Unboxing and quick review of my second XHDATA D-808 shortwave portable

Hi there, as you all know, this is my second D-808 portable, the first one having developed an audio fault whilst I was in Brazil. I was fortunate enough to get another one for Christmas. Here's me unboxing it.

My best wishes for the New Year and best 73!!

Radio Santa Cruz 6135 kHz Bolivia, copied in Rio Capim Brazil on Midi M...

Hi there, this was a really nice catch from Bolivia. Radio Santa Cruz can be a difficult target even in South America, particularly on a radio with modest selectivity. If you listen through this reception video, towards the end you will hear a clear ID. I think I punched the air when I heard that lol.

Recorded on 02/12/18 at 23:29 hrs UTC using a 70 metre longwire antenna. Thanks for watching.

FEBC Radio 12095 kHz Philippines, copied in Rio Capim Northern Brazil on...

Hi there, it was very nice to copy a strong signal from the Philippines in Rio Capim. The locally bought Midi MD-55D is a half-decent receiver when connected to a long wire (about 70 metres) and an interesting experiment with a £17 radio out in the jungle. As I mentioned before, this radio is not properly digital - it's actually analogue with a digital encoder...and you can feel the tuning mechanism.

Recorded on 02/12/18 at 22:57 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

The only FM station heard in the jungle: Rádio JA FM 106.9 kHz copied o...

Here's the signal from the single FM station that can be heard at my tropical QTH in Rio Capim. I don't think this radio is as sensitive as the Livstar on FM...in fact I'm sure it isn't. Nevermind, both are just experiments really! Thanks for watching.

Bought in Paragominas, rural Brazil: Midi MD-55D 12 band 'digital' receiver

Hi there, here's another purchase I made in Paragominas during this trip - from the same shop that I purchased the Midi MD-9500SD digital receiver last year. This radio is described as digital and it does have a digital display, however the receiver is analogue, with a digital encoder. I have to say it works pretty although the display is limited to 10 kHz steps. Analogue is better in this set-up than a proper PLL receiver that only tunes in 5 kHz steps though. Oh, by the way, it cost the equivalent of £17! Brazilian bargain!

Thanks for watching.

Radio Alvorada de Londrina 4862.27 kHz copied in Rio Capim, Northern Brazil

Hi there, this is speculative in terms of the ID and obviously the signal in very weak - although if you can be bothered to listen through the entire recording, there is modulation fading in and out. I make this type of recording, more for myself (because this channel is my log) rather than my subs....I realise it's not that interesting!

Recorded on 19/11/18 at 00:47 hrs UTC using an SDRPlay RSP DUO and Bonito NTi MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

Longwave scan on Boxing Day night, complete with Iceland, Radio Montecar...

Hi there, as you might have gathered, I love the Longwave band (!) and so here's another scan on Boxing Day night, this time using the Elad FDM DUO.

Recorded in Oxford on 27/12/18 at 05:06 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Longwave: DR Langbølge 243 kHz, Kalundborg, Denmark; superb interval sig...

In my opinion, this might be the best interval signal - and very nice to copy it on Boxing Day night (well the early hours of the 27th!). What a shame the usual cr@p noise is present, forcing me to use the lower sideband. Nevertheless, a very striking interval signal and decent audio.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 27/12/18 at 04:54 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors.

#2 Boxing day signal from NRK P1 Ingøy Norway on 153 kHz, copied above A...

Hi there, a further recording of the signal from Ingøy Norway, copied on 26/12/18 at 04:16 hrs UTC using a Perseus SDR and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching.

A quick review of the WRTH 2019 edition....you should buy this book!

Hi there, it's that time again - what has become my annual review of the WRTH. I still regard this publication as the bible for identifying stations on LW/MW/SW. Whilst I very much appreciate the information available on-line, there are discrepancies between websites that lead to ambiguity. The WRTH has never let me down with incorrect information.

I'm hearing a signal on 153 kHz above Antena Satelor...is any one else c...

Hi there, for the past couple of nights I've been hearing a station on 153 kHz mostly above the audio from Antena Satelor. At times the content almost sound religious, otherwise I wonder whether it's a pirate. Just to confirm it wasn't an artefact on the Perseus, I double checked with the Elad FDM DUO - and it's still there. Just to rule out overloading from the Wellbrook ALA1530 (very unlikely) tonight I am trying to copy the signal with the Sony ICF-S77 and my LW induction loop. Let me know your opinion - and thanks for watching.

Recorded in Oxford UK using a Perseus SDR and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop (outdoors) on 26/12/18 at 04:57 hrs UTC.

Radio Huanta 2000 Peru 4747.32 kHz copied in Rio Capim, Northern Brazil

Hi there, I have copied this station at home previously, but not for 2 years. It says a lot about the difficultly of hearing them, that it was during my previous trip to Rio Capim over a year ago that I last heard them. It's nice to know they're still on-air!

Recorded on 19/11/18 at 01:07 hrs UTC using an SDRPlay RSP DUO and Bonito NTi MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching!

