I love these direct comparisons between lower cost radios and more expensive ones. They allow the potential buyer to see if they really need to pay more to get the quality that they are specifically looking for. Thanks for the comparison.
Interesting comparison, Tom. Just another example of, what's better for me may not be better for you. It's great that we have a choice. (BTW, with some shopping, one can beat the purported $75-$80 price tag for PL-330).
Hello, Tom, as your review with the Tecsun PL-330 vs. the Retekess V-115 is a little like comparing apples to oranges so to speak! I personally own a Retekess V-115 and on the shortwave bands this radio is very sensitive to body inductance & placement and/or location of the external wire attachment to its telescopic antenna! Suggestion/Tip while listening to the shortwave band(s) on the Retekess V-115 moved the radio around and position the antenna hook up wire clipped to the antenna in & around the front/back/top of the Retekess V-115 for the best reception! The Retekess V-115 uses your body sometimes as an antenna! It is called "inductance" (your body by holding the radio, etc.)! Thank you, Tom, at hamrad88...
Well....I have the Retekess and it works nicely where I am located. In fact I have gifted them twice to people who liked mine. Of course it isn't expensive but works perfectly well for the money IF you are in a good area for shortwave to start with. Great comparison. I use the old 1955 Zenith Transoceanic or my GE 10 Band for more serious SW listening. For the money and for the tiny size I love the Retekess. I am on the east coast and get lots of stations by manually tuning
@@hamrad88 I really enjoy your videos because you showcase inexpensive radios as well. I have a Prunus J-15 that I just love. It is a good size, fairly cheap and where I am...pulls in tons on shortwave...I think the antenna is 32 inches if I remember correctly. I am the kind who would rather have a bunch than one expensive one
Thanks for this comparison. I have both radios and both are very capable. I got the V115 off Amazon for $15. I got the PL-330 off Amazon for $80. Since the PL-330 has SSB, I would not consider the V115 in the same category as the PL-330. The PL-330 actually out performs several more expensive radios. The V115 is more comparable to the Tecsun PL-310. However, the V115 has some operational capabilities that make it a really great value. I would have liked to see this comparison done outdoors and away from all the electrical interference. I think both radios would have demonstrated stronger performances.
I have a PL330 /MLA-30+ combination which is outstanding. Here in NZ I can log vstns from all continents, even China! A great combination. Thanks for your very informative videos. 73's.
Hi Tom, thank you for this. Performance wise, the little Retekess is really a very basic SW receiver. However, I still find it hard to believe that for its price -£14 in the UK, you have a radio with a keypad and a digital display. I used to dream about that back in the day. The 330 seems to me to be a souped-up PL310. Its a good radio but I find its audio rather grating on my aged ears. 73s
Interesting comparison. While I don’t have the PL-330, I have pretty much all comparable radios. I also have the Retekess. The Retekess is the one for recording, and “kicking around, I can hook up my external antenna to it , works pretty good. It depends on what you want the radio for. 📻🙂
Tom you're always my go to for shortwave radio videos. Maybe you should compare the Prunus J-401 with the Retekess V-115, since they are similar type radios. Preacher Man and the Zombies 5890kHz is WWCR (World Wide Christian Radio) It's Vatican Radio on 7305kHz
In regards of the Elite 750s, what do you regard the AM reception of that versus another Eton radio or others, better to worse, with internal AM antennas? As much better as any FM radio with a external antenna vs a internal antenna? Where I'm at in Lehigh Delaware River Valleys there's maybe one AM station that always comes through the rest rarely, and SW is rare and isn't reliable where I'm at. No idea about LW. What's on vhf and uhf generally particularly what a radio like that receives? I've got a Eton Elite Field radio that other than excellent and excessive battery life and that's a great thing, has disappointing reception where I'm at with AM radio and SW again rare. Also have a Sangean HDR-16 and while that works and I like it including that it appears to be capable to work in other parts of the world with other AM and FM ranges though need to do a menu setting adjustment, and receives HD radio, isn't so great again with AM. Other than those I've got a Sony Xplōd boom box and while I don't have any cassettes anymore that does about everything though the battery compartment especially with bass on might as well strictly be used as a storage compartment because the battery use is I think less than a hour with the bass on. Otherwise I've got a clamshell folding aiwa mini portable in great condition does FM AM and AUX, and a few decent handheld digital radios and a pair of the RadioShack FM and AM radio headphones that could use a few chassis design adjustments though is great the way it is. Anyway yeah those questions in regards of the Elite 750s....what do you think? I'm particularly looking for anything better than the Eton Elite Field radio particularly with AM and SW, I don't know anything about LW and what that does, and vhf and uhf no idea. From the handle bars on the Elite 750s, is it like rugged? Plastic or metal chassis? Shock proof inasmuch don't smash it? What do you think of that versus any others in regards to AM and SW? Such as anything by tecsun, same factory?, or Sangean? And what do you think of internet radios? Any that stand out? Particularly in regards of international sports? A bunch of questions I know, though I ain't seeing the direct message option in UA-cam anymore besides a website email or social media page for you other than UA-cam. It's difficult to get any reliable answers from anybody via answers on Amazon product pages. They don't appear to allow comments to reviews anymore I think that used to be a option.
