Tecsun PL-880 and Qodosen SR-286 on SW

[@RSears]

My Observations on the Comparison: I did not notice any obvious difference in reception between the two. The greatest difference was in the output stage and / or the speakers. Adjusting the bandwidth made less of an appreciable differences that it should have on the SR-286, likely due to the limited acoustic range of the audio. IRL the PL-880 sounded noticeably better, but on the recording they were surprisingly closer in quality. This is likely because the lower "quality" or rather the intentionally narrower bandwidth of the audio on the SR-286. The recording and playback further constrained the audio frequency range and the narrower bandwidth of the SR-286 sounds better in that context. I also noticed that when I tried to limit the wind noise with an effective low cut at 259 Hz or more, then the PL-880 sounded more like the SR-286. The atmosphere is noisy and the MLA-30+ did better than I had initially thought. On April 1 I also picked up 15.110 Ifrikya FM in Arabic, but didn't record it. That was 5,586 miles (8,990 km).

[@LionRoars918]

Nice video

[@RSears]

Thanks. I didn't notice any real difference in reception. It all seemed to come down to output, which made me think the PL-880 might have the edge in reception. It definately won the listening enjoyment IRL, though I have to say that the recording (that is the deterioration of the audio in the recording and the accentuation of the noise in the playback) helps make the SR-286 sound better!

[@F4LDT-Alain]

Interesting video, thanks! The Qodosen does pretty well against a receiver that's almost twice its price. I like my SR-286 a lot but it has this annoying flaw of sometimes receiving signals way off their actual frequencies. Like for example a station on the 13 meter band would come up on 2485 kHz on this radio, and only this one. Weirdest part is that it doesn't catch it on its actual frequency (all my other radios do).

[@RSears]

The SR-286 is a nice little rig. And I has some flaws, for sure. I experienced something like you mention. I was on 75m (3985 kHz) atop the Knob chair in Marmot Basin, Jasper and I swear that I was picking up CB traffic. I didn't have my scanner with so I couldn't confirm. I think it would be nice if the clock could keep time. My SR-286 just can't seem to manage it. And FWIW, I got my PL-880 second hand; it was cheaper than the SR-286! :)

[@nine7295]

Likely an IF image that is causing it. Less likely it's inter modulation.

[@SangiTariq]

Excellent

[@RSears]

thanks

[@stevejohnson1321]

They're so expensive, though cheaper than 1960s tube sets, and a lot more accurate. Most of my DX is on commercial A.M. band, so my Sony with external antenna screws gets the job done.

[@RSears]

Getting the job done is what matters. If you are picking up signals, then that's good. I got the PL-880 used (half price new). The SR-286 cost more than that, but with the right antenna and location it digs up AM and FM signals way better than the 880. However, I'd rather listen to the PL-880 any time. What can you do?

[@nine7295]

That DX-286 that just came out is cheaper than the SR-286 and has some improvements as well.

[@stevejohnson1321]

That one looks interesting. My old Kaito was so much less money, although the reception is nothing special.

[@RSears]

I think they are only controls programming "improvements." I'm kicking the DX unit around. The LW is now switchable on/off, but I haven't yet compared perf.

[@MikeMike-wc8on]

Same!

[@RSears]

On SW at least that appears to me to be the case.

[@vitocarriero8710]

What time were you receiving these broadcasts? I am in Ontario and would like to try tuning these in?

[@RSears]

The April 1 recording was around 04:10 UTC. I might have forgot to pop that one in. The April 2 videos were between 02:08 and 02:30 UTC.

[@bazbuzin]

I'm in front of Québec city and I tune this broadcasting better than this video and just use a Raddy Antenna SW001, wire antenna !

[@RSears]

You have the azimuthal distances and atmospheric conditions of the different situations to compare?

[@ditto1958]

Both of these radios interest me. I have the XHDATA D109WB, and I like it, but I’m itching to get another radio. Alas, there is no perfect do-it-all radio.

[@RSears]

Too true. I like the PL-880 for audio quality. Great FM and SW in right antenna conditions. The SR-286 / DX-286 are ultra-portable champs of AM and FM. Decent on SW. Boosted (read: unnatural) mid range and treble audio, but it helps on weak SW.

[@ditto1958]

@@RSears Lol, maybe I need one of each

[@TheMajkla]

The 880 is awesome for its ease of use and audio quality. The only letdown is a poorer performance on SSB and awful failure of Sync. Because I also missed the air band - I got me the PL-680. It has a sync that works, SSB is fine and I often listen to the aviation stuff on the hills. For some reason I occasionally receive ATC from Italy and Austria despite being in the middle of Slovakia. Both radios need help on MW for which a passive loop like the AN-200 or similar makes a big difference.

[@RSears]

That sounds about right. It is not easy to get everything in one package.