Re: [IRCA] LINK FOR XHDATA D-808 PURCHASE

[Gary DeBock <d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Mike,

<<< Is there any reason why this radio is not available in North America,
except through sketchy fly-by-night re-sellers? >>>

Well, when Chinese engineers take the CC Skywave SSB model and reverse-engineer the radio to make a significantly more sensitive AM-DXing portable (with a longer loopstick), a more powerful audio amp (correcting a serious weak point) and offer the new model worldwide at a price about half of the Skywave SSB (except for North American purchasers, who pay about $112), the Chinese engineers probably don't want to risk a copyright lawsuit by selling the model openly in North America. And Universal Radio, Amazon etc. are probably all too aware of these facts, and don't care to support Chinese "reverse engineering."

73, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)

> On July 31, 2018 at 6:21 PM Mike Keval Brooker <keval.mike@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
> Is there any reason why this radio is not available in North America,
> except through sketchy fly-by-night re-sellers? I would be tempted to buy
> one if it was offered by, say, Universal Radio. Slightly better than the C
> Crane Skywave, yes. But I don't think it would beat my 40 year old
> Panasonic RF2200.
>
>
> 73
>
> Mike Brooker
> Toronto, ON
>
> On Mon, Jul 30, 2018 at 9:05 PM, Russ Johnson <radiok3pi@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > Really enjoying mine so far
> >
> > The audio characteristics match my ears better than any radio have.
> >
> > The most annoying thing is that the kickstand is far too short. You canât
> > read display. My easy solution was to clip a clothespin to the center of
> > kickstand for additional length needed. Works great
> >
> > Russ Johnson
> > Lexington NC
> >
> >
> >
> > > On Jul 29, 2018, at 7:18 PM, Gary DeBock <d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > >
> > > Thanks Craig,
> > >
> > > Unfortunately that seller has never offered to ship the model to either
> > the USA or Canada, despite the fact that he will ship it to Mexico for free
> > (go figure?).
> > >
> > > This is almost certainly related to the fact that a lot of the XHDATA
> > D-808 circuitry was "reverse engineered" from the C.Crane Skywave SSB
> > model, and the company is reluctant to risk a copyright lawsuit by selling
> > the model openly in North America. The eBay seller offering the model at
> > $112 tries to avoid this issue by shipping through Israel-- and he is
> > apparently doing a booming business by coming up with this solution.
> > >
> > > 73, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
> > >
> > >
> > >> On July 29, 2018 at 3:19 PM C B <bevdxer@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > >>
> > >> This Ebay seller has a special on the XHData D-808 for a couple more
> > days:
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> XHDATA D 808 Portable Digital Radio FM stereo/ SW / MW / LW SSB AIR
> > RDS Multi Band Radio Speaker with LCD Display Alarm Clock-in Radio from
> > Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group
> > https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Tecsun-PL-398MP-2-2-Full-
> > Band-Digital-Tuning-Stereo-Radio-Receiver-w-Stand-and-MP3/1504908567.html
> > >>
> > >> $79.78
> > >> XHDATA D 808 Portable Digital Radio FM stereo/ SW / MW / LW SSB AIR
> > RDS ...
> > >>
> > >> Cheap radio fm stereo, Buy Quality fm stereo directly from China
> > portable digital radio Suppliers: XHDATA D-808 ...
> > https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Tecsun-PL-398MP-2-2-Full-
> > Band-Digital-Tuning-Stereo-Radio-Receiver-w-Stand-and-MP3/1504908567.html
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> 73,
> > >>
> > >> Craig Barnes
> > >> Wheat Ridge, CO
> > >>
> > >> On Sunday, July 29, 2018, 3:51:01 PM MDT, shaftan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <
> > shaftan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> https://www.ebay.com/itm/XHDATA-D-808-Portable-Digital-
> > Radio-FM-stereo-SW-MW-LW-SSB-RDS-Air-Band-LCD/263589135532
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> I got mine here.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Rick S., Rodanthe NC OBX FM25go
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> From: fpeconsultant@xxxxxxx mailto:fpeconsultant@xxxxxxx <
> > fpeconsultant@xxxxxxx mailto:fpeconsultant@xxxxxxx >
> > >> Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2018 5:12 PM
> > >> To: Gary DeBock < d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx mailto:d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx
> > >
> > >> Cc: < shaftan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:shaftan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > <
> > shaftan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:shaftan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >; America, Mailing <
> > irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
> > >> Subject: Re: [nrc-am] XHDATA D-808-- The Summer Travel "Smoke Test"
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Hello again & thx for the info on the loop stick vs the Select A
> > Tenna..
> > >>
> > >> I have heard that the lithium battery can't be shipped to the USA &
> > is tough to obtain as well.
> > >>
> > >> Does anyone know if this is the case?
> > >>
> > >> Thx again
> > >>
> > >> Rich
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On Jul 29, 2018, at 0:31, Gary DeBock < d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx
> > mailto:d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto: d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx mailto:
> > d1028gary@xxxxxxxxxxx > > wrote:
> > >>
> > >> Hello Rich,
> > >>
> > >> <<< I have been seeing a lot about this radio & am considering
> > buying one - many posts mention a loop stick - my assumption is that this
> > doesn't come with the radio & people build them. Can someone tell me if
> > this is so & would using an old school Super Select-a-tenna give me similar
> > results? >>>
> > >>
> > >> Although the stock XHDATA D-808 model already provides good AM
> > sensitivity with its 3 7/8" (97mm) loopstick, its performance can be
> > dramatically boosted by replacing the stock loopstick with an
> > externally-mounted 7.5" transplant. A photo of such an enhanced D-808 model
> > is posted at https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/vk26lkhhu77q8buzuaido03fmy5s7x
> > st
> > >>
> > >> This 7.5" transplant loopstick is the same one used for
> > "supercharging" the Tecsun PL-380 model, as described in the construction
> > article posted at http://www.mediafire.com/file/
> > du3sr5cd9thqvau/7.5inch-LS-PL380.doc/file http://www.mediafire.com/file/
> > du3sr5cd9thqvau/7.5inch-LS-PL380.doc/file The enhanced D-808 model would
> > have AM sensitivity similar to that of a stock D-808 + Select-a-Tenna
> > combo, but would not require peaking the external antenna every time a
> > frequency is changed. This is a huge advantage for quick and easy "travel
> > DXing."
> > >>
> > >> 73, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On July 28, 2018 at 4:36 PM fpeconsultant via NRC-AM <
> > nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:
> > nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > > wrote:
> > >>
> > >> Hello - I have been seeing a lot about this radio & am considering
> > buying one - many posts mention a loop stick - my assumption is that this
> > doesn't come with the radio & people build them. Can someone tell me if
> > this is so & would using an old school Super Select-a-tenna give me similar
> > results?
> > >>
> > >> Thx
> > >>
> > >> Rich
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On Jul 28, 2018, at 14:09, < shaftan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:
> > shaftan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto: shaftan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:
> > shaftan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > > wrote:
> > >>
> > >> This is the best portable Iâve seen yet.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Rick Shaftan
> > >>
> > >> Rodanthe NC OBX FM25go
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> From: nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > <mailto: nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > <
> > nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:
> > nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > > On Behalf Of
> > Gary DeBock
> > >> Sent: Friday, July 27, 2018 1:18 AM
> > >> To: America, Mailing < irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:
> > irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:
> > irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > >; NRC < nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:
> > nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto: nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:
> > nrc-am@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > >
> > >> Subject: [nrc-am] XHDATA D-808-- The Summer Travel "Smoke Test"
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> 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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