Thanks for the reviews, and tutorials of features of various radios! I'll be receiving my first shortwave radio, come Monday, and I can't wait! Recently, I learned such radios could receive ridiculously far off signals, so I started researching the nature of radio waves, how they're transmitted/received, and I'm highly intrigued. I'm a biology major and nature enthusiasts, so it should be interesting to see what signals I'll be able to pick up on top of mountains with the pl-880 under the clear skies out here in AZ!
I'm having bad withdrawals from selling off my entire collection of vintage Portable communication radios , and table tops especially the ICOM R75 ...that one is hurting my heart so much but ..(I got cancer and had to fight for my life) I needed the cash for chemo , Now that I am a success story , and gonna live GOD willing ... what Portable can I get to pull in SSB here in Florida close to the R75 capabilities ? is that Possible ??? hahaha I know.. I know ....nothing pulls in SSB like that R75 did I bet... At least this one is kinda close after this test thanks. I should just save up some money somehow and get the R75 again...
A free way is to listen to others people's radios on the internet. Many website to do this for instance WEBSDR, OpenWebRx. See my videos on this method and have a great day.
happy new years sir. i ordered a cord for my 880 that came in mail 2day. hope 2nite i can hear something good. thanks for all the tips on radios and shortwave you give in yer videos. all the best in 2022 and beyond happy dxing
Hay Tom, great vid, thing is all the 880 to 660 comparisons are non narrated vids and your narration is what makes your vids special and great. Other you tube vids assume the watcher or camera catches all the small innuendoes needed to make sense out of the vid, and that is a wrong assumption, keep up the good work, thanks KD7YKR 73s
Thanks for the explanation Tom. Mine arrived 2 days ago. It is a much different experience compared to tuning my old GE World Monitor 990. It will take getting used to . I can already tell I will enjoy the SSB as there is a lot to listen to and your video was excellent . I would highly recommend young DX ERS buy a vintage analog set and enjoy old fashioned tuning . Don't think my pl880 will last 50 years and still function perfectly .
@ 1:45 "..of course they quit talking.." I can't tell you how many times this happens to me. I have logged so many stations just as they sign off ...tuned in digital signals just as they stop transmitting ...tried to copy an amateurs call sign to find they aren't on any more. I guess it happens to everybody.
I especially hate it when I have been monitoring a frequency for a while and turn away from the radio only to have the transmission to finally come in. :) When I am really serious about catching something I have the computer monitor the radio. I illustrated how to do this in one of my videos. Tom
HI Tom, my PL-880 arrived yesterday (3 days to arrive from Hong Kong by Fedex). So far I'm really impressed. Using just the external wire that came with the set I was picking up SW stations almost as clear as FM! I'll post a clip on my channel once I've gotten to know the beast a little bit better! Thanks again for the great videos. Cheers, John
Not a bad radio, especially at the price. The only thing I would have prefered on it, would be a 'traditional' S - meter with just bars for quick reference. The Signal to Noise Ratio is kind of irrelevant, you never hear hams quote this, they would simply say "..there much QRM in the band etc .." Otherwise, a lovely little receiver for portable or home use. Outdoor antenna is kind of essential though.
The unique thing about tecsuns that I noticed, is they have a reception bar that is broken down to numbers instead of marks or bars. A neat tecsun feature.
Hello , i am thinking of buying one of these, i would prefer its desktop brother (s2000) but my balance does not allow it. I have one question, Can it only work with a wall adapter, without baterries? I mainly want it for my house and not use it as portable. Will it be fully functional? and what adapter should i use if one is not included? thank you very much
LOL. I used to live in the Village of Buffalo Grove, IL a Looong time ago. Back in the mid 70s. It really was an amazingly nice place to live, A modern day. Mayberry of the Midwest back then.
My opinion is that it's a bad radio, with leading edge distotion on usb/lsb and a useless "sync". It's a very expensive-very good FM radio.I have one and I am very disappointed.