@@hamrad88 as far as I know other than some design differences, the grundigs and etons and tecsuns are all the same thing and or come from the same factory. I did see photos of a tecsun "750" and about the same msrp. I don't know about all of them though historically besides as of recent years how much come from the same factories. As far as I know, Eton and Grundig are the same company and or under the same umbrella company and it's how they're doing their marketing. how does it compare though like with the questions I asked? Have you tried without external antennas such as going outdoors and or to rooftop or attic? Besides in a low reception part of where you're at? What I'm considering is trying the elite 750, the Eton edition as I don't know where to order grundigs stateside, and if it's worth it and so much better than the elite Field radio that while it works it doesn't work strong enough to really pull in weak AM signals as I'd like it to do so....only does that at night in relaxed outdoors conditions otherwise nope. Anyway I think I might ongoing have the box for my Eton Elite Field radio besides a purchased separately carrying bag and the radio I ongoing have in excellent to like new condition so I might sell it if the elite 750 really is that much better especially at that much higher of a price. There doesn't really appear to be any used elite 750s for sale that I'm seeing and only reason I can think of is that it's worth it, though there aren't really much of the Eton Elite Field radios available used either. That's worth it though for me disappointing with some of its performance where I'm at. On SW often nothing comes through, otherwise I did a few times find a few signal jamming stations across a large frequency range and a particular rhythm, and otherwise only occasionally Havana and Tennessee and rarely a Florida SW station comes through. Nothing else in regards to domestic SW besides international. Nothing including from Radio Vaticana or VOA or BBC and more. It's creepy actually how much there isn't really anything on AM and coming through SW where I'm at. Atomic Clock Radio reception is very sparse where I'm at as well, rarely comes through though I'm not really concerned as on the wristwatch I've got that needs a new wristband it's very precise when it receives and synchronizes from the radio signal. Anyway in regards to the questions I've asked what're your thoughts and suggestions? And in regards to radios I've also got a Sony monaural FM AM radio that's superb when it gets a signal and amusingly has some bass. ICF-506 I think. Has a ongoing issue where the tuning dials keep detaching though fixable with glue. I'm considering a stronger variety of glue on it. I think that's about it that I've got that are larger than pocket handheld radios. I can personally confirm though that the Sangean HDR-16 does support international full FM and AM frequencies though while traveling have to set the geographical region in the menu. I haven't tested that myself yet though the setting is there. Don't know if more recent shipments of that with more recent factory software updates no longer has that. The only thing I don't like is that the display screen on it is actually smaller than it looks, like a smaller screen was installed than what the chassis was actually designed for though mostly a non issue.
@@hamrad88 the Tecsun S-2000 is what I'm referring to as looks like including from the specifications as the same thing as the Grundig and Eton Elite 750s.
Hello. My Retekess v115 is a great budget radio.
I receive about 12 Daytime AM stations.
For $ 22.00, it is great.
I live in UK and can pick up Cuba with the pl330
I love these direct comparisons between lower cost radios and more expensive ones. They allow the potential buyer to see if they really need to pay more to get the quality that they are specifically looking for. Thanks for the comparison.
You are very welcome and have a great day.
@@hamrad88 Hi Tom, thanks for the comparison. How about battery life on V115?
it's true that it doesn't last long ?
@@daniloamorimschreiner1736 Yes, since it uses a small cellphone battery it is not as long as radios that use the 18650 batteries.
Interesting comparison, Tom. Just another example of, what's better for me may not be better for you. It's great that we have a choice. (BTW, with some shopping, one can beat the purported $75-$80 price tag for PL-330).
I get most of my radios like these from either ANON-CO or Amazon as they have the best return policy if needed but you pay a little more.
