X does have a gain control. Here’s what the manual has to say about it: “When listening to longwave, medium wave, or shortwave, use the RF Gain control knob to adjust the gain for signals of different strengths and obtain the best reception.” I tried it on a SSB signal and it reduced the noise a little, but not nearly as much as the Icom IC-706.

Then I idly tried the squelch knob below the RF gain knob, and – tah dah! – substantial noise reduction, rendering the signal much more pleasant in my ears. The manual says: “Using the squelch control knob may reduce or suppress background noise when listening to LW, MW, SW, and airband.” As they say in the informercials: it really, really works!

Yes, but is the S-2200X really better than the other Tecsun radios that have similar basic circuitry but don’t have RF gain or squelch controls? The short answer is a definitive YES. Doing A/B comparison with my Tecsun PL-880, I found the two radios sounded about the same on a noisy band. But when I activated the RF gain and squelch controls on the S-2200X, it demonstrated a substantial advantage in “listenability” over the PL-880 with no RF gain or squelch controls.

Bottom line: based on my usage so far, I can heartily recommend the Tecsun S-2200X, particularly if you are interested in using it as a communications receiver for monitoring ham and utilities SSB signals.

Check out the Tecsun S-2200x at Anon-Co.

Carlos Explores the Sony ICR-N20: A Unique Radio Nikkei Experience from Brazil

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following guest post:


SONY ICR-N20 Quick Review

by Carlos Latuff

In the last century, several Japanese electronics manufacturers such as Sony, National-Panasonic, Hitachi, and Sanyo produced radio receivers aimed at the Japanese public and which had a peculiar characteristic: they came with crystal lock, preset frequencies from Radio Nikkei, which in the past was known by the acronym NSB (Nihon Shortwave Broadcasting) or “Radio Tampa”. For more information about this station, check out this post.

One of these models is the Sony ICR-N20, which, based on the date of the instruction manual I found on the Internet, must have been produced in the late 1990s. The device measures 150 mm × 75 mm × 36 mm and weighs 400 grams (with batteries). It has a 6.6 cm speaker (8 ohms) and a headphone output.

This device is analog and operates on the following frequencies:

Shortwave:

  • NSB1 3.925 MHz, 6.055 MHz, 9.595 MHz
  • NSB2 3.945 MHz, 6.115 MHz, 9.760 MHz
  • MW: 530 kHz ? 1.605 kHz

Currently, Radio Nikkei only broadcasts on two frequencies: 6.055 and 6.115 MHz.

It has a 7-segment telescopic antenna. No input for an external antenna.

It works on electrical power (DC 4.5 V) or 3 AA batteries.

As it’s primarily intended for the Japanese market, the buttons and dial panel are written in Japanese.

I have no complaints about the selectivity and sensitivity of the Sony ICR-N20 when it comes to medium waves. At night, in Porto Alegre (in the extreme south of Brazil), it was possible to receive (indoor) stations from Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina, but due to its proximity to these countries, this is not such a difficult task. It’s not a receiver for the most ardent DX fan, but it does a good job of being a radio for regular, everyday listening.

In the case of shortwave, I was able to receive the signal from Radio Nikkei 1 and 2 close to the Guaiba waterfront. The signal from active frequencies is weak, but audible. With favorable propagation, the reception is sometimes surprising. Following the instructions in the instruction manual, I used a long wire antenna for better reception.

In my region, the most favorable propagation window is between 08:45 and 09:15 (UTC), and yesterday, for example, February 7, 2025, the signal reached well until 10:00 (UTC). On other frequencies, it is even possible to hear other stations, such as China Radio International, and even amateur radio interference. Remember that this is not a radio receiver with all shortwave frequency bands, but only those in which Nikkei Radio 1 and 2 operate.

Here are some of the listenings made with this receiver.

