One thing I really like on these Tecsun radios is how well the UI was thought out and put into practice, how much details were put in. For example, the light itself not only has two modes of operation, (Auto/Manual) when most other radios only have one, (or sometimes none.. ) but also gives you control on both of them, which is a rare occurrence.. most electronics usually overlook or don't give a fuck about small details.. (or simply omit them just to differentiate between products tiers/SKU's.. - marketing, product tier granularity bullshit basically) So, unless you're buying a premium class tier marketed device and obviously pay a premium + brand price.. you're simply not going to get these kind of little details. Tecsun apparently does away with much of this kind of shit and puts some good practical options in these radios, simply because it's possible and makes sense (which if you'd ask me, would be the correct policy of any brand/company, especially respectable ones.. ) The two modes of the light, "Auto" (light turns itself On for a couple of seconds on any user input) and "Manual" (Light can permanently be toggled On or Off) both have a toggle switch to be activated/deactivated by the user at will and also both are independent on each other, meaning that you can have the light permanently On, permanently Off and on Auto. Most radios would do with either On/Off, or just Permanent Auto light enabled (Radiwow R-108 for ex.) Other radios, like the XHDATA D-808 for example also have both Auto light and a Light On/Off switch, but you cannot turn Off the Auto light, you're just stuck with it. Another smart detail/behavior of the light in these radios is that if you're turning the light On (permanent On) while the radio is Off and then turn the radio On, the light will remain permanently On, but if done the other way around and you're turning the light On (permanent On) while the radio is On and then turn the radio Off, the light will go Off in a couple of seconds (which is a logical behavior and highly practical, as you wouldn't want to turn the radio Off and forget the light was switched permanently On even before turning the radio itself On and this has been implemented as a feature because it simply made sense.. ) Other good features that are missing on other good portables would be: - The ability to either tune the frequency (like any radio would.. ) or simply scroll through the already memorized stations.. via a toggle switch (VF/VM) - Preview mode (in both VF or VM modes!.. ) - In VF mode the radio would scan through the band in the last tuning direction and pause on each found station for a few seconds and the same, in VM mode, the radio would scroll through the memorized stations, pausing for a few seconds on each one, giving you the time to "preview" it.. - Not a visible feature, but a design one, at least on my PL-380, the audio amp (sound over the headphones is fantastic btw.. ) has two modes of operation (which is both an electrically and technically efficient design) - One mode is stereo classic "AB class" mode over the headphones and the other mode is mono "BTL" (bridge-tied load) with an inverted feedback loop on one channel via a physical switch adjacent to the headphones switch (which is a very uncommon design, but a smart and efficient one - most designers would choose the cheapest, easiest path of using only one channel from the amp straight to the internal speaker and limit the power to the headphones by inserting a serial resistor with each channel.. which by any standards would be stupid and inefficient design to say the least - again, XHDATA D-808.. also that stupid design makes it so at high audio levels the sound has very high distortion and clipping) - The VM/VF tuning mode are memorized after a power cycle and so does the display mode These Tecsun radios are very good packages overall with very good feature sets and hidden features that many other radios either don't have, have half arsed implementations, or cost a high premium to get. My PL-380 imo is one of the best ultra portable packages as far as what I'm looking for in a portable radio goes.
jebus! thanks for the fantastic and detailed comment. :D the only feature i would actually ask for this radio (or any other for that matter) are: RDS I love to watch SANGEAN videos with the stations name and or broadcasting; no muting or chugging when tunning the frequencies. other than that, this is a cool little package of a radio (310et)and highly overlooked, but it seems to be getting some traction lately. 73s
Hi. I’m not sure I quite understand your question. Nevertheless, once you choose the AM band, it simply uses the default. Please do try to check the manual. Thanks for dropping by.👌🏼
@@canadianpsycho1867 I was think that the question was about using 10 khz and centigrade on the PL310ET, not about the country. (Sorry, english not is my first languaje).
Hi. you can buy separate rechargeable batteries and charge them via the radio. but its advisable to use external charger. 73s and thanks for watching :)
@@DXPedro yes alarm clock radios, one since if i bought it i would use it that way. Of course there is a clock on it, but if it only gives full light then that doesn't work for me. Thanks 👍
Hi Pedro, my is older 31E4 version. Number 5 button is for backlight on/off on the PL-880. The same on yours as I just checked. It saves battery power in situations when she buttons are pressed by accident when radio is in the bag.. If time starts flashing which happened to me before - backlight stays in until you notice. I should use key lock function. That's interesting - on my radio LW was activated by default. Maybe they switched it off from the box if people complained about LW performance. Similar thing happens on the PL-880 where there is a synchronous detection but it's such rubbish that they left it as a hidden function (long press of SSB buttons actives it). I had a funny story with LW on my 880 - it had to be described by accident. I didn't know so I was desperate why I couldn't turn LW on but everything else worked. I took the radio to service. They looked at it but couldn't find what was wrong. I went on holiday so I had to go with the 310ET:) Damn, I missed my 880 that time. At least the service guy said I don't need to pay because "no repair - no fee charged". And soon after I found about what does long pressing of MW/LW button do:) 73!
