Tecsun PL-330 you realize it's difficult to justify price for Tecsun PL-990x and Sangean ATS-909X2

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  • Опубліковано 15 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 93

  • @GardenBushcrafter
    @GardenBushcrafter Рік тому +11

    Just got my PL-330, and now throughly understand and appreciate what exactly you mean in this video.

  • @Steven-re7xt
    @Steven-re7xt Рік тому +2

    Cannot get. Enough. as a fugitive of the 50-60-70 and 80.s so buying radios are an adventure. modern radios with chips that would put our era of computers to shame are magic. Tks I'm enjoying your work.please more. Sir.

  • @whollyunaware5185
    @whollyunaware5185 4 роки тому +30

    Our best hope is that great values like this might encourage more interest in our little hobby, justifying expansion of broadcasts, etc. We really need some good news for SWL.

    • @dodovomitory3496
      @dodovomitory3496 2 роки тому +2

      I just got into it recently :)
      Didn't know about Shortwave Radio before

    • @Diamond_Tiara
      @Diamond_Tiara 2 роки тому +3

      isn't that weird, decades ago it was normal to listen to radio and going to the internet was a hobby. - to avoid censorship and get other info.
      with the censorship and media control of the internet I realize that now this is why people are trying to grab SW radios.

  • @AndyBrandt
    @AndyBrandt 3 роки тому +30

    Actually, the biggest problem with justifying buying a radio like these is lack of stations to listen to. Every year broadcast stations are shut down. And it is a pity, especially in our current world. Back in the seventies and eighties when I did get my "radio bug" you could get valuable information from shortwave radio. There was plenty of stations to listen to. And you could get news from other side of "iron curtain" - and your govt had no way to know you listen to "enemy propaganda". Growing up in communist Poland it was really valuable that I could listen to BBC - and no one knew about it. Now it is virtually impossible, everything has moved to the Internet where now censorship is on the rise and tracking of what you read and watch is the norm. Quite sad.

    • @OfficialSWLchannel
      @OfficialSWLchannel  3 роки тому +6

      I listen to the BBC every week on my radios, several times when it comes in well , many other stations ... plus tons of utility and ham signals .. still plenty to justify buying a radio

    • @AndyBrandt
      @AndyBrandt 3 роки тому +12

      @@OfficialSWLchannel for ham radio I have my transceivers, BBC is nowadays same lies & propaganda as my local news channels, so not worth listening to.

    • @benedit71
      @benedit71 3 роки тому +4

      Good post and agreed, I have been listening for over 40 years and there is not much to listen to these days in comparison, used to be much more exciting.

    • @BeingRomans829ed
      @BeingRomans829ed Рік тому +3

      Spot on with that comment.
      I have an old Zenith Transoceanic H 500 that has the programming book with it. It lists hundreds, perhaps thousands of shortwave stations. This was back in the mid-1950s.
      What a shame. Yes, you are exactly right. How can you really justify hundreds of dollars for a shortwave radio these days? If it weren't for ham radio operators, a shortwave radio would hardly be worth having. I do think it's sort of fun to listen to any kind of station that people who have only AM and FM radios cannot listen to, but again, it's listening to hams that makes one worth having.
      Might be a different story if you can speak 15 languages, but that's not me.

  • @ky7114
    @ky7114 3 роки тому +13

    You make a great point here. To me, the fundamental question of buying a better radio is this: Will there be any signals that are unlistenable on my less costly radio that become listenable on the costly radio? And, the answer is virtually always no. You can even push the price point down lower than the PL-330 and this remains the case. The little XH-Data D-328 gets exactly the same listenable shortwave signals that my costlier shortwave radios get, and it's a $15 radio. Occasionally I find a very weak signal on a different radio that I can't pick up on the little D-328, but the other radio doesn't make it listenable - it's still too weak to discern what's being said. Obviously you do enjoy other nice features by spending $60 rather than $15, but you're going to hear the same things. There's only one thing that really increases the number of available listening options - a better antenna.

  • @Larrymarx
    @Larrymarx 4 роки тому +9

    I'm so glad you made this video, you brought a certain clarity to the topic. It's ok for me to be satisfy with my Tecsun PL-660 and I am... You know when I really enjoyed my 660, last summer when we lost power in the area a few times. The airwaves was truly open for reception...

  • @deankq4adj125
    @deankq4adj125 3 роки тому +4

    Just ordered a PL 330 from Anon through Ebay! Thanks for all your great reviews!

