I was thinking of something for my niece's boys and this radio was it. Growing up I mowed lawns to earn money for a Hallicrafters S-120 shortwave. Still have it. Now that I'm retired, I purchased a Tecsun PL-660. Wonderful radio! A year later added the Tecsun S-2000 as a stand alone receiver. Another great radio! My niece's boys know some Spanish and I thought what a wonderful way to connect them to the world. During the cold war radio Havana Cuba broadcast "The Truth About Cuba" describing interactions with the US in the Bay of Pigs conflict. Always found it interesting to hear events told from a different view. I ordered 2) PL-380 for the boys and another for myself. I have dropped my 660 a couple times so I thought for a backyard radio, the 380 would do the job. NPR and occasional SW cruising would be perfect for the PL-380. Boys are in Underhill, VT. Thanks for your review.
I have the 380 and the 330. The 330 has SSB, Sync, and a few more options. The PL-330 is a great radio, but the 380 still has a couple of advantages. It has a longer antenna, and the user interface is less cluttered and easier to do some of the things you want to do quickly. Some of the same features take more button presses and steps on the 330. The 330 can use standard AA batteries which might be handy in emergencies, and it has an option for 1 kHz bandwidth on MW. There are actually some times when 2.5 kHz is still too wide for MW. I still find myself grabbing the 380 sometimes even though I have the 330.
I am from Norway, the only country in the world where FM broadcasts are closed (except some local radio stations), as the government decided DAB+ should be the only national radio broadcast. However, I bought this PL-380 as I also am a licensed HAM and SWL, and needed a portable radio for SW AM. Where I live I can receive two local radio stations from my apartment. Then I got my hands on this radio, playing around with it in our apartment with a lot of concrete surroundings. Tried the "ETM"-scan, and to my surprise this radio stored 9 - nine - radio stations on FM, and not the expected two. Two of them were the "usual suspects", the nearby local radio stations. The other seven were Swedish radio stations. I could feel the hair on my arms rising, this was very unexpected. I give it 30 out of 6. The best FM-radio I've ever tested. The included ear-plugs sounds great too. The shortwave part I've not tested yet. But I guess I will not be dissapointed.
I bought this radio about eight years ago for $40. Now it's $50 and it's worth it. The most amazing thing to me is its stingy battery use. Three rechargeable AA batteries last about 80 hours in this radio, but admittedly I keep it at very low volume. My Kaito 1103 uses four AA batteries and I get maybe 20 hours out of a charge. The PL-380 is easy to use and is built pretty well. I've dropped it pretty hard on the floor several times and bent the antenna and it still keeps going.
I have several sw radios and I find myself always using this one, so practical, so easy to use and great reception, very satisfied with this radio, dont hesitate to get one, great value!
PL-380 is a very good receiver on AM. I used a Flag antenna with it and got 747 kHz MW in Flevoland, Netherlands once from Colorado. The Flag antenna was coupled to the PL-380 by winding approximately 10-15 turns of wire around a 6" ferrite loop stick from the coax feed line and placing the loop stick next to the radio's built-in loop stick. The PL-380's audio filter was able to separate 747 kHz from 750 kHz. FM was very sensitive although my Grundig G8 did slightly better there. The Grundig G8 was the best receiver I've ever owned for FM reception.
I bought mine several years ago mainly for F.M. and I,ve been surprised by what d.S.P. can do with adjustable bandwith on a weak A,M. station. It,s built like a tank and F.M stereo is great. Thanks for video!
this was the first radio I ever got a few years back. Solid little cheap radio. Just ordered a tecsun 9012 as well as I always wanted an analog radio like back in the day.
Mine arived in the mail about a week ago jut when we were hit by the No'r Easter on the East Coast.. Thought I should try and see what I could pull in that night at the height of the storm.. So surprised that I was able to pull in stations half way around the world .. Definitely a little gem for what it cost..
OfficialSWLchannel Thanks again Gilles. I wish Tecsun would add SSB to this unit since there are really no easily obtainable new ultralight portables with it today. There were about 6 or 7 years ago! One being the Kaito KA1102 the other Grundig G6.
Doug out my tentec (R) vfo and powered it up and it works well to restore the missing side band. The radios filter works in concert with out board osc. Tks fer good info .
I enjoy DXing AM radio as well as FM. I know that most radios pick up a lot of stations at night,but how does this one perform in daytime on AM? Here I have a couple of candlelight powered stations I use for checking up on performance. Enjoyed. Thanks.