life saver! thanks, Ron! yeah, it's weird, idk. but LW isnt something I've dwelled a lot with the 310, still. mine came from spain, so 'm guesing they kinda customize it since the FM band was correct? i've dxed for 20m today at lunch time, and i do have to say: this radios is a beast! good sound and ETM caught 25 (at least) stations with decent to very good quality audio. I can't compare to other devices, but this one has blew me away! 73s and have a great week!
@@DXPedro I was like that when I had for first time:) - th-cam.com/video/2Y7TvP72vzM/w-d-xo.html a huge number of stations but majority of it was China and all kind of beeping noises:) Good idea is to do ETM scan with narrow filter so it picks up really high number. Then you can go through them and hear what you wouldn't have registered with wider filters. 73!
@@TheMajkla so i should perform ETM scan with a 6khz filter enabled (FM ST key thingy)? and also means that if i use 1khz I'll get more stations? so basically it changes the ETM sensitivity, right? 73s
@@DXPedro you should scan with 3 to 1 kHz as - narrower filters ->more sensitivity. Wider filter - weak stations are skipped but it's good for audio quality for music and when listening to stations with strong signal. 73!
08 11:43 Long press on 5 key with radio OFF until ON or OFF apperzs on display: enable (ON) or disable (OFF) backlight. Pulsación larga en tecla 5 con la radio apagada hasta que ON u OFF aparezca en pantalla: ON activa la luz, OFF la desactiva completamente.
@@DXPedro Thanks DX Pedro. It's fun trying for discover hidden features on Tecsun's radios. I think that Tecsun can make good and cheap radios using "classic" PLL chips, like Sony, Phillips, Grundig... Of course, the Degen DE1103 (earlier versions no DSP chip) for me is always a "must have" radio: no chuffing sounds, no peaks and valleys on sound (AGC problems), no silences tuning, band changes or changing to SSB... the fading is inherent to short radio waves. For me the DEGEN DE1103 it is like an analogic radio with advantage of digital tecnology. En español: Gracias DX Pedro. Es divertido intentar descubrir caracterñisticas ocultas en las radios de Tecsun. Pienso que Tecsun puede hacer buenas y baratas radios utilizando chips "clásicos" PLL, como Sonym Phillips, Grundig... Por supuesto, el Degen DE1103 (primeras versiones sin chip DSP) para mi siempre será una radio "que de debe poseer": sin sonido ni soplidos extraños, sin altibajos en el audio (problemas del Control Automatico de Ganancia), sin silencios al sintonizar, cambiar de banda o cambiar a SSB... los desvanecimientos son propios de la onda corta. Para mi el DEGEN DE1103 es como una radio analógica que aprovecha las ventajas de la tecnologñia digital.
@@josesebastian5986 SI SI! TOTAL! es una lastima que no se hagan mas radios con PLL y con dusplay digital. y tecsun tiene todo es saber y potencial. Lastima. un saludo!
@@DXPedro Creo que Tecsun PL600 y PL660 no tienen DSP, pero no puedo confirmarlo porque no he visto una de cerca. En las fotos que he visto menciona PLL pero no dice DSP. Lo que me gusta del 310ET es que en algunas ocasiones aminora el soplido de fondo de fondo en AM. Lo he comparado con un Sony ICF 8, escuchando Onda Cero Madrid (954 Khz) por la noche desde mi casa. El 310ET me ha sorprendido gratamene en SW cuando le conecté la antena de hilo. Nunca lo había hecho. A ver si me pongo a fondo con el PL330. ¡ Saludos !.
