[IRCA] XHDATA D-808-- The Summer Travel "Smoke Test"

[Gary DeBock <d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

     Detailed information concerning the new, Chinese-made XHDATA D-808 AM-LW-FM-SW-AIR portable has been posted previously, including its hot-performing AM-DXing loopstick, SSB capability and rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This model was "inspired" (to be generous) by the C.Crane Skywave SSB model, which was manufactured in the nearby Redsun factories in China-- with the first model sold a few months before the D-808 was "reverse-engineered."

     As reported previously, the D-808 makes a few significant improvements over the Skywave SSB model-- a longer, more sensitive AM loopstick, a much stronger audio amplifier, and a much lower price ($112 on eBay, versus $169.99 for the Skywave SSB). After a few months with the company declining to ship to North American customers (apparently to avoid a copyright lawsuit because of the SSB circuitry, identical to that of the Skywave SSB), a single Chinese eBay seller is now doing a booming business, shipping the model to North American customers through Israel.

After performing two MW and one Longwave 7.5" loopstick transplants on the D-808 model, I can confirm that the model is well engineered (or maybe well reverse engineered?), with the loopstick connections on the RF circuit board unusually accessible, and ideal for soldering larger diameter Litz wire. There are actually two terminal connections for this purpose-- most likely to make it easy for the XHDATA engineers to test out various loopsticks.

And a loopstick transplant on the D-808 may be easier to contemplate if you consider the fact that you will not be violating the XHDATA warranty by replacing the loopstick. Why not? Because there is no evidence of any XHDATA warranty on the model, either online, or in the documents shipped along with the portable :-)

     As such, I thought I would submit a D-808 model to a very rough break-in test during extensive summer travel these past two weeks. A 7.5" MW loopstick D-808 model was taken along during road trips to eastern Washington (complete with 100 degree F/ 43 degree C temperatures), rough mountain roads (on Mount Rainier, Mount Baker and Hurricane Ridge) and a visit to Vancouver, BC.

     Once the supplied 3.7v Lithium Ion battery is fully charged (via a supplied USB-type connector cord), the battery provides exceptional run time. I was able to use it for many hours of DXing over two weeks, with no apparent loss of power. The audio amp delivers a lot of response, even when signals are weak. It takes a little time getting used to the volume control being on the left side when the tuning control is on the right, but you catch on pretty quick. The enhanced 7.5" MW loopstick model is like the "King of Compact Portables," with sensitivity enough to dig out practically everything that any other portable on the planet could come up with-- with SSB capability and multiple DSP filtering selections to boot. For someone making an overseas trip or extended travel from home, it would be a dream portable. This is the first radio to use the full capabilities of the American-engineered Si4735 DSP chip-- with exceptional results.

     What finally got my undivided attention, though, was when the model was accidentally left in the trunk during our visit to Ellensburg, WA-- a location famous for 100 degree days in July. Multiple items in the trunk (shampoo, food, electric shavers, etc.) were zapped by the 104 degree temperature inside the trunk, and were either ruined, or refused to operate. As I turned on the burning-hot D-808 model I certainly expected the worst, especially when the temperature indicator showed "43 degrees C." Much to my astonishment the model performed flawlessly, though, delivering an S9 signal from the Snoqualmie Pass TIS station on 1610 kHz. Not once had the D-808 missed a beat over a tough two weeks, which included quite a few rough bumps, extremely hot days and long DXing hours. Despite the rather dubious design pedigree and lack of any manufacturer's warranty the D-808 had gained my respect as a hot-performing AM-DXing portable, ready to perform and persevere when conditions are rough. Although it's not an Ultralight radio, it certainly is an exceptional portable for the price. 


73 and Good DX,

Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)


    
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