Tecsun PL-330 Shortwave Radio. Is it really THAT good ?

[@elmofeneken4364]

Fred, good review of the Tecsun PL-330. I already own one and enjoy it very much but it's always good to have someone else's comments and thinking on the unit. Quite an enjoyable video to watch this cold afternoon here in the states. I agree a kickstand would improve the function of the radio.

[@GhostsOfSparta]

These little radios are so powerful and feature packed. With good antenna they do wonders! They could've used 2x 18650 batteries for longer sessions. I am thinking of sticking flat 10,000mah lipo battery to the back...

[@Martin_Lynch]

Excellent video as always. Keep up the good work.

[@simontemplar0468]

Hi Fred. Greetings from Mount Hood, Oregon. Always enjoy your videos. Good stuff. Keep it up. Cheers and 73

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Many thanks!

[@StratmanII]

Hi Fred, I watched this video as I was having my midnight snack last night, but I couldn't leave comments as I watched it on my Sony Android TV. I could only leave a like and I was the second viewer to do that. 🙂 Good to know that you've finally embraced the PL-330. I have one since 2021 when Tecsun still fitted them with the older micro USB charging ports. Mine was the earliest batch with the 3306 firmware, which I believe to be still the current version. Just to let you know that the PL-330's ETM+ is the best auto memory tuning I've tried and it's also available on the PL-398 and PL-320 which I also have. The ETM+ isn't the same as the older ETM found on the PL-380, PL-310ET and PL-398MP/BT. The earlier ETM doesn't associate the frequencies with the exact hour which is extremely useful. Not even the H-501, PL-880, PL-990, S-2200, S-8800 come with the indispensable ETM+. Best of all, the ETM memories are kept separate from the regular ATS memories and deleting the ETM storage will not affect the ATS memory. You can roughly adjust the sensitivity of the ETM+ scan by selecting a narrower bandwidth filter like 1 kHz to pick up the fainter stations but the flip side of the coin is that the PL-330 will also mistake background noise for legitimate broadcast signals. It appears that the 2024 (I assume it was manufactured just last year) version of the PL-330 has slightly raised keypad buttons. The earlier PL-330s had semi-recessed buttons which makes quick presses a challenge. The earliest iterations of the PL-330 also came with only 650 memories (not 850) and lacked the memory sorting feature. I don't understand why Tecsun refused to make changes to the PL-330's case molding as the non-SSB PL-320 comes with a mini kickstand. There are English language "export" versions of the PL-330, but they are usually sold for the U.S. market through Kaito or Amazon. There are no detectable differences between the mainland China version and the U.S. market one, but you'll pay more for the PL-330 devoid of Chinese characters at the back of the radio. Oh, welcome to the D-808 and DX-286 club too Fred! It's never too late to review these excellent receivers! 📻☺❤👍

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks for all that information. Good news on the raised keypad then. Tecsun seem to stick with a design longer than other makes. Cheers bud.

[@sutitigi]

Had mine since 2019,take it on all trips away from home,

[@davemaylin35]

Thanks Fred, enjoy and appreciate all your reviews 👍

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks buddy.

[@glacierglider7531]

Good to see ya fred.

[@alanslade2319]

Great job again Fred and loving the button that tracks the stations on SW . And a good price and a little off thanks to you. Thanks again and see you soon Alan.🤔💯👍

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Many thanks!

[@kucharz07]

Face review 😮 nice Fred for the confidence 👌

[@sutitigi]

Great video Fred and i like the new style video production you have done on this radio, the ETM is also on my Tecsun PL-330, bought the radio in 2019, 56CT004

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks bud.

[@ChunterInfo]

It's what I listen to most nights before I go to sleep for the past 2 and a half years or so, and it's the receiver I use when I'm looking for signals

[@jorgthamer956]

I bought it two weeks ago, from a dealer in Germany and it came with two booklets, one in English and one in German. in the manual it says, do not use with active antenna, well the Tecsun antenna AN48x is an active antenna, with wich I use it, no problems up to now. All in all its a brilliant small radio.

[@Colin_Ames]

Excellent video.

[@ErikTheVikingMechanic]

He does have a face! It's not just a walking pair of hands 😂 Nice to see you Fred and to put a face to a voice 😊

[@garydrewworldwide]

Hi Fred, my Tecsun PL680 has great FM signal strength on distant stations and has airband. My PL390 has ETM too. Great functions from Tecsun. Thanks for the review.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks for the info!