One thing I really like on these Tecsun radios is how well the UI was thought out and put into practice, how much details were put in. For example, the light itself not only has two modes of operation, (Auto/Manual) when most other radios only have one, (or sometimes none.. ) but also gives you control on both of them, which is a rare occurrence.. most electronics usually overlook or don't give a fuck about small details.. (or simply omit them just to differentiate between products tiers/SKU's.. - marketing, product tier granularity bullshit basically) So, unless you're buying a premium class tier marketed device and obviously pay a premium + brand price.. you're simply not going to get these kind of little details. Tecsun apparently does away with much of this kind of shit and puts some good practical options in these radios, simply because it's possible and makes sense (which if you'd ask me, would be the correct policy of any brand/company, especially respectable ones.. ) The two modes of the light, "Auto" (light turns itself On for a couple of seconds on any user input) and "Manual" (Light can permanently be toggled On or Off) both have a toggle switch to be activated/deactivated by the user at will and also both are independent on each other, meaning that you can have the light permanently On, permanently Off and on Auto. Most radios would do with either On/Off, or just Permanent Auto light enabled (Radiwow R-108 for ex.) Other radios, like the XHDATA D-808 for example also have both Auto light and a Light On/Off switch, but you cannot turn Off the Auto light, you're just stuck with it.
Another smart detail/behavior of the light in these radios is that if you're turning the light On (permanent On) while the radio is Off and then turn the radio On, the light will remain permanently On, but if done the other way around and you're turning the light On (permanent On) while the radio is On and then turn the radio Off, the light will go Off in a couple of seconds (which is a logical behavior and highly practical, as you wouldn't want to turn the radio Off and forget the light was switched permanently On even before turning the radio itself On and this has been implemented as a feature because it simply made sense.. )
Other good features that are missing on other good portables would be:
- The ability to either tune the frequency (like any radio would.. ) or simply scroll through the already memorized stations.. via a toggle switch (VF/VM)
- Preview mode (in both VF or VM modes!.. ) - In VF mode the radio would scan through the band in the last tuning direction and pause on each found station for a few seconds and the same, in VM mode, the radio would scroll through the memorized stations, pausing for a few seconds on each one, giving you the time to "preview" it..
- Not a visible feature, but a design one, at least on my PL-380, the audio amp (sound over the headphones is fantastic btw.. ) has two modes of operation (which is both an electrically and technically efficient design) - One mode is stereo classic "AB class" mode over the headphones and the other mode is mono "BTL" (bridge-tied load) with an inverted feedback loop on one channel via a physical switch adjacent to the headphones switch (which is a very uncommon design, but a smart and efficient one - most designers would choose the cheapest, easiest path of using only one channel from the amp straight to the internal speaker and limit the power to the headphones by inserting a serial resistor with each channel.. which by any standards would be stupid and inefficient design to say the least - again, XHDATA D-808.. also that stupid design makes it so at high audio levels the sound has very high distortion and clipping)
- The VM/VF tuning mode are memorized after a power cycle and so does the display mode
These Tecsun radios are very good packages overall with very good feature sets and hidden features that many other radios either don't have, have half arsed implementations, or cost a high premium to get. My PL-380 imo is one of the best ultra portable packages as far as what I'm looking for in a portable radio goes.
jebus! thanks for the fantastic and detailed comment. :D
the only feature i would actually ask for this radio (or any other for that matter) are:
RDS I love to watch SANGEAN videos with the stations name and or broadcasting;
no muting or chugging when tunning the frequencies.
other than that, this is a cool little package of a radio (310et)and highly overlooked, but it seems to be getting some traction lately.
73s
@@DXPedro 73!
The 5 button permanently enables or disables the light.
I know that now. Thanks for watching and be safe! 73s
My rig lacks a "kick stand" might get a hinge with a spring load.
Mine just broke. Two months ago. It pained me immensely 😢
How do Canadians use Centigrade with 10 kHz stepping?
Hi. I’m not sure I quite understand your question. Nevertheless, once you choose the AM band, it simply uses the default. Please do try to check the manual.
Thanks for dropping by.👌🏼
Not possible. Selecting 10 khz stepping will always shows Farenheit's scale; and 9khz stepping always shows Centigrade (Celsius) scale.
@@josesebastian5986 Canada uses centigrade. Canada also uses 10 KHZ.
@@canadianpsycho1867 I was think that the question was about using 10 khz and centigrade on the PL310ET, not about the country.
(Sorry, english not is my first languaje).
is this rechargeable?
Hi.
you can buy separate rechargeable batteries and charge them via the radio. but its advisable to use external charger.
73s and thanks for watching :)
Cheers
Cheers 😅
Can you dim the light?
it was natural light. rare thing in my bunker xD
@@DXPedro No, I mean the radio display, the display lighting can of course be turned on and off, but is it also dimmable?
@@blacksheep5736 no it is not. i don't know any radio having that feature. Thanks for stopping by :)
@@DXPedro yes alarm clock radios, one since if i bought it i would use it that way. Of course there is a clock on it, but if it only gives full light then that doesn't work for me.
