SIHUADON R-108 FM Stereo/LW/SW/MW/AIR Radio
April 2024
This is an update to the Radiwow R-108 Review published in 2019. A while back XHDATA had rebadged the Radiwow as the Sihuadon R-108. There have been a few updates along the way and this article will refer to those as well as the latest update available Spring 2024. The original review can be accessed here.
The original Radiwow and current Sihuadon models come from XHDATA (https://xhdata.com.cn/ )which markets many radios under the XHDATA name. Interestingly, this same factory produces the well-respected Skywave and Skywave SSB models for US-based C. Crane as well as the larger and very popular XHDATA D-808. US purchasers can buy through Amazon for the best price and easy returns.
Specifications & Features: (Applies to all versions of the R-108)
Bands: FM / FM Stereo / MW/ LW/ SW/ AIR
Auto Tuning Storage (ATS) function automatically scans and stores new stations
500 Preset Memories – 100 for each band FM, MW, LW, SW, AIR band.
Direct Frequency entry via keypad with Freq Button
Backlit LCD Display Freq – Time – Alarm Time – Temperature – Signal Strength – SNR
Alarm By Radio or Buzzer
Sleep Timer
Snooze Function
Key Lock Function
Reset Button on bottom
AM/SW Bandwidths: 6KHz, 4KHz, 3KHz, 2 KHz, 1 KHz
Music/Voice Audio Setting (Press #4 Button)
Variable Squelch Control (works on all bands)
Frequency Range:
FM : 64 – 108 MHz, 76 – 108MH, 87.5 – 108MHz Selectable
SW: 1711 ~ 29999 kHz
MW: 522 – 1620 kHz (9K Steps) – 520 – 1710kHz (10K Steps)
LW:150 ~ 450kHz (LW Can Be Disabled If Desired)
AIR:118-137MHz
Fast/Slow/Stop Tuning Speeds
Earphone Jack (Stereo)
FM/SW Antenna Jack
Defeatable Beep For Key Strokes
Power: Rechargeable BL-5C Battery, Charges via standard USB 5V/250mA external adaptor or computer USB Type C port
Output (Distortion 10%) ：1W
Speaker: 5W / 4Ohm
Dimensions Approx:188(W)×73(H)×27(D)mm
Weight: about 190g (Battery not included)
Some random remarks:
Some of the multi-function buttons are so labeled, and include:
9/10 KHz Select (Radio off)
LW On/Off: (Radio off) – Press to toggle Beep Off/On
(Radio on) – Press to toggle LW band On/Off
FM Set (Radio off)
Squelch/Tuning Step
ATS
FM ST (Stereo/Mono).
There is also one you will need to remember:
Key #4: Voice/Music Mode (I wish they had labelled this one).
The Squelch control works on all bands and is very easy to use.
In The Box:
Sihuadon R-108 Radio
External antenna wire (10 Feet)
USB C charging cable
BL-5C lithium battery
English User Manual – Japanese/Russian/German/Italian Available for download from https://xhdata.com.cn/
I had purchased an original Radiwow R-108 back in 2019 when they were first introduced. The radio was later rebranded as the Sihuadon R-108 and at some point the display backlight was changed from the original blue color to the current amber. Although I think the original blue display is prettier the amber display is more visible under different light conditions so it is an improvement.
Recently XHDATA sent me an updated Sihuadon R-108 but when I told them it still had the USB micro jack they said that was not the newest production with a USB C port and other updates and soon one of those arrived. So, I have three R-108s – the original Radiwow and two updated Sihuadons to compare.
Externally that middle Sihuadon version appears identical to the Radiowow other than for the change to the amber display. The newest of the three looks identical to that one except it now has the USB C jack. It appears that all controls and functions are identical on all three radios. We’ll take a look inside and look for any changes in performance as well.
In Use/Performance: For about $60 the R-108 performs quite well. XHDATA advises me that they have increased the Air Band sensitivity but I was not able to confirm that…I compared all three versions of this radio and they seemed pretty much identical on Air Band as far as I could tell…I found some weak transmissions which were received similarly on all three radios.
AM Reception: There are some real improvements on AM in the latest two versions of the Sihuadon R-108 both of which noticeably outperform my original Radiowow model. I noticed a big improvement in volume on weaker AM and SW signals so this new version has moved up to ** on the AM Mega Shootout List. Comparing the current R-108 to the C. Crane Skywave or the Tecsun PL-320 the main advantage of the R-108 is fuller more pleasing audio. Overall AM reception is good for this class of radio although the larger XHDATA D-808 does outperform it on AM most likely due to its longer AM antenna. (The R-108 ferrite rod is about 2.7”, the D-808 is 3.8 inches). I also found that a few extraneous ticks and pops which were most noticeable when using earbuds on the original Radiowow R-108 have been eliminated…great!
FM was solid and performs typically of today’s DSP portables. Very good sensitivity and selectivity with good sound so for $60 it’s a good choice for FM. and remains **** on the FM Mega List. You get stereo at the earphone jack and there is a Stereo/Mono setting which can be helpful…many otherwise excellent radios lack this feature.
SW reception was also good for this size and price range. I don’t give star ratings for SW but comparing the R-108 with other similarly priced radios SW whip sensitivity was fine…the included wire antenna will help a bit. The supplied wire antenna is 10 feet long while the typical reel-up antennas ($15 or so) are inexpensive and at about 23 feet will provide greater signal improvements. Here are two for you and note each comes with a clip for connection to the whip antenna of radios with no antenna jacks. Even for radios which do have antenna jacks, clipping to the whip will sometimes give more gain so try each way and see which is best for you:
Air Band was good too. I am far enough from my nearest airport that Air Band reception is usually marginal but I was able to hear several transmissions clearly and this is typical for my location.
Sound quality was also pleasant for such a small radio. The Music/Voice setting offers two good sound options for all bands and on AM/LW/SW you also have 5 bandwidth options to optimize reception and sound. In the past several years we’ve seen a trend of small, high-tech speakers delivering far nicer sound than small speakers of the past. The R-108 sounds wonderful for such a small radio.
A Quick Look Inside the Three Versions: The radios above are lined up in chronological order with Version #1 Left, Version #2 Middle and the current Version #3 on the right. Looking at the pictures there seem to be no huge changes which we sometimes see but there are some differences. You can see one adjustment point near the center of the board has been eliminated from Version 3 and the large capacitor in 1 and 2 has been replaced in the newest radio. It’s hard to draw any conclusions from this and here’s an interesting observation; the pictures would seem to indicate bigger changes between versions 2 and 3 but in fact the biggest performance difference occurs between version 1 and 2…both 2 and 3 perform better than the #1 with generally stronger weak signal sensitivity and volume on AM and SW.
Conclusion: The Sihuadon R-108 is an improvement over the original Radiowow R-108 and it is a darned cute little radio. At about $60 it is a great value.
Recommended!
radiojayallen 
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