SWL F-14368 Frank
mardi 25 mars 2025
lundi 24 mars 2025
Introducing the XHDATA D-808 Radio Receiver with SSB mode
Introducing the XHDATA D-808 Radio Receiver
The Chinese radio receiver brand XHDATA is increasingly well-known among enthusiasts of FM, AM, SSB (Single Sideband) radio for listening to amateur radio, and airband for listening to airplanes and airports!
The XHDATA D-808 is the brand's most advanced receiver and also the most expensive.
It can receive a wide range of frequencies in AM, FM, and SSB.
FM: 87.5–108 MHz/64-108 MHz With FM RDS Stereo/Mono
Medium Wave 520-1710 KHz/520-1620 KHz
Long Wave 150–450 KHz
Short Wave 1711–29999 KHz
AIR Band 118–137 MHz
For 80 euros in Europe, this is a really inexpensive receiver for capturing all these things.
Price can be cheaper in the USA
https://www.xhdata.com.cn/collections/xhdata-sihuadon/products/d-808-radio
You can buy it on many websites, but this brand's website is very good, and unlike some brands, XHDATA can broadcast its radio stations to many countries around the world.
https://xhdata.fr.aliexpress.com/store/1038598?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_home.pcShopHead_6158915.0
I've ordered from Xhdata.com.cn several times and have always received the receivers I ordered.
Payment is possible via PayPal.
https://www.facebook.com/XHDATA.official
https://www.tiktok.com/@xhdataradio?
https://www.instagram.com/xhdata1
It's a small radio that's easy to carry and use.
8 cm high, 15 cm wide, and weighs 265 grams.
Here are my photos when my package arrived in France Europe
samedi 22 mars 2025
How to easily listen to amateur radio bands ?
Hello, I've been Frank SWL since the 1980s, and I've also been FØDUW, which is my amateur radio call sign.
One day in the 1990s, I too decided to listen to the amateur radio bands between 10 meters and 160 meters (1.8 MHz to 28 MHz).
At that time, I had a good KENWOOD R5000 receiver and a 20-meter cable on the roof of my apartment, which was 30 meters above the ground!
To identify amateur radio operators' call signs, I had a book-style guide with a list of all amateur radio countries. For amateur radio operators, these are DXCC entities, of which there are nearly 340.
In 2025, with a computer, a tablet, and the internet, or a smartphone, you can find free information to identify amateur radio operators' call signs and find out which country they are broadcasting from.
Since I had practiced DX on 27 MHz (11 meters) and listened to AM radios on medium and shortwave, I already had some experience. I also spoke a little English, which I had learned at school and later perfected as I traveled extensively.
In fact, radio amateurs use a universal language called Q code (like Quebec) and use the international alphabet, such as A = Alpha.
List of DXCC entities
https://www.f4hxn.fr/liste-des-prefixes-dxcc/
https://www.ng3k.com/Dxcc/dxcc.html
Propagation on HF band 3 to 28 MHz
https://icomjapan.blogspot.com/2023/07/the-most-simple-way-to-know-if-there-is.html
https://www.hamqsl.com/solar.html
Listening well depends on your receiver and antenna, but also on propagation.
We're lucky because in 2025, radio wave propagation is very good. This depends on the solar cycle, which lasts 11 years. When solar activity is strong, propagation is very good, but even at the lowest solar activity, there's still good DX to listen to (DX = long distance). Even in Europe, there are rare DXCCs to listen to, for example, on the 40-meter band.
Each band has its own characteristics. When solar activity is strong, it's easy to hear distant countries between 10 and 20 meters.
SSB (LSB) is used from 1.6 to 40 meters. USB (LSB) is used from 30 meters to 10 meters.
From 1800 kHz to 10150 kHz, DX is best after dark.
You can use WEB SDR or KIWI SDR from your computer and the internet.
What is SDR?
A Web SDR is a software-defined radio receiver connected to the internet, allowing multiple listeners to listen and tune to it simultaneously. SDR technology allows all listeners to tune independently and therefore listen to different signals; this contrasts with the many conventional receivers already available on the internet. There are several on every continent, including several in France.
