Look and Review of the Tecsun PL 380 World band receiver with DSP

In this video I take a look at the Tecun PL 380 Longwave, Mediumwave, Shortwave and FM receiver with Digital Signal Processing

[@brandiesmith8440]

To change ferinheight to celsius or visa versa, press and hold the 3 button.

[@chunhualiao8191]

Got my pl 380 from AliExpress for 36 usd. Amazing little radio with exceptional AM broadcast receiving even for indoor use. Very happy to own one.

[@NSNorfolk]

Giles is 100% right. Just about all the Tecsun radios represent a great VALUE ! Most are under $100; there are a few above that price but even those, such at the PL-880 still represent a solid value. I use mine for MW DX'ing in something called the "Ultra-Light" class. Have heard 12 countries on my PL-380. Rob Ross up in Alberta (?) has heard over 500 stations on his "Ultra-Light" radios. -Chuck-

[@danielmad]

Could you do a quick comparison between the PL380 vs the PL310 and PL310ET. There's some confusion between these models, as the appear to look all the same. Do you know the difference?

[@richardmerriam7044]

Just replaced a PL 380 (bought in 2016) that was worn out. A number of functions stopped working. Great radio! I bought the gray one. The first one was silver which scratched easily. In 2024 the price was $46.00 (USD) which is still a good price.

[@desvlogs2352]

If you ever break your antenna I think it can take universal pl antennae. They are bigger than the default antenna for the pl 380 but you take the antennae off their bases put the big antenna in the pl-380 antenna base and then screw it into place

[@dxpeditions2037]

Excellent review Gilles. My Tecsun PL-380 will be arriving in a couple of weeks. Can't wait to try some outdoor SWL with this unit. My only gripe about this unit is no external antenna connection like the PL-310.

[@rationalraven8956]

It makes me a little sad now whenever I watch one of these videos where you mention Radio Australia... used to be such a nice station to hear in the morning

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

Yes it is sad, was one of my favorites

[@RJDA.Dakota]

Rational Raven used to listen to RA almost every morning as well as 19 MHz in the evening.

[@acree3739]

I don't know if this will help you, but on mine if you press and hold the 3 button while the radio is off it will cycle between Fahrenheit and Celsius.

[@slam854]

That is helpful info, thanks. Three of these are coming for relatives & myself. Also ordered a MLA-30 loop antenna to use with this and Tecsun S-2000. What fun!

[@acree3739]

@@slam854 wow, glad to see my old comment is helping someone! The tecsun are great

[@EliStettner]

probably obvious if you watch the video, but button?

[@jisa98]

Its my favorite radio, opens the world to your ears!! To make it even better, I would love it to have air band, it would be amazing!!!

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

yes amazing radio

[@Habacuc617]

Se pueden recargar en el mismo radio las baterias AA recatgables, mediante micro USB?

[@TheSmokinApe]

nice review, I have been very happy with mine... great radio that doesn't break the bank.

[@ferossan]

Very interesting Tecsun PL-380, nice review! Would be great if could it be compared to the PL-310ET. Considering both are at the same level price, would be useful for those of us in doubt to choose one. Is the FM better in the PL-380 over the PL-310ET? Thank you!

[@watershed44]

It would be interesting to know if another version has SSB capabilities, with DSP in amateur transceivers the performance of DSP is very good.

[@michelesestu]

pl365

[@knownuser0815]

The 365/600/660/880 has SSB. I'm using the 600

[@Rivarokband]

ahh yes, metric/English. I'm I. the U.S. and work as a plumber/pipe fitter and did the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, VA. First day on job ALL the drawings were in metric. With layers and layers of pipe racks it took a couple days to get our bearings..lol Thanks for the video! Just ordered my PL 380

[@christopherdoyle9489]

Thanks for such useful information. Mine will arrive in an app operated Amazon France locker 5 minutes away on foot, at 54 euros; much lighter than my old Roberts/ Sangean badged ,which has SSB ,so thanks for confirming the choice I had to decide upon.

[@maxbilodeau7069]

Do you know why I cannot tune to 1650 AM since it says on the radio (PL-380) that it covers MW 522-1620 (520-1710) ? What are those frequencies in parenthesis?

[@alexwastakenwastaken]

Max Bilodeau long press on 3 when powered off to toggle US and non US frequencies and 9/10 khz step. he refers to it at 6,00

[@scotness]

I am traveling to California in a few weeks and can not wait to play with it by the beach

[@eldontyrellcorp]

And with the capacitor mod for enhanced sound and a better ferrite antenna (with doubled inductance) this is an even better radio !

[@TheRadiogeek]

I have a pl 380 also and love it. I used ETM on the FM band and it found 50 stations! I do find that my buttons on the radio are a bit stiff and sometimes requires a hard press to work. How are your buttons?

[@MrKhalasi]

Hello, I am from India. I want to buy this radio. If I buy it, will I be able to listen to radios of America and other distant countries radio stations clearly? Please reply to my question. Thanks.

[@TyrionUnderhill]

Does this radio require batteries or you can use the USB function to charge it like a cellphone?

[@RicardoBugiganga]

Tzachi Presler Use the USB to charge the bateries.

[@TheDelawar]

what's the length of the clip on antenna?

[@jafinch78]

Anyone aware of the best hack to add and external antenna option?

[@greggaieck4808]

Gilles your Tecsun Pl 380 mw lw fm sw 4 band portable radio Receiver is cool

[@TheDelawar]

Excellent review. Good video quality too! Thanks

[@greggaieck4808]

Gilles I like your utube videos

[@GibsonLesPaulGoldtop]

Hi, you know how can I put the aircraft band on this radio? Thanks in advance

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

The PL-380 does not have air band

[@rand21althor]

Thanks for the review. I might get a 380 soon.

[@ACCORD517]

Great review.

[@Knardsivad73]

Does this radio have reception mode for SSB or CW (Morse Code)? Also....Is there a tuning rate less then 1khz?

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

No SSB on this receiver and 1 Khz is the lowest tune rate

[@outsideman66]

Can you use alkaline batteries in that radio?

[@richardmerriam7044]

Yes, but I would advise using Ni-Mh, as disposable batteries can leak.

[@Larri-b]

How do I get LW on it

[@richardmerriam7044]

On the right side of the front panel press MW. You can toggle between MW and LW.

[@kflynt2006]

how long does tha battery last?

[@capt.scarlet1099]

Not sure how many hours, but it certainly doesn't drink them if you disable the backlight. Battery life is good. Much better than my Eton G3 and Sangean ATS-909X (hence my goto camping radio).

[@WBRnonato]

poderia ter um conector de antena externa neste equipamento

[@bhimraoveer2527]

what is the price in indian rupees

[@vstalingrad2827]

На 5:03 минуте экран приёмника заплёван слюнями.

[@dxradioecia]

Eu tenho o TECSUN-8800. Fiz vários vídeos.

[@miss.wright3035]

Interesting, but there's a new service called internet that has every radio station broadcasting on it. Unless there's a nuclear holocaust, why would you need this ? Your cell phone can do the same thing with this new service called "internet".