Date
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XHDATA D-109
On Wed, May 10, 2023 at 01:35 PM, Paolo wrote:
Thanks for your suggestion, and comments.
I think that the excellent speaker and audio of the D-109 make a lot of DXers wish that the D-808 had the same feature. At around US$30, the D-109 has much better audio than the D-808, priced at US$90. That (in addition to the slight drop off in AM-DXing sensitivity of the "new version" D-808) might affect XHDATA's sales of the pricier model.
Best of DX,
Gary
Now the D-109 is what I always wanted and yes it's SW (when selecting 10khz band)is superb /excellent - listening to it more than D-808.Paolo,
So much so I ordered another D-109.
Thanks for your suggestion, and comments.
I think that the excellent speaker and audio of the D-109 make a lot of DXers wish that the D-808 had the same feature. At around US$30, the D-109 has much better audio than the D-808, priced at US$90. That (in addition to the slight drop off in AM-DXing sensitivity of the "new version" D-808) might affect XHDATA's sales of the pricier model.
Best of DX,
Gary
Paolo
Gary,
Thank you for sharing that excellent info.
Have come up with an easy quick fix regarding the tuning dial.
Place a wide rubber band around the tuning dial as shown in photo below and the dial becomes much easier to rotate.
This provides better grip and an easy way to dial/move through stations and avoids the need to ever open/damage the unit which seems eventually futile.
Now the D-109 is what I always wanted and yes it's SW (when selecting 10khz band)is superb /excellent - listening to it more than D-808.
So much so I ordered another D-109.
Happy DX,
73
Paolo
Thank you for sharing that excellent info.
Have come up with an easy quick fix regarding the tuning dial.
Place a wide rubber band around the tuning dial as shown in photo below and the dial becomes much easier to rotate.
This provides better grip and an easy way to dial/move through stations and avoids the need to ever open/damage the unit which seems eventually futile.
Now the D-109 is what I always wanted and yes it's SW (when selecting 10khz band)is superb /excellent - listening to it more than D-808.
So much so I ordered another D-109.
Happy DX,
73
Paolo
On Tue, May 9, 2023 at 01:48 PM, Paolo wrote:
The XHDATA D-109 is not designed for easy or repeated disassembly, and as far as I know I am the only hobbyist who has done repeated disassembly of the model (as reported in the group post at
"Supercharged" XHDATA D-109 Model-- the Good, the Bad and the Ugly (groups.io)
The D-109 tuning knob is locked into the cabinet side with three snap-in locking claws, a fact which makes disassembly and reassembly of the model somewhat tricky (see attached photos). Every time the model is disassembled the tuning knob's knob's hexagonal shaft (made of plastic) is bent, making it necessary to bend the shaft back into a straight position in order to reassemble the radio. Too many disassembly attempts would break off the cheap plastic shaft, which probably motivates XHDATA to replace defective D-109's rather than repair them.
As for your questions about a bigger tuning knob, only XHDATA can answer that. Stiffness in turning the knob can happen if the plastic hexagonal shaft is bent, or if the alignment of the knob's plastic shaft with the digital encoder isn't precisely centered. Both of those issues can be easily corrected by a technician, but my guess is that XHDATA would rather replace this cheaply made model rather than repair it.
Best of DX,
Gary DeBock (ex-Navy Sonar Technician)
Puyallup, WA, USA
Can anyone advise who has opened the D-109, is there any way to make the tuning dial bigger?Paolo,
It seems too small to begin with and needs to be larger, not sure if they (xhdata) will fix/update this flaw.
Also does anyone else notice it becomes a tad stiff after turning? Will need to open to see if a fix can be made here.
The XHDATA D-109 is not designed for easy or repeated disassembly, and as far as I know I am the only hobbyist who has done repeated disassembly of the model (as reported in the group post at
"Supercharged" XHDATA D-109 Model-- the Good, the Bad and the Ugly (groups.io)
The D-109 tuning knob is locked into the cabinet side with three snap-in locking claws, a fact which makes disassembly and reassembly of the model somewhat tricky (see attached photos). Every time the model is disassembled the tuning knob's knob's hexagonal shaft (made of plastic) is bent, making it necessary to bend the shaft back into a straight position in order to reassemble the radio. Too many disassembly attempts would break off the cheap plastic shaft, which probably motivates XHDATA to replace defective D-109's rather than repair them.
As for your questions about a bigger tuning knob, only XHDATA can answer that. Stiffness in turning the knob can happen if the plastic hexagonal shaft is bent, or if the alignment of the knob's plastic shaft with the digital encoder isn't precisely centered. Both of those issues can be easily corrected by a technician, but my guess is that XHDATA would rather replace this cheaply made model rather than repair it.
Best of DX,
Gary DeBock (ex-Navy Sonar Technician)
Puyallup, WA, USA
Paolo
Can anyone advise who has opened the D-109, is there any way to make the tuning dial bigger?