My Favorite SDRs
http://rigi.dyndns-remote.com:8091/
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/
I also wrote several articles in English:
https://icomjapan.blogspot.com/2023/12/listen-world-for-free-on-your-computer.html
In 2025, something very important are DX clusters.
In the 1990s, it took me five years to confirm 250 DXCC entities with paper QSL cards. At that time, you had to search for DX! Unfortunately, following a move, QRM made me stop listening... I resumed listening on WEB SDR a few years ago, without QRM!
DX Clusters are the easy solution for quickly listening to many DXCC entities.
My favorite cluster is this one: http://www.dxsummit.fi/#/
On this cluster, clicking on the DX call sign takes you to QRZ.COM, which provides information about that station.
My call sign, FØDUW, for example, is https://www.qrz.com/db/F0DUW
There's even a very useful atlas for locating DX stations.
A great free book in English and in PDF format to help you understand DX
To listen SSB mode you can buy a second hand radio receiver or a cheap price radio with SSB
lundi 10 mars 2025
SWL contest 2025 results
Thanks to the 35 SWL from 18 countries who participated in the SWL contest 2025 which consisted of listening to the maximum of radio stations and transmitters in SW and medium wave. Thanks to XHDATA radios and Klingenfuss publications who sent me something to listen to and identify many radio stations. I am also organizing a new contest which consists of listening to radio amateurs in SSB mode. See the results at the end. Organizing a contest is not easy and despite all the time I spent talking about the SWL contest 2025 whose rules have been read nearly 4000 times there are only 34 participations. Thanks to all those who talked about this contest.
https://webkiwisdrswl.blogspot.com/2024/09/swl-contest-2025-rules.html
Categorie MW and SW
1) Roberto de Italia 200 MW and 258 SW
2) Roberto Italia 216 MW and 123 SW
3) Nektarios Greece 106 MW and 210 SW
4) Manuel Mexico 120 MW and 144 SW
5) Pradip India 137 MW and 114 SW
6) Ranjit Nepal 47 MW and 142 SW
7) Santo Italia 44 MW and 102 SW
8) Sanil India 70 MW and 63 SW
9) Gene USA 54 MW and 58 SW
10) Adrian Malta 8 MW and 95 SW
11) Franck France (not me ) 14 MW and 53 SW
12) David Poland 16 MW and 35 SW
13) Pavel Czech 34 MW and 1 SW (web SDR)
14) Reinher Germany 2 MW and 22 SW
15) Chris Germany 3 MW and 7 SW
Catégorie Medium wave
1) Allen Canada VO1001SWL 409 MW !!!
2) Peter Netherlands 258 MW from 43 ITU !
3) Patrick Austria 252 MW
4) Angelo Canada 125 MW
5) Stephano Italia 111 MW
6) Shinya Japan 70 MW
7) Jacub Czech 62 MW
8) Raoul Netherlands 13 MW
Catégorie Shortwave
1) Hallvard Norway 247 SW (web SDR)
2) Travis USA 184 SW
3) Frank France 167 SW (web SDR)
4) Beran Czech 105 SW
5) Sekar India 100 SW
6) Michael USA 35 SW
7) Jose India 63 SW
7 BIS) Anatoly Russia
8) Klaus Germany 59 SW
9) Koray Turkey 38 SW
10) Richard USA 35 SW
11) Reinhard Germany 20 SW
Sorry i forget SWL Anatoly ! So Russia was also in this contest.
Thank you Anatoly and sorry for my mistake.
https://rusdx.narod.ru/BUL.htm
I organize a new contest for 2025, start 01 March 2025 and finish 31 October 2025
The name of this contest is SSB SWL Contest 2025
The goal is to listen amateur radio bands from 10 meter (28 MHz) to 40 meter (7 MHz) in SSB mode phone (USB and LSB)
Listen maximum of DXCC entities in 8 months.
This contest is also open to amateur radio operators (see the rules)
We have few sponsors!
