Tecsun PL-880 Portable Digital SW Radio - Goods In & First Impressions

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มิ.ย. 2024
  • Unboxing and my first impressions and review of the Tecsun PL-880 portable digital radio. In this video, I take a look around the radio and try to have a scan through the band.
    🛒 Check Price on Amazon - geni.us/pl880
    00:00 - Introduction
    00:10 - Why I Chose This Radio
    01:20 - Unboxing
    06:55 - Listen Through the Band
    09:55 - First Impressions & Review
    There's something wonderful about a radio. A connection to the world with no reliance on the internet and a device that works with no app dependencies or smartphone integration. It's a shame there's not as much to listen to!
    I bought the Tecsun PL-880 as a replacement for my Sangean ATS-909X because I can't stand the front rotary tuning controls. The Tecsun has metal controls down the side which give a lot more control without immediate RSI! Having a casual scan through the shortwave band (only to find more CRI or Radio Romania) is much simpler now.
    #tecsun #pl880 #swradio
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ความคิดเห็น • 64

  • @L1RW
    @L1RW 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    There are hidden features on the PL-880, where you have to press certain buttons, in order to use the external antenna. You can also use an external antenna on Medium wave too. There is a PDF online which explains how to do it.

    • @drmirfan
      @drmirfan ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Please guide about its Medium wave reception?

  • @kenbaird7067
    @kenbaird7067 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    I bought the standard PL880, no hard case but everything else. Works just a good as yours and much cheaper. I buy radios on performance, not prettiness. The 880 is an exceptional radio, the best I have bought so far in my 60+ years of SWL.

    • @vahanyazarian5582
      @vahanyazarian5582 23 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Mine won,t pick up weak A.M. stations as well as my 20 dollar analog radiosbut it has great toneand good ham coverage.

  • @jeffking4176
    @jeffking4176 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I have a total of 12 Tecsun radios. The Sangean has a problem in that the radio is a bit def from the whip on SW.
    The PL-880 is fantastic.
    The “Sync.” Is not the greatest, but I’ve found I almost never use it.
    The PL-880 also has “Hidden Features “, and there are plenty of TH-cam videos on them.
    I don’t know where you are, but I’m in Jacksonville Florida USA, and I get a LOT of Short Wave stations.
    Also, I don’t understand about the MW, as mine is fantastic on MW.
    I really like mine.
    [ I have the CCSKywaveSSB, XHDATA D-808, Eton Elite Executive, the Kaito KA-1103, as well as all the others….
    My antenna DOES pull out a little bit. Don’t know why yours doesn’t .
    I bought mine over 2 1/2 years ago.
    The Eton Elite Executive is excellent, as is the XHDATA D-808 [ SIHUADON D-808].
    The one I do not have is the Tecsun PL-330.
    Judging from a couple of comments here, either Tecsun has sent out a bunch of bad radios, or someone [ of your commentators] don’t know what they are doing.
    (( or both)).
    As for SW, conditions are improving greatly. I get all kinds of stations, from all over.
    There is a real problem with RF noise, especially in Urban areas. There is an awesome antenna - not very expensive, called the “MLA-30” / “MLA-30+”. This antenna REALLY helps null out a lot of the noise.
    📻🙂

    • @user-gw1cw9yg1x
      @user-gw1cw9yg1x 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      XHDATA is much quieter, not as noisy as 880... There were tecsun 880, 680,600... There was something to compare with.. 880 does not correspond to the price tag..

  • @Aco747lyte
    @Aco747lyte ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Greetings! I'm Wendi in the UK and just bought this for my youngest daughter Billie. She loves it and the sound, too. In fact, I love it so much that I'm kind of envious, despite my having a far more serious Ten-Tec RX340 which is a few years old now since I took early retirement from the Royal Navy after 30 years 'ship's doc'. This PL880 has very good sound, and true, the rechargeable battery does need uprating. I got a Nitecore 18650, if I remember it's a 3000 mAh, but may depending if Billie needs longer lasting power, I'll buy a larger capacity 18650 battery. Billie's is wired up to an old but trusty AOR indoor antenna that is diamond-shaped and runs off a Duracell 9V battery, the radio is earthed to a disused (and very handy) old radiator. I suggest you add the long wire to the telescopic antenna and earth it. Then the radio will pull in masses of stations!!!
    Coverage and sensitivity is excellent and the radio's side knobs look metal, but I suspect are silver coloured plastic, to cut down weight. As Billie is multilingual like me, we listen in to Ukrainian and Russian broadcasts, but if I discern anything suspicious, I contact on of our UK's spy agencies to pass along the information.
    I also have a lovely old Grundig 800 Satellit Millenium dwarfs my old Drake SW8 and our equally ancient, but trusty Roberts R861- when it feels like working! My farmhouse's back yard resembles the antennas at Jodrel bank! Aye, you could say that Billie and I are hooked SWLers 🤣 PS. On retirement I bought the Ten-TecRX340 which is rack mounted. My late husband loved it. That's why I'm such a dedicated radio nutter. 😉

