Update: XHDATA has added the D-221 to their line…the D-221 is identical to the D-220 with the addition of the NOAA Weather band for US and Canadian users. I will describe it at the end of this article.

The XHDATA D-220 is a no-frills compact AM/FM/SW portable radio measuring 2.8″L x 1.1″W x 4.9″H. It is simple to operate with three controls: On/Off/Volume and Tuning thumbwheels and a Band Select switch. Available in three colors: Black, Orange and Green there is a slide rule dial, frequency coverage is AM: 520 – 1730 KHz, FM 1: 87 – 108 MHz, FM 2: 64 – 108 MHz and SW: 5.6 – 22 MHz.  XHDATA informs me that on AM the D-220 tunes in 1 KHz steps so it can properly tune to stations in all countries using either 10 KHz or 9 KHz channel spacing. It runs on two AA batteries, there is a flip out back stand, lanyard carrying strap and a stereo earphone jack so even though there is no FM stereo you will hear sound on both sides of stereo earbuds. It is currently selling on Amazon for $15.98. Rechecking on October 28th the price was down to $9.95 to $13.95 depending on color).

The D-220 is fairly simple to use and is good for receiving your local and regional AM and FM broadcasts and a taste of SW as well. It is actually quite sensitive and its reception is hampered only by its selectivity. The manual suggests that you tune slowly to avoid missing stations and this is key. To describe this more clearly, as you tune there are multiple peaks across each station and it is important to slowly tune back and forth to be sure you have landed on the strongest peak. You may also find that some stations may be skipped over as you initially try to find them but if you slowly tune back and forth they will pop in. This is quite common on radios which actually tune in digital steps but use analog-style tuning.  For example, I have two fairly strong stations on 590 KHz and 630 KHz and this radio can receive them both clearly but it takes careful tuning to isolate each one from the other even though they are 4 channels away from each other. This is clearly not aimed at those seeking cutting edge reception of distant signals…it is for people who want an inexpensive way to take their local and regional stations with them wherever they go and for that the D-220 will serve nicely.

SW reception is generally a challenge for very low-priced radios. The D-220’s SW coverage spans 5.6 to 22 MHz. Here in my US location there were many stations to be heard at night on the lower SW frequencies – in fact I was surprised at how many strong signals I found, but during the day there were only few listenable stations. I tried clipping a 23-foot reel up antenna to the whip antenna and heard a few more daytime signals but some FM breakthrough was noticeable. In other geographic areas SW reception would be much stronger on the daytime frequencies but again, nighttime SW reception was pretty decent. With such a wide SW frequency range compressed onto one band determining exactly what frequency you are on is not very precise but the inclusion of SW in a radio at this price is a good thing.

Sound quality was typical for an in expensive pocket radio…again, the purpose of this radio is easy portability and for that the D-220 will serve you well.

See it on Amazon: in Orange:

See it on Amazon in Black or Green:

UPDATE: I just received the new D-221 which is essentially a D-220 with the addition of the NOAA Weather Band…it is available in Orange or Green and is currently selling on Amazon for $18.80. I compared performance of the two radios on AM/FM/SW bands and the two radios were identical in every respect which is good. The Weather band is shown as channels 1 thru 7 and the dial scale is accurate enough to make it clear which of the 7 channels you are on and I found reception in this band to be quite sensitive, receiving several stations of varying strength available in my location. If you live in the US or Canada the D-221 is a worthwhile upgrade.

See it at Amazon:

Jay Allen