Tecsun PL-310ET Daytime Shortwave FM & MW Band Scans

The Tecsun PL-310ET is an amazing ultra portable shortwave, AM, FM stereo and Long Wave radio.
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If I had to recommend anyone a single inexpensive starter shortwave radio it would be this model. It has great audio quality from it's main speaker, solid headphone experience, direct entry keypad and a dedicated external FM/SW antenna jack.
A joy to use for shortwave, AM and FM. The DSP chip in this radio is well implemented. The extra bandwidth choice make it fun to tune in faint MW and Shortwave stations, Love it.
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[@phs125]

I have the exact same radio and I get literally 4 stations in my city. 92.7 93.5 100.6 105.6 That's it. And the people are like that too. Most people ask me why I'm listening to radio when I have internet... This guy gets 81 stations, must feel like heaven.. PS: today, SW, I got a whopping 165 stations. I'm really amazed...

[@tomjones239]

I took this radio outside during the day to see if reception would improve. Inside I got 9 iffy shortwave signals using a reel antenna. Outside I got 29 crystal clear on the whip. I didn`t like this radio at first because AM and shortwave were acting weird. AM only works right using headphones (very weak reception using speaker) but it`s extremely sensitive that way. Shortwave was weak at first so I put alkaline batteries in and let it play until they went dead to give it what`s called a "burn in" period. It worked. Very impressive receiver with great features. We have a metal roof and insulation that interferes with indoor reception. This radio is incredible outdoors. I was even hearing AM stations around 200 miles away. New Orleans 870 was booming in at 168 miles away without using a loop!

[@marcosmza1962]

If the 310et had not been built, it would have to be invented. I believe that in the future, it will be remembered as one of the best affordable multiband pocket radios

[@b.2221]

It's one of the best radios Tecsun has ever made regardless of price, great presentation from the man to trust, and tells it like it is 👍 Tam.

[@todderbert]

Thank you Tam, I like this radio more and more. If it just had buttons like the 380 it would be perfect.

[@Wavelength7mhz1]

2nd best I have to say the pl 660 is a better radio but my 2nd favorite is between the TECSUN PL 360 , CountyComm gp-5 ssb gen 3, and of course the pl 310 et is amazing !!! TECSUN rocks !!!

[@alfredor.ronquillo5699]

This PL-310ET is added to my wishlist after seeing this video. Thanks, sir todderbert.

[@todderbert]

It is a great radio, thank you Alfredo. I think you asked about a Kaito radio having 9K stepping..I still have to check that for you :)

[@Wavelength7mhz1]

This radio is a must have , as is the pl 660 , PL 360 amazing radio's !!!

[@karyonowasmin1601]

Thank you for the show. I bought it a few days ago. Little thing but so many features.

[@karyonowasmin1601]

By the way, Mr Todderbert, would you mind you tell me the abbreviations of VM and VF stand for? Those two abbreviations are on VM/VF button on the radio. I hardly find it in its manual what those two stand for. Please, answer me. I like all your shows very much. Thank you for your time. Bye!

[@MrJasonMcintyre]

Ah, my first SW radio. you really can't go wrong with a Tecsun. Love your channel!

[@todderbert]

Thank you Jason. My first SW radio was a cheaper HanRongda, but this one wasn't to far behind..I think the Skywave was one of my firsts.

[@danieltchekinian7500]

Bonjour Je possède ce Tecsun et je l'aime beaucoup. Il est d'une très bonne fabrication, très facile à utiliser, une bonne réception, un son clair et puissant. Il est très beau.😊😊😊

[@mustafa9100]

Daniel Tchekinian Tu as raison! 73!

[@ArndroidInc]

I really like the antenna jack. Looks like a nice little radio.

[@todderbert]

It is a great feature. I use it in bed where I plug in the wire without worrying about clipping it to the antenna.

[@phs125]

Update: At 2am, when all the MW stations in my country were turned off, I could get stations from 2200km away. They're 500kw towers, but still it's impressive I think.

[@ShortwaveRadioChannel]

Great video! And yes, Tecsun made a lot very good radios like this one. For sure, it works also with the Tecsun reel antenna ;-) 73, Ralf

[@todderbert]

Thank you Ralf.

