Barlow Wadley XCR-30 vs XHDATA D-808 on domestic Chinese SW signal 9610 kHz

[@Kw1161]

Thanks SWL for showing the Barlow Wadley XCR-30 radio. This is the 1st time I saw one actually being used. Before that I first saw a picture of one in a book I purchased that reviewed shortwave radios called "Receivers, Chance or Choice" published be Gilfer publishing back in 1985 he published the specs and said that it was impressive performance considering the "primitive factory it was built in" So I am very impressed that your almost 50 year old non phase locked loop radio can give the modern computerized model a run for its money as we say here in the states. 73, and have a nice day!

[@swlistening]

Thank you so much for your comment! To me it seems as if these radios were built like tanks, very strong and almost impossible to break 🙂 I like mine a lot, I will post regular videos of this one in use on my channel.

[@F4LDT-Alain]

Good catch and interesting comparison, André. Once again, to my ears, the old analog radio produces a fainter but more stable signal. The dropouts are DSP radios' annoying flaw on signals with a lot of cyclic fading and/or phase rotation like this. China is so overwhelming on SW bands. Some evenings I give up after 20 minutes of only finding CRI and variants. Boring.

[@swlistening]

I agree with you that the Barlow Wadley has less fading and is just more pleasant to listen to. Like you, I am not a very big fan of CRI, they often obliterate other signals that I really want to catch. But some of the China National Radio signals are more interesting to me, like this one. More aimed at the domestic audience in China. Not as strong as CRI, not heard all the time. So, for me, still somewhat of a catch.

[@F4LDT-Alain]

@@swlistening Indeed. I wasn't even aware of what you said about these stations aimed to domestic audience. Thanks for the information.

[@FamtechVideos]

This is quite an interesting station actually, I have never picked it up, I only ever picked up CNR1, CNR2, as well as CNR7 and CNR17. Then again, you have a magnetic loop antenna, so you have a huge advantage over me. I am saving up for one, I think it will be my top priority, along with a Kenwood receiver for scanning. Edit: Fixed a spelling error.

[@F4LDT-Alain]

These Kendwoods are quite pricey aren't they? Beware where you order your MLA30+ from, see my comments (and others') under a recent video from André. Bootlegs with poor performance abound. I have been bitten by this. Have you recovered yet?

[@swlistening]

​@@F4LDT-AlainI was lucky to get my Kenwood at a very good price, about $60. But I was very lucky. Your advice about the MLA30+ is very good advice, thanks for that!

[@swlistening]

I would say the MLA30+ is an advantage, yes. But a long wire, in many cases, will give you almost the same performance. You should try using a 10 metre wire.

[@F4LDT-Alain]

@@StratmanII It works quite well, no issue whatsoever. The only radios I have some trouble with when connected to my MLA30+ are my D-219 and D-109. These two tend to overload badly. The PL-660 is a fantastic radio, I love it. Very smooth band browsing (no DSP chopped sound), separate BFO for SSB, great sound, large display. Its only weakness is air band. Not the greatest performer there, my D-808 and R-108 do somewhat better.

[@FamtechVideos]

@@swlistening I do use a 10 metre wire. Your altitude is also an advantage for you. I am only 49 metres above sea level Andre. You are about approximately 1,540m above sea level based on your QTH.

[@oz_dx]

XCR-30 sounds much better and does not have aggressive AGC with dropouts of fading signals.

[@swlistening]

I agree!