  • @brooksburford
    @brooksburford 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Howdy. Many thanks for the tip on looking for a longer-life battery for my PL-880. BTW next time you cruise the FM for us with the PL-880 why not stay on a music station for more than 1 second so people can appreciate the unit's fidelity which is quite good. Also, deploying the telescoping antenna to receive some amateur signals, or connecting a simple longwire antenna, can help people appreciate how efficiently the fine tuning knob on SSB lets the voices sing. Great set of videos, BTW.
    ...Brooks in Portland, Oregon, USA

    • @tdcattech
      @tdcattech  2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Yeah, I'd like to do that but TH-cam copyright matches prevent this I'm afraid. If I leave a station on for more than a few seconds, I'll potentially get a copyright strike. Rubbish, isn't it!

  • @STR82DVD
    @STR82DVD 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The pl-880 is a great radio but has been succeeded by the pl-990x and the outstanding Tecsun H-501x. Old tech but still interesting to look at. Thanks lad.

  • @L1RW
    @L1RW 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    The best “value” radio is the XHData/Sihuadon D808. It has RDS on FM, air band, LW, MW and SW.

    • @tdcattech
      @tdcattech  2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Nice. I’ll check it out. Thanks for the info and feedback Louis

    • @bradleyberthold4606
      @bradleyberthold4606 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      What about SSB

    • @L1RW
      @L1RW 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@bradleyberthold4606 the XHData has that included too. It also includes air band.

    • @scottbelcher9026
      @scottbelcher9026 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Amen!!! Yes I love my xhdata d-808!!!
      It’s only around $100 and it works so good!!! It had good sound for picking out voices on weaker stations too!!! The fine tuning on SSB takes some practice… the Degen or Kaito 1103 is good in that it’s bfo only moves a little so you can know quickly if you are on the right frequency or not… sometimes I will find the right frequency on my 1103 but then listen on my xhdata! But it gets easier with practice! It’s s great radio!!! However I am moving up to the Tecsun h-501x for more refined sound and options and DXing options to play around with… but I do love my xhdata!!! Also Anon-co is the best place to get Tecsun radios,..

    • @L1RW
      @L1RW 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@scottbelcher9026 here in the UK, Tecsun radios are over priced. Along with Sangean and others.

  • @Roland_Tr909_Swing
    @Roland_Tr909_Swing 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You sound like a young version of the dj Adam Walton on bbc wales

  • @totoksudiarto5221
    @totoksudiarto5221 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you sir..nice radio

    • @tdcattech
      @tdcattech  ปีที่แล้ว

      It is. I know I had some negative points (which I standby) but I have been using this a lot recently and it has been solid.

    • @totoksudiarto5221
      @totoksudiarto5221 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@tdcattech yes sir...itu is okay...I understand..Anwar thankyou so much 🙏

  • @ISchots
    @ISchots ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Tecsun cheaped out and doesn't include the plastic carrying case and spring loaded wire antenna anymore. Now it's cardboard and a spool with wire and a clip.

  • @DmitiySmirnov
    @DmitiySmirnov 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Здравствуйте. Скажите эти приёмники могут работать от сети 220в или только от акб ?

  • @w8lvradio
    @w8lvradio ปีที่แล้ว +1

    For the money and performance, I prefer the PL-660. I also don't care for metal speaker cover, they always get dinged up, and I don't like the sound that comes out of them. Finally, I prefer the SILVER over Black for the PL-660, works out best on a hot day. 73 DE W8LV BILL (and W8LV/VE3 prepandemic) 🇺🇲🇨🇦

  • @SB-mi2ii
    @SB-mi2ii 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I sent mine back after a day. Deaf on LW/MW and serious frequency drift on SSB. Very overpriced too. I think the days of being able to buy a decent portable SW radio have long gone. 😢

    • @L1RW
      @L1RW 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I bought one of these, a 660 and a 330. All useless. Bugs in tuning, died after a few uses. Clearly not “well made”. I love my old Sony portables. Yes they’re getting older, but still better than the rot you can buy today!!

    • @tdcattech
      @tdcattech  2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I would have to agree. They are still required in many remote parts of the world but that’s just not enough to warrant decent products unfortunately.

    • @jeffking4176
      @jeffking4176 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Really ❓
      Sorry you got a bad one.
      They have a 1 year warranty, and Anon-Co is great to deal with.
      The PL-880 is very high quality.
      It’s an excellent radio.
      📻😐

    • @jeffking4176
      @jeffking4176 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@L1RW
      Mine is extremely well made, and serves me very well.
      Hard to believe you got 3 bad radios. They all have a 1 year warranty.
      Several years ago, I did get a bad Pl-660. It was replaced.
      I have a number of Tecsun radios, all are excellent.
      Love my PL-390.
      I have the PL-600, PL-660, PL-880, and others.
      📻🙂

  • @markmontgomery9722
    @markmontgomery9722 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    i love mine it works best out in the open for short wave hf band's i keep mine in the car all the time fm is great sound. MARK NORTHERN IRELAND

  • @ntag411
    @ntag411 11 วันที่ผ่านมา

    A high capacity battery generally has its bad points. A much shorter cycle life and less durable charge tolerance.
    Example, a stressed battery used in vapes have only about a 2A rating. The usual 2.6A capacity is a fine balance for most applications, IMO.