  • @chrisharper2658
    @chrisharper2658 3 роки тому +14

    These radios really are decent compared to what I grew up with. Now, if only I could find something worth listening to here in the states.

  • @hamandshortwaveradioirelan4773
    @hamandshortwaveradioirelan4773 4 роки тому +25

    Money is better spent on improving antenna than buying more expensive radios, a budget radio and good antenna will hear far more.

    • @TheMajkla
      @TheMajkla 4 роки тому +8

      Exactly, and I'd add that a simple wire in quiet place can beat an expensive antenna in QRM filled room..

  • @daromee
    @daromee 4 роки тому +5

    The price of the 990 on Ali Express is about $230 ,considering I payed almost $350 for a refurbished FRG-7 over forty years ago and $320 for a Sony 2010 about thirty five years ago I don't think at $230 is expensive The cost of living has gone up a ton since then and you get a lot more today then in the past .I stopped DX ing about ten years ago because all of the noise in my house caused by Fluorescents ,LED bulbs and my internet router all bleed noise all over the place .Could you please do a show on filtering these types of noise .PS I was born in Montreal where I started DXing and moved to the middle east forty years ago .I enjoy your channel very much and your honesty is very refreshing in today's world .Thank you for the great show and keep well.

  • @saddam9507
    @saddam9507 Рік тому +1

    I got this radio based on your review. Thanks. I actually like the soft muting, its lets me here when I change frequency.

  • @weeb9332
    @weeb9332 Рік тому +2

    I appreciate this info as I am considering purchasing the Tecsun portable due to the small size. I purchased a small Tecsun 10 years ago (don’t remember the model number) and it failed within two months as did a mini Eton model, so I have been reluctant to purchase another Tecsun. I have the Sangean 909x. I adore the look as it is the best looking radio out there, but am slightly disappointed in its performance on shortwave. For a bedroom FM radio it is great. For shortwave DXing it is not my favorite.

  • @markgodfrey6347
    @markgodfrey6347 4 роки тому +4

    I still use my Kenwood QR666 and Sony ICF6700. They both still work great ,both from the 70's. I paid about $500 for both and bought them new.

  • @AEZAEZEL-187
    @AEZAEZEL-187 5 місяців тому +3

    Gilles I hate to inform you but today is 25 july 2024 and the Tecsun PL330 is 99,95 Euros! That is almost near 100 dollars. But you are right Gilles the Tecsun PL330 was 59,99 in the year 2022 at Aliexpress with the firmware 3306! I don't believe people are able to get a PL330 for 59,99 dollars! There is too much inflation!

    • @User-DX-radio
      @User-DX-radio 5 місяців тому +4

      Today I ordered a Tecsun pl 330 on Aliexpress for $ 50. Im from Russia. In rubles, this is 4567 rubles = $50.6

  • @bluediamondsquaresroad5871
    @bluediamondsquaresroad5871 Рік тому +1

    You’re the King of Radio reviews!

  • @kenbaird7067
    @kenbaird7067 3 роки тому +4

    I have had a Pl330 for 3 months now and find it is now my No1 RXer. Excellent reception on my 10m wire here in Lower Hutt NZ. I am very pleased I purchased it as it is an exceptional buy.

  • @Crowcuta
    @Crowcuta 4 роки тому +15

    I've been rockin' with the PL-880 for about two years now. I was hoping the 990 would have brought more to the table or at least not be as expensive as it is, which is why I haven't bought it. I just think of all the other things I could invest that money in, instead; especially since I'm already quite happy with the 880.

    • @TheMajkla
      @TheMajkla 4 роки тому +2

      The 880 would be close to perfect if it had aviation band. I use my every day, it's amazing. I live near the airport so I got me the 680 for that. I like it a lot too but the 880 is easier to use, especially on SSB.

  • @F4LDT-Alain
    @F4LDT-Alain Рік тому +5

    Yes, the PL-330 did set a new standard for < 100 $/€ SW radios. It's a great performer, it does SSB quite well, not all portable radios do.
    However I use mine less than I could because I find the tuning wheel quite irritating. It's too "soft", imprecise. It moves at the slightest touch and on mine it skips frequency steps or doubles them more often than I can tolerate. I don't know whether other people see this too or not, comments appreciated.