Radio Huanta 2000 Peru 4747.32 kHz copied in Rio Capim, Northern Brazil

Hi there, I have copied this station at home previously, but not for 2 years. It says a lot about the difficultly of hearing them, that it was during my previous trip to Rio Capim over a year ago that I last heard them. It's nice to know they're still on-air!

Recorded on 19/11/18 at 01:07 hrs UTC using an SDRPlay RSP DUO and Bonito NTi MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching!

Radio Guinée 9650 kHz, Conakry: nice signal into Rio Capim, Northern Brazil

Hi there, I had already copied Radio Guinée on my XHDATA D-808 before the bl00dy thing blew up lol. Here's another nice signal into Rio Capim, using the SDRPlay RSP DUO and Bonito NTi MegaLoop FX antenna. It was great having access to such a well performing, yet totally portable SDR DXing set-up.

Recorded on 20/11/18 at 22:03 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Tropical rainstorm at my QTH in Rio Capim, Northern Brazil

Hi there, from the middle of November, it started raining nearly every day at my temporary QTH in Rio Capim. It was actually quite nice to have a break from the constant 32 - 35 degrees tropical heat, but it didn't really help much to freshen up the atmosphere...basically hot rain!

ČRo Radiožurnál 270 kHz,Topolná, Czech Republic copied on Range Rover re...

Hi there, this is the first time I've copied ČRo Radiožurnál on the car radio. I think better reception is possible as this was quite early in the evening.


Recorded in Oxford on 17/10/18 at 18:03 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

The sounds of wonderful Longwave in the early hours of Christmas morning

Those of us in Europe are very fortunate to have a small number of broadcasters still on Longwave. I have always appreciated the activity on this band and at Christmas time, I usually have a scan through and make a recording to save. Here it is again.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Radio Hams on 20 metres copied in the tropical rainforest of Rio Capim, ...

Hi there, it was interesting to copy radio hams from the jungle of Rio Capim. As you might expect, we copied operators from all over South America, North America and Europe.


Recorded on 02/12/18 at 20:48 hours UTC using an SDRPlay RSP DUO and Bonito NTi MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

iPhone wildlife photography: Huge tropical Toad with supersonic tongue l...

Hi there, so this is the biggest toad I've ever seen - and it would appear not particularly fazed by having the light from my iPhone shone in it's face! 28 seconds into the video an insect makes the mistake of crawing past and it's high speed tongue lashes out in the blink of an eye! David Attenborough would be proud!

Thanks for watching and 73!

PY2JY São Paulo booming into into Rio Capim, Northern Brazil

PY2JY on 20 metres recorded from the jungle of Rio Capim. His signal was literally booming into Northern Brazil. According to QRZ.com, his main radio is a Yaesu - FTDX 9000 D to a 7 element Yagi. Some signal lol. If you listen to the end of the recording you will hear a QSO with an operator in North Carolina - K8RUE - also an excellent signal.


Recorded on 02/12/18 at 21:01 hours UTC using an SDRPlay RSP DUO and Bonito NTi MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

iPhone wildlife photography: Huge tropical Toad with supersonic tongue l...

Hi there, so this is the biggest toad I've ever seen - and it would appear not particularly fazed by having the light from my iPhone shone in it's face! 28 seconds into the video an insect makes the mistake of crawing past and it's high speed tongue lashes out in the blink of an eye! David Attenborough would be proud!

Thanks for watching and 73!

Rarely head Radio Sora de Congonhas 4774.75 kHz copied in Rio Capim on t...

Hi there, it's a privilege to hear this station reasonably easily in Rio Capim, before the grey line passes over Tarma, Peru. I've only ever heard this station once from the UK - and that was also on the XHDATA D-808. As something of an update, I've not heard anything from XHDATA, so unless I can repair mine, I guess I'll be buying another one.

Recorded on 23/11/18 at 20:59 hrs UTC using a wire mesh fence as an antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the tropical rainforest: Radio Mosoj Chaski 3310 kHz, Bolivia, ...

Hi there, here's a nice signal from Bolivia, as heard in Northern Brazil. Peaking at around S8, it was possible to spend time enjoying the very nice music they play.


Recorded on 01/12 /18 at 01:43 hours UTC using an SDRPlay RSP DUO and Bonito NTi MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

A scan of the MW band from the tropical rainforest of Rio Capim, Brazil ...

Hi there, here's a scan of the MW band from my QTH in the jungles of Rio Capim. For this recording I managed to place the Bonito NTi MegaLoop FX antenna outside. Unlike FM where there is only one station that can be heard, at night MW comes alive - and it is also possilbe to copy stations from North America.



Recorded on 30/11/18 at 05:12 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

My review of the bhi Dual In-Line Module in the December edition of Radi...

Hi there, I have another review in Radio User Magazine that I thought some of you DXers out there might be interested in. This time it's the bhu Dual In-Line Module a little device is a box of DSP electronic wizardry that can be put to good use on LW/MW/HF for cleaning up noise from speech audio. Read about my thorough testing using the Sony ICF-2001D, Sangean ATS-909x and a Kenwood TS2000 transceiver. I have since sent the unit back to Radio User Towers lol and it's being offered as a prize in a competition on page 66 of the magazine. If you decide to enter, good luck!