[@METTL_Head]

Hi Fred. Great video. I love the ETM function on the PL-330. Great for testing external antennas. You can change the scanning speed of the function by long pressing number 6 in ETM mode.

[@Chris-tx9ou]

Great Video Fred - I have the Sangean ATS909 and was loooking for another SW radio - this looks like a nice radio at the price point.

[@screwdriver32]

I got mine from aliexpress for £44 & never looked back its a great wee radio.

[@m0ogy]

Thanks for the video Fred🙂

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Welcome bud.

[@tillyupnorth]

Just fiound this channel . Really good

[@Alan-Dawson]

I have the PL 680 Fred It's a pretty amazing radio. Got It second-hand on Ebay a few months ago.

[@SamFinch-bn8kr]

@fredintheshed just a little feature that the pll-330 has on FM is that when the radio is on and the FM band is selected, push and hold down the 4 key and it will give you the option to set the fm de-emphasise timing to either 75μs for North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean or 50μs for the rest of the world.

[@larrybragg7406]

Great review. My pamphlet was in English. I lay mine flat on it's back with the antenna hooked to the aerial. It's very sensitive.

[@radioredoctober]

My best SW radio ... 100/100.

[@ClickinChicken]

You look smart Fred, like you could be a Radio analyst on TV! We'll heck, that's what you are for all Intents and Purposes! I bought the PL 880 for someone as a House warming gift.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks. Nice gift.

[@delmare1]

Iv'e had SW radios on and since the late 1980s such as Grundigs, Sony, etc. And I must say this PL330 is absolutely brilliant. It's as sensitive as my Yaesu FT DX1200 Amatuer radio. Couldn't do with out it, and would love to had this in the 1980s. As for the price, I think it's ver reasonable. 5/5

[@S.B.photos]

Who's that bloke in your video again Fred. There was me thinking you were just a pair of disembodied hands. 😂😂😂

[@hoog111]

I think it’s his dad

[@F4LDT-Alain]

Thanks for the nice review. I love my PL-330, well my PL330s because i have two of them. It was my first SSB-capable receiver. Love the form factor, the sensitivity, the scan features. Not so much the lack of a BFO wheel and the too sensitive VFO wheel that you bump too easily. About the PL-680: I've bought one from the latest production batches that came available after it was sold out. I already had the PL-660 but I just didn't want to let the PL-680 go away without having one in my collection of radios. It's a disappointment. It's clearly below my PL-660 on many aspects, especially the build quality. The tuning buttons aren't smooth at all and the plastic case feels cheap. SSB tuning is difficult, a lot of sound distortion. Only on the air band does it seem to be a bit more sensitive than my PL-660 (which is mediocre on that band). I wish I could get hold of an older PL-680. I think that corners have been cut by Tecsun for these late production batches. EDIT : the D-808 is a great radio, maybe my best one if it weren't for these dreadful paged memories. "I have too many shortwave radios". I can relate to this 😄

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks for the info its interesting to compare radios.

[@MikeLamb-hj7ys]

Mine came with English instructions! KZbinrs have discovered external antennas can be switched in for MW reception, not mentioned in the instructions!

[@alabamared2568]

Press and hold down the 5 number that triggers the light on always. Your welcome fredward!!😂😂

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Cheers.

[@maurices5259]

Thanks for this. Don't know if it would have helped and it was only a very brief look but there seems to be a QR code on the end of the box.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Yes your right. I did find it later.

[@ditto1958]

Nice review! The Tecsun earbuds are pretty good ones, but unfortunately I prefer the ones with the replaceable squishy cushions. If someone else gets a Chinese version, the instruction manual is easily downloaded online, as are the “hidden features” that Tecsun radios all seem to have.

[@johnm2051]

With the 330 on press and hold 5 backlight will stay on until you power off 👌

[@madmax2069]

The PL-330 is a pretty decent radio especially for its price. Its only issue is the battery. those cheap replacement batteries are horrible, they typically do not have anywhere near the capacity that they say, and they wear out quickly.

[@RosssRoyce]

Thanks for a great review! I have this radio for 2 years now, i use it more than the 600 because it’s more portable and lasts FOREVER! Does your 600 drain the battery too quick as mine?

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi. Not when using it but if i leave the batteries in then they drain. I always take them out.