    • @Monsieur-Estrada
      @Monsieur-Estrada 5 місяців тому

      I have the same feeling with the tuning wheel on my Pl-330 I can confirm you that. It's my first SW radio and I would like to tuning without muting between stations and have a good tuning wheel. But for now it's ok

  • @therabbitchannel2059
    @therabbitchannel2059 3 роки тому +6

    Well, you're absolutely right. I have a ATS 909X and a PL-660. The 660 is a better radio for half the price. I also have a 30 year old Realistic DX-440, made by Sangean, which is much better than the ATS-909X so Sangean can make a good radio. Why they choose to put out a product that costs so much and performs so poorly is beyond me. I'm sure Sangean knows their offering isn't up to snuff but they're ignoring their customers and that's not a good way to stay in the radio business.

  • @cubistone
    @cubistone 2 роки тому +4

    The sangean rotary wheel is a no to me. I have had audio equipment with similar wheel and every one of them failed within two years of use. The tecsun radios are hard to beat today. Tomorrow may bring changes though.

  • @alijawad999
    @alijawad999 3 роки тому +2

    I am planning to buy a new radio. Should I go with PL 330 or PL 310 ET ?

  • @DXPedro
    @DXPedro 4 роки тому +5

    Also: Why the 6XX line just simply does't have the price dropped? it's really infuriating.
    BTW: tell us about that clock in the back. looks super :)
    73s

  • @EfficientTrout
    @EfficientTrout 3 роки тому +5

    I thought the portable radio future will be none, Tecsun proved otherwise.

  • @johnatkinson5693
    @johnatkinson5693 4 роки тому +10

    Xhdata is the best cheap radio by far!

    • @scottbelcher9026
      @scottbelcher9026 3 роки тому +3

      Agreed!!! I love my XHDATA!!! ❤️

    • @fromtheflightdeck252
      @fromtheflightdeck252 3 роки тому

      I agree! Got mine for $40..love it

    • @ditto1958
      @ditto1958 2 місяці тому

      I bought an XHData D-109WB for $40 (the PL-330 is currently $80 at Amazon), and it is an amazing value. It has its flaws, don’t get me wrong, but it’s an extremely capable radio.

  • @petercane6376
    @petercane6376 3 роки тому +2

    Hi..I hope you will reply?...
    I am just about to buy my first SW radio.
    Well let's say to improve on what I have.
    So the burning question is...
    Why get the more expensive Sangean ATS 908X when the more recent model Tecsun PL330 does the same job and more?
    I can get the Tecsun PL330 for au$100 .
    I am not too bothered about speaker quality as I will be listening with head phones.
    Second question please?
    Is there any way to make an effective electronic indoor antenna?
    I live in a rented property and just cannot go sticking antennas up willy nilly.
    Pete

    • @Diamond_Tiara
      @Diamond_Tiara 2 роки тому

      >Why get the more expensive Sangean ATS 908X when the more recent model Tecsun PL330 does the same job and more?
      Good question, myself I am certain the electronics inside are the same.
      >I can get the Tecsun PL330 for au$100 .
      At this point rush on eBay and compare with Etòn or Sony ICF-SW series. they have better speakers. Myself I don't consacrate a huge budget on literally a radio.
      >I am not too bothered about speaker quality as I will be listening with head phones.
      exactly, or you can even plug it to a decent stereo amp with a jack-to-RCA cable.
      >Is there any way to make an effective electronic indoor antenna?
      literally a wire dangling from your window will get the job done.

  • @steveverhoef5667
    @steveverhoef5667 Рік тому +1

    Where do you buy your radios?

  • @Gaalification
    @Gaalification Рік тому +1

    So for a beginner like me that is learning and got just a sdr dongle, do you think I should buy this one as a portable for start?
    (Subscribed to your channel btw, I am liking it a lot)

  • @STR82DVD
    @STR82DVD 2 роки тому +2

    Agreed. My Tecsun PL-368 kicks the Sangean 909X2 ass all over the block and the PL-368 displays the correct frequency.

  • @d0min0danc1ng
    @d0min0danc1ng 3 роки тому +2

    Hi there nice radio. I am thinking about getting the PL 330 for myself. But i was wondering:
    1. Is there a plug in hole for external additional antenna on this radio ?
    2. Can i run it on wall adapter for power all the time?
    Thanks

    • @OfficialSWLchannel
      @OfficialSWLchannel  3 роки тому +3

      it has a external antenna jack and it is better to run portable radios on battery power to minimize noise

  • @233694
    @233694 2 роки тому +2

    I have bought pl 660 after lots of research...it rocks,simply...thank god I didn't by the 880 which has a design flaw.

