Your Ultimate Guide to a Portable Safety and Entertainment
As technology advances, emergency radios have transformed into sleek, rugged devices that make a style statement among radio enthusiasts worldwide. These radios typically feature AM and FM bands, a reading lamp, searchlight, SOS alarm signal light, and crucially, hand turbine and solar power for backup charging. Additionally, they offer USB power output, allowing them to charge smartphones on the go. In an age dominated by the internet, one might question the relevance of traditional radio. However, the enduring reliability and simplicity of traditional radio make it an essential tool in emergency preparedness.
Among the notable emergency radios are the Sangean MMR99 FCC, Kaito Voyager Max Ka900, Eton FRX3, Tecsun GR-98, Midland E+Ready ER310, Raddy RF750, and several others, each with its own price range. While these radios are designed in countries like the US, Germany, Taiwan, and China, the majority of them are manufactured in China, with stringent quality control overseen by their respective companies.
Closeup D-606WB
Adding to the lineup is the XHDATA D-608WB emergency radio, released on January 24, 2024. The D-608WB boasts multiple features and a simple, yet striking appearance, with its deep contrasting yellow front plate and four steel screws in each corner on a black body background, making it stand out. Notably, it is the only emergency radio in its size and class to offer the entire shortwave frequency.
Features and specifications of the D-608WB Features & Specifications:
FM: 64-108 MHz / 76-108 MHz (Stereo at Earphone Out)
Memories: 100 AM – 100 FM – 300 SW (Add Automatically or Manually)
Clock with Alarm & Sleep Timer
TF (MicroSD) Card Playback (Supports Up To 32 Gb Card)/Prev/Next Track/Loop & Fast Scan Modes
Flashlight with 3 Brightness levels
Flip Up Lighting Panel with 3 Brightness Levels
Earphone Jack 16 – 32 ohms (Stereo)
SOS Alarm Button
Enhanced Audio with Ported Enclosure
Lock Mode
Battery: Li-ion 18650 3000 mAh (Charges via USB C Port, Crank, Solar Panel)
Low Battery/Charge Indicators
USB Output for charging Cell Phones
Reset Button
Dimensions: (Approx) 6” W x 3” H x 1 ¾” D
XHDATA has emerged as a prominent player in the portable radio manufacturing industry
XHDATA D-808
over the past several years. With each new release, XHDATA has been steadily enhancing its radios, addressing previous issues and improving functionality. I personally own the iconic XHDATA D-808, which has garnered recognition worldwide, especially among Shortwave listeners (SWL), DXers, and radio amateur enthusiasts. Despite some quirks in the memory system and page setup, the D-808 is highly sensitive in MW, shortwave, and FM bands. In comparison which are both DSP (Digital Signal Processing) chip based radios, while the D-608WB lacks SSB (Single Side Band) and Air Bands, XHDATA has significantly improved its audio quality and memory system.
D-608WB Torcht
The inclusion of the NOAA Weather Band in the XHDATA D-608WB suggests it was primarily designed for the USA and Canada. NOAA, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, based in the US, focuses on understanding and predicting changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts. Their work is crucial for severe weather preparedness and international shipping. The NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is a 24-hour network of VHF FM weather radio stations in the US that broadcast weather information directly from nearby National Weather Service offices. As a result, this band may be redundant in other parts of the world.
In my testing of the D-608WB, I found it to be quite impressive. Despite living on the ground
D-608WB Reading Light
floor in an urban area with typical radio frequency interference (RFI) from LED lights, numerous electronic gadgets, and high-tension power supply wires, including multistory buildings, the shortwave band was able to tune to more than seventy DX (distant) stations, while the FM band picked up around sixteen stations. However, in the AM/MW band, only All India Radio’s Indraprastha (Delhi) at 819 kHz could be heard. I am confident that if I were located in a quieter area, such as on the city outskirts, the AM/MW band would have been able to pull in several nearby as well as DX stations.
