Tecsun PL-880 Portable Digital SW Radio - Goods In & First Impressions

[@kenbaird7067]

I bought the standard PL880, no hard case but everything else. Works just a good as yours and much cheaper. I buy radios on performance, not prettiness. The 880 is an exceptional radio, the best I have bought so far in my 60+ years of SWL.

[@vahanyazarian5582]

Mine won,t pick up weak A.M. stations as well as my 20 dollar analog radiosbut it has great toneand good ham coverage.

[@L1RW]

There are hidden features on the PL-880, where you have to press certain buttons, in order to use the external antenna. You can also use an external antenna on Medium wave too. There is a PDF online which explains how to do it.

[@drmirfan]

Please guide about its Medium wave reception?

[@Aco747lyte]

Greetings! I'm Wendi in the UK and just bought this for my youngest daughter Billie. She loves it and the sound, too. In fact, I love it so much that I'm kind of envious, despite my having a far more serious Ten-Tec RX340 which is a few years old now since I took early retirement from the Royal Navy after 30 years 'ship's doc'. This PL880 has very good sound, and true, the rechargeable battery does need uprating. I got a Nitecore 18650, if I remember it's a 3000 mAh, but may depending if Billie needs longer lasting power, I'll buy a larger capacity 18650 battery. Billie's is wired up to an old but trusty AOR indoor antenna that is diamond-shaped and runs off a Duracell 9V battery, the radio is earthed to a disused (and very handy) old radiator. I suggest you add the long wire to the telescopic antenna and earth it. Then the radio will pull in masses of stations!!! Coverage and sensitivity is excellent and the radio's side knobs look metal, but I suspect are silver coloured plastic, to cut down weight. As Billie is multilingual like me, we listen in to Ukrainian and Russian broadcasts, but if I discern anything suspicious, I contact on of our UK's spy agencies to pass along the information. I also have a lovely old Grundig 800 Satellit Millenium dwarfs my old Drake SW8 and our equally ancient, but trusty Roberts R861- when it feels like working! My farmhouse's back yard resembles the antennas at Jodrel bank! Aye, you could say that Billie and I are hooked SWLers 🤣 PS. On retirement I bought the Ten-TecRX340 which is rack mounted. My late husband loved it. That's why I'm such a dedicated radio nutter. 😉

[@jeffking4176]

I have a total of 12 Tecsun radios. The Sangean has a problem in that the radio is a bit def from the whip on SW. The PL-880 is fantastic. The “Sync.” Is not the greatest, but I’ve found I almost never use it. The PL-880 also has “Hidden Features “, and there are plenty of KZbin videos on them. I don’t know where you are, but I’m in Jacksonville Florida USA, and I get a LOT of Short Wave stations. Also, I don’t understand about the MW, as mine is fantastic on MW. I really like mine. [ I have the CCSKywaveSSB, XHDATA D-808, Eton Elite Executive, the Kaito KA-1103, as well as all the others…. My antenna DOES pull out a little bit. Don’t know why yours doesn’t . I bought mine over 2 1/2 years ago. The Eton Elite Executive is excellent, as is the XHDATA D-808 [ SIHUADON D-808]. The one I do not have is the Tecsun PL-330. Judging from a couple of comments here, either Tecsun has sent out a bunch of bad radios, or someone [ of your commentators] don’t know what they are doing. (( or both)). As for SW, conditions are improving greatly. I get all kinds of stations, from all over. There is a real problem with RF noise, especially in Urban areas. There is an awesome antenna - not very expensive, called the “MLA-30” / “MLA-30+”. This antenna REALLY helps null out a lot of the noise. 📻🙂

[@Владимир-в3х]

XHDATA is much quieter, not as noisy as 880... There were tecsun 880, 680,600... There was something to compare with.. 880 does not correspond to the price tag..

[@dilipdas5777]

Best radio . Great reception and audio

[@BokBarber]

Not sure why this comments section is so rude. I've found the PL880 to be a decent radio so far, given the price and that they often go on sale for less. Decent sensitivity on FM, so-so on AM, and quite good on SW/SSB as you report. I've not experienced any issues on SSB aside from a bit of spatter on strong signals, and that's typically solved with the attenuation. USB/LSB can be zero beat calibrated separately with very little drift across the SW bands. Selectivity is very good, especially where you can change the filters. I dislike that they limit you from using an external antenna on AM and FM, though for AM you can get around this with a coupling antenna. Also not crazy about the "hidden features" aspect of it; if the radio can do something then just document it please. The only similar SW I have to compare it to is an ancient Sony ICF-2003 (7600DS) and while there's no real comparison on features due to the 30 year age gap, the Tecsun does just about as well with sensitivity off the whip (Sony beats it in AM and barely edges it in FM, but the Tecsun is better in SW.) Sony does allow external antennas on every band, but Tecsun blows the Sony away in selectivity on all bands. So in the only metric where they can be fairly compared they go blow for blow.