They are very similar in sound quality and sensitivity. Same goes for their size, except that the 310 has antenna jack and the tuning knob for easier operation. Tuning knob is useful for setting the clock or alarm time on/off. Anyway, some people say both radios are so alike that you just go for a better deal you find. I love 310 et, today at 4pm I copied up to 117 short wave stations using only a whip antenna. On the Calton hill in Edinburgh. My record was 192 under Pentland hills, insane without long wire, just like that. But that numbers depend a lot of which method I choose- (setting 6, 30 stations compared to setting 1 with 192). Manual says: Wideband can improve the sound quality of strong signal radio program; with the narrowband can improve the ability of adjacent channel.
Yes it will receive them but as it's not supporting SSB, it will be quite useless in your case excepted for cw, maybe, with the narrowest filter (1 khz).
I have question, signal Strength dbu and snr db, by this two how can i indicate the singnal is good or bad, i want to say, is dbu and db higher or lower good??? I am not clear about it. I think you will help me.....🙂🙂
The higher the number, the better. I just looked at a very strong local station and a distant weak station. Both signal strength and S/N were much better from the local station. These numbers will improve if you are positioning your antenna correctly.
And the 310 et also has a external jack for an antenna. So that is a big improvement from the 380. The 310 et is just worth it compared to the 380. 10 or 15 dollars is worth it. Trust me
Recently bought the pl 380 and can barely tune in any sw international stations. Will be travelling to east Africa shortly....will it be any better over there? PS I'm in London UK at the moment.
Hi. Great video. I'm in the UK and have 2 of these but I can't receive Long Wave (LW). Can you, or anyone reading this, tell me how I can receive LW please??
I wonder if the there is a screw adjustment in the LW end of the internal antenna to favor the mid or top of the band, as with older ferrite coil antennas?
Great video again. I have the 380 as well. I have a problem. I cant get the ETM to scan or work at all. The sleep symbol is in the box although i dont know if that is the problem. Great radio even so. Can you help ? Many thanks. Mark
May I ask...it looks like the TECSUN PL-310ET does have a port on the side for Antenna input, whereas this PL-380 does not (unless I am mistaken). Do folks have an opinion on the differences between the two radios...and if a port is better than simply "alligator clipping" an antenna onto the whip antenna?
With the radio OFF, hold down the MW/LW button and it will toggle the LW ON & OFF. Then once the radio is ON, the MW/LW will then toggle between MW & LW.
Took this radio to the mountains of Kosovo and Croatia and it was amazing ,left it to my grandpa and bought me another one back in the states.
I was thinking of something for my niece's boys and this radio was it. Growing up I mowed lawns to earn money for a Hallicrafters S-120 shortwave. Still have it. Now that I'm retired, I purchased a Tecsun PL-660. Wonderful radio! A year later added the Tecsun S-2000 as a stand alone receiver. Another great radio! My niece's boys know some Spanish and I thought what a wonderful way to connect them to the world. During the cold war radio Havana Cuba broadcast "The Truth About Cuba" describing interactions with the US in the Bay of Pigs conflict. Always found it interesting to hear events told from a different view. I ordered 2) PL-380 for the boys and another for myself. I have dropped my 660 a couple times so I thought for a backyard radio, the 380 would do the job. NPR and occasional SW cruising would be perfect for the PL-380. Boys are in Underhill, VT.
Thanks for your review.
I have the 380 and the 330. The 330 has SSB, Sync, and a few more options. The PL-330 is a great radio, but the 380 still has a couple of advantages. It has a longer antenna, and the user interface is less cluttered and easier to do some of the things you want to do quickly. Some of the same features take more button presses and steps on the 330. The 330 can use standard AA batteries which might be handy in emergencies, and it has an option for 1 kHz bandwidth on MW. There are actually some times when 2.5 kHz is still too wide for MW. I still find myself grabbing the 380 sometimes even though I have the 330.
I am from Norway, the only country in the world where FM broadcasts are closed (except some local radio stations), as the government decided DAB+ should be the only national radio broadcast. However, I bought this PL-380 as I also am a licensed HAM and SWL, and needed a portable radio for SW AM. Where I live I can receive two local radio stations from my apartment. Then I got my hands on this radio, playing around with it in our apartment with a lot of concrete surroundings. Tried the "ETM"-scan, and to my surprise this radio stored 9 - nine - radio stations on FM, and not the expected two. Two of them were the "usual suspects", the nearby local radio stations. The other seven were Swedish radio stations. I could feel the hair on my arms rising, this was very unexpected. I give it 30 out of 6. The best FM-radio I've ever tested. The included ear-plugs sounds great too.
