Make: Tecsun 2P3 DIY AM Portable Radio Kit Build & Review

[@todderbert]

(paid links below) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are no additional costs to you. ▶ The Tecsun 2P3 Kit at Amazon USA: amzn.to/2Gh0Xy2 ▶ The Tecsun 2P3 Kit at Amazon CA: amzn.to/2AuQTR2

[@luisvargas6153]

Yesterday I got one that I ordered from AliExpress, and yesterday I built it, it worked the first time. I did the calibration of the band and the intermediate frequency, it works wonderfully although, apparently it is

[@markrhine5809]

I just purchase one of these radios, I am going to begin the build, I have watched your video three times, and everytime I learn something new, I hope my kit will work as great as yours, You have done a fine job....

[@todderbert]

Thanks, if you have any issues let me know, and I'll try to help.

[@Bartok_J]

What a beautiful kit! The finished item looks quite similar to other Chinese AM radio kits (e.g. HX108-2, a great little set), but nicely packaged and with a good set of instructions. I particularly liked the idea of including a smaller cardboard box for the finished radio: a really nice touch. ♥

[@todderbert]

It is one of my favorite kit radios.

[@ceesfaber]

A very nice kit indeed. Of all the AM DIY kits out there certainly one of the best ones. Two tips: 1) One easily can make a 'see-through' back cover by using the original packaging, cutting out the form in which the original radio casing came in. 2) Install a small red led with a 100 ohm resistor behind the frequency dial. There is enough space behind the circuit board. The white plastic will let the light through. Will make the kit even look better.

[@dieselkilgore]

Todderbert, you are thoroughly bringing me back in to the radio craze. I've had more free time this summer than I have had in several years. So I thought, I'm gonna dig out my old SRIII, search around the web and see what new radios are out there. Then I found your channel and it's absolutely the best resource for reviews on every radio I'm interested in. Now I'm out digging in the toolbox for my iron and roll of solder. What a nice looking set. That ferrite rod is all business! I'm gonna have to get one of these kits!

[@todderbert]

Your Welcome Paul. This one is worth the cash all the way. Those cheap chinese kits are not worth bothering with.

[@marcosmza1962]

One of the many reason why I respect and appreciate Tecsun brand

[@todderbert]

Amazing little radio. Glad they make this kit.

[@luisvargas6153]

It is worth mentioning that where I live there are no local AM stations anymore, so during the day only 3 or 4 distant stations can be heard weakly, but at night this beautiful little radio shines

[@luisvargas6153]

Slightly less responsive than for example the tecsun r911, but I love the look of it, it's very pretty and I loved putting it together

[@RobertNES816]

I wish Tecsun would make an AM/FM kit radio like this one. It would be such an awesome build.

[@todderbert]

Yes! Lets sign a petition! hehe ;)

[@gabrielgomez2483]

After watching this vid I bought and built my own, such an awesome radio!!!! supersensitive, well built, sounds great. I am lucky to have a small music station WXEX 1540 oldies during the day and 740 zoomer at night. The radio is very selective, i was afraid that WBZ would blow everything off the dial but that is not the case, the radio is a must-have IMO.

[@lindonprice2482]

The orinal 1965 version was called yaou , in Chinese this means Hitachi,so you have a Hitachi revival radio

[@chuckermatinger3794]

VERY interesting. You really aligned it sharply, it's sensitive across the entire band. Great looking finished radio inside and out.

[@todderbert]

Thank you Chuck! It is a great little kit radio.

[@bryanhollyfield3948]

I have a multi meter like that old radio shack one. I got it when I worked at radio shack. If I was better at soldering I would love this radio. Thanks for the build.

[@Traveler2093]

Brilliant, one of the best channels that I watch.

[@todderbert]

Thank you, Glad you enjoy the videos, I create new ones every day atm.

[@michaelgilbert8794]

Todderbert, you should do a loop session with this 2P3 Kit. Thanks for the video. I will probably get this kit and build it myself.

[@todderbert]

Your welcome, this is a fantastic radio. Easily built. The loop session is a great idea.

[@MrScottcollier]

Awesome kit. Reminds me of my old RadioShack science experiment electronic kits from childhood. Love your channel. Thanks for the fun demo.

[@todderbert]

Your Welcome. Hope to find more kits like this in the future.

[@kf4usr]

Congrats on the great build. I have one I built a couple of years ago. It is a great radio.

[@todderbert]

Thank you James, I was really impressed by how easy it was to calibrate. Now I can apply this knowledge to some of my other AM "duds" that didn't respond after new caps.

[@rogerwoodland2587]

very good radio.

[@douglasburskey6411]

I have built three of them one red,blue and green the blue and green are hard to find now. The red is the most common There was also a clear and black. I impressed how well those little radios work!