It has it flaws but overall it is an improvement over the 660 which is a good radio too. Maybe I will do a video pointing out the differences of which there are many. Tom
Just got my pl-880 about a month ago, I'm pretty new to this what sort of antenna upgrade would you suggest I'm currently using the wire that came with it but I noticed you have something quite a bit more substantial and I also want to protect it from lightning.
love this radio, have had mine about 2 weeks. only problem i have is tuning in SSB stations on the CB band, example on 27.385 LSB, all the voices are distorted and sound garbled, but this doesn't happen anywhere else, like 80 or 40m, only on the CB band. doesn't matter how precise i get them tuned in, people are still garbled and distorted. is there any fix for this issue, or something i'm missing?
Citizens band can be hit or miss since the transmitters are (legally) limited in power and anybody can pick one up at their truck stop. Also, lots of folks add amps which then further distort the sound of their junk trancievers. But you might try a CB 11m dipole antenna for best results.
@@ObamaoZedong well, actually its like the radio wasnt tuned for 11m SSB.. i can go just below, or above CB ch 40, into 10m, and those guys sound normal. but go back to lsb or usb ch 38, 36 etc, theyre all garbled, and can never really tune them in. something is off in the radio itself, but cant figure out what
Ok thanks for the help, I'm new to this whole radio thing and I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I don't intend to transmit yet or get a license, but I would like to upgrade and pick up more Ham frequencies. I have the pl-600 right now.
Having the 750 and dealing with the BFO like you mention that 660 makes it look so easy to use SSB as with my 750 I hate using SSB due to trying to get the voices to sound just right most of the time :) I am glad you finally got a working PL-880 without the firmware bug you had earlier.
Thanks for the reviews, and tutorials of features of various radios!
I'll be receiving my first shortwave radio, come Monday, and I can't wait! Recently, I learned such radios could receive ridiculously far off signals, so I started researching the nature of radio waves, how they're transmitted/received, and I'm highly intrigued. I'm a biology major and nature enthusiasts, so it should be interesting to see what signals I'll be able to pick up on top of mountains with the pl-880 under the clear skies out here in AZ!
Billy Wohl You should have pretty good luck at that location. Keep us posted.
Tom
I'm having bad withdrawals from selling off my entire collection of vintage Portable communication radios , and table tops especially the ICOM R75 ...that one is hurting my heart so much but ..(I got cancer and had to fight for my life) I needed the cash for chemo , Now that I am a success story , and gonna live GOD willing ... what Portable can I get to pull in SSB here in Florida close to the R75 capabilities ? is that Possible ??? hahaha I know.. I know ....nothing pulls in SSB like that R75 did I bet... At least this one is kinda close after this test thanks.
I should just save up some money somehow and get the R75 again...
A free way is to listen to others people's radios on the internet. Many website to do this for instance WEBSDR, OpenWebRx. See my videos on this method and have a great day.
At the begining of the video he stated he was on the 2 meter band. Can we add a 0 onto that please.
The band is 20 meters, 2 meters is 144 mhz VHF
happy new years sir. i ordered a cord for my 880 that came in mail 2day. hope 2nite i can hear something good. thanks for all the tips on radios and shortwave you give in yer videos. all the best in 2022 and beyond happy dxing
You are very welcome and happy new year.
Hay Tom, great vid, thing is all the 880 to 660 comparisons are non narrated vids and your narration is what makes your vids special and great. Other you tube vids assume the watcher or camera catches all the small innuendoes needed to make sense out of the vid, and that is a wrong assumption, keep up the good work, thanks KD7YKR 73s
Thanks for the kind words.
Tom
Thanks for the explanation Tom. Mine arrived 2 days ago. It is a much different experience compared to tuning my old GE World Monitor 990. It will take getting used to . I can already tell I will enjoy the SSB as there is a lot to listen to and your video was excellent . I would highly recommend young DX ERS buy a vintage analog set and enjoy old fashioned tuning . Don't think my pl880 will last 50 years and still function perfectly .
marktuyet Thanks for your comments.