Radio Marti 11730 kHz Cuba, copied in Rio Capim Brazil on Livstar CNN-686RU

Hi there, with a signal to rival that of Radio Habana - and I suppose thats the whole point, Radio Marti can be heard loud and clear in Rio Capim, on any cheap analogue radio. Here they are on the Livstar - and perfectly listenable.

Thanks for watching.

Rádio Alvorada de Londrina 4862 kHz weak audio copied in Rio Capim

Hi there, the city of Londrina is almost West of São Paulo which puts it something over 200 km distant from my QTH in Rio Capim. In the WRTH 2018 they are listed with a TX power of 5 kW. They are also listed on 4865 khHz, but I know they've been recorded on 4862 kHz this year, some time after the WRTH was published. I hope a fellow radio hobbyist with local knowledge can confirm. From the UK I've only ever seen a carrier - and that was weak.

Recorded on 16/11/18 at 21:22 hrs UTC using an XHDATA D-808 portable and a 3 metre long antenna constructed from welding rod! Thanks for watching.

Strong signal from Rádio Clube do Pará 4885 kHz in Rio Capim, on Livstar...

Hi there, here's a nice daylight signal from Rádio Clube do Pará, the transmitter of which is a 7 hour drive from my QTH in the jungles of Rio Capim. A little bit of local QRM, but you get used to that in and around the buildings.

Thanks for watching.

FT8 decodes from a shed in the jungle using the Bonito Megaloop FX antenna

Hi there, some more FT8 decodes from out in the jungles of Rio Capim. For a change I decided to take my kit outside - well the antenna at least, whilst I parked myself, receiver and computer in a large shed, hoping not to see a Jaguar at the door lol.

Thanks for watching.

Huge Leaf Cutter ant trail in Rio Capim, Nothern Brazil

Hi there, I just read there is at least 9 different species of Leaf Cutter ant in Brazil alone. Globally there's 47 species. Quite amazing watching these little critters carry huge loads lol. More amazing is their organisation and how they create tracks for travelling out of the nest and yet as the same time how thy all use the track which much be 100 metres long...maybe more.

Thank for watching.

Ultra-rare catch: Radio Difusora do Amazonas 4805 kHz copied in Rio Capi...

Hi there, this is a very rare catch for me. Last heard in August 2016 and never copied before or since. It was great to hear their signal again on the D-808 before the audio fault occurred.


Recorded on 16/11/18 at 21:18 hrs UTC using an XHDATA D-808 portable and a 3 metre long antenna constructed from welding rod! Thanks for watching.

Rarely heard any more: Zambia NBC Radio 1 Lusaka 5915 kHz copied in Rio...

Hi there, this is a station I used to hear reasonably often, particularly during a DX'pedition. However, as of mid November this year, I hadn't heard them since April 2017. So, great to finally copy them again. Their signal into Rio Capim is very weak and this probably explains why I can't hear them in the UK any more.

Recorded on 16/11/18 at 21:12 hrs UTC using an XHDATA D-808 portable and a 3 metre long antenna constructed from welding rod! Thanks for watching.

Dxing in the jungle: BBC Radio 4 198 kHz Longwave, copied in Rio Capim, ...

Hi there, after trying for a few nights, I finally managed to copy some some weak audio from Radio 4 on Longwave, from Rio Capim in Northern Brazil. To say I'm happy with this catch is an understatement lol.

Recorded on 03/12/18 at 05:01 hours UTC using an SDRPlay RSP DUO and Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

Radio Habana 11760 kHz Cuba, copied in Rio Capim Brazil on Livstar CNN-6...

As usual, Radio Habana Cuba is the strongest international signal to be heard in daylight hours in the jungle of Rio Capim. It's interesting to listen to their broadcast on a locally sourced radio. As far as I can tell, all the radios for sale in this region are analogue - although some have a digital encoder on an analogue receiver - which actually works pretty well.

Thanks for watching.

The only FM radio station that can be copied at my jungle QTH!

Hi there, here's some decent audio on my £17 Brazilian radio (made in China by a company that is big in South America). There was nothing copied on FM, except this station. I couldn't ID them, but someone out there with local knowledge might be able to help!

Thanks for watching and 73!

Bought in Paragominas, rural Brazil: The Livstar CNN-686-RU shortwave re...

Hi there, after my XHDATA D-808 developed the audio fault, I was left with my excellent SDRPlay RSP DUO. This is fine - great actually, it's a superb SDR. However, after a couple of days I was thinking to myself, I need a cheap portable to play with whilst I'm out here, so my good friend Lawrence picked up this analogue Livstar for about 17 quid. It's actually a nice receiver with excellent audio, but of course has some serious limitations. Nevertheless, interesting to have a play around with.

Thanks to Lawrence and thanks for watching.

Radio Guinée 9650 kHz, Conakry, booming into Rio Capim, Brazil on a make...

