C.Crane Skywave Vs. XHDATA D-808... 1 kHz DSP Audio Shootout
For those who have ever wondered what the difference is between the narrowest (1 kHz) DSP audio on the basic (non-SSB) C. Crane Skywave and the XHDATA D-808 during all out TP-DXing, here is your chance to find out! These two models cost about the same (around $90), and are currently the most popular radios for portable, split frequency DXing.
A t 1307 UTC this morning I recorded the signal from 837-Harbin (which provided a nice "Harbin" ID at 1300) on both portables at exactly the same time, using the exact same 6" FSL antennas, with optimal inductive coupling at exactly the same distances. The XHDATA D-808 audio is posted at https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/nri81cfsj8vjt5jg8o9qwjrc62vnd5g4 The C. Crane Skywave (non-SSB model) audio is posted at https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/ohir8dxsqt1jkgmk3dx9o2krndrccsxt Although these audio clips may sound "muffled" to an SDR-DXer, this a congenital issue with the current state of the DSP art in inexpensive portables, especially in the 1 kHz (narrowest) setting. Between the two models, however, there is one with superior 1 kHz DSP audio, in my opinion. But I won't spoil your own assessment by telling you which one I prefer :-) Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA) |
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