[@khaledkhalidmadani201]

I like this radio with all waves, especially medium and long waves, because in my country, Algeria, I cannot find a radio with these wonderful specifications

[@radiohobbyist13]

It is so sad to realize that the heyday of international shortwave broadcasting is a thing of the past. I'm old enough to remember how wonderful SWL'ing was in the 70's and 80's. The sophisticated supersets of yesteryear are now a distant memory. Imagine what high end shortwave receivers would be like in today's world if Kenwood, Drake, Icom and Japan Radio Corp were still turning out radios. I can only dream. How sad.

[@todderbert]

The part that makes it sad for me is I missed out on all that listening. I was the kid who listened to FM stereo and played his cassettes.

[@Buglet720]

David Branscome it would have been interesting to have these inexpensive SW radios around back then. I wonder if SW wouldn't have gone so soon.

[@radiohobbyist13]

Peter Atkinson Some people have claimed that the rise of the internet is largely responsible for the demise of international shortwave broadcasting. But actually, according to the former editor of Passport to World Band Radio (Lawrence Magna), shortwave was in trouble even before the internet showed up. He has stated that the so-called end of the "Cold War" between the United States and Russia is largely responsible for the decline of international shortwave broadcasting. Shortwave broadcasting is EXPENSIVE and inefficient compared to the modern technologies that we have today. Or you could put it this way, it is easier and cheaper to brainwash and insult people with the internet. Furthermore, you can easily track what people do on the internet. You cannot track what people listen to on a radio.

[@watershed44]

todderbert Sorry you missed out! During the sun spot peak cycle during the mid to late 80s you could hear tiny weak and rare SW broadcast stations from many thousands of miles away pretty clearly many times. Not to mention amateurs even on 10 m you could hear stations in eastern europe in the eastern US and they would sound like they were literally right next door for weeks on end. It was UNusual to have poor reception during those times. The only word I can think of is incredible. All the bands were crowded with all sorts of interesting choices from everywhere around the globe and of course there were endless excellent choices of portable and table top receivers with super high quality and reasonable , if not cheap prices, cheap was also available, as was high prices units and most of the time you got what you paid for, so the value was good. It was RARE to find a Chinese made receiver back then almost impossible in the USA.

[@watershed44]

Peter Atkinson You did have a range of inexpensive SW portables back then but the quality wasn't that good over all, reception on them was made more difficult because usually it was an analog dial with a poor quality corded tuner dial, it was often difficult to prevent drift with these cheapo units. You really had to step up to moderately priced units back in the mid 70s- 80s, then you would at least get a good quality analog tuner, or maybe analog tuning with a digital frequency counter which actually was a VERY good combination because you got good tuning accuracy (usually you would calibrate with WWV on each band) and a VERY LOW noise floor so you could hear very weak DX stations and no noise from a PLL tuner. Actually I still PREFER this combination because even most of the best digital tuners and DSP add a not insignificant amount of noise and raise the noise floor level, not good.

[@tomjones239]

My Tecsun had an issue with AM being very weak using the speaker but using headphones it`s excellent and works. I have no idea what could cause this. AM sounds incredible using headphones (well, I use high quality ear buds) and the sound is even pretty good on the 1kz bandwidth setting. You can defeat soft mute by tuning 1kz off frequency but volume drops so use headphones if you do this. The bandwidth setting allows you to increase sensitivity at lower settings making this a nice DX receiver on AM. Great signal to noise ratio on AM using quality headphones or earbuds and it`s my best daytime receiver for weak AM stations because I can greatly reduce static and increase listenability using the awesome bandwidth settings. I might buy another one in the future if mine fails.

[@tvradio1972]

Judging by the reviews I have seen, I would pick the PL-310ET over the PL-380. The tuning knob & the external antenna jack are the main reasons. The reception seem great where you are and should do well where I live. I would buy this radio. 👍

[@todderbert]

The good thing is the radio is fairly easy to find for purchase.

[@watershed44]

De_Cos1972 I 100% agree, the tuning knob and ext antenna jack are very important if you care about decent reception of the weaker stations.

[@marksommers4868]

P.S. Just 4 laughs, when I was a kid , I got hold of a Johnson Vallient that, I think I paid like $ 40.00, back in 60's - Well, when I Keyed it up, I was probably comeing out of EVERY Hearig-aid within 10 miles , also, opening garage doors- Peoples. Stereos- I know, when we're young we do "STUFF"- THAT MONSTER had 2 6L6 Audio tubes, also, 2 6146B Drivers, and 4 6146B finals, Ah, the by- gone days- Anyway, I'm happy with my tecsuns, there Lots of fun-GOOD RADIOS! 3's

[@mickeybrumfield764]

Well done review of the Tecsun 310. Thank you for your valued opinion on these radio. Really like the the Tecsun form factor and functionality. Am a MW listener primarily and often find myself out in the sticks where reception can be challenging. None of the Tecsun radios seem to have the MW performance of some of the C.Crane radios that lack the functionality and form factor of the Tecsun radios. I wonder which Tecsun is the best between the 310,380,398,606,660,and 680 in listenability on the MW in your opinion. Thank you for your great reviews that I look forward to daily.

