I have just gotten a PL-310ET today and am completely amazed at what I have gotten for only about $43 US.. It does have tons of function, but the PL-680 has quite a bit more! The 680 receives the air band, it has synchronous reception and single sideband too. And due to it's size and larger speaker, it's audio is likely better as well. But the 310et is amazing! I love it.
Another interesting thing I noticed is that you can make it scan either up, or down by tuning in one direction or the other and then starting the ATS scan. It will scan in the direction you last tuned with he tuning knob. Question, you mentioned that you could make it scan only a particular band. How? I can only get it to scan all the shortwave bands together, the FM band, or the MW band. Regards, Gord
I've been using rechargeable cells exclusively on my PL-310ET, it looks to me that the circuitry actually does stop charging once the cells reach full, it's been through about ten charges now and no ill effects. This is a super deal when it comes to an inexpensive radio. Even with just the supplied antenna it does well. FM reception is just great too. I am still trying to master the memory functions but that is not all that important tome, esp. with the direct frequency entry function. Thanks Tom for reviewing this radio
forgot say these work so good on fm I routinely pick up stations from your area at night in New Smyrna ...also the longwave is pretty deaf I can't even pick up the local beacon 12 miles away ....I'll look up your area and post the closest beacons to the Tampa area next comment to see if u can get em on longwave
bout best bang for buck there is !love mine got one as Xmas gift pairs well with reel antenna have great results using on a slope about 45 degrees get most commercial bands that way and get wwv good since they use vert.polarization so best of both worlds... I use the reel indoors mostly now cause the weather .....being on the other coast of FL we both know how it can get!be safe tomorrow supposed be nasty im sure I'll be on skywarn spotter duty....
with the radio off, press the battery button (bottom left on keypad) to change battery mode from charge to off. only use charge mode with rechargeable batteries
Sir, could you tell me how do I get those english instruction paper as is on your show? And you forget not to inform viewers how to store the desired frequencies to the Memory of the radio. So, please, show me how. I have already had that unit above that I bought in online store here in Indonesia a few days ago but unfortunately its instruction manual are all in chinese. Ill be waiting for your good news. Thank you for your sharing. Warm regards from Indonesia.
Don't remember the exact meaning but basically the VM mode is for tuning the frequencies stored in memory and VF is tuning manually using the tuning knob or the keypad.
Hello Tom, a few questions about a shortwave long wire. I have a low noise backyard, and unlimited length. What is the best length for the wire? What wire gauge?, and does it matter it the wire is solid, or stranded ??
Any length longer than 20 feet, the longer the better. Any gauge wire that will take the weight of the wire, insulators and rope. Does not matter solid or stranded. Be sure you use shield coax cable if you are going to use the antenna with a radio inside.
Hi Tom, a few questions about connecting the outside long wire to the indoor coax, lightning protection?, impedance matching between the long wire to coax? recommendation on a weather sealed out door box to connected, and protect?
Remember, I am no expert. 1) Lighting protection is always important. You can get coax lighting protectors that can go between the long wire and the coax but they are not cheap. Lighting strikes are rare but you never know. I live in the lighting capital of the US, Florida and have never had a strike but could get one tomorrow. All I do is always disconnect the coax when not using a radio. 2) Impedance matching is not as important if only receiving however antenna tuners or preselectors can help prevent strong local signals from bleeding in on your shortwave stations. 3) I just use UV resistant tape and I always solder the connection from the long wire to the coax. Hope that helps.
This is the radio I use for SW broadcast. I have many but the experience is much , much better with this one. Tunning is so easy. Great video.
Thanks for the report.
I have just gotten a PL-310ET today and am completely amazed at what I have gotten for only about $43 US.. It does have tons of function, but the PL-680 has quite a bit more! The 680 receives the air band, it has synchronous reception and single sideband too. And due to it's size and larger speaker, it's audio is likely better as well. But the 310et is amazing! I love it.
Another interesting thing I noticed is that you can make it scan either up, or down by tuning in one direction or the other and then starting the ATS scan. It will scan in the direction you last tuned with he tuning knob.