Rules of this contest:
https://chinaradiosswl.blogspot.com/2025/02/ssb-swl-contest-2025-rules.html?spref=bl
Facebook page for this SSB contest
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1241894917180398
I would like to say thank you to XHDATA radios who are our sponsor since 2023
Klingenfuss Radio Monitoring Publications
on CD
Worldwide HF Communication Today
PLUS all professional utility radio stations from 0 to 30 MHz -
PLUS more than nine hundred brandnew digital data decoder screenshots
PLUS Bedienungs-Oberfläche auch in Deutsch!
vendredi 28 février 2025
ICOMJAPAN: Comment écouter facilement les radioamateurs ?
samedi 15 février 2025
Règlement du concours SSB SWL et RADIOAMATEUR 2025
mercredi 5 février 2025
SSB SWL Contest 2025 rules
Hello I am Frank SWL F14368 / FØDUW near Paris France.
I have decided to organize a new SWL contest in 2025 who will start the 01 March 2025
There is no need to register to participate in this contest, you can start at any time, even for example just in July for example.
What is SWL of amateur radio ?
https://www.wimo.com/en/swl-amateur-radio
Le reglement de ce concours en Français
https://webkiwisdrswl.blogspot.com/2025/02/reglement-du-concours-ssb-swlet.html
En Espanol
https://icomjapan.blogspot.com/2025/02/reglamento-del-concurso-ssb-swl-y.html
TRANSLATE in your language
https://translate.google.com/?sl=fr&tl=en&op=translate
This SSB contest is open to SWL and amateur radio operators.
SSB = Single sideband mode (USB & LSB)
This SSB contest start 01March 2025 and finish 31 October 2025
Only phone mode SSB(Amateur radio operators talk together with voice (phone), no F4, FT8 please)
Beginners are welcome. This is an SWL contest, but also amateur radio operators or DX'ERS on 11 meter are welcome. If you are a HAM and make QSO you can participate but enter your contacts as an SWL.
The goal will be to listen a maximum of DXCC entities in eight months (8 months) but only in SSB mode (single sideband USB or LSB or Phone)
If very easy, when you have listened a DXCC like France between 10 and 40 meter its FINISH, you have confirmed FRANCE DXCC now try to listen a new DXCC !!! The band is not important, the goal is to listen the DXCC.
Bands in SSB mode
10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 40 meter.
28, 24, 21, 18, 14 and 7 MHz
Why 8 months ?
Because from March 2025 to October 2025 they are the biggest amateur radio contests organized by amateur radio clubs and organizations.
ARRL SSB contest
CQ WPX
Field day ARRL
IARU HF world championship
IOTA contest
10-10-INT summer contest SSB
All Asian contest phone
IARU Field day SSB
WAE DX contest ( working all Europe )
Oceania DX contest SSB
And the biggest one is the CQ WW DX contest SSB
In fact every weekend Saturday and Sunday they are SSB contests
Dates of amateur radio contests: https://www.contestcalendar.com/contestcal.html
They are also DX expeditions on rare DXCC entities
On my Facebook group, i will give info about DX expedition and contest during our SSB contest 2025
All these HAM radio contests are in SSB mode.
In the world they are around 200 countries but for amateur radio they are 340 DXCC entities.
Example Corsica island is not a country (its France) but for amateur radio it's a DXCC entities.
TK is the prefix. I will give you many links to important information like DXCC list, etc.
Do I need to be registered to work this SSB contest ?
NO There is no need to register to participate in this contest, you can start at any time, even for example just in July for example.
Questions and Answers
I am an amateur radio opérator who i can work this contest ?
Answer: the SWL just need to listen DXCC entities, you need to make contacts with maximum of DXCC entities ans send you log like the SWL's. Theye is a categorie for amateur radio opérators because its not easy like to be a SWL !
Do you have sponsors for this SSB SWL contest ? YES I will try to find few gifts !!! All participants will receive an AWARD by mail.
If I have sponsor, the problem is many sponsors cant sent to all the countries in the world because the price of shipping is really expensive.
I am beginner and I never listen to amateur radio bands in Phone SSB, do you think it's really difficult to do it ? My answer NO is not difficult. I will explain you all this and give sympathetic links.
I am a DX'er on 11 meter, i have a CB antenna. can i listen from 10 to 40 meter with my antenna ?
My answer YES it will be easy to listen from 10 to 20 meter with you CB radio antenna. if you would like a better antenna for 20 and 40 meter make a long wire antenna with 20 meters of electician wire.
Can I start the contest for example only in July 2025 ?