Tom
THANKS FOR CHANNEL AND VÍDEO 💪😝 VERY GOOD ❗ LIKE FULL 👍😎... BIG HUG HERE FROM BRASIL 🇧🇷✌️TMJ
@ 1:45 "..of course they quit talking.." I can't tell you how many times this happens to me. I have logged so many stations just as they sign off ...tuned in digital signals just as they stop transmitting ...tried to copy an amateurs call sign to find they aren't on any more. I guess it happens to everybody.
I especially hate it when I have been monitoring a frequency for a while and turn away from the radio only to have the transmission to finally come in. :) When I am really serious about catching something I have the computer monitor the radio. I illustrated how to do this in one of my videos.
Tom
Thanks for your comment.
Amazing find. Although as I have just found out, they transmit from Tuesday to Saturday included (Not Sunday/Monday) the gray line theory is amazing.
I've really enjoyed the series in the PL-880 so I've just bought one - can't wait for it to arrive!
Keep us posted on your experiences.
Tom
I have one of these and it seems to drift +- 200 Hz. Nonetheless, I can correct this by adjusting the frequency display.
HI Tom, my PL-880 arrived yesterday (3 days to arrive from Hong Kong by Fedex). So far I'm really impressed. Using just the external wire that came with the set I was picking up SW stations almost as clear as FM! I'll post a clip on my channel once I've gotten to know the beast a little bit better! Thanks again for the great videos.
Cheers, John
Thanks for the update.
Tom
I got a radio shack one. I need a new one. has no USB
ssb sounds terrible!
Not a bad radio, especially at the price.
The only thing I would have prefered on it, would be a 'traditional' S - meter with just bars for quick reference.
The Signal to Noise Ratio is kind of irrelevant, you never hear hams quote this, they would simply say "..there much QRM in the band etc .."
Otherwise, a lovely little receiver for portable or home use.
Outdoor antenna is kind of essential though.
And I am not sure how accurate the SNR is. This radio has problems with SSB too. My second one is here gathering dust.
Lol! "2 meters"
What's the best time to listen to Shortwave in Florida?
Mr. Tom, what the price is that on the market currently? Thanks.
$160, new on Amazon.
If you browse eBay you can occasionally find it for 90 refurbished/open box from china
@@hdofu Beware the early versions had a lot of problems.
The unique thing about tecsuns that I noticed, is they have a reception bar that is broken down to numbers instead of marks or bars. A neat tecsun feature.
Personally, I prefer the bars especially when the strength is changing rapidly.
Tom
Hello , i am thinking of buying one of these, i would prefer its desktop brother (s2000) but my balance does not allow it. I have one question, Can it only work with a wall adapter, without baterries? I mainly want it for my house and not use it as portable. Will it be fully functional? and what adapter should i use if one is not included? thank you very much
Mine works using an AC adapter with no battery.
thanks a lot. You're really good at teaching. I've recently purchased a Grundig G6 , what kind of antenna do i have to buy for AM and FM.. thanks
For AM and FM you should not have to buy any antenna for the G6 as it receives those bands fine.
Tom
It sounds like police
That's one thing I didn't like about the G5. It just has the basic fine tune knob, with no visual reference. This is much better.
+xray606 Agree.
Which is better this radio or Sony 7600 GR , good test.
This one is better if you don't need SSB mode. The SSB on this radio is terrible but they may have fixed it in later production runs.
I want one
I'm thinking the 880 is easier to tune than the 660 on SSB because of the fine tuning and the visual display. What do you think?
Towards the end of the video I could hear WB9URU, he's from Buffalo Grove, IL, a Chicago 'burb, not that far from me! Small world....
That is awesome.
Tom
Neat stuff
LOL. I used to live in the Village of Buffalo Grove, IL a Looong time ago. Back in the mid 70s. It really was an amazingly nice place to live, A modern day. Mayberry of the Midwest back then.