Radio signals are influenced by various factors, including the season, time period, and weather conditions. Additionally, the receiving environment, electromagnetic interference, and the angle and azimuth of the receiving antenna can impact signal quality. To ensure optimal performance, it's important to update the ATS (Auto Tuning Storage) memory regularly to account for these changing conditions.
Despite its compact size (Approx. 6” W x 3” H x 1 ¾” D) and modest 2-watt RMS audio output power, the D-608WB delivers surprisingly full and satisfying sound quality, especially
D-608WB Side View
when listening in radio mode. This is thanks to its high-tech speaker system, which includes a "bass vibration plate air outlet" firing towards the back. The bass is notably robust, providing a thumping quality that remains distortion-free even at maximum volume.
In contrast, when playing music through a TF card or Bluetooth, the loudness is significantly lower. With only 2 watts RMS, this is to be expected. However, as an additional feature to an emergency radio, the sound output is sufficient for a small room or personal listening on the go. Nonetheless, I do wish it had the same level of loudness as in radio mode.
One of the most impressive features of the XHDATA D-608WB is its high-grade 3000 mAh lithium battery, which provides long-lasting power. In my experience, after using the radio daily for more than six hours a day for three weeks in radio, TF card, and Bluetooth mode, including phone calls, I have only had to charge the radio twice. Even after this extended use, there is still plenty of energy left in the battery.
I initially had concerns about accessing TF cards with thousands of tracks without a keypad
D-608WB Turbine
for direct track selection. However, XHDATA has implemented an innovative solution. When you rotate the tuning knob, it initially increments one track at a time. But with continued rotation, it switches to 30-track steps. This allowed me to easily reach tracks 1000 and 2000 in a relatively short time. While not as rapid as direct keypad input, this method proves practical, particularly given the radio's small size and budget-friendly price. For individuals who often need to choose specific tracks, a radio such as XHDATA's D-109WB, which includes a keypad, could be a more appropriate choice.
Areas For Improvement:
Areas for potential improvement include adding selectable Fast, Slow, or Stop tuning options like those on the D-808. Enhancing the MW band, as there appear to be issues (birdies) during the daytime. Strengthening the dust cover, as it currently feels flimsy. Ensuring the Micro SD Card sits flush so that the dust cover fits over it more securely. The tuning knob tends to tighten at a specific point after each full rotation, requiring adjustment. This aspect needs improvement for smoother operation. Furthermore, amateur radio enthusiasts would be delighted if the D-608WB included the SSB band.
The Final Verdict:
The XHDATA D-608WB AM FM Weather Alert Bluetooth Mp3 Player Shortwave Emergency Portable radio stands out as an exceptional device in its receiver category. It offers a full shortwave band, a three-mode flashlight and lamp, impressive speaker audio, a replaceable 18650 battery, 500 presets, WX (weather) alert, stereo audio that sounds great on headphones, USB Type C charging, above-average FM/NOAA/shortwave reception, all at a reasonable price.
Charming Chinese Knot
Who should consider getting the XHDATA D-608WB? Households would benefit from its compelling features and eye-catching design. It's a fun accessory for beach trips or essential for hiking in the wilderness. Additionally, having it in your home for daily use adds both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Interestingly, the D-608WB came with a charming Chinese Knot, a symbol of luck and prosperity in Chinese culture.
In times of natural disasters such as earthquakes, thunderstorms, floods, and wildfires, radios like the XHDATA D-608WB become lifesavers. When conventional communication methods like landlines, mobiles, and the internet fail, radios provide crucial information. Governments rely on radios as the fastest means of communication when power is lost and citizens are left in the dark.
Watch the XHDATA D-608WB in action in this YouTube video!
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Well written. Very useful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bishnu-Sir!
DeleteWhere to buy in India ?
ReplyDeleteHi, in India the XHDATA D-608WB is currently not available. However, one can directly import it through XHDATA's website, or other online sites.
Delete