Hi there, here's a nice signal from Radio Guinée, copied in Rio Capim, Brazil using the D-808 and a wire antenna constructed from three pieces of welding rod - so about 3 metres in length, maybe a little less. Nice to hear them again from Rio Capim. It reminded me of my time spent here in March 2017 with the also formidable Eton Satellit.

Recorded on 16/11/18 at 21:02 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

About 20 Coatis running away from something in Rio Capim

Watching the Coatis jump out of the jungle that acts as a boundary and run cross the road, I was hoping from a large carnivore to appear lol. Unfortunately I didn't see my first Jaguar, although I'm reliably informed by the local boys here that there are several in the area.

Thanks for watching.

Exotic FT8 decodes in the Brazilian jungle using the SDRPlay RSP DUO and...

Hi there, it's interesting spending time decoding FT8 in a completely different part of the world from where you live. Operator call signs appear on your computer screen from places that would be difficult, if not impossible to copy back in the UK. It's also easy to leave the system running for two or three hour whilst you do something else and then come back to it. A bit like fishing with a net - which some of course believe is deskilling the fine art of Ham Radio. There may be some truth in that I suppose, but the hobby has to evolve with the times.

Anyway, here's the results of such a session from my cabin in the jungle! Thanks for watching.

Dxing in the jungle: RTL Luxembourg 234 kHz Longwave, copied in Rio Capi...

Hi there, it was very nice to copy Medi 1 from all the way down here in South America. Even better in some ways to copy the RTL transmission from Luxembourg on 234 kHz. I'm trying to get some audio from Radio 4 on 198 kHz....that would be the icing on the cake lol.

Recorded in Rio Capim on 28/11/18 at 04:27 hours UTC using an SDRPlay RSPDUO and Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

Recorded before my XHDATA D-808 failed: Radio Aparecida 11856 kHz copied...

Hi there, this is a signal that is a very rare catch in the UK, particularly on this frequency. Nice to copy them again whilst I'm in Rio Capim.



Recorded in Rio Capim on 16/11/18 at 03:42 hrs UTC using a Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle with the RSP DUO: Radio Sora de Congonhas 4774.75 kH...

Hi there, this is only the second time I've recorded this exotic Brazilian station - who's frequency is just slightly below that of Radio Tarma. The key is to be listening before the grey line reaches Peru.


Recorded in Rio Capim on 18/11/18 at 22:94 hrs UTC using an SDRPlay RSP DUO and Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

A huge signal from Rádio Clube do Pará 4885 kHz in Rio Capim, on the RSP...

Hi there, the signal in Rio Capim from Rádio Clube do Pará is always strong, but this evening, it was absolutely huge and thus I thought I'd share it with you. No wonder this station is one of the easiest South American's on SW to catch in the UK.

Recorded on 18/11/18 at 21:56 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

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Radio New Zealand International 15720 kHz, copied in Brazil with the D-8...

Hi there, RNZI is such a difficult target in the UK these days, if I get an opportunity to record them, I will. Here's an ok signal with the XHDATA D-808, although I must admit I copied them better when I was over here last year. Nevertheless, a relatively easy copy is a luxury I don't get at home!

Recorded in Rio Capim on 16/11/18 at 03:46 hrs UTC using a Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

Dxing in the jungle: Medi 1 Nador Morocco 171 kHz copied in Rio Capim, B...

Hi there, I wasn't expecting to copy anything of particular interest on LW whilst I'm here in Brazil and then Medi 1 pops up on my spectrum. Most unexpected but very pleasing indeed! Transatlantic signal on LW is a PF for me!

Recorded in Rio Capim on 28/11/18 at 04:09 hours UTC using an SDRPlay RSPDUO and Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

THE WORST wildlife camera man in the world! (that'll be me)

It's so impressive to come out here and watch the monkeys jump over the fence and cross the road. What's not so impressive are my camera skills lol.

The Coati's make another appearance, this time in large numbers

I love these cute little crittersm but they are a little wary of humans, probably for good reason lol. I've seen them in groups of 20 or 30 so a really social animal. Thanks for watching.

Recorded before my XHDATA D-808 failed: Radio Brazil Central 11815 kHz, ...

Hi there, I last copied this station from the UK in August 2017, so a pretty rare catch for me. I did hear them the last time I was in Rio Capim.

Recorded in Rio Capim on 15/11/18 at 03:38 hrs UTC, using a Bonito NTi MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

Recorded before my XHDATA D-808 failed: Rádio 9 de Julho 9818.5 kHz, São...

Hi there, last copied in the UK in January, so this was a welcome catch out here. Most of the time I don't even see a carrier on my Elad spectrum at home.


Recorded in Rio Capim on 15/11/18 at 03:32 hrs UTC, using a Bonito NTi MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle with the RSP DUO: Emisoras Pio XII 5952.46 kHz, Bolivia

Hi there, I last copied this station in the UK with a 105 foot G5RV antenna, approximately 10 metres above the ground. Great to hear them again, with with superb, but modestly proportioned MegaLoop FX antenna!