Question, you mentioned that you could make it scan only a particular band. How? I can only get it to scan all the shortwave bands together, the FM band, or the MW band.
Regards,
Gord
Thanks for your comments.
I've been using rechargeable cells exclusively on my PL-310ET, it looks to me that the circuitry actually does stop charging once the cells reach full, it's been through about ten charges now and no ill effects. This is a super deal when it comes to an inexpensive radio. Even with just the supplied antenna it does well. FM reception is just great too. I am still trying to master the memory functions but that is not all that important tome, esp. with the direct frequency entry function.
Thanks Tom for reviewing this radio
You are very welcome and thanks for your comments.
Great presentation! Thank you so much.
You are very welcome and thanks for stopping by.
forgot say these work so good on fm I routinely pick up stations from your area at night in New Smyrna ...also the longwave is pretty deaf I can't even pick up the local beacon 12 miles away ....I'll look up your area and post the closest beacons to the Tampa area next comment to see if u can get em on longwave
really informative show, i might get one yet, thanks Tom!
For the money, it is a good value.
thanks for your information Tom, my friend is going to loan his set whilst he is away, looking forward to it, thanks again Tom!
Nice friend. Keep us posted on how you like it.
bout best bang for buck there is !love mine got one as Xmas gift pairs well with reel antenna have great results using on a slope about 45 degrees get most commercial bands that way and get wwv good since they use vert.polarization so best of both worlds... I use the reel indoors mostly now cause the weather .....being on the other coast of FL we both know how it can get!be safe tomorrow supposed be nasty im sure I'll be on skywarn spotter duty....
with the radio off, press the battery button (bottom left on keypad) to change battery mode from charge to off. only use charge mode with rechargeable batteries
Hi
It is possible to operate the radio without batteries.
Only with a charger?
Power supply: USB 5V / 250mA external adapter
Sorry, don't remember but I will check.
No...but you can charge rechargable batteries through the usb jack on the side.
are there any new portable radios with ssb that you would recommend Tom ?
Sir, could you tell me how do I get those english instruction paper as is on your show? And you forget not to inform viewers how to store the desired frequencies to the Memory of the radio. So, please, show me how. I have already had that unit above that I bought in online store here in Indonesia a few days ago but unfortunately its instruction manual are all in chinese. Ill be waiting for your good news. Thank you for your sharing. Warm regards from Indonesia.
You can find the manual at the Tecsun website, here is the link.
www.tecsunradios.com.au/store/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/PL-310ET-MANUAL.pdf
@@hamrad88 Mr. Tom, I am very grateful for your precious information giving me the Tecsun's link. Merry Christmas, sir!
You are very welcome and thanks for stopping by.
@@hamrad88 Mr Tom, what is VM and VF button stand for? Thank you
Don't remember the exact meaning but basically the VM mode is for tuning the frequencies stored in memory and VF is tuning manually using the tuning knob or the keypad.
Which is the better radio? the 310et or the Sangean ATS 405?????
Based on my limited testing I would say the 310ET but they are close.
Hello Tom, a few questions about a shortwave long wire. I have a low noise backyard, and unlimited length. What is the best length for the wire? What wire gauge?, and does it matter it the wire is solid, or stranded ??
Any length longer than 20 feet, the longer the better. Any gauge wire that will take the weight of the wire, insulators and rope. Does not matter solid or stranded. Be sure you use shield coax cable if you are going to use the antenna with a radio inside.
Hi Tom, a few questions about connecting the outside long wire to the indoor coax, lightning protection?, impedance matching between the long wire to coax? recommendation on a weather sealed out door box to connected, and protect?
Remember, I am no expert.
1) Lighting protection is always important. You can get coax lighting protectors that can go between the long wire and the coax but they are not cheap. Lighting strikes are rare but you never know. I live in the lighting capital of the US, Florida and have never had a strike but could get one tomorrow. All I do is always disconnect the coax when not using a radio.
2) Impedance matching is not as important if only receiving however antenna tuners or preselectors can help prevent strong local signals from bleeding in on your shortwave stations.
3) I just use UV resistant tape and I always solder the connection from the long wire to the coax.
Hope that helps.