[@Charlietango11]

Try a pl368 it’s a great set bud👍

[@caulktel]

Hi Fred, I really enjoyed your review of the PL-330, did anyone tell you how to calibrate each band you are on? Just tune until the voice sounds normal and press and hold the USB button or the LSB button depending on which one you are on, the display will flash 3 times. I love that feature.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi. Are we talking clarify ? as in BFO. If so i totally missed that.

[@andrewrevell6219]

I bought mine on Ali express in November and it came with English instructions! Yours might for different market ,, biggest negative is the sleep timer keeps coming on and you have to adjust ,, or maybe just me lol

[@kenshinflyer]

I regard my Tecsun PL-330 as my Tecsun PL-660's little brother (save for the lack of airband).

[@BrianG61UK]

The best test for smooth fine tuning test should include tuning over the whole of a larger step, in this case 1kHz. Sometimes you can find that fine tuning is implemented as finely tuning up and down by only 1kHz and combining that with the original big 1kHz steps, so you will hear muting once every kHz even in fine tuning.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Yes your spot on about the reset once every 1KHz.

[@SheffieldVince-2E0NZS]

Ayup Fred!

[@bill53uk]

I just bought one of those last week and mine had an englishmanual with it. You must of been very unlucky. The backlight is number 5 it shows a light bulb. if you are using FM press the ETM and it will pick up all chaanels and display them at the top right hand corner. once you have the channels turn the top knob and it will take you to all channels that it found. Hope this helps you fred

[@MultiPetercool]

I’ve had a PL-330 for about two years. Before that I had a Hallicrafters S38-B, a Sangean ATS-803a, Drake SW2, Zenith Transoceanic G500 and a Sony ICF-7600G. They were all wonderful but the PL-330 is still my favorite. The only drawback is you cannot use it while charging. Noise! ☹️ The only thing that beats it is a laptop and a USB SDR dongle.

[@hustra6660]

Hi Fred, I have just found your KZbin channel and found it very interesting. I love things all techy and geeky if you'll pardon the phrase. My big question is "Why do I need a Shortwave Radio in my life?" What will I get out of it and what can I achieve with the reasonably priced one you have reviewed. Many thanks. H.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi. I think you have to like radio in general. When you think you are receiving something transmitted half way around the globe. Also the HAM bands can be interesting to listen too. For just listening to radio on its own a DAB radio makes more sense.

[@MrStonegrove]

Of course you don't _need_ it, so it's more of a question if you "need" it... 😉 The sensitivity on something like the PL-330 is very good and the tuning is precise, so it's more about the location and antenna you use, given that you don't get overloading and/or breakthrough from other bands. In some locations that might be a problem with some radios. My H-501x will certainly not receive as much better as it costs more, maybe except that it's got a pretty long whip (more than twice as long as the PL-330) if you're just using that. It's more about how it is to use, quality of the speakers, extra functions (it doubles as a BT speaker, for example), doesn't mute while tuning, has separate treble and bass controls and an analogue volume control, proper line out and not just a headphone jack, separate jacks for FM and AM antennas etc. Then there are of course other ways to receive shortwave than portables like these as well. Btw, my -501x has a bug in SSB on bandwidth selection. It sounds best if you cycle the bandwidths with the button and not use the fine tuning wheel, at least when selecting 3 or 4 kHz. As soon as you tune more than a few steps on fine tune, or any with the normal tuning, you need to do it again. I don't now if this is fixed in later versions than mine, which is probably about three years old. It's not a really big problem, but slightly annoying.

[@MS-ro9dm]

23:08 the radio can't perform in cold weather?

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

The radio can but i cannot :-)

[@KongKingman]

The English version is online

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Sure is and now in the description.

[@dutchbeef8920]

A lot of the cheaper radios that use the nokia style batter come with a little stand that slide in to the slot in the battery lid.

[@leyland9999]

Very nice little radio, certainly for the money. The only downside is the distortion during fading. The more expensive Tecsuns don’t distort that much. Also, and this is probably due to a kind of re-invention of the medium radio the Chinese had to do, is the radio is no match for shortwave portables of the past. These are all getting real old and the ones that still work properly pull in stations with a lot less effort and with far less distortion. As an example I mention the Sony ICF-2001D, 2010 in USA, that wipes the floor with all Tecsuns as a matter of fact. Said that, if you can find a good one, I would prefer that route. The Tecsuns shine with their advanced tuning and even more important, their sound. Granted, a good pair of headphones in combination with the Sony solves that but the sound of nearly all Tescuns is great. Greetings from Hekelingen, Holland. Bye, Willem.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi yes i noticed that. I personally think its the AGC control not dealing with the levels very well.