[@ceesfaber]

They are fun to build indeed - Where would one find the blue and green or transparent and black ones? Couldn't track one down on Amazon nor on eBay ..

[@allanmacuser]

thank you for the video l was a radio ham (G6TMO) here in the UK now retired l will give this kit a go thanks once more ( Allan stoke on Trent UK )

[@OcFishHooked]

Thank you for your review of this Radio, it was truly excellent. I just finished building it. It was a lot of fun and a bit challenging, but well worth it. Great MW performance surprisingly. I also have the CCrane 2E and EP Pro, as well as a CCrane Pocket and Supersonic. Many of these I purchased on your reviews, with the exception of the 2E. What can I say, I enjoy the Old Time Radio Shows on the weekends in the late evening and talk radio/news. Good Luck on your General Class. I have been a ham for a little over a year, and HF is a ton of fun. I would recommend also getting the Extra Class. Lot's of DX I get has been in the lower sections of the band. Hope to hear your on the Air! 73 AI6ZV

[@todderbert]

Cool! thank you for your feedback. Just got my General Exam book in the mail and will start studying. I picked up a QPR Labs QCX kit for 40m. Going to learn code the correct way by listening for words instead of letter and copying behind...I have a mentor helping me with this ;)

[@OcFishHooked]

In my opinion, the General Exam is a much more detailed review of the Tech License. The Extra is a bit more interesting, as it covers some new topics. I've heard good things about that QRP Labs Kit, and intent on also building one once I get my CW up to speed ;) I think you are on the right track listening for words, I need to do that as well. Thanks again for all your work/videos; I truly look forward to them.

[@b.2221]

Just wish I was able to support your channel financially Sir but I can't. I watch all your videos, and Two Hands and a Radio. You guys and your subscribers are amazing. First off has to be said is nice kit, it is high quality. The thing that gets me is I am no tech person, but this is one of the finest videos on KZbin, and that is how good it is. Your work on this kit is nothing short of awesome. The build quality and sound are just amazing, l can only thank you so much for sharing your video Sir 👍 Tam.

[@todderbert]

Thank you for watching, that is the only support that one could ask.

[@marcosmza1962]

Tam is a true gentleman. I appreciate that a man like him considers me a friend. Hi, Tam, my friend. All the support I can give you, you just have to call my name. I will be there

[@b.2221]

MarcosDX Wow very humbling my dear friend 👍 Tam.

[@marcosmza1962]

My dear friend. You know that I am a humble worker, as you were. It would be an investment for me, not an expense. 73!

[@marcosmza1962]

We can make a deal. Each contribution of mine to the channel will be 50% yours. Come on, friend, let me share that. If I can travel to Scotland, the Talisker Dark Storm is on my own :)

[@watershed44]

todderbert Really nice high quality, long AM ferrite bar antenna. They don't make them like that anymore for run of the mill low cost AM mini portables. That radio has a very low noise floor too! One of the BIG advantages to a analog unit over digital, even the best DSP digital units have an increased noise floor.

[@todderbert]

Thank you, its was really fun and satisfying to build. Very impressed with the audio.

[@Thevinylking69]

I think that it would be an equally cool and functional addition to install a wrist strap on this radio or maybe just a clasp for any type of strap. I like to take my radios out and about and the thought of assembling this nice radio kit and possibly dropping it would really stink. I just stumbled across your channel and I think its pretty cool, I've been kind of up to the same hobby unofficially just buying portables and listening to the radio frequently. Thanks for the content and keep on keepin' on.

[@todderbert]

Your Welcome Thevinylking, the Tecsun kit is great, and I agree with you on the the wrist strap, I also like to use them.

[@and1424]

Do they tell you how to set up the coils? Thanks!

[@Brian-yt8fu]

FYI buy a needle point soldering iron they are about $13.0O and the temperature is adjustable.

[@thomasniner001]

A great learning experience.

[@todderbert]

I really want to learn the ins and outs of radio builds. This is invaluable when trying to fix my current box of misfits :)

[@danielrine3103]

Hi! todderbert, I have watched this video now about 4 times and each time I learn something new. I have been designing and building projects sense the 1990's. An I am thinking about getting this little radio as well. Is it really as easy to build as you make it appear? Any surprises? Thank you and keep up the wonderful videos.....

[@todderbert]

It is a very straightforward build. The only tricky parts are the main coil's wires(which I used tweezers to insert into the PCB) and the Volume Control. I did add an extra length of wire for the speaker, which comes in really handy. Oh, there was one issue I had with the tuning knob clearance. I needed to sand the block that supports the knob to give it some space to move freely when inserted into the enclosure.

[@bradleyhatchen]

I have this kit but no sound everything done really good but can't figure why there is no sound

[@clemsonbloke]

Todd, do you have many photos of these radios that you built? I love that Tecsun 2P3, was it difficult? How long did it take and how much do they cost? Thanks.

