Ham Radio - Can the Tecsun PL 330 be used for CW operation?

[@tonyv8925]

I also have the PL330 with the latest software upgrade. I use it to monitor the HFGlobal Communications Network when I am on the road, 8.992Mhz and 11.175 Mhz USB. I am partially deaf and have difficult time hearing CW. Took the 13wpm cw test 4 times before I got it and received my General license. Thanks for sharing this useable tidbit of info. 73 OM de November 8 Whiskey Juliet Quebec.

[@F_Tim1961]

you should consider builing a plug in that fires up a low freq piezo that you cvan put your finger on - maybe even on top of a str key which runs only in Rx so you can feel the code coming in too. It will help with Tx too.

[@madcarew5168]

Great to see you again...as the guy that got me fired up about "ham" with your basement projects about 2017 and caused me to pass my UK M6 exam in 2018!! Keep on keeping on........cheers.

[@Don-ev5ov]

Two years ago, I purchased a Tecsun 360, which I connected to our ancient rooftop TV antenna with a 3.5 adapter to see what I could hear. Of course, FM came in better, but I think many bands improved simply because it was a big chunk of metal high in the air. I have bought connectors and set up a ground level coax connector to which I can attach experimental antennas outside. Listen only antennas, not yet a Ham, but it is one reason I subscribed because your experiments are always creative.

[@Kc3vhr]

from 80-30 youll do better with a trip wire than a clothsline sometimes , crazy how that works close to the ground less RFI?

[@ak2b]

It’s always fun to make contacts with minimum gear. I have the same radio and think it’s really a bargain for what it does. Thanks for the video.

[@philipchandler330]

Great tutorial on Tecsun PL-330

[@matth7272]

Ive got a pl330, and connected it to a larger antenna and receive cw, psk and rtty really well and use fldigi to decode rtty and psk and am happy with how it performed.

[@lysippus]

yes these are good handy radios. lots of features. i have a couple different models and use one of those small LC loop things they also sell works really well.

[@alannorthdevonuk763]

Thank you for the review. I bought this little radio just over 18 months ago to take away on visits and on holidays abroad (vacation). It goes in my hand luggage, and I can't recommend highly enough. I was a great companion during a 12 hour flight delay listening to news and general local FM and national stations, a bit of SSB and of course CW practice. I have a portable wind-up cassette long wire antenna for it but I have only ever used the telescopic antenna on the radio. The rechargeable battery life is good to, plus the battery is a Nokia mobile phone battery widely available on Amazon or EBay for a few pounds/dollars so for flying I carry a charged spare. It is a great little radio.

[@respectbossmon]

The PL-330 is an operator's radio. And the idea to use it as the receiver in a very portable setup is a great one. There are a few Chinese manufacturers of radio hardware that listen and respond to their customer base. If Tecsun is one of those, they might just add manual gain control to their next firmware update (if such a thing is possible with the PL-330).

[@blugoose86]

Cool, AND you sound like you're getting better by your energy level. Cool little rig. I personally would have to find a way to mod that ALC though. LOL Stay warm and safe. 73 de KA9TII

[@PaulTaylor1]

Manual gain control would be fantastic on this radio, but it's all done in a chip so would probably need custom firmware. 😔

[@WilliamParmley]

Fantastic! I love this kind of creative thinking and experimentation. 👍

[@Rubedo777]

It always impresses me CW contacts on BA power.. ( 😆 ) 300mw , in contrast to when I hear SSB stations using FU power ( 🤣 ) You are looking ok / well at your wintering QTH Kev and it’s always a pleasure to see you. ✅ mind how you go.73. 💙 G0UvL

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Thanks for the video. Tecsun PL-330 certainly seems useable. Trying to think of an easy/effective solution for the AGC problem. Maybe some attenuation at the antenna socket? Some resistors and a potentiometer might even provide crude RF gain control? I am guessing, because the set is designed for use with the bulit in telescopic whip, the RF gain is just too much when you connect a more efficient external antenna.

[@WarrenPostma]

I am a big fan of my TECSUN PL 660. I am going to build a bigger whip antenna and a case that will hold the radio and let me use the big whip with the PL 660 for portable RX operation.

[@lilblackduc7312]

Fantastic! Thank you, Kevin...🇺🇸 👍☕

[@ronleblanc9832]

I have a pl-368 way smaller love it ..i almost got the 360 but waited 368 is upper and lower ssb

[@DellFargus]

I might have to pick another one of those Tecsuns up. The one I have doesn't do SSB.

[@metatechnologist]

The vast majority of the rigs have no i.f. filtering which really is necessary to have the selectivity needed for most day to day ham use.

[@ku4uv]

Just about any good shortwave receiver with a BFO can be used to make CW contacts. I have used my Sangean ATS-818, along a homebrew CW transmitter that make contacts. Some receivers are just better than others, obviously.

[@R50_J0]

Have a PL-330. They are DSP chip receivers that “chuff” when tuned. An external antenna is needed. Trying to tune a CW signal isn’t too bad, but tuning SSB is absolutely horrible. I wish I hadn’t bought it, even considering the price.

[@HitchHiker4Freedom]

Neat radio.

[@2EOGIY]

4:12 I bought mine recently and mine have USB C

[@josephkanowitz6875]

ב''ה, may be a software button press trick for the AGC.

[@loughkb]

Nope, I've been through them all.

[@richardbrobeck2384]

Nice !

[@Charles-g5d7k]

Good morning K.L. 👋🏻

[@paguy67]

Do you know if the flea will work with the county comm GP series SW radios?

[@loughkb]

The flea should work with any receiver. It just passes the antenna connection through to the receiver output. And when you're in transmit mode it grounds the receiver output to protect the receiver.

[@paguy67]

​​@@loughkbThanks I just ordered one so looking forward to trying it out

[@protektwar]

looks like Sony ICF series :)

[@johnlew5972]

Do you have a video comparing your top five of these types of radios?

[@loughkb]

Nope. I only have two of these type of radios at the moment and the other one, an ATS-20+, needs work.

[@johnlew5972]

@@loughkb Ok Thank you.

[@av3510]

It looks just like the CCCrane

[@heinzriedl6868]

what about muting the ant input through a relais when transmission starts ? - vy 73, Heinz DL3RAD/DE0RST

[@loughkb]

I thought I mentioned that in the video. That's exactly what the flea does. There is a relay right next to that receiver output jack that shorts the receiver antenna output to ground when transmission starts.

[@1975adam]

Just orded this radio off aliexpress 65 $ less then a 66er

[@loughkb]

Are you referring to Clegg 66er? I believe that was a transceiver, not just a receiver.

[@kevinmccool3719]

It might eventually overload the rx front end and damage it.

[@loughkb]

No. It's well below any level that would damage it. The coax is shorted by the relay when you're in transmit mode. It's only picking up RF that leaks through the case and coax.

[@appalachianmagic6370]

@@loughkb Yeah, was thinking what you said when I saw the comment, CW work is pretty low power - however, it is something to consider for storms (depending of course).