Radio Nikkei 1: February 7, 2025

Radio Nikkei 1: February 7, 2025

Radio Nikkei 1: February 4, 2025

Listening Session Video

Dan Reviews the Radel RT-860

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Van Hoy, who writes:

Because I [purchased a RT-470L last year], Radtel sent me news of their brand new RT-860. No need to mod the radio like a Quangsheng. It does LW/MW/SW with SSB/CW (rx only, of course) out of the box for less than $50! I just posted a short preliminary review of the RT-860 on YouTube:

Click here to view on YouTube.

Comparing the Tecsun PL-880 and PL-660 in an RFI-Rich Environment

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahon, who notes that he’s published a new post on his blog, The Herculodge.

This time, Jeff examines the Tecsun PL-880 vs. PL-660, exposing the quirks and realities of DSP-based radios in his interference-heavy household. Jeff finds that in real-world conditions, the trusty PL-660 often outperforms the PL-880—especially when battling household RFI.

Check out the full post here.

A Timeless Receiver: Going Old School with the Lowe HF-150

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dale (W4OP), who shares the following guest post:


Going Old School: The Lowe HF-150

by Dale (W4OP)

Lowe Electronics of Great Britain introduced their first shortwave receiver, designed by Jon Thorpe, in 1987: the model HF-125. The HF-125 was a 30 kHz to 30 MHz compact receiver with three filter bandwidths and AM/SSB/CW detection. As with all of the Lowe receivers, the HF-125 combined excellent build quality with no-nonsense operation. Options included a whip amplifier, keypad for direct frequency entry, and an AM synchronous detector. The diminutive receiver was an instant hit and was manufactured until 1989, when it was replaced by the HF-225. While slightly larger (9” x 10” x 4”), the HF-225 included the built-in whip amplifier, but AM sync was still an option. The HF-225 had a long run from 1989 to 1997. The front panels of the HF-125 and HF-225 were very similar and easy to operate.

There was also a “professional” version of the HF-225 called the HF-235. It was considerably longer than the HF-225 with rack handles, a front-facing speaker, keypad, and, I believe, a built-in 110/220 VAC power supply.

In 1991, Lowe, under the design of Thorpe, introduced the remarkable HF-150, the subject of this paper. Gone were the painted and bent metal enclosures, replaced by a beautiful anodized, extruded aluminum cabinet almost 1/8” thick. The HF-150 was also smaller (7.3” x 3” x 6.3”) and lighter. While the keypad was still an option, the HF-150 now contained built-in batteries and a built-in charger.* When the HF-150 came out, rechargeable batteries were NiCad, and typical capacity was 1000mAh. The HF-150 typically draws 250mA, so the NiCads in the HF-150 might give you 4 hours of run time. Today, we have NiMH batteries that have a higher energy density than NiCad cells, and I routinely see 2800mAh. That means around 10–11 hours of run time on a single charge.

In the HF-150, the whip preamp is built in, not an option. The whip and its preamp are equivalent to the short active antennas we often see in use today. This is a great feature and results in very good sensitivity from a very short antenna. A three-position slide switch on the rear panel allows for running from the active whip, a conventional antenna like a dipole, or a random wire. The slide switch also allows for introducing a -20dB attenuator to prevent overload. This was a condition often seen in Europe back in the day when there were so many high-power shortwave stations.

Also on the rear panel is a socket for the optional keypad, a socket for an external speaker, and a socket for a recorder output. The two battery boxes house a total of 8 AA batteries.

The front panel could not be simpler or more elegant in its design. There are only 2 knobs—AF Gain and Main Tuning—and three momentary push buttons. The use of these three buttons is the magic in this receiver.

The leftmost push button controls 60 memories. The main tuning knob cycles through the memories at about 25 memories per knob revolution.

While in the memory mode, the center and right-hand push buttons allow for recalling the current memory or storing the current frequency, respectively.

The rightmost push button changes the tuning speed to 100 kHz/step and allows for very fast QSYing through the entire receiver range. The frequency display in fast mode shows only the MHz and 100 kHz positions.