The shortwave part I've not tested yet. But I guess I will not be dissapointed.
I bought this radio about eight years ago for $40. Now it's $50 and it's worth it. The most amazing thing to me is its stingy battery use. Three rechargeable AA batteries last about 80 hours in this radio, but admittedly I keep it at very low volume. My Kaito 1103 uses four AA batteries and I get maybe 20 hours out of a charge. The PL-380 is easy to use and is built pretty well. I've dropped it pretty hard on the floor several times and bent the antenna and it still keeps going.
I have several sw radios and I find myself always using this one, so practical, so easy to use and great reception, very satisfied with this radio, dont hesitate to get one, great value!
PL-380 is a very good receiver on AM. I used a Flag antenna with it and got 747 kHz MW in Flevoland, Netherlands once from Colorado. The Flag antenna was coupled to the PL-380 by winding approximately 10-15 turns of wire around a 6" ferrite loop stick from the coax feed line and placing the loop stick next to the radio's built-in loop stick. The PL-380's audio filter was able to separate 747 kHz from 750 kHz. FM was very sensitive although my Grundig G8 did slightly better there. The Grundig G8 was the best receiver I've ever owned for FM reception.
Just ordered this off amazon. I'm excited to start listening to short wave. :)
A great radio. In a low noise environment this thing is a high performer
I just bought this off of Amazon. It is a fantastic radio, for the price range.
I am anxious to get an antennae up to test test the shortwave bands.
Ordered the 380 a few days ago. Seems like a great buy.
Living in SO Cal. Radio Havana comes in pretty good on the SW...
I bought these radio a few weeks ago along with the Tuscon AM antenna loop and I've re-discovered AM.
I bought mine several years ago mainly for F.M. and I,ve been surprised by what d.S.P. can do with adjustable bandwith on a weak A,M. station. It,s built like a tank and F.M stereo is great. Thanks for video!
this was the first radio I ever got a few years back. Solid little cheap radio. Just ordered a tecsun 9012 as well as I always wanted an analog radio like back in the day.
Mine arived in the mail about a week ago jut when we were hit by the No'r Easter on the East Coast.. Thought I should try and see what I could pull in that night at the height of the storm.. So surprised that I was able to pull in stations half way around the world .. Definitely a little gem for what it cost..
bought one from Aliexpress for 38 USD. Amazing sensitivity in FM and AM bands.
It has the same features like the PL310ET.
Hello from Greece,i just bought it about 60 euros (expensive but it really worth) 3 days ago.It's really amazing, especially in fm!
Thanks Gilles. Nice Review. Band Scan on!!!
Hi Gill thanks for the video i have this radio too, and i love this radio and i works so nice. Take care and have a great day.
Thanks for the introduction! I think I see one in my future...
Thanks a lot Sir, I'm buying it right away.
OfficialSWLchannel
Thanks again Gilles. I wish Tecsun would add SSB to this unit since there are really no easily obtainable new ultralight portables with it today. There were about 6 or 7 years ago!
One being the Kaito KA1102 the other Grundig G6.
Great Review. I have recenty ordered one from Amazon.
Doug out my tentec (R) vfo and powered it up and it works well to restore the missing side band. The radios filter works in concert with out board osc. Tks fer good info .
Gilles your Tecsun Pl 380. Mw lw fm streo SW 4 bands receiver is cool
Gilles your utube videos are awesome
Mais um rádio Top da Tecsun. 👏👏
My 380 has been going RUPP RRRRRRUUUUUUPPPPP on Shortwave.
propagation.
your not alone
Very nice video i have ordered mine today from amazon in 2020😁👋👋
How do I improve reception in winter time as its too cold now to string a wire antenna over a tree?
Gilles your Tecsun Pl 380 mw lw fm SW portable reciver is cool
I enjoy DXing AM radio as well as FM.
I know that most radios pick up a lot of stations at night,but how does this one perform in daytime on AM?
Here I have a couple of candlelight powered stations I use for checking up on performance.
Enjoyed.
Thanks.
Tony Perone If you do like AM and FM go with Tecsun PL450!