[@todderbert]

Your Welcome Mickey, I personally think the 398 may be the best on MW for me.

[@mickeybrumfield764]

todderbert Thank You I suspected that have put my 390 up against some of the best radios I can find of this form factor such as the Kaito KA-1103 and the Eton Traveler 3 and they are close but to my ears just sounds like the Tecsun pl-390 comes ever so slightly better. Think I like the functionality of the Sangean ATS 405 the best of this size radios, though from your reviews if I had the Tecsun pl 660 might like it more.

[@Buglet720]

The answer to the trivia question, is:. Tom Lehrer. I love his satirical tunes.

[@marksommers4868]

By the way, I had a sangean, I think a 909? Didn't like it- Although I do have a Sangean 40 aniversity? It's a good Table radio, Anyway, I beleive Tecsuns are the best value out there-Also, when I called their " tech" - support, They were GREAT- Again. I tell people, GET THESE RADIOS WHILE YOU CAN- As I do beleive they will become harder to come by- IF I had the dough, Ide buy a dozen of each, and pack them away ! Love your vids ! 3's

[@marksommers4868]

In wanting to use an outdoor antenna-wire, I'm in North side of Chicago, Illinois, " Old irving park " I recently moved to this location, and since I've been here, Ive witnessed " ground to ground lightning- recently, it took out a transformer, and blacked out several blocks - The first time I saw this up close was in the 1960's - Lightning arching from light pole to light pole, up and down the street- ground to ground lightning- Really weird -Anyway, I'm in a apartment- I have a tecsun loop antenna, I use the radiator 4 a ground - Also, I've a wire above the window, so, I'm doing the best I can, Although, any advice would be appreciated- - Anyway I love your vids- Also late nite DX-ING- I'm also a nite- owl myself-Anyway , keep up the good work- 3's !

[@phs125]

Today I got a whopping 165 stations in SW, at 6.30pm It's really an amazing radio. I was using whip antenna and was sitting on roof.

[@todderbert]

Being outside and elevated makes a huge difference. Now attach a 22' wire to the radio and extend it out and up from the roof ;)

[@phs125]

@@todderbert I tried that, I get a huge gain in dBu, but almost no difference in S/N ratio. I tried with 20 feet and 33feet wires that I had laying around. Both gave same results. That's why I went up the roof to check if there's really any potential to improve. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'm new to this stuff.

[@todderbert]

@@phs125 Sounds good, now it is time to try and find some faint signals to where that increase in gain will help.

[@lacrossewieas2411]

Just got mine and have a few questions! Can this get overloaded on medium wave? I have had issues I think it was overloaded,,, also question... My fm reception is not so good so what should I do!

[@todderbert]

Compare it to a similar radio if possible, alarm clock radio, ect. If the AM is overloading only on the Tecsun and the FM reception is not as good as the other common radios then return it for another. My 310ET has never overloaded on AM, but I don't live super close to any station except 720WGN and it always overloads 710 and 730 with my radios. My FM reception is good on my 310. I wouldn't call it a DXer, but it is similar to a good Sony radio.

[@andersonrodrigues5008]

*tenho um desse, e otmo*

[@benmeyer2916]

I want to know how to get on long wave and can’t find any info on how to, of course you don’t go there lol, could you tell me how? Great video

[@todderbert]

Radio Power Off, Press MW/LW until LW says on. Turn on radio and tap MW/LW to toggle between Long wave and MW.

[@benmeyer2916]

todderbert thank you I got it

[@TheMysteryG]

I love my 310et, brilliant FM with headphones...but mine has issues with tune and volume controlling freezing and overriding each other. Anth

[@todderbert]

The FM is crazy good sounding on headphones.

[@Chriswilliams-lx9mx]

todderbert does it play in stereo on the headphones,great videos by the way 👍👍

[@dilipdas5777]

Is it better than xhdata d808?

[@todderbert]

Nope.

[@Jdub41Utube]

Incorrect link to the 310 ET !

[@todderbert]

Thank you John for pointing that out, fixed :)