Pictured with a Sony SRF-59 for size comparison.

Peter
Blackpool UK 

FM Selectivity Sihuadon R-108 106.9 vs107.0

https://youtu.be/Vo9Ybq2gO1I
Peter
Blackpool UK 

MW TA Sihuadon R-108 1010 WINS NY 5308km 3299 mi

ID "On New York's weather station, ten ten wins"
Blackpool UK indoor reception.

https://youtu.be/E1WZwStugtU

Peter

Nice catch Peter, any downsides yet to this receiver? I had one and sold it, there must have been a reason but I can't remember what!
Drifter

On Fri, Sep 16, 2022 at 01:28 AM, FenDrifter wrote:

Nice catch Peter, any downsides yet to this receiver? I had one and sold it, there must have been a reason but I can't remember what!
Drifter

Hi Guys,

For anyone interested, the good points and bad points of the XHDATA/ Sihuadon R-108 are fully covered in the detailed review posted in the 2021 Ultralight Radio Shootout at 
https://dreamcrafts.box.com/s/8y6855bnfmy45rnk46mzr7hb4pwjz8u8

Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)

 

Hello Gary,
I did of course re-read your 2021 ultralight shootout.
My incarnation of the R-108 seems better then the one you reviewed there, and the ones in your 7.5 inch R-108 slider video. They seem to have cured the strange noises etc,. The Amber back-light is much easier on the retina than the 1000 lumens white searchlight that my D-808 has :). The Sihuadon R-108 doesn't seem to have the numerous dead carriers that the XHDATA D-808 has either.
The black colour makes the white and orange labels easier to read than on the grey version. Ironically the black version was £2 cheaper than the grey version on Amazon UK.
Peter

Thanks Drifter, see my reply to Gary about the improvements in the newer version of the radio.
Peter

On Fri, Sep 16, 2022 at 01:59 AM, Peter 1956 wrote:

Hello Gary,
I did of course re-read your 2021 ultralight shootout.
My incarnation of the R-108 seems better then the one you reviewed there, and the ones in your 7.5 inch R-108 slider video. They seem to have cured the strange noises etc,. The Amber back-light is much easier on the retina than the 1000 lumens white searchlight that my D-808 has :). The Sihuadon R-108 doesn't seem to have the numerous dead carriers that the XHDATA D-808 has either.
The black colour makes the white and orange labels easier to read than on the grey version. Ironically the black version was £2 cheaper than the grey version on Amazon UK.
Peter

Thanks Peter,

Very interesting about the R-108 refinements. I suppose the Chinese designers have read my R108 review (and others) and improved upon the rough edges, but unfortunately those of us who purchased early R-108 models already have pretty indelible memories of the model's weak points for weak-signal AM-DXing. The FM and AIR band performance has always been above average in this class, however.

Gary
  

Hi Peter
Your comments are very interesting and make me wonder if I should try again. Just one question, does it have the 'soft mute' problem please?
Drifter

Well I just ordered another, even though I see from YouTube that it still has the terrible soft muting. Fingers crossed. 

Drifter 

Wow. The MW stations were coming in thick and fast today- my New York "locals" were booming in . The R-108 was able to match the Tecsun PL-398MP,  which has a much longer ferrite rod.
I might have some good distances today I'll check recordings later.
Peter
Blackpool UK 

1390 WEGP Relevant Radio Preque Is ME Sihuadon R-108 barefoot 4524km 2812 miles

Received indoors in Blackpool UK 0346UTC 17th September 2022
https://youtu.be/44F4kkBynjo
Peter

Peter, most of this size  look externally similar, but  is this an upgraded AR-1733?
I have the latter, which was better than average  - until battery leakage killed it...

Michael

Hi Peter
Much to my amazement my new R-108 just arrived! I only ordered it two days ago, and for thirty three quid including postage that's brilliant! Unfortunately the battery's completely dead (yes I did remove the tag 😊) so I'm waiting for it to charge before I can play. I have to admit I don't remember my first one being this small, so maybe I didn't have one before 🤔.
Watch this space for update
Drifter

Hi again Peter and all
My excitement has rapidly been destroyed, the unit's faulty! It wasn't a flat battery after all. I await now to see what the response is from the seller. Will update.
Drifter

 

Blimey £33. Where did you order it from?
Mine was £41 but it isn't faulty, Does yours look exactly like the one in my photo? I understand  there are some fakes around.
Peter

It might  be a clone, but even geographic originals can have quality problems.

Maybe I should give my originally happy but now corroded AR1733 a clean-up chance . . .

Hi Peter
I bought it directly from XHDATA as I have in the past. I chose the grey version which I prefer and I think it's identical but I've re-packed it ready to return, assuming I get the option. I've obviously written to them already but don't expect a reply until tomorrow. I'm obviously nervous due to the guarantee dilemma. Fingers crossed 🤞.
Drifter

Mine came from XHDATA, or Radiwow as they identify themselves on Amazon. Amazon fullfils the orders. The original price is £51, but Amazon have the grey one for £43 and the black one for £41. It is easier  to read the white and orange writing against a black background,  at least for me it is.
Didn't know there was an option to get it direct.