[@leyland9999]

⁠@@CB-RADIO-UKYes, I think so as well. It is only too bad that we in the West have thrown away our companies that made real radios. The Chinese cleverly stepped into the void left behind by us. This all began way back when, the Americans decided to have their products made in Japan. As a consequence most electronics came from Japan and we over here in Europe also started buying it. That’s when the decline of brand names like Grundig, Pye, Philips and so many others really started. In the beginning maybe only marginal but the signs were there, driven by short term thinking. Some brands like Grundig still exist but their products are a joke. Philips is now in medical electronics and healthcare products, just a fraction of what it once was. And the Japanese electronics industries went on the same path really. It is our own fault, short term thinking in order to present good year figures and to keep the shareholders satisfied. Look where we stand right now in Europe…..Bye, Willem.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Yes i agree. Sony and Grundig used to lead the way but all gone now.

[@ditto1958]

I’ve been curious about this radio from day 1 of my portable radio shopping. Here’s what I’m interested to know from PL-330 owners: 1. How much do you use the ETM feature? 2. How much of a factor was ETM in your decision to buy your PL-330?

[@AEZAEZEL-187]

@Fred in the Shed this is the first time you showed yourself on youtube! You were a darkside CB radio operator who hid himself Why did you change your mind?

[@chandigarhdatarecovery]

lol haahaa

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi. I ve been on the past few videos. People kept asking mostly.

[@dutchbeef8920]

⁠@@CB-RADIO-UKyou’re in a loft by the looks of it, I imagined you in an actual shed 😂🤦‍♂️

[@ditto1958]

@@dutchbeef8920Everyone should have a man cave like that 😊

[@Davejazz]

U look diffrent from your younger days .

[@BrianG61UK]

The Shortwave bands are so empty now that I find 9kHz bandwidth is a good default for AM reception. (I don't have a PL-330, but 9kHz is what I use as my default on my SDR for AM).

[@OleJacobsen]

The PL-380 runs on AA batteries, has the kickstand you complained about and costs less with all of the same features.

[@MrAtlantis95]

And in common, how do you compare the PL-330 with the FRG-8800 while that one is 10x more sensitive.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Performance wise the little 330 can hold its own against the Froggy. However in handling and tuning the 8800 with it slick non muting vfo is way better to use.

[@waynemoate9401]

If you install Google Translate on your mobile, you can use the app alongside the camera to translate documents.

[@chucky2316]

Do a video show us

[@LamarFaciane]

I think I like the old format

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Times change bud. I held that format for 14 years.

[@MrAtlantis95]

You didn't include a link of the pdf in the description

[@nicknelson9450]

www.tecsunradios dot com dot au/store/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PL-330-USER-MANUAL.pdf

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Your right. I will fix it later. Thanx.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Now added.. www.tecsunradios.com.au/store/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PL-330-USER-MANUAL.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoo7kJte1UMgm4hn0Oly7ley7rqxYEgzuhL2pcpbJx58z3-1gX_U

[@markr.1984]

You can download the owner's manual PDF from the internet in English.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

www.tecsunradios.com.au/store/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/PL-330-USER-MANUAL.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoo7kJte1UMgm4hn0Oly7ley7rqxYEgzuhL2pcpbJx58z3-1gX_U

[@andrewhorton199]

A lot better than most of the shite out there

[@NorthRiverTV]

I own the PL-330, D-808 and the DX-286. The 286 is a hot receiver no doubt. But I find the 808 to be a little easier to use than the 330, and it has a better feel in hand. The 330 is good, no question, but I would rate it a very close third in this grouping.

[@MrStonegrove]

The DX-286 is disqualified if you want SSB though, which might be worth pointing out. PL-330 is out if you want RDS, while the other two have it.

[@MB-kx5qs]

This or the XHDATA 808?

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

A real tough one as both are good. The 808 has airband but not the SW time search and bank system.

[@chucky2316]

Fred you remind me of a 80s diode. Not a 70s gameshow host. although we have a hint of beige.

[@sprint955st]

“Hmm which colour jumper today? beige, off-white, bone, light tan, cream or stone?”