Recorded in Rio Capim on 18/11/18 at 00:31 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle with the RSP DUO: Radio 9 de Julho 9818.65 kHz, Sao ...

Hi there, I last copied this signal from the UK in January, so almost a year. If it wasn't for Thomas Nilsson and the excellent SWB publication, I wouldn't have known if this station as still operating. That's the beauty of coming out here - you pick up DX and local knowledge. Once again, a great combo and after what happened to my XHDATA D-808 portable, I'm even more pleased I brought my SDRPlay RSP DUO!

Recorded before my XHDATA D-808 failed: Dakar OAC 6535 kHz, Senegal copi...

Hi there, it was really great to copy Dakar Radio whilst out here in Northern Brazil. Not sure whether it's possible to hear this signal in the UK, probably, but I've never copied it. Great job by my busted radio lol.

Recorded in Rio Capim on 15/11/18 at 03:01 hrs UTC, using a Bonito NTi MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

Recorded before my XHDATA D-808 failed: Shannon VOLMET 5505 kHz copied i...

I'm still fuming about the failure of my D-808, but at least I still have a number of recordings to post. Here's a very nice signal from Shannon VOLMET on 5505 kHz, which I don't hear as often as 3413 kHz, back in the UK.

Recorded on 14/11/18 at 02:19 hrs UTC using a Bonito NTi MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

Loudspeaker audio fault with my XHDATA D-808 portable: part 3 (XHDATA I ...

Hi there, so finally the D-808 is back together and rather counter-intuitively, audio to the speaker requires a plug in the headphone socket. So annoying. XHDATA if you ever see this, I think you owe me a new radio!! Eveyone who bought one because of my videos, please say so here lol.

XHDATA: if you ever see this, please leave an email address and we can arrange for you to send me a replacement!!! At least then all my 2000+ subscribers will know you supply great products - and great service!

Thanks for watching.

Loudspeaker audio fault with my XHDATA D-808 portable: part 2

Hi there, after half an hour or so of poking around inside the D-808 I discovered that a fly-lead from the positive side of the loudspeaker circuit and inserting a jack plug into the socket completed the circuit for driving the headphone socket audio to the loudspeaker, albeit with lower volume of course because of the impedance difference. Still a total pain, although the radio is working again - of sorts. Thanks for watching.

Loudspeaker audio fault with my XHDATA D-808 portable

Hi there, how annoying that my D-808 waits until I'm out in the middle of nowhere before developing a fault. As of last night there is no audio to the loudspeaker, although the headphone jack is still working. I think the fault lies there as in parallel with no loudspeaker audio, now, when you insert the headphone plug into the socket, if you push all the way in, you only get audio in one ear piece. You have to pull it out a way to get audio in both. This is beyond annoying as I've spent so much time telling the world how great this radio is, only for my unit to fail! If anyone has any ideas beyond hard-wiring the speaker directly to the headphone socket, please let me know.

DXing in the jungle with the XHDATA D-808: Military 1 Information VOLMET...

Hi there, here's a super signal from the UK, copied in Rio Capim with the brilliant XHDATA D-808 portable and Bonito MegaLoop FX combo. I wasn't expecting to hear this signal or any of the other VOLMET transmissions I've copied so far.

Recorded on 14/11/18 at 02:15 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle with the RSP DUO: Radio Cultural Amauta 4955 kHz Hua...

Hi there, I haven't copied this station from the UK for nearly a year now. I thought it possible they had shut down. Clearly not, but even from the relative close proximity of RIo Capim, their signal is weak. Previously I have been able to hear them well from the UK with a portable and a longwire. Nevertheless, nice to know they're still on air!

Recorded in Rio Capim using a Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna on 18/11/18 at 01:13 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle with the RSP DUO: Radio Tarma 4774.9 kHz, Peru

Hi there, here in Rio Capim I've been able to catch both stations operating around 4775 kHz; Radio Tarma and the much more elusive Radio Sora de Congonhas. With the latter, the key is to be listening around dusk and thus before the grey line is anywhere near Peru. That video to come. In the meantime, I'm enjoying listening to stations that are often either non-existent or very faint on my spectrum at home. By the way, just a word about the MegaLoop FX antenna. Brilliant device that's so portable you can literally take it anywhere. In terms of sensitiivity, it's up there with the ALA1530 in my experience.


Recorded on 17/11 /18 at 23:40 hrs UTC using a Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle with the RSP DUO: BBC World Service 3915 kHz, Kranj...

Hi there, I don't spend a lot of time listening to the BBC on shortwave, but nevertheless it was interesting to catch their signal on the 75 metre broadcast band, here in Rio Capim.


Recorded on 17/11/18 at 22:55 using a Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle with the SDRPlay RSP DUO: Radio Voz MIssionaria 5939...

Hi there, a strong signal from Camboriu in Rio Capim, as might be expected, along with some noise however. It doesn't matter have far you travel, how remote the place is, if there's people living/working there, then there's gonna be electrical noise!

Recorded on 17/11/18 at 22:24 hrs UTC using a Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle with the XHDATA D-808: Rádio Educação Rural 4925.2 k...