YES you can start the SSB contest when you like. But to listen a maximum of DXCC entities it's better to start early !!! Also remember to send me when you will start to work this contest a message because you must register to participate in this contest. Thank you.
I don't have an SSB radio receiver, my radio receiver can only listen to AM, can i use a WEB or KIWI SDR on my computer or smartphone ? YES you can use a Kiwi or Web SDR, but you must use the same SDR during all the SSB contest. My English is not good do you think I can work this SSB contest ? Me to i am French and my English is not so good !!!
YES amateur radio in contest make very short contacts and use international alphabet. Example FØDUW foxtrot zero delta uniform whisky de WA1NB wisky alfa one november bravo you are 5/9 five nine (so you just need to learn international alphabet but I will give you a link to learn this and to know how to count from 1 to 9 in English language) There is a categorie in this contest for SWL who will use a kiwi or web SDR.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_phonetic_alphabet
Can I listen during the week ? YES everyday they are amateur radio who work DX or local contest in SSB. You listen when you have time.
I have a radio receiver with SSB mode but to listen amateur radio bands 10 to 40 meter what is the best antenna ?
My answer: if you have only a cheap price radio receiver maybe only a wire of 5 or 10 meter long will be OK. In English 16 feet or 32 feet will be OK. Its better if you antenna is outside. You can also use active loop antenna. For listener who have very nice receivers like ICOM, YAESU etc they can have long wire. Its the same for listeners who use SDR on a computer.
OK if you have more question please contact me. swlcontest@gmx.fr
Now the Log:
Please send your log at the end of the SSB contest 2025 (send before the 10 November 2025 please)
Give me your name ( I will keep for me but in need to make your awards), your e-mail address. Your call sign if you are an amateur radio operator or SWL call if you have one. If you are a SWL with not call just give me your name please.
Do you use a real radio receiver or a Web or Kiwi SDR. If you use a kiwi or web SDR give my the address of this SDR like http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/ You can listen via a Web or Kiwi SDR in Europe even you are in ASIA. Remember always use the SAME SDR !
For SWL and amateur radio who use real radios TX RX please tell me what is your equipment please.
They are 2 categories for SWL with real receiver and antenna ( also for amateur radio operators who will make real radio contacts )
and the second categorie is listeners with a Kiwi or WEB SDR.
Best gifts will be for people who use real radios and antennas.
Remember shipping price are very expensive so the sponsors cant send to every place in the world.
I can give some personal gifts only for France because poste office is very expensive ( near 40 US Dollars outside europe for 0 to 500 grammes )
Exemple of LOG:
Date example 8 March
10:00 UTC
Frequencie 28470 SSB
Call sign (QRZ) of the DX station RA3GBV
(When you send a QSL card to an amateur radio operator as a SWL you must give the call sign of the station who was in QSO with this operator) For this contest you dont need to tell me who was in contact with the DX.
You don't need to send QSL or receive QSL card for this SSB contest.
Name of DXCC for RA3GBV is European Russia
(look on QRZ.COM https://www.qrz.com/db/ RA3GBV)
R/S you listen RA3GBV example 5/9 (radio five / signal nine)
https://www.hamradioschool.com/post/practical-signal-reports
Please when you will send me your list (log) at the end of the contest make your list by ALPHABETICAL ORDER. Its very important for me to see if you dont log the same DXCC entitie two times. Use English names for DXCC like Albania, Brazil etc please. Thank you.
Tell me how many DXCC entities you have listen.
https://www.ng3k.com/Dxcc/dxccen.html
You can send your log in PDF, Exel or like a normal message.
Please make a declaration on your honor that you have respected the rules of this competition and have not cheated.
Send your log before the 10 November 2025 please. Thank you.
Please send your log to swlcontest@gmx.fr
Thank you de Frank SWL F14368 / FØDUW near Paris France Europe.
IMPORTANT LINKS FOR THIS SSB CONTEST
DXCC list
https://www.ng3k.com/Dxcc/index.html
https://www.ng3k.com/Dxcc/dxcc.html
https://www.ng3k.com/Dxcc/dxccen.html
Dates of amateur radio contest and rules
https://www.contestcalendar.com/contestcal.html
WEB cluster
Propagation on HAM bands
https://www.hamqsl.com/solar.html
https://dr2w.de/dx-propagation/
QRZ.COM
https://rx-tx.info/table-sdr-points
What is Split Operation in Ham Radio?