It seems too small to begin with and needs to be larger, not sure if they (xhdata) will fix/update this flaw.
Also does anyone else notice it becomes a tad stiff after turning? Will need to open to see if a fix can be made here.
It seems too small to begin with and needs to be larger, not sure if they (xhdata) will fix/update this flaw.
Also does anyone else notice it becomes a tad stiff after turning? Will need to open to see if a fix can be made here.
Paolo
Did a test in the park (a place I goto weekly) and can definitely say the D-109 in auto scan picks up more stations than D-808 in sw using standard whip antenna.
Furthermore, it seems the D-109 is more sensitive as it locks onto extremely distant stations better than D-808.
Again using headphones to listen via the jack.
Furthermore, it seems the D-109 is more sensitive as it locks onto extremely distant stations better than D-808.
Again using headphones to listen via the jack.
Rik
I just did a quick comparison of strong signal Classical Music on the PL-330 and D-109 and the '109 is clearly the winner. It sounds like it has a 'wider' and 'fuller' frequency range. I have no idea if they use the same chip, or if RSSI numbers can usefully be compared but the '109 = 3312 and the '330 = 2607 side by side.
I suspect the '109 speaker maybe one with it's own enclosure inside the radio case but can't see a vent anywhere. The opening is 1&3/8th inch while the '330 opening is 2&1/8th. The PL-368 which has thinner audio measures 1&7/16th inch.
I suspect the '109 speaker maybe one with it's own enclosure inside the radio case but can't see a vent anywhere. The opening is 1&3/8th inch while the '330 opening is 2&1/8th. The PL-368 which has thinner audio measures 1&7/16th inch.
Just received my D-109 and put it through a quick runthrough.
AM/FM are excellent; better sensitivity and much better audio than the original CC Skywave at only slightly larger size.
Unfortunately in my area, all of SW is totally swamped by bleedthrough from strong MW signals. If I touch the telescopic antenna, body capacitance seems to improve it but I can still hear it in the background.
Planning to take it on some excursions to places having less signal density to see where the threshold is.
AM/FM are excellent; better sensitivity and much better audio than the original CC Skywave at only slightly larger size.
Unfortunately in my area, all of SW is totally swamped by bleedthrough from strong MW signals. If I touch the telescopic antenna, body capacitance seems to improve it but I can still hear it in the background.
Planning to take it on some excursions to places having less signal density to see where the threshold is.
On Thu, Mar 23, 2023 at 08:09 AM, Michael Schuster wrote:
Probably a lot of the group is interested in how the new XHDATA D-109 model stacks up in barefoot MW-DX sensitivity against the "original model" XHDATA D-808.
To make an accurate comparison of the two models, I set up both in the 1 kHz DSP bandwidth setting (which provides maximum sensitivity on weak stations) and tested them out on five MW-DX fringe stations during daytime DX conditions around local noon here in Puyallup, WA, USA. On each fringe station both models were both positioned for the best reception on the stock loopsticks. I first recorded 15 seconds with an "original model" D-808 on each fringe station, followed by 15 seconds on a new D-109 model, and combined the two recordings to make a 30 second "comparison MP3" for each fringe station (with the D-808 having the first 15 seconds in each recording). This format allows each individual listener to make his own judgement as to which model is more sensitive, and is the format followed in the 2021 Shootout (and other of my detailed reviews).
530- SeaTac Airport TIS (10 watts at 25 miles)
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/nk93zyvjgdry5jweg59pwc1kvvgg1jb8
790-KGMI Bellingham, WA (5 kW at 150 miles)
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/u632g5os5s2j7ab3lkbg4t7v0zb198mz
980-CKNW New Westminster, BC (50 kW at 180 miles)
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/m6rm7oey8noy8mo0114i0ng0h66ihm0d
1070-CFAX Victoria, BC (10 kW at 100 miles)
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/p1445z2xm44bp8l0kd46cs42oiudprw5
1470-KELA Centralia, WA (5 kW at 70 miles)
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/bbmj7t4yroj6lxmpvb6bllb1w8mharsb
Comments: Please bear in mind that this is a 70mm loopstick up against a 98mm loopstick, and that any external MW antennas (or transplanted 19cm loopsticks) would equalize MW-DX reception in these two models considerably. Also remember that an "original model" D-808 was used in this comparison, and not a "new model" D-808 (with the wimpier audio amplifier, which tends to act like a "de-facto" sensitivity reduction on extremely weak stations).
Based on the above recordings, I would be interested in knowing how others judge the relative MW-DX sensitivity of these two models. I will keep my own impressions private, so as not to influence others.
Best of DX,
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
Gary, can you comment on its barefoot MWDX sensitivity, as compared, perhaps, to the D-808 and R-108?Sure Mike,
--mike
Probably a lot of the group is interested in how the new XHDATA D-109 model stacks up in barefoot MW-DX sensitivity against the "original model" XHDATA D-808.