Hi there, here's a station that can be copied quite well in the UK, on a DXpedition and every now and then quite well with a magnetic loop at home and an SDR. Part of being in Brazil is to simply check what stations are broadcasting. There are numerous stations I've copied previously that haven't been hear in a long time and so it's nice to copy them again over here, just to know they're still going!


Recorded in Rio Capim, Northern Brazil on 14/11/18 at 02:10 hrs UTC using a Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle with the XHDATA D-808: AIR Srinagar 4950 kHz, rarely...

Hi there, AIR Srinagar is a very difficult catch from back in the UK. Looking back over my log, I note that I've only heard this station twice from my QTH. In Rio Capim, it's much easier to copy their signal which at times is stronger than the closely adjacent Radio Nacional Angola on 4949.7 kHz. Thanks for watching.


Recorded in Rio Capim, Northern Brazil on 14/11/18 at 02:23 hrs UTC using a Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

In the jungle it appears to be compulsory to acquire 'pets'...

Hi there, when I realised I was sharing a room with a lizard, it freaked me out. But then I'm thinking, ok so hopefully he/she is eating all the bugs in my room. Since recording this video, I discovered another room mate who seems to be living behind the mirror in the bathroom. Lol, jungle life. One of the guys who works for me - he just left actually to home - found a scorpion in his room...so I'm not doing too badly then!

DXing in the jungle with the XHDATA D-808 : Radio Tarma Peru 4774.9 kHz

Hi there, here's a very decent signal from Radio Tarma, Peru...only possible at home on a DXpedition with a very good/ very large antenna. It's nice to be able to just 'throw up' a magnetic loop and hear 'stuff'!

Recorded in Rio Capim, Northern Brazil on 14/11/18 at 01:57 hrs UTC using a Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

Venomous snake found in our work place...apparently this species kills c...

Hi there, this little fella slithered out from underneath a large piece of scientific equipment we are working on here, out in Rio Capim. When the local boys saw it they ran...until one of then braved up, put on some thick gloves and caught it in a plastic bag. Now, I'm not sure whether this is a wind-up, but the nickname for this little snake is 'cow killer'...according to the locals!! Some local knowledge on this one would be very much appreciated!

Dusk in the jungle, at an electricity substation!

Just in case you were wondering, electrical noise is a problem everywhere lol. Even out here in Rio Capim, I'm still looking for somewhere quiet to DX where I won't get bitten to death by the bugs, or eaten by something larger!

DXing in the jungle with the XHDATA D-808: Radio Mosoj Chaski 3310 kHz, ...

Hi there, this must be one of my best-ever signals from Radio Mosoj Chaski, who TX out of Cochabamba. Amazing signal, even though I am obviously in much closer proximity to the TX site than usual lol. The D-808 coupled to the ultra-compact and portable Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna makes for a powerful combination.

Recorded in Rio Capim on 14/11/18 at 01:45 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Radio Aparecida 11855.77 kHz copied in the jungles of Rio Capim, Brazil

Hi there, Radio Aparecida is notoriously difficult to catch in the UK with any modulation - and here's why - a poor to average signal from Rio Capim. More than anything else, this recording confirms how well DXers in Europe have done, to hear this station at all.

Recorded on 12/11/18 at 02:45 hrs UTC using an SDRPlay RSO DUO and MegaLoop FX antenna, outdoors! Thanks for watching.

FT8 decodes in the jungle of Rio Capim using an SDRPlay RSP DUO and Mega...

Hi there, as some of you might have seen, I was slightly underwhelmed at the decodes from my hotel in Belém. That all changed when I got out here to the jungle and went off on a DXpedition, which was spent in the jungle, but from the safety of my truck, with the windows and doors closed lol (once I had set up the MegaLoop FX ourside though! Here the decodes were coming through thick and fast, from the USA, Colombia, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Uruguay, Asian Russia, Oman etc. Great to demonstrate the effectiveness of FT8 as a potentially low-power narrow band transmission in a completely different part of the world to my QTH!

Recorded on 12/11/18 at 02:31 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

A quick tour of my jungle listening post in Rio Capim, Northern Brazil

Hi there, here's a quick tour of my lodgings and temporary shack whilst I'm out here working in the jungle. It's actually not bad at all considering the nearest supermarket is 70 km down a dirt track and the nearest hospital is about 1000 kms away! Must keep safe lol.

Thanks for watching.

The Coati: South American Raccoon that seems to be everywhere in Rio Capim!

This is what I said last year in Rio Capim...They're a bit weird looking, but quite cute at the same time. If they spot you they don't hang about and this trip there seem to be many more around. This fella was on his own, but a gang of them star in two up-coming videos!

DXing in the jungle with the SDRPlay RSP DUO and MegaLoop FX: Radio Pili...

Hi there. Being fortunate enough to travel with your job as I am means that you get the opportunity to hear stuff that you either can't hear at home at all, or only very poorly. Radio Pilipinas used to be a regular catch, but this year I haven't heard them since March. The last time I heard them before that was here, in Rio Capim a year ago. So, it's great to finally copy them again.