A good demo of a very good portable, I will have to buy one.
Can you tell us about the antenna you're using, here??
Nick Miller I am using a G5RV outdoor antenna. 102 feet long wire.
exelent radio muito bem progetado 5 .73
Thanks for the video. I just received my brand new PL880 in the mail today.
You are welcome. Let us know how you like it and have a great day.
My opinion is that it's a bad radio, with leading edge distotion on usb/lsb and a useless "sync". It's a very expensive-very good FM radio.I have one and I am very disappointed.
Agree 100%. My replacement one is only slightly better but still useless on SSB.
Hold down the LSB or USB button to go into side and sync mode.
Well done, informative Video.
Thank you very much.
star wars😁👍
What type of Antena you are using ?
The antenna is a G5RV.
That is definitely a nice looking radio. How does it compare to the Tecsun PL-660?
It has it flaws but overall it is an improvement over the 660 which is a good radio too. Maybe I will do a video pointing out the differences of which there are many.
Tom
hamrad88 Cool! thanks for the information.
thanks where did you buy your radio thanks
Just got my pl-880 about a month ago, I'm pretty new to this what sort of antenna upgrade would you suggest I'm currently using the wire that came with it but I noticed you have something quite a bit more substantial and I also want to protect it from lightning.
MegaLoop antenna
cuma
What are the numbers on the top right of the readout?
+Richard K Left is signal strength in dbu and right is the Signal to Noise ratio.
I'm trying to decide between this one and the PL-330.
Which would you recommend?
They both a good and bad points. I would pick the 330.
@@hamrad88 Thank you.
Sounds really warbled
+ᗒ╬ᗕ1112223333111ᗒ╬ᗕ I have to agree and this is my second one. First one was really bad.
Does the PL600 have this issue?
I'd like to buy the PL600
+ᗒ╬ᗕ1112223333111ᗒ╬ᗕ My 600 does not have this problem.
I picked up a Grundig G4000A and it really works great on SSB.
Not too many videos on this radio though....must be rare.
+ᗒ╬ᗕ1112223333111ᗒ╬ᗕ I have similar to that which was sold by Radio Shack. Quite common.
love this radio, have had mine about 2 weeks. only problem i have is tuning in SSB stations on the CB band, example on 27.385 LSB, all the voices are distorted and sound garbled, but this doesn't happen anywhere else, like 80 or 40m, only on the CB band. doesn't matter how precise i get them tuned in, people are still garbled and distorted. is there any fix for this issue, or something i'm missing?
Citizens band can be hit or miss since the transmitters are (legally) limited in power and anybody can pick one up at their truck stop. Also, lots of folks add amps which then further distort the sound of their junk trancievers. But you might try a CB 11m dipole antenna for best results.
@@ObamaoZedong well, actually its like the radio wasnt tuned for 11m SSB.. i can go just below, or above CB ch 40, into 10m, and those guys sound normal. but go back to lsb or usb ch 38, 36 etc, theyre all garbled, and can never really tune them in. something is off in the radio itself, but cant figure out what
What antenna are using with this?
dk2853 The external antenna is a G5RV.
hamrad88 Ok thanks, do you use an antenna tuner with that as well?
dk2853 No since I am only using it to receive.
Tom
Ok thanks for the help, I'm new to this whole radio thing and I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I don't intend to transmit yet or get a license, but I would like to upgrade and pick up more Ham frequencies. I have the pl-600 right now.
dk2853 You are welcome. You will need a tuner to use the G5RV to transmit when you get your license.
There seems to be buffering?
Yes, muting while tuning.
Having the 750 and dealing with the BFO like you mention that 660 makes it look so easy to use SSB as with my 750 I hate using SSB due to trying to get the voices to sound just right most of the time :)
I am glad you finally got a working PL-880 without the firmware bug you had earlier.
Many of the bugs are fixed in the latest version 8820 but some are still there. The AM sync still does not work at all.
Tom