Hello, Tom, as your review with the Tecsun PL-330 vs. the Retekess V-115 is a little like comparing apples to oranges so to speak! I personally own a Retekess V-115 and on the shortwave bands this radio is very sensitive to body inductance & placement and/or location of the external wire attachment to its telescopic antenna! Suggestion/Tip while listening to the shortwave band(s) on the Retekess V-115 moved the radio around and position the antenna hook up wire clipped to the antenna in & around the front/back/top of the Retekess V-115 for the best reception! The Retekess V-115 uses your body sometimes as an antenna! It is called "inductance" (your body by holding the radio, etc.)! Thank you, Tom, at hamrad88...
Thanks for the information and have a great day.
@@hamrad88 I always enjoy your video radio reviews, etc.! Thanks, Tom...
@@johnbeckham1483 Thanks for your support and have a great day.
Thank you for the comparison, Tom!
Thanks for watching and have a great day.
Well....I have the Retekess and it works nicely where I am located. In fact I have gifted them twice to people who liked mine. Of course it isn't expensive but works perfectly well for the money IF you are in a good area for shortwave to start with. Great comparison. I use the old 1955 Zenith Transoceanic or my GE 10 Band for more serious SW listening. For the money and for the tiny size I love the Retekess. I am on the east coast and get lots of stations by manually tuning
I agree manual tuning is much better for catching those weak stations. Have a great day.
@@hamrad88 I really enjoy your videos because you showcase inexpensive radios as well. I have a Prunus J-15 that I just love. It is a good size, fairly cheap and where I am...pulls in tons on shortwave...I think the antenna is 32 inches if I remember correctly. I am the kind who would rather have a bunch than one expensive one
@@JB-js4xi Thank you and have a great day.
Thanks for this comparison. I have both radios and both are very capable. I got the V115 off Amazon for $15. I got the PL-330 off Amazon for $80. Since the PL-330 has SSB, I would not consider the V115 in the same category as the PL-330. The PL-330 actually out performs several more expensive radios. The V115 is more comparable to the Tecsun PL-310. However, the V115 has some operational capabilities that make it a really great value. I would have liked to see this comparison done outdoors and away from all the electrical interference. I think both radios would have demonstrated stronger performances.
I have a PL330 /MLA-30+ combination which is outstanding. Here in NZ I can log vstns from all continents, even China! A great combination.
Thanks for your very informative videos. 73's.
You are welcome and thanks for your report.
Hi Tom, thank you for this. Performance wise, the little Retekess is really a very basic SW receiver. However, I still find it hard to believe that for its price -£14 in the UK, you have a radio with a keypad and a digital display. I used to dream about that back in the day. The 330 seems to me to be a souped-up PL310. Its a good radio but I find its audio rather grating on my aged ears. 73s
Thanks for your inputs.
Interesting comparison.
While I don’t have the PL-330, I have pretty much all comparable radios.
I also have the Retekess.
The Retekess is the one for recording, and “kicking around,
I can hook up my external antenna to it , works pretty good.
It depends on what you want the radio for.
📻🙂
Thanks for the report, Jeff. Have a great day.
Tom you're always my go to for shortwave radio videos. Maybe you should compare the Prunus J-401 with the Retekess V-115, since they are similar type radios.
Preacher Man and the Zombies 5890kHz is WWCR (World Wide Christian Radio)
It's Vatican Radio on 7305kHz
Thanks for the suggestion and have a great day.
put on a sweatshirt....we're having an ice storm
The Retekiss is a better value for casual listeners, but overall the 330 is better for serious SWLs. Horses for courses, as they say
In regards of the Elite 750s, what do you regard the AM reception of that versus another Eton radio or others, better to worse, with internal AM antennas? As much better as any FM radio with a external antenna vs a internal antenna? Where I'm at in Lehigh Delaware River Valleys there's maybe one AM station that always comes through the rest rarely, and SW is rare and isn't reliable where I'm at. No idea about LW. What's on vhf and uhf generally particularly what a radio like that receives? I've got a Eton Elite Field radio that other than excellent and excessive battery life and that's a great thing, has disappointing reception where I'm at with AM radio and SW again rare. Also have a Sangean HDR-16 and while that works and I like it including that it appears to be capable to work in other parts of the world with other AM and FM ranges though need to do a menu setting adjustment, and receives HD radio, isn't so great again with AM. Other than those I've got a Sony Xplōd boom box and while I don't have any cassettes anymore that does about everything though the battery compartment especially with bass on might as well strictly be used as a storage compartment because the battery use is I think less than a hour with the bass on. Otherwise I've got a clamshell folding aiwa mini portable in great condition does FM AM and AUX, and a few decent handheld digital radios and a pair of the RadioShack FM and AM radio headphones that could use a few chassis design adjustments though is great the way it is.
