One would think that with a higher number, the 109s would be better. If I were looking for another SW portable, the 808 would be an obvious choice. Thanks for the comparison.
thanks for this video. Off topic, I though for sure this apocalyptic movie on Netflix: Leave the World Behind would have short-wave radio for communications, but I did not see anything.
Hmmm... I just got my D808 (the Sihuadon flavor) and have had two D109s (intended to give to friends for emergency preparedness) for about two weeks now. Regarding reception (so far) my D109 is doing much better: it's considerably more sensitive and has the clearer audio. On all bands. Obviously, the D109 can't do SSB or Airband, but other than that, the stations come in much clearer on it about 95 % of the time. I don't know why. Maybe a fluke unit? Either the D808 being worse than the ones y'all got or the D109 being better. Both tested using only the internal antennas. The D808 I got can't even bring in some of the stations the D109 can on FM. I am in the Southwest of the Netherlands (about 60 km from Antwerp as the crow flies) and on no radio I ever had (I also own a Grundig Satellit 500 and a Sony Lissa - the latter with a rather large external FM antenna), was I able to pick up Belgian FM stations. The tiny D109 does it without breaking a sweat. I also have to say, that I find the D109 more intuitive to use, but that's personal preference. Add to that the price and a bit smaller dimensions and you have a clear winner in my book. I'll test the D808 for this week and if it keeps showing that worse performance I'll return it. Not worth the premium then to me.
I wonder why they don't make a D-808WB? Thanks for the video. Im new to these radios and trying to find my first one...I do want weather band because i live in an area that gets hurricanes. The 109WB just seemed like a good jack of all trades radio. Is there another that you can think of that might be a better choice? Thanks!
Not sure what you consider not that much more expensive, but I bought the 109 from Amazon this year for $33.99. Looks like the 808 is around a hundred bucks right now. Sure, 100 isn't that bad but I were going to spend that much I'd go ahead and get the Tecsun 330, but anyway I didn't even want to spend that much (just wanted something very basic)
I wouldn't expect $40 or $60 to buy much of a radio. Especially after the devaluing we have seen in the dollar in the past three years. The sweet spot is probably close to $100 these days.
Depends on what you need/expect. For less than $50 the D-109WB is surprisingly good and surprisingly nice. Those of us who are old enough to have grown up with radios have seen them get worse instead of better over the decades. The D109 gives you excellent FM reception, very good AM. The AM breakthrough is there on SW, but it’s not a dealbreaker, at least not for me. If you are serious about SW, it will be worth your while to spend a little more and get something like the D-808.
One would think that with a higher number, the 109s would be better. If I were looking for another SW portable, the 808 would be an obvious choice. Thanks for the comparison.
thanks for this video. Off topic, I though for sure this apocalyptic movie on Netflix: Leave the World Behind would have short-wave radio for communications, but I did not see anything.
Hmmm... I just got my D808 (the Sihuadon flavor) and have had two D109s (intended to give to friends for emergency preparedness) for about two weeks now. Regarding reception (so far) my D109 is doing much better: it's considerably more sensitive and has the clearer audio. On all bands. Obviously, the D109 can't do SSB or Airband, but other than that, the stations come in much clearer on it about 95 % of the time. I don't know why. Maybe a fluke unit? Either the D808 being worse than the ones y'all got or the D109 being better. Both tested using only the internal antennas.
The D808 I got can't even bring in some of the stations the D109 can on FM. I am in the Southwest of the Netherlands (about 60 km from Antwerp as the crow flies) and on no radio I ever had (I also own a Grundig Satellit 500 and a Sony Lissa - the latter with a rather large external FM antenna), was I able to pick up Belgian FM stations. The tiny D109 does it without breaking a sweat.
I also have to say, that I find the D109 more intuitive to use, but that's personal preference. Add to that the price and a bit smaller dimensions and you have a clear winner in my book.
I'll test the D808 for this week and if it keeps showing that worse performance I'll return it. Not worth the premium then to me.
Truth! Spend once, spend right!
I agree that my Sihuadon D808 is truly a great receiver including SSB!
I wonder why they don't make a D-808WB? Thanks for the video. Im new to these radios and trying to find my first one...I do want weather band because i live in an area that gets hurricanes. The 109WB just seemed like a good jack of all trades radio. Is there another that you can think of that might be a better choice? Thanks!
Not sure what you consider not that much more expensive, but I bought the 109 from Amazon this year for $33.99. Looks like the 808 is around a hundred bucks right now. Sure, 100 isn't that bad but I were going to spend that much I'd go ahead and get the Tecsun 330, but anyway I didn't even want to spend that much (just wanted something very basic)
It is a radio for different purpose… it has Bluetooth and great sound for FM
is there a bluetooth function for the D-109 radios? it is categorised as a bluetooth radio on the official site.
yes, to output your phone or other device audio in the radio. It does not export audio to other devices
Cool.
📻🙂
I wouldn't expect $40 or $60 to buy much of a radio. Especially after the devaluing we have seen in the dollar in the past three years. The sweet spot is probably close to $100 these days.
You would really be amazed of the D109 if it's as good as the ones I got...
Depends on what you need/expect. For less than $50 the D-109WB is surprisingly good and surprisingly nice. Those of us who are old enough to have grown up with radios have seen them get worse instead of better over the decades. The D109 gives you excellent FM reception, very good AM. The AM breakthrough is there on SW, but it’s not a dealbreaker, at least not for me. If you are serious about SW, it will be worth your while to spend a little more and get something like the D-808.