  • @colescuckooclockshop754
    @colescuckooclockshop754 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Have you had problem with battery door or stand breaking? Seems flimsy.

    • @gary-kr7dm
      @gary-kr7dm 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      If you care for your radio and treat it accordingly, the door and stand are absolutely fine.

  • @hoggwilletts1492
    @hoggwilletts1492 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I've read that almost every owner has broken several back stands and battery covers on this model. How many spares should I order from the manufacturer?

    • @clementglinski3924
      @clementglinski3924 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      alot. and some epoxy glue.

    • @gary-kr7dm
      @gary-kr7dm 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I suppose it all depends on how you treat the radio. I’ve had mine for a while with no problems,but I do treat it carefully.

  • @Callatis
    @Callatis ปีที่แล้ว +1

    PL-880 is 300 euros in my country. Would you recommend this radio at this price?

    • @tdcattech
      @tdcattech  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      No. You should be able to get it for less in a sale. 300€ is too much.

    • @Callatis
      @Callatis ปีที่แล้ว

      @@tdcattech Every Tecsun radio here is expensive.
      H501X is 430€. Is it worth buying or is it overpriced?

    • @clementglinski3924
      @clementglinski3924 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Callatis 166 american dollars for a tecsun pl880.

    • @craigtester7041
      @craigtester7041 ปีที่แล้ว

      $ 195+ in Russia. 16,500 RUR

  • @manifestomode1
    @manifestomode1 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    What’s your location buddy?

    • @tdcattech
      @tdcattech  2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I’m based in Bristol, UK.

  • @L1RW
    @L1RW 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    All of these portable radios are “overpriced”. I’d probably say you should have tried the PL-330, PL-660 or the H501X. If I was paying £180 I would want DAB/+ included too. Otherwise, it may well turn into a useless radio. As more stations on MW are turned off, there won’t be anything to tune into. I don’t like the 18650 battery. I would prefer AA batteries.
    I reckon your next review should be the PL-330, powered by a Nokia BL5-C battery.

    • @tdcattech
      @tdcattech  2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Massively overpriced. It’s a specialist product now, I guess. Smaller runs etc, at least compared to other consumer tech.

    • @L1RW
      @L1RW 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@tdcattech they are indeed. For proper SW listening though, you need a Wellbrook loop antenna or similar and a communications receiver. These portable ones are not meant for that. They are ok for walking around with in the woods or even as a travel radio when you go abroad (even though most of Europe use DAB now like the UK does).

  • @eddiedowning2571
    @eddiedowning2571 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Why did yours coming in a big plastic case rhe other videos are just small boxes no big carrying case

    • @twohandsandaradio
      @twohandsandaradio ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The big plastic case is an option you can buy for extra $$

  • @j7ndominica051
    @j7ndominica051 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Bloody hell, it's over 200 euros for a "tiny" radio made of plastic. I think it presented as a luxury product with the big coffer. The Tecsun 990 is 300 euros. Now that there is nothing to listen to, that doesn't seem like a good investment. You could get a boombox with better speakers for less.
    A gap in frequency coverage between 1600 and 1700 where interesting pirate operators may be. They could have unlocked USW frequencies even wider than 64-108. There are walkie talkies and airport weather in FM, which I heard on my PC. Goes silent momentarily while tuning on USW band. Shame that the MW reception is poor. Standard battery is good.
    The buttons are most likely plastic as everything else.

  • @yutakatakahama4893
    @yutakatakahama4893 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    To be frank, even as a Chinese HAM this radio is overpriced and I don't think it worth that much. I'd prefer PL-660/680 to 880.

    • @tdcattech
      @tdcattech  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Agreed. Way overpriced.

  • @OttoVolný
    @OttoVolný 10 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    To rádio je zkažené, nemá bargraf S- meter!

  • @christopher9727
    @christopher9727 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    John 3.16-21
    16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
    17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
    18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
    19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
    20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
    21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

    • @yan24to
      @yan24to 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Amen

    • @audiophileman7047
      @audiophileman7047 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes, it is the eternal truth. ❤✝

  • @moenibus
    @moenibus ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So much accessory garbage, for a mediocre receiver. lord so much crap and the worse is the not standard battery

  • @christopherp3180
    @christopherp3180 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Terrible review.

    • @gary-kr7dm
      @gary-kr7dm 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Can’t please everyone.

  • @user-cv2ud6yf2j
    @user-cv2ud6yf2j 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    😂 crappy radio 📻

  • @djaj423
    @djaj423 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    trying to decide on first radio the 880 or the ats25. thought/comments