Recorded in Rio Capim on 12/11/18 at 02:39 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Radio Sonder Grense 3320 kHz, Meyerton, very strong signal in the jungle...

Hi there, this is probably the most consistently heard signal on 90 metres at my QTH, but here in Rio Capim their signal is almost booming in. Great to hear them so well, even if only temporarily!

Recorded on 12/11/18 at 03:25 hrs UTC using an XHDADA D-808, coupled to a Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

Radio New Zealand International 15720 kHz, copied in the Jungles of Rio ...

Hi there, RNZI is another very rare catch these days, back in Oxford. I did actually manage to hear them again quite recently - the first time in many months, using the rather brilliant NRD-525. A radio I'm missing right now lol. Any way, great to hear these guys again from South America - a much easier location. This time around not a brilliant signal, but I'm still happy to have copied them at all.

Recorded on 12/11/18 at 02:26 hrs UTC using an SDRPlay RSP DUO and Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

Radio Brazil Central 11815 kHz Goiania, copied in the jungles of Rio Capim

Hi there, this is a station that I basically never hear at home any more. It's been more than 18 months since I copied their signal out on a DXpedition in Oxford and so it's always nice to make a recording when I'm in Brazil.


Recorded on 12/11/18 at 02:19 hrs UTC using an SDRPlay RSP DUO and a Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

Radio Inconfidencia 6010 kHz, Belo Horizonte, copied in the jungles of R...

Hi there, so the last time I copied this signal on this frequency was 12th of October 2017...from Rio Capim! Prior to that I had copied them twice at home in Oxford. This past year their signal has been too weak and/or suffered from adjacent QRM making it impossible to hear them. Great to finally catch them again.

Recorded on 12/11/18 at 02:01 hrs UTC using a Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle: Rádio Nacional de Angola 4949.7 kHz copied with XHD...

Hi there, this is a station that is notoriously difficult to hear well from Europe. Often with very low modulation and therefore little recovered audio. It usually requires a DXpedition to improve signal-to-noise and good propagation to record anything worthwhile. Out here in Rio Capim, I am in much closer proximity to the TX site and it shows in this recording.


Recorded on 12/11/18 at 03:29 hrs UTC using a Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

In the jungles of Rio Capim, Rádio Clube do Pará almost swamps Radio Di...

Hi there, here in Rio Capim the signal on 4885 kHz from Belém is huge and almost swamps the adjacent signal from Boa Vista. This is the first time I've actually seen this - made possible of course with the SDRPlay RSP DUO, coupled to the Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna.

Recorded on 12/11/18 at 01:48 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle: Gander VOLMET 3485 kHz copied in Rio Capim, Brazil

Hi there, here in Rio Capim the signal on 4885 kHz from Belém is huge and almost swamps the adjacent signal from Boa Vista. This is the first time I've actually seen this - made possible of course with the SDRPlay RSP DUO, coupled to the Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna.

Recorded on 12/11/18 at 01:48 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

My 499th and 500th FT8 QSO on 5/10 Watts TX power using the SE-X80 wide-...

Hi there, I thought I would celebrate my 499th - 500th QSO on FT8 by recording the event. Much more exciting for me to watch than you - I know lol. FT8 continues to have it's detractors, but it keeps an M6 going until he gets a 'proper' license lol.

Thanks for watching

Shannon VOLMET 3413 kHZ USB strong signal into the jungles of Rio Capim,...

Hi there, I was quite surprised to copy any signal from Shannon VOLMET all the way down here in South America! Such a clear signal - I wonder what their TX power is. No doubt someone will know. Copied with the Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna...and very nice set-up with the superb XHDATA D-808 portable.

Recorded on 11/11/18 at 02:57 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Howler Monkeys at my DXing QTH in Rio Capim, Pará, Brazil

Hi there, the primatologists amongst us might be able to confirm whether I got this ID right lol. I think I'm right because the Howler Monkeys make such a racket here in Rio Capim every morning and most evenings. Here you can clearly see a mother with child on it's back. How cute. Last time I posted a video of these guys, I made the statement that you never see them - only hear them! So I was wrong about that! Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle with the SDR DUO and MegaLoop FX: Radio Verdad 4055 ...

Hi there, this is the type of signal that is rarely heard well, if at all in the UK. Great to copy them again from Rio Capim and for the first time, actually view their signal via the brilliant SDRPlay RSP DUO. You will hear a clear ID on this recording which was also very nice to catch, before the signal faded away.




Recorded on 12/11/18 at 01:40 hrs UTC using a Bonito MegaLoop FX antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle with the RSP DUO & MegaLoop FX: Radio Tarma 4774.77 ...

Hi there, here's a better than average signal from Radio Tarma, Peru, as heard from Rio Capim in Brazil. This is the first time I've used a full-blown SDR in the jungle - and the first time I've used a magnetic loop on my travels. The Bonito NTi MegaLoop FX is perfect for vacations - or work trips such as this. More with this set-up to come.

Recorded this morning (12/11/18) at 01:16 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching!