[@todderbert]

A few hours to build, I take my time. Easy to assemble. Around $30 USD at Amazon: amzn.to/3b2x6v5

[@clemsonbloke]

@@todderbert Thanks man! Great work!

[@danielrine3103]

Hi, Happy New Year. I have been watching this review a lot, I am thinking of purchasing one of these kits, I have been kit building since 2009 and I like to know how hard is this to build. I will use an RF generator and scope for the alignment... Thank you kindly for this video and any input you can share...):

[@todderbert]

This is a very easy kit to build, everything is mounted on one side and all components are through hole design. The only issue I had was the tuning wheel fit. I had to sand down the spacer for clearance and easy tuning.

[@Thinwhiteduke1185]

...That's a picture of Mao in the background is it not? That's... interesting... Good video by the way.

[@todderbert]

Thank you Nathan, have you built one of these kits yet? I enjoyed the end result with this kit. Amazing reception.

[@Thinwhiteduke1185]

@@todderbert I haven't. I was looking at one on Amazon and decided to look up some reviews first. You convinced me to go ahead and buy it in spite of the Mao portrait, lol.

[@todderbert]

Nice, it goes together very well. Tuning it was fun, the radio performs better then some of my other radios I own. That dual coil ferrite antenna does a fantastic job across the AM band.

[@pedroluiz2113]

☹️ você não comparou o tamanho do rádio 2p3 com o baralho do Iron Man!

[@blueee100]

Does the high end tuning make it to 1630? What is the highest frequency it tops out at? Thanks.

[@todderbert]

Mine tops out at 1570kHz, I am sure it can be adjusted higher. It is super sensitive. Here are some band scans I did with it. Evening, kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYKxeKqtjNlklbc . Daytime, kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIOohWyEgJh2d7c .

[@blueee100]

@@todderbert Specs say 1620 and usually any radio tops out at a little more than stated. Maybe you have the oscillator wrongly adjusted? Have a part 15 AM station and like most of us we go in the expanded band so has to get to at least 1630. Want to buy but if only to 1570 no good!

[@todderbert]

@@blueee100 Might need adjustment, but I'm happy where its at.

[@danielrine3103]

Hi todderbert, Viewing #5 on this video, like to ask you just one more question, what kind of glue did you use on the small panel of this radio. I have ordered one of these kits form ebay and looking forward to the build. Would like to let you know how it came out... have a nice day...

[@todderbert]

Testor's Plastic Modeler's glue.

[@ronaldspencer547]

I saw jumpers on the assembly drawing and put jumpers on the board ruining the project. I have another kit coming to try again.

[@lemizle]

Does it work well with NiMH AA batteries? Careful your alkalines don't leak after all that hard work!

[@todderbert]

The clearance is tight, so I had to use Alkalines. I would prefer NiMH. I take the batteries out after each session, so I don't forget.

[@byjimeny]

I probably missed it but did you say how long it took you to build it? We are going to build a kit radio in Electronics class at school. We'd have to add to your build time as the students are not experienced builders. Perhaps we should go with the Elenco kit whcih seems simpler.

[@todderbert]

The elenco kit would be probably be the better choice.

[@stationvictormike3415]

I'd like to build a second one.

[@todderbert]

I've actually thought about it, they make a clear one and a black one.

[@ArndroidInc]

If you hadn't adjusted the if transformers , would it have still worked OK?

[@todderbert]

I think it would have. But the adjustment did give a slight boost in performance.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

Why could they not have used a NE556 as the PWM amplifier with one half as the clock and the the other half as the modulator which drives the loudspeaker with the audio going to CV pin on the second half of the NE556 and makes for a much more efficient amplifier.

[@hemantparakh8995]

I would like to online Market assembled Radios capable of accessing Foreign Frequency so kindly help me with an MOOC to assemble Foreign Frequency accessible Radio kits

[@jbell7232]

Was this your first build? If not, what would you recommend for a first timer? Great video, btw, and now I'm tempted to try it. Thank you so much! - Julia, KF8JBB

[@todderbert]

If you have soldering skills, then go for it. The directions are pretty easy to figure out. This was my first portable AM radio build. I have put other kits together, like recording devices, lights, and others. Those were good for parts identification and soldering experience.

[@edthesecond9772]

Not recommended for first timers!!

[@bradleyhatchen]

And no r 11to mount on the board any where

[@bradleyhatchen]

I'm so disappointed on these channels they don't help you when you have trouble you build why can you reach out to other for help my a Option is a joke building these kit I build many with out problems till this one as mention completely dead radio build it really good

[@bradleyhatchen]

Got no sound period

[@해인-l4k]

ebay가 제일 싸더라.