FACEBOOK group for SWL of SSB mode (this is my group dedicated to lister SSB mode)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1241894917180398
HAM RADIO WEB SDR or KIWI SDR
http://rigi.dyndns-remote.com:8091/
http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/
UTC time
https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/timezone/utc
How to use a Kiwi or WEB SDR
https://icomjapan.blogspot.com/2023/12/listen-world-for-free-on-your-computer.html
International alphabet used by amateur radio operators
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_phonetic_alphabet
DX expeditions news and dates
https://www.ng3k.com/misc/adxo.html
https://www.dxmaps.com/dxcalendar.html
R-S-T system (R/S)
Understanding Single Sideband (SSB)
- SW external antenna jack.With this receiver you can plug a long wire to listen SW bands.
Escuchando La Radio
Thank you to Hugo DX Hoekje
https://hugosdxhoekje.wordpress.com/
Merci a GABY F5PSI et son bulletin DX
Pour recevoir ses infos DX contactez le grace a cette adresse mail f5psi@wanadoo.fr.
Thany you to Gayle Van Horn W4GVH
Gayle Van Horn W4GVH
Global Radio Guide https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNSYN8PK/
Shortwave Central Blog http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/
Shortwave Central YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/ShortwaveCentral
X/(Twitter) @QSLRptMT
Teak Publishing http://www.teakpublishing.com
X/(Twitter) @TeakPublishing
Spectrum Monitor/Bits & Bytes Columnist
Shortwave Central Kiwi SDR http://21118.proxy.kiwisdr.com:8073/
Northshore Studios
Mandeville, LA
Thank you to The DXZone https://www.dxzone.com/ssb-swl-contest-2025/
I would like to clarify the situation for sponsors and where they can send gifts. Unfortunately, due to technical issues and shipping costs, sponsor gifts cannot be sent to every country in the world. There is France, Europe, Asia, and North America. For other continents, I don't know if a sponsor will be able to send a gift. For Asia, only certain countries are possible. Otherwise, if there is a SWL and a radio amateur, for example, for Europe, the best scores will receive gifts. If there are four gifts for Europe, I will share equally among the best scores in both categories. I will try to do my best. Remember to respect the rules; any logs that are not correctly completed will be rejected. The same goes for cheaters. Thanks in advance.
You cand be a SPONSOR for this contest (my last contest rules was read by more of 4000 listeners)
Contact me please swlcontest@gmx.fr
SPONSORS of the SSB SWL Contest 2025
Sponsor 1 for Asia
XHDATA
The specialist in radio receivers for SWL at low prices but of good quality
Electronic Audio Equipment Communication Devices Portable Devices Emergency Devices Home Appliances Multi-Functional Devic
Klingenfuss Publications
Hagenloher Str. 14
72070 Tuebingen
Germany
E-Mail info@klingenfuss.org
Phone +49 7071 62830
Fax +49 7071 600849
Internet http://www.klingenfuss.org
on CD
Worldwide HF Communication Today
PLUS all professional utility radio stations from 0 to 30 MHz -
PLUS more than nine hundred brandnew digital data decoder screenshots
PLUS Bedienungs-Oberfläche auch in Deutsch!
Utility database: 8,815 special frequencies from our international bestseller 2025/2026 Guide to Utility Radio Stations. Plus 930 abbreviations and 24,212 formerly active frequencies - all on one compact disk for PCs with Windows. Not only can you browse through all that data in milliseconds, but you can search in next to no time - even combined! - for specific frequencies, countries, stations, languages, call signs, and times as well. It can't get faster than this!
Thank you to Quansheng Electronics Co., Ltd.
DXer.ca website in CANADA (sponsor for USA and CANADA)
Listening In Radio
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The XHDATA D-220 is a portable AM/FM radio. He has excellent reception and listening. It is a BATTERY OPERATED RADIO with EASY TO CARRY; EASY TO USE; EXCELLENT SIGNAL RECEPTION; GOOD SOUND QUALITY functions.
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