  • @joseheribertoalmonte5514
    @joseheribertoalmonte5514 4 роки тому +3

    Oh, nice intro with "Españoles en la mar" of REE!

  • @vanillacoffee
    @vanillacoffee 3 роки тому +3

    Does the 330 have continuous step less tuning when rotating the knob or is it stepped like the 310?

  • @jc-mt8ot
    @jc-mt8ot 3 роки тому +2

    how do you know when ordering if you are getting the latest firmware?

  • @ronaldzuccala1889
    @ronaldzuccala1889 4 роки тому +2

    Hello. You make a very good point. And tecsun has really raised the bar with its pl 330. I mean no other radio has tem plus regardless of the price and the new version the sync Function even works even that it's not as good as the pl660 it is better even then the Eton elite ex. On sync and better then the 990x also . it really makes it hard to justify an extra 200 dollars when the sync Function. Doesn't work as good as a 59 dollar radio. As your videos tell the truth like it or not. And for that I say Thankyou. Ron. Z. Pgh. Pa.

  • @filippocorti6760
    @filippocorti6760 4 роки тому +2

    How does it compare to the Radiwow R108 and Tecsun PL-380 for MW performance?

    • @hamandshortwaveradioirelan4773
      @hamandshortwaveradioirelan4773 4 роки тому +3

      The 108, 308 and 330 are all equally poor performing radios for medium wave, an old school am/fm portable is a much better and cheaper option in my experience.

    • @DXPedro
      @DXPedro 4 роки тому +2

      even, assunming it has the same or slightly better ferrite than those models, it sucks.

    • @musikjunkie78
      @musikjunkie78 3 роки тому

      The Radiwow works better on MW and have better sound quality, even beats the PL-660 on MW, FM and specially on airband, of course, the PL-660 has SSB and it´s a little better on SW.

    • @baneverything5580
      @baneverything5580 3 роки тому

      @@DXPedro It isn`t bad on MW for its size and has the option of using an external antenna on the band. It isn`t hard to build MW antennas and anyone serious about listening should have one. Take a 16 inch pizza box and wrap 16 turns of 22 AWG magnet wire side by side around the edge and use a 450 pf tuning capacitor and you`re set. Now your small radio is a top performer like the CCrane EP PRO. But an outdoor long wire 100 to 500 feet long connected to an inductive loop and grounded can get stations 400 to 500 miles away during the day.

  • @viarnay
    @viarnay 2 роки тому

    you should try the grundig wr5408 pll

  • @RubenEA3GRW
    @RubenEA3GRW 4 роки тому +6

    I think TECSUN wants to win back the buyers who decided to buy XDATA or similar.

  • @kevinpatrickmacnutt
    @kevinpatrickmacnutt 3 роки тому +4

    I don't regret buying my PL-990 as I do like the fidelity and the MP3 and bluetooth capabilities. It is still my favorite. That said my PL-330 as a radio is nearly equal in performance as is my Radiwow R-108 (despite the R-108 lacking SSB). In fact the only one of my radios I would skip had I had to do it over is my PL-680, while a good radio, nowhere near as refined as the others.
    One big thing with the PL-330, I would be more inclined to travel with it at its price point than the three times more expensive PL-990 which will most likely stay safe at home.

  • @bigkamran
    @bigkamran 3 роки тому +2

    I have XHDATA d808. Would you say these two radios deliver same performance or pl 330 is a much better receiver?

  • @filippocorti6760
    @filippocorti6760 4 роки тому +1

    Does it use DSP for all bands?

  • @billfargo9616
    @billfargo9616 3 роки тому +1

    Video ends in the middle of a sentence?

  • @bigkamran
    @bigkamran 3 роки тому

    Where can you purchase it for $60 ??

  • @gmorgan1118
    @gmorgan1118 2 роки тому +1

    The Tecsun 330, 660/680 and the Eton Elite Executive are all better choices for the money than the 990 or 909X. Price point is not always an indicator of performance.

  • @5P2BA
    @5P2BA 3 роки тому

    Where to buy such a nice stand? Tnx 5P2BA

  • @SuperStormyNormy
    @SuperStormyNormy 3 роки тому

    Where can you buy it for 60$

  • @DonzLockz
    @DonzLockz 2 роки тому

    I can't afford the 990x. I usually wear headphones so the audio is alot better than a small speaker. In Australia the 990x is AU$475 and the H-501 is AU$635!