Press Fast again, and the display reverts back to displaying the 1 kHz least significant digit. The normal tuning rate depends upon the mode. In SSB, the steps are 8 Hz (1.6 kHz/revolution). Normal AM and AM Narrow are 60 Hz (12 kHz per revolution). There are four AM sync modes:

  • Double sideband sync  8Hz steps  1.6KHz/rev    7KHz filter
  • HiFi AM sync   8Hz steps   1.6KHz/rev                 7KHz filter
  • AM Lower sideband sync 8Hz and .8KHz/rev       2.5KHz  filter
  • AM Upper sideband sync  8Hz and .8KHz/rev      2.5KHz filter

Normal AM uses a 7 kHz filter, and there is also a narrow AM using the 2.5 kHz filter.

Recovered audio is the best I have ever heard on any receiver. I don’t make that claim lightly. It is just so smooth and wonderful to listen to—even using the internal 3” speaker.

Distortion is under 1% in all modes.

The synchronous detectors lock and stay locked. If you tune fast in sync mode, the receiver reverts to regular AM mode at a faster tuning rate and then relocks in sync once tuning is suspended.

In any mode, variable-rate tuning is used. Fast tuning of the main tuning knob will result in a tuning speed of 8x the normal rate in SSB and 6x the normal rate in AM/AM Narrow.

AM sensitivity is 1 µV from 500 kHz to 30 MHz and 0.3 µV if the whip amp is enabled.

SSB sensitivity is better than 0.5 µV from 500 kHz to 30 MHz and under 0.2 µV with the whip amplifier enabled. I have verified these numbers in my lab.

Dynamic range (reciprocal mixing) and 3rd order intermod are also respectable.

The receiver is simply luxurious to use. I know that is not a technical term, but it describes the receiver very well. The previously described aluminum extruded cabinet can likely be driven over without damage. Encoder tuning combined with the heavy tuning knob is velvet smooth. Black button-head cap screws add to a professional look.

When the 8 batteries are fitted, the receiver weighs in at just over 3 pounds and stays put while tuning or pressing buttons.

Third parties are making the optional keypad, and they may be found on eBay or the Lowe IO group. The same goes for the PL-259-fitted telescoping whip.

Lowe also offered an SP-150 matching speaker and S-meter (audio-derived, I believe) and a very nice preselector (PR-150). Both bring premium prices today.

As the receiver was produced, the LCD did not have backlighting, making it difficult to use, say, bedside at night. As you can see from the first photo, I have backlit mine and those of a number of friends. It is not difficult, but also not for the faint of heart, as it involves delicately removing the silver film on the rear of the LCD display. The Lowe IO group describes a couple of methods for accomplishing backlighting.

There are no surface-mounted parts, and as the main board is uncrowded, repair is easy. There is a long service document that is so in-depth that you could build your own HF-150—assuming you could get the firmware into the microprocessor. I wish other pieces of gear I own were half this detailed.

Jon Thorpe designed one other receiver for Lowe, the HF-250. It is a thing of beauty, also with its 3D black anodized front panel. More filters and features and quite rare today. After designing the HF-250, Jon was hired by AOR, and the well-known AOR7030 was the result.

After Jon left, Lowe did not produce any other receivers I am aware of, but they did privately badge the Palstar R-30 under the Lowe HF-350 model.

I trust the numbers I have provided are reasonably accurate, and if not, Lowe documents will provide better information anyway.

*Note: Users must be very careful not to run the HF-150 from its AC supply while the receiver is fitted with alkaline batteries. The result will be corrosion of the two battery boxes.

Jeff’s short review of the Tecsun PL-880

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahon, who notes that he’s recently published a short review of the Tecsun PL-880 on his blog, The Herculodge.

Jeff has discovered something that portable radio enthusiasts have known for more than a decade: the PL-880 sports some of the best audio fidelity in a modern portable radio!

His review prompted me to search for my original review of the PL-880. It turns out I published it in December 2013. Has it really been over 11 years since the PL-880 was introduced? It’s hard to believe—but I’ll admit it still holds its own. I’ll never let mine go.