Very good review
Great video thanks
Sounds good!
How much better is the AM on this radio compared to the PL-660? This has DSP, the 660 does not.
I bought it just recently! 😂
Hi all....How does it compare with the 310ET? I'm asking since I do prefer the tuning dial "style" of the 310ET!
They are very similar in sound quality and sensitivity. Same goes for their size, except that the 310 has antenna jack and the tuning knob for easier operation. Tuning knob is useful for setting the clock or alarm time on/off. Anyway, some people say both radios are so alike that you just go for a better deal you find.
I love 310 et, today at 4pm I copied up to 117 short wave stations using only a whip antenna. On the Calton hill in Edinburgh. My record was 192 under Pentland hills, insane without long wire, just like that. But that numbers depend a lot of which method I choose- (setting 6, 30 stations compared to setting 1 with 192). Manual says:
Wideband can improve the sound quality of strong signal radio program; with the narrowband can improve the ability of adjacent channel.
Okay, I know this will sound like a Newbie question, and I am new to Ham Radio. But will this radio receive 10,20, and 40 meter bands?
Yes it will receive them but as it's not supporting SSB, it will be quite useless in your case excepted for cw, maybe, with the narrowest filter (1 khz).
get the tecsun pl-660 if you want listen to ham ssb, get wefax images, psk31, etc
I have question, signal Strength dbu and snr db, by this two how can i indicate the singnal is good or bad, i want to say, is dbu and db higher or lower good??? I am not clear about it. I think you will help me.....🙂🙂
The higher the number, the better. I just looked at a very strong local station and a distant weak station. Both signal strength and S/N were much better from the local station. These numbers will improve if you are positioning your antenna correctly.
I'm trying decide what to buy: is this better or the PL-360?
is it possible to listen to this device manually if 4625 khz frequency is entered? UVB-76
Rekreb Rekre yes
I have the pl 310 et and I live in Sweden. It gets it is so good when the sun is down. ( pl 310 et and 380 is kind of the same )
And the 310 et also has a external jack for an antenna. So that is a big improvement from the 380. The 310 et is just worth it compared to the 380. 10 or 15 dollars is worth it. Trust me
@@sa6kod154 I have PL-380, I use external clip antenna and can receive signal, thank you
Recently bought the pl 380 and can barely tune in any sw international stations. Will be travelling to east Africa shortly....will it be any better over there?
PS I'm in London UK at the moment.
what do you think, as 2020, is the best FM radio in terms of reception, sensitivity, audio quality?
Hi. Great video. I'm in the UK and have 2 of these but I can't receive Long Wave (LW). Can you, or anyone reading this, tell me how I can receive LW please??
I wonder if the there is a screw adjustment in the LW end of the internal antenna to favor the mid or top of the band, as with older ferrite coil antennas?
Press the MW button. That's MW. Press it a second time and it goes to LW. You can toggle back and forth.
If you had a choice between the PL-380 and the PL-450, which one would you purchase?
Can you do comparing between PL310 VS PL380 VS PL450?
yes will check it out
310 is so good, i will buy another one for my office & others as gifts
great revisit, how about the pl-450
coming up soon
Hey Gilles, just got a PL-380, it's general coverage, isn't it?
Great video again. I have the 380 as well. I have a problem. I cant get the ETM to scan or work at all. The sleep symbol is in the box although i dont know if that is the problem. Great radio even so. Can you help ? Many thanks. Mark
so you press and hold the button when you are on Shortwave and it does not do a scan of the international broadcast band ?
Gilles I am thinking about getting Kaito ka 1103 Mw lw fm SW ssb 5 bands
May I ask...it looks like the TECSUN PL-310ET does have a port on the side for Antenna input, whereas this PL-380 does not (unless I am mistaken). Do folks have an opinion on the differences between the two radios...and if a port is better than simply "alligator clipping" an antenna onto the whip antenna?
How shift LW band? I dont do it this.!
With the radio OFF, hold down the MW/LW button and it will toggle the LW ON & OFF. Then once the radio is ON, the MW/LW will then toggle between MW & LW.
thnks
THANKS
How does the 310ET stack up against the 380?
the 310ET is slightly more sensitive on SW
great video! can I plug an externa antenna to it?
Yes 👍
If only one pl-380 or Radiwow R-108?
Can it receive 40 meter nets of amateur radio operators?
no,, it does not have SSB
U