  • @dxace1
    @dxace1 4 роки тому +3

    Tough news to deliver but true -- there is not much that the 990x does that the 330 does not, in fact there is nothing other than the BT capability and better speaker.

    • @kandigloss6438
      @kandigloss6438 4 роки тому +1

      exactly, and the better speaker doesn't really matter much to some one like me, that would most likely be mostly using headphones with it.

    • @DXPedro
      @DXPedro 4 роки тому +1

      Dan: tecsun didnt even include recording capability on the 990! that's really short sighted by tecsun, imho. it can read files out of a card but can't record it? c'mon tecsun...
      best 73s.

    • @kb5elv
      @kb5elv 3 роки тому +1

      The muting between tuning steps would drive me to distraction. And, while I've wanted to replace my old Radio Shaft DX398 AKA ATS909 (pre-X), finding something that doesn't do this annoying thing has been an issue. I understand the PL660 doesn't mute, and it's a lot cheaper than the 990x which also doesn't, apparently. So wondering: is the 990 that much a better performer than the 660? Is the 660 that much better than the PL600, because I truly don't care about not having airband.

  • @vidalardila622
    @vidalardila622 4 роки тому

    Buenas noches el radio cuanto cuesta y para envíos a bucaramanga coloboa

  • @WilliamParmley
    @WilliamParmley 4 роки тому +3

    If this receiver ever shows up on Amazon... :-)

  • @deepwoods_dave7368
    @deepwoods_dave7368 Рік тому

    I have PL 880 and 330. 880 has superior craftsmanship such as the tuning wheel and speaker. But 330 is 53% less. Both are great units.

  • @AMFMDX
    @AMFMDX 4 роки тому

    SO true.

  • @salmorreale7900
    @salmorreale7900 4 роки тому +2

    I cannot get by the fact that Tecsun appears to have adopted the rechargeable battery over AA. Even the 909X2 is AA. Sorry Tecsun you lost me. PL-660 owner.

  • @tonystephen6312
    @tonystephen6312 3 роки тому

    Theyre not that cheap in the UK. Seem a really good deal in USA.

  • @gusdx3654
    @gusdx3654 4 роки тому +7

    I just don’t understand the discussions about personal preferences. At the bottom line, a hobby with different facets and approaches cannot be explained just by decisions made with rationality based on other opinions. Self-deceptions with money involved also doesn’t explain, at all. Just different tastes with different interests of INDIVIDUALS.

  • @rfaradiofreeamerica8392
    @rfaradiofreeamerica8392 3 роки тому +2

    Sangean has better quality and sound imo

    • @OfficialSWLchannel
      @OfficialSWLchannel  3 роки тому +3

      I can tell you that is totally false.... many complain of bad Sangean ATS 909X ... the X2 has tons of flaws now and the audio is nothing to talk about. Tecsun beats Sangean by a long shot and it's less expensive.

    • @rfaradiofreeamerica8392
      @rfaradiofreeamerica8392 3 роки тому +1

      @@OfficialSWLchannel Ok ,909 had some issues , but to clarify , My opinion is Sangeans in general ( I've owned several since 1988, Ats 808 , 405 , and Radio Shack portables made by them) and other brands , as a die-hard radio enthusiast , and ive really liked most of them. I think the 909s are priced way to high, so i avoided that one. I'm going to try a Tecsun SSB capable one soon, just offering my opinion based on my experiences.

    • @OfficialSWLchannel
      @OfficialSWLchannel  3 роки тому +2

      oh yeah, they did have some great receivers for sure!

  • @ApocGuy
    @ApocGuy 3 роки тому

    great little thing... if you can get your hands on one , that is.

  • @rick3747
    @rick3747 3 роки тому

    I don't like any of these. I am looking to replace my made in Japan Sony and Panasonic that were both destroyed by a flood last summer.
    All these cheap knock offs just do not measure up to a $200.00+ quality radio.

    • @OfficialSWLchannel
      @OfficialSWLchannel  3 роки тому +3

      they as good if not better. You never obviously tried any

  • @aeron-mw7ofs
    @aeron-mw7ofs 3 роки тому +2

    At the moment I'm using a 660 would the 330 be an upgrade?