Anyway yeah those questions in regards of the Elite 750s....what do you think? I'm particularly looking for anything better than the Eton Elite Field radio particularly with AM and SW, I don't know anything about LW and what that does, and vhf and uhf no idea. From the handle bars on the Elite 750s, is it like rugged? Plastic or metal chassis? Shock proof inasmuch don't smash it? What do you think of that versus any others in regards to AM and SW? Such as anything by tecsun, same factory?, or Sangean? And what do you think of internet radios? Any that stand out? Particularly in regards of international sports? A bunch of questions I know, though I ain't seeing the direct message option in UA-cam anymore besides a website email or social media page for you other than UA-cam. It's difficult to get any reliable answers from anybody via answers on Amazon product pages. They don't appear to allow comments to reviews anymore I think that used to be a option.
Sorry I don't have the Elite version of the 750. I have the Grundig versions and it is great on all bands.
@@hamrad88 as far as I know other than some design differences, the grundigs and etons and tecsuns are all the same thing and or come from the same factory. I did see photos of a tecsun "750" and about the same msrp. I don't know about all of them though historically besides as of recent years how much come from the same factories. As far as I know, Eton and Grundig are the same company and or under the same umbrella company and it's how they're doing their marketing. how does it compare though like with the questions I asked? Have you tried without external antennas such as going outdoors and or to rooftop or attic? Besides in a low reception part of where you're at? What I'm considering is trying the elite 750, the Eton edition as I don't know where to order grundigs stateside, and if it's worth it and so much better than the elite Field radio that while it works it doesn't work strong enough to really pull in weak AM signals as I'd like it to do so....only does that at night in relaxed outdoors conditions otherwise nope. Anyway I think I might ongoing have the box for my Eton Elite Field radio besides a purchased separately carrying bag and the radio I ongoing have in excellent to like new condition so I might sell it if the elite 750 really is that much better especially at that much higher of a price. There doesn't really appear to be any used elite 750s for sale that I'm seeing and only reason I can think of is that it's worth it, though there aren't really much of the Eton Elite Field radios available used either. That's worth it though for me disappointing with some of its performance where I'm at. On SW often nothing comes through, otherwise I did a few times find a few signal jamming stations across a large frequency range and a particular rhythm, and otherwise only occasionally Havana and Tennessee and rarely a Florida SW station comes through. Nothing else in regards to domestic SW besides international. Nothing including from Radio Vaticana or VOA or BBC and more. It's creepy actually how much there isn't really anything on AM and coming through SW where I'm at. Atomic Clock Radio reception is very sparse where I'm at as well, rarely comes through though I'm not really concerned as on the wristwatch I've got that needs a new wristband it's very precise when it receives and synchronizes from the radio signal. Anyway in regards to the questions I've asked what're your thoughts and suggestions? And in regards to radios I've also got a Sony monaural FM AM radio that's superb when it gets a signal and amusingly has some bass. ICF-506 I think. Has a ongoing issue where the tuning dials keep detaching though fixable with glue. I'm considering a stronger variety of glue on it. I think that's about it that I've got that are larger than pocket handheld radios. I can personally confirm though that the Sangean HDR-16 does support international full FM and AM frequencies though while traveling have to set the geographical region in the menu. I haven't tested that myself yet though the setting is there. Don't know if more recent shipments of that with more recent factory software updates no longer has that. The only thing I don't like is that the display screen on it is actually smaller than it looks, like a smaller screen was installed than what the chassis was actually designed for though mostly a non issue.
@@hamrad88 the Tecsun S-2000 is what I'm referring to as looks like including from the specifications as the same thing as the Grundig and Eton Elite 750s.
Toms radio room the Tecsun pl330 is a good shortwave with ssb receiver I wood biey the Tecsun pl330 not retkess v115 shortwave receiver
Thanks for your inputs and have a great day.
Retekess, feels cheap but captures many stations.
I have the Retekess v115 , nothing but a piece of crap only picks up a few stations on AM and shortwave isn't much better , save your money
Sounds like you got a bad one.
Hello. My Retekess v115 is a great budget radio.
I receive about 12 Daytime AM stations.
For $ 22.00, it is great.
@@mikeblank5139 Thanks for your inputs.
Depends on location and other factors.