Folks who own this radio, can you tell me how well of a receiver it is? Or is there something better for around the same price? Been recommending this radio to friends. Thanks
PL 680
- Thread starter bearcatrp
- Start date
radar_hunter
Member
- Joined
- May 29, 2023
- Messages
- 40
I have the PL-680 and it's a decent radio. I can't really compare it with other similar radios because I don't own any, except a very cheap one and some SDRs.
It's mostly well built, has full LW to 30 MHz frequency range (only very small gaps at LW/MW and MW/SW boundaries as far as I remember), and all standard features are included. It also comes with some accessories and supports NiMH batteries that can be charged inside the radio. The AC adapter is non-switching so it doesn't produce RF noise. Aviation VHF band is a nice extra, although it suffers from lack of scanning and squelch.
Sensitivity seems decent, but as I said, hard to compare.
Some people complain about "soft-muting" with modern radios, I don't exactly know what it means, but this radio does not mute when tuning and other people have also praised it for that. Tuning feels quite close to an all-analog receiver.
On the "cons" list, I would include speaker audio quality, plastic side knobs (no problems yet but they feel a little cheap), at least one annoying firmware bug (see below), frequency memory being a bit cumbersome to use, no always-on option for backlight, no external antenna option for MW/LW. FM reception sounds like it has some distortion, I do not know why. Possibly due to strong stations, but using the input attenuator doesn't seem to change much. FM range does not extend to the OIRT or Japanese bands. Not a problem unless you live in these countries, or want to try some sporadic-E FM DX.
There's one annoying problem which is apparently a firmware bug and may have been fixed in newer units. I wrote a post about it:
forums.radioreference.com
...and, as far as I remember, the shortwave band selection or tuning has some kind of a bug when you go to the lower frequencies, but I don't remember exactly how this can be triggered.
It's mostly well built, has full LW to 30 MHz frequency range (only very small gaps at LW/MW and MW/SW boundaries as far as I remember), and all standard features are included. It also comes with some accessories and supports NiMH batteries that can be charged inside the radio. The AC adapter is non-switching so it doesn't produce RF noise. Aviation VHF band is a nice extra, although it suffers from lack of scanning and squelch.
Sensitivity seems decent, but as I said, hard to compare.
Some people complain about "soft-muting" with modern radios, I don't exactly know what it means, but this radio does not mute when tuning and other people have also praised it for that. Tuning feels quite close to an all-analog receiver.
On the "cons" list, I would include speaker audio quality, plastic side knobs (no problems yet but they feel a little cheap), at least one annoying firmware bug (see below), frequency memory being a bit cumbersome to use, no always-on option for backlight, no external antenna option for MW/LW. FM reception sounds like it has some distortion, I do not know why. Possibly due to strong stations, but using the input attenuator doesn't seem to change much. FM range does not extend to the OIRT or Japanese bands. Not a problem unless you live in these countries, or want to try some sporadic-E FM DX.
There's one annoying problem which is apparently a firmware bug and may have been fixed in newer units. I wrote a post about it:
Tecsun - Tecsun PL-680 major annoyance/bug in SSB mode
Hi all, I have a PL-680 and have noticed a bug: In certain circumstances, the radio seems to go into AM Sync mode instead of SSB, when SSB is selected. For example, when starting it with SSB already selected, or when cycling saved frequencies that are configured as SSB. The radio shows SSB...
...and, as far as I remember, the shortwave band selection or tuning has some kind of a bug when you go to the lower frequencies, but I don't remember exactly how this can be triggered.
Last edited:
FKimble
Member
Been recommending this radio to friends
And now your asking us how good the radio is?
Frank
And now your asking us how good the radio is?
Frank
I have a thread asking for good sw radio that uses AA batteries. This was one of the recommendations. Looking at numerous sites that sell it, all positive reviews. Figured I would ask actual users to make sure my recommendation is good.
ka3jjz
Wiki Admin Emeritus
Don't forget to use your Google-fu to find reviews on this radio. I came up with a couple with a simple search. Hint Hint
Mike
Mike
This radio is the one I searched for reviews. The newer ones seem better but no AA battery option.