[@vingatrade]

Hi mate, when will you present a rtl sdr?

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi. Did a whole series on them. Starts here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKfTaH9soNyjbNU

[@vingatrade]

@@CB-RADIO-UK cheers

[@SeanFlaherty]

I call it "Easy Tuning Mode."

[@markr.1984]

I have one and I think they are certainly worth the money but my ex-wife could not figure out how to use it, as it's not user-friendly for a novice. As far as going to the band you wish to tune they are not self-explanatory at all. I would say they are good but not outstanding. I like it but my ex was not interested in it and seemed not able to learn it despite my patient teaching. I've had it for almost three years. The newest ones went to USB-C charging but my older one has Micro-USB. Doesn't really bother me but glad they went to the newer style.

[@tacticalpirate372]

A decent review Fred or should I say Tech Moans older brother 😂

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

LOL. I love Matt's channel.

[@sprint955st]

@@CB-RADIO-UK we all do

[@BryanLiesner]

Banggood and Ali Express will not ship you the export version. The export version is all in English including the box and sticker on the front. Also, I'd be dubious about the firmware version.

[@SeanFlaherty]

I ordered a PL-330 from Ali Express in early December 2024 and it had the latest FW and a manual with english (the box and sticker were in Chinese.)

[@JTT2505]

Same here ​@@SeanFlaherty

[@PaulTaylor1]

You have a face!?! 😂 Great to see you! 🎉

[@BrianG61UK]

Correction: 87.5 to 108 MHz is the UK VHF/FM band. Just occasionally something will be on, say, 87.9 MHz. So starting at 88 MHz is not correct for UK.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

You can go well below that and start in the DX band.

[@BrianG61UK]

@@CB-RADIO-UK Yes. When I have a radio that can cover extra ranges, I generally choose to set it to cover the whole of 64-108MHz if I can. Here in the UK it's rare for there to be anything down there, but it can happen and has happened.

[@proudsnowtiger]

There's no reason for 'as goos as it gets' on soft muting to be that bad just because it's DSP. Most DSP/SDR radios, from 20 quid dongles to the Yaesus and Icoms, have perfectly smooth tuning indistinguishable from the analogue variable capacitor VFO tuning we've had for nearly 100 years. It's a design decision that I just don't understand, and this is another radio I won't be getting, alas.

[@PaulTaylor1]

It's the only serious flaw of this radio, for sure.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi. If you look back over the past year of DSP radios that ive tested none inc the Raddy 919 have been smooth on the course tune. Dongles are SDR.

[@MrStonegrove]

@@CB-RADIO-UK They exist, but have PLL tuning combined with a DSP, which is what the more expensive Tecsusn have. There's really no difference between my H-501x and PL-680 in this regard on SW. There are other advantages and disadvantages between the two related to the DSP chip though. But if you want both smooth tuning and ETM I think you're out of luck. As far as I know the ETM function is only in the smaller pure DSP radios.

[@Auntystatic]

sorry Tecsun but the muting during tuning is a deal breaker for me

[@dudleyedge1374]

Good revue, than you

[@jacquesmertens3369]

If only they created a European version incl. DAB+

[@AlexanderM-h3b]

I have yet to find a country that 89.10 FM is not a religious radio station😂

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Its BBC Radio 2 here :-)

[@sprint955st]

So after all this time hiding behind the camera, it turns out that you’re a total natural in front of it??

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Nice of you to say. Thanks.

[@waggonfm]

In my minds eye you looked quite a bit different and now it's like they've dubbed your voice over some other bloke talking lol

[@gordonhudspith1214]

These look like they have copied the Sony Shortwave Radios, from the 90s

[@ROB-M0LOL-VK2OMG]

Fred nice vid but mate your draging your reviews out far too long bud.you need to speed up people are starting to lose interest and by the time you get to doing the product your reviewing there getting bored.please mate can you speed it up a bit and i say this nicely rob

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@Davejazz]

I thought u was rusty skull.??

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

Hey, Fred is in front of the camera. :) Always informative and enjoyable videos. Adam In The Attic. 697 Middle, T.N. U.S.A. KO4HPC 73

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Cheers man.

[@ronaldzuccala-pv8tu]

Sir you have to admit that. Etm feather is excellent. Much thanks. RON. Z. Wa3090swl.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Its very cleaver and easily to miss.