To make an accurate comparison of the two models, I set up both in the 1 kHz DSP bandwidth setting (which provides maximum sensitivity on weak stations) and tested them out on five MW-DX fringe stations during daytime DX conditions around local noon here in Puyallup, WA, USA. On each fringe station both models were both positioned for the best reception on the stock loopsticks. I first recorded 15 seconds with an "original model" D-808 on each fringe station, followed by 15 seconds on a new D-109 model, and combined the two recordings to make a 30 second "comparison MP3" for each fringe station (with the D-808 having the first 15 seconds in each recording). This format allows each individual listener to make his own judgement as to which model is more sensitive, and is the format followed in the 2021 Shootout (and other of my detailed reviews).
530- SeaTac Airport TIS (10 watts at 25 miles)
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/nk93zyvjgdry5jweg59pwc1kvvgg1jb8
790-KGMI Bellingham, WA (5 kW at 150 miles)
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/u632g5os5s2j7ab3lkbg4t7v0zb198mz
980-CKNW New Westminster, BC (50 kW at 180 miles)
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/m6rm7oey8noy8mo0114i0ng0h66ihm0d
1070-CFAX Victoria, BC (10 kW at 100 miles)
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/p1445z2xm44bp8l0kd46cs42oiudprw5
1470-KELA Centralia, WA (5 kW at 70 miles)
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/bbmj7t4yroj6lxmpvb6bllb1w8mharsb
Comments: Please bear in mind that this is a 70mm loopstick up against a 98mm loopstick, and that any external MW antennas (or transplanted 19cm loopsticks) would equalize MW-DX reception in these two models considerably. Also remember that an "original model" D-808 was used in this comparison, and not a "new model" D-808 (with the wimpier audio amplifier, which tends to act like a "de-facto" sensitivity reduction on extremely weak stations).
Based on the above recordings, I would be interested in knowing how others judge the relative MW-DX sensitivity of these two models. I will keep my own impressions private, so as not to influence others.
Best of DX,
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
On Wed, Mar 22, 2023 at 08:35 AM, radiojayallen wrote:
Currently there is only one of these models completed, and after making a few more up for friends (like Les), I'll probably "call it good." There really isn't enough free time here to make them up for sale, unfortunately.
73, Gary
Gary,Yes, certainly, Jay. But this loopstick transplant is a new procedure with technical challenges beyond those of the D-808 model, so I don't yet know if the process should be written up in a full construction article for others to try. Maybe-- if the demand is huge.
Asd usual it sure looks impressive...would you be willing to send me one? I will gladly pay all costs assocaited and it would be really intersting tgo see how it compares with more ambitious AM radios.
Currently there is only one of these models completed, and after making a few more up for friends (like Les), I'll probably "call it good." There really isn't enough free time here to make them up for sale, unfortunately.
73, Gary
On Tue, Mar 21, 2023 at 06:42 AM, radiojayallen wrote:
The new D-109 has received positive reviews from almost every AM-DXer, and the radio has an unsurpassed "fun factor" with its combination of relatively high fidelity audio into a powerful 5 watt speaker.
Upon initial review of the D-109 I was much like Les Rayburn-- very impressed with its AM-DXing capabilities but desiring a more sensitive loopstick for even greater AM-DXing performance. Although the model is a little tricky for loopstick transplants because of the hash-emitting digital display, eventually I found a new loopstick position which avoids the hash while transforming the model into a dream AM-DXing portable.
73, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
I've had my D-109 for few days now and my initial reponse is overwhelmingly positive. Comparing it with my original version D-808 the D-109 seems slightly more sensitive and has slightly fuller audio and its SD card reader allows scanning within tracks which many such players don't. Even though it lacks SSB I've got to say that for the price it seems like it's going to be hard to beat.Thanks Jay,
Jay
The new D-109 has received positive reviews from almost every AM-DXer, and the radio has an unsurpassed "fun factor" with its combination of relatively high fidelity audio into a powerful 5 watt speaker.
Upon initial review of the D-109 I was much like Les Rayburn-- very impressed with its AM-DXing capabilities but desiring a more sensitive loopstick for even greater AM-DXing performance. Although the model is a little tricky for loopstick transplants because of the hash-emitting digital display, eventually I found a new loopstick position which avoids the hash while transforming the model into a dream AM-DXing portable.
73, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)
radiojayallen
I've had my D-109 for few days now and my initial reponse is overwhelmingly positive. Comparing it with my original version D-808 the D-109 seems slightly more sensitive and has slightly fuller audio and its SD card reader allows scanning within tracks which many such players don't. Even though it lacks SSB I've got to say that for the price it seems like it's going to be hard to beat.
Jay
Jay