Thanks 👍
Hi Pedro, my is older 31E4 version. Number 5 button is for backlight on/off on the PL-880. The same on yours as I just checked. It saves battery power in situations when she buttons are pressed by accident when radio is in the bag.. If time starts flashing which happened to me before - backlight stays in until you notice. I should use key lock function. That's interesting - on my radio LW was activated by default. Maybe they switched it off from the box if people complained about LW performance. Similar thing happens on the PL-880 where there is a synchronous detection but it's such rubbish that they left it as a hidden function (long press of SSB buttons actives it). I had a funny story with LW on my 880 - it had to be described by accident. I didn't know so I was desperate why I couldn't turn LW on but everything else worked. I took the radio to service. They looked at it but couldn't find what was wrong. I went on holiday so I had to go with the 310ET:) Damn, I missed my 880 that time. At least the service guy said I don't need to pay because "no repair - no fee charged". And soon after I found about what does long pressing of MW/LW button do:) 73!
life saver! thanks, Ron!
yeah, it's weird, idk. but LW isnt something I've dwelled a lot with the 310, still. mine came from spain, so 'm guesing they kinda customize it since the FM band was correct? i've dxed for 20m today at lunch time, and i do have to say: this radios is a beast! good sound and ETM caught 25 (at least) stations with decent to very good quality audio.
I can't compare to other devices, but this one has blew me away!
73s and have a great week!
@@DXPedro I was like that when I had for first time:) - th-cam.com/video/2Y7TvP72vzM/w-d-xo.html a huge number of stations but majority of it was China and all kind of beeping noises:)
Good idea is to do ETM scan with narrow filter so it picks up really high number. Then you can go through them and hear what you wouldn't have registered with wider filters. 73!
@@TheMajkla so i should perform ETM scan with a 6khz filter enabled (FM ST key thingy)? and also means that if i use 1khz I'll get more stations? so basically it changes the ETM sensitivity, right?
73s
@@DXPedro you should scan with 3 to 1 kHz as - narrower filters ->more sensitivity. Wider filter - weak stations are skipped but it's good for audio quality for music and when listening to stations with strong signal. 73!
@@TheMajkla thats a #protip, Ronnie, me boy! thank you very much! will try and let you know how it goes!
73s
08 11:43
Long press on 5 key with radio OFF until ON or OFF apperzs on display: enable (ON) or disable (OFF) backlight.
Pulsación larga en tecla 5 con la radio apagada hasta que ON u OFF aparezca en pantalla: ON activa la luz, OFF la desactiva completamente.
sip. :) i was very noob at the time. ahora un poco menos. Gracias, Jose!
@@DXPedro Thanks DX Pedro.
It's fun trying for discover hidden features on Tecsun's radios.
I think that Tecsun can make good and cheap radios using "classic" PLL chips, like Sony, Phillips, Grundig...
Of course, the Degen DE1103 (earlier versions no DSP chip) for me is always a "must have" radio: no chuffing sounds, no peaks and valleys on sound (AGC problems), no silences tuning, band changes or changing to SSB... the fading is inherent to short radio waves.
For me the DEGEN DE1103 it is like an analogic radio with advantage of digital tecnology.
En español:
Gracias DX Pedro.
Es divertido intentar descubrir caracterñisticas ocultas en las radios de Tecsun.
Pienso que Tecsun puede hacer buenas y baratas radios utilizando chips "clásicos" PLL, como Sonym Phillips, Grundig...
Por supuesto, el Degen DE1103 (primeras versiones sin chip DSP) para mi siempre será una radio "que de debe poseer": sin sonido ni soplidos extraños, sin altibajos en el audio (problemas del Control Automatico de Ganancia), sin silencios al sintonizar, cambiar de banda o cambiar a SSB... los desvanecimientos son propios de la onda corta.
Para mi el DEGEN DE1103 es como una radio analógica que aprovecha las ventajas de la tecnologñia digital.
@@josesebastian5986 SI SI! TOTAL! es una lastima que no se hagan mas radios con PLL y con dusplay digital. y tecsun tiene todo es saber y potencial. Lastima.
un saludo!
@@DXPedro Creo que Tecsun PL600 y PL660 no tienen DSP, pero no puedo confirmarlo porque no he visto una de cerca. En las fotos que he visto menciona PLL pero no dice DSP.
Lo que me gusta del 310ET es que en algunas ocasiones aminora el soplido de fondo de fondo en AM. Lo he comparado con un Sony ICF 8, escuchando Onda Cero Madrid (954 Khz) por la noche desde mi casa.
El 310ET me ha sorprendido gratamene en SW cuando le conecté la antena de hilo. Nunca lo había hecho.
A ver si me pongo a fondo con el PL330.
¡ Saludos !.