FT8 decode from hotel in Belém, Brazil, using SDRPlay RSP DUO

Hi there, it's the first morning in Brazil, having left the SDRPlay RSP DUO and Megaloop FX antenna running all night. Decodes from Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela..and DX decodes from Europe, but volume of traffic much reduced...either because of the local hotel environment (and) or geographical location. I'll find out when I try this again in, out in the jungle. Thanks for watching.

FT8 decodes from my hotel in Belém, Northern Brazil using SDRPlay RSP D...

Hi there, after finally getting to the hotel, getting on line to check emails - I couldn't help myself and set up the SDRPlay RSP DUO/ Bonito NTi MegaLoop FX antenna and had a go at some FT8 decodes. Not much happened until I switched the air conditioning off!

Thanks for watching.

Coming in to land at Belém, Pará, Northern Brazil, this time at night

Hi there, rather unusually, we landed at Belém, Pará at night on this trip, around 23:00 hrs local time. Over 8 hours in the air, so I was glad to get off that TAP plane lol.

Flying out of Humberto Delgado Airport, LIsbon Portugal, on another expe...

Hi there, we flew out of Lisbon yesterday afternoon, heading for Rio Capim, Brazil. As usual, the views of the city and surroundings were great to see from the air.

Testing SDR receiver equipment for impending trip to Rio Capim, Brazil

Hi there, I'm flying back to Brazil on 07/11/18 and will be taking one portable with me - the XHDATA D-808 (of course!). I will also be taking the SDRPlay RSP DUO and Bonito NTi MegaLoop antenna. So this will be my first DXpedition to South America with a magnetic loop. How exciting. I will look forward to DXing and sharing the results with you on the channel. Here is a video of my SDR set-up ...just testing everything works!

400 QSOs on 5/10W TX power and a decode by the South Korean Antarctic base!

Hi there, here's a video to celebrate my 400th FT8 QSO on 5/10 Watts and more importantly a decode by the King Sejong Antarctic Station on King George Island!! Now that was a very pleasant surprise! Keeps an M6 like me busy until there's an opportunity to take the Intermediate License. Thanks for watching!

Voice of Hope Africa 13680 kHz, Lusaka, Zambia copied above local QRM in...

Hi there, here's the signal from Lusaka, Zambia, copied at home, above pretty terrible local QRM, but still sounding ok. Amazing what the Wellbrook loop can pull out of the noise - and deliver it to a superb radio for a decent result in very challenging local conditions.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 20/10/18 at 16:21 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Voice of Korea (DPRK) 9425 kHz in the afternoon, copied in Oxford UK on ...

Hi there, I copied this transmission from my office, late on a Friday afternoon using the SDRPlay and Wellbrook ALA1530. Here's a better signal with the NRD-525. I will never tire of listening to North Korea on HF. Their transmissions are just as compelling today, as they were when I first copied them 3 years ago.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 20/10/18 at 15:44 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Radio New Zealand International 5980 kHz copied at home with JRC NRD-525...

Hi there, here's a not very nice signal from RNZI...but to hear them at all from home shouldn't really be possible, particularly as the ever-present noise is further reducing SNR. I checked the ID with their online stream for confirmation. The NRD-525 never fails to impress lol.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 20/10/18 at 14:22 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Reach Beyond Australia (HCJB) 9720 kHz copied in Oxford UK with JRC NRD-525

Hi there, another decent signal from Kununurra recorded on he same afternoon as the reception video of their transmission on 9610 kHz. I hadn't copied these guys since April, so very nice to hear them again.

Recorded on 20/10/18 at 14:22 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Comparing antennas FT8 receive: SE-X80 wideband vertical vs Wellbrook AL...

Hi there, here's a video comparing the sensitivity of my SE-X80 wideband vertical with the Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop. I had been wondering exactly how efficient the vertical in RX, knowing of course how superb the ALA1530 is across HF. As it turns out, the performance of these two antennas is similar, but the loop just about takes it. Thanks for watching.

The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World...26 quid off eBay

Hi there, I was thinking a few days ago, trying to figure out whether my interest in maps developed before radio. Eventually I realised that radio came first. I remember one evening, when I was probably 6 or 7 years old, being allowed to stay up late and tuning my Mums radio through MW. I clearly remember hearing lots of foreign voices and at the time thought that was pretty amazing! Maps came later on in my early teens - partly due to my studying Geography 'O' Level lol. Of course, any radio enthusiast is very likely to be into maps and atlases don't come much better than The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World. They cost £150 new, or at least they did. I picked up a 12th edition for £26 off eBay. The publication is now in it's 15th edition, but not much in the world has changed since my copy was published. My advice: get hold of one - the maps are simply superb.

Thanks for watching.

An S9 +10 signal from Radio Thailand 9920 kHz copied with RSPDUO and Wel...

Hi there, I recorded this nice signal from Thailand around 20:00 hrs UTC using this nice indoor set-up. The audio is significantly enhanced through the use of the Bose SoundLink Mini 2 speaker - my Lenovo ultrabook's audio is cr@p lol.

Recorded on 19/10/18 in Oxford UK. Thanks for watching.