[@brooksburford]

Howdy. Many thanks for the tip on looking for a longer-life battery for my PL-880. BTW next time you cruise the FM for us with the PL-880 why not stay on a music station for more than 1 second so people can appreciate the unit's fidelity which is quite good. Also, deploying the telescoping antenna to receive some amateur signals, or connecting a simple longwire antenna, can help people appreciate how efficiently the fine tuning knob on SSB lets the voices sing. Great set of videos, BTW. ...Brooks in Portland, Oregon, USA

[@tdcattech]

Yeah, I'd like to do that but KZbin copyright matches prevent this I'm afraid. If I leave a station on for more than a few seconds, I'll potentially get a copyright strike. Rubbish, isn't it!

[@STR82DVD]

The pl-880 is a great radio but has been succeeded by the pl-990x and the outstanding Tecsun H-501x. Old tech but still interesting to look at. Thanks lad.

[@L1RW]

The best “value” radio is the XHData/Sihuadon D808. It has RDS on FM, air band, LW, MW and SW.

[@tdcattech]

Nice. I’ll check it out. Thanks for the info and feedback Louis

[@bradleyberthold4606]

What about SSB

[@L1RW]

@@bradleyberthold4606 the XHData has that included too. It also includes air band.

[@scottbelcher9026]

Amen!!! Yes I love my xhdata d-808!!! It’s only around $100 and it works so good!!! It had good sound for picking out voices on weaker stations too!!! The fine tuning on SSB takes some practice… the Degen or Kaito 1103 is good in that it’s bfo only moves a little so you can know quickly if you are on the right frequency or not… sometimes I will find the right frequency on my 1103 but then listen on my xhdata! But it gets easier with practice! It’s s great radio!!! However I am moving up to the Tecsun h-501x for more refined sound and options and DXing options to play around with… but I do love my xhdata!!! Also Anon-co is the best place to get Tecsun radios,..

[@L1RW]

@@scottbelcher9026 here in the UK, Tecsun radios are over priced. Along with Sangean and others.

[@ISchots]

Tecsun cheaped out and doesn't include the plastic carrying case and spring loaded wire antenna anymore. Now it's cardboard and a spool with wire and a clip.

[@DmitiySmirnov]

Здравствуйте. Скажите эти приёмники могут работать от сети 220в или только от акб ?

[@Roland_Tr909_Swing]

You sound like a young version of the dj Adam Walton on bbc wales

[@w8lvradio]

For the money and performance, I prefer the PL-660. I also don't care for metal speaker cover, they always get dinged up, and I don't like the sound that comes out of them. Finally, I prefer the SILVER over Black for the PL-660, works out best on a hot day. 73 DE W8LV BILL (and W8LV/VE3 prepandemic) 🇺🇲🇨🇦

[@SB-mi2ii]

I sent mine back after a day. Deaf on LW/MW and serious frequency drift on SSB. Very overpriced too. I think the days of being able to buy a decent portable SW radio have long gone. 😢

[@L1RW]

I bought one of these, a 660 and a 330. All useless. Bugs in tuning, died after a few uses. Clearly not “well made”. I love my old Sony portables. Yes they’re getting older, but still better than the rot you can buy today!!

[@tdcattech]

I would have to agree. They are still required in many remote parts of the world but that’s just not enough to warrant decent products unfortunately.

[@jeffking4176]

Really ❓ Sorry you got a bad one. They have a 1 year warranty, and Anon-Co is great to deal with. The PL-880 is very high quality. It’s an excellent radio. 📻😐

[@jeffking4176]

@@L1RW Mine is extremely well made, and serves me very well. Hard to believe you got 3 bad radios. They all have a 1 year warranty. Several years ago, I did get a bad Pl-660. It was replaced. I have a number of Tecsun radios, all are excellent. Love my PL-390. I have the PL-600, PL-660, PL-880, and others. 📻🙂

[@markmontgomery9722]

i love mine it works best out in the open for short wave hf band's i keep mine in the car all the time fm is great sound. MARK NORTHERN IRELAND

[@totoksudiarto5221]

Thank you sir..nice radio

[@tdcattech]

It is. I know I had some negative points (which I standby) but I have been using this a lot recently and it has been solid.

[@totoksudiarto5221]

@@tdcattech yes sir...itu is okay...I understand..Anwar thankyou so much 🙏

[@ntag411]

A high capacity battery generally has its bad points. A much shorter cycle life and less durable charge tolerance. Example, a stressed battery used in vapes have only about a 2A rating. The usual 2.6A capacity is a fine balance for most applications, IMO.

[@hoggwilletts1492]

I've read that almost every owner has broken several back stands and battery covers on this model. How many spares should I order from the manufacturer?

[@clementglinski3924]

alot. and some epoxy glue.

[@gary-kr7dm]

I suppose it all depends on how you treat the radio. I’ve had mine for a while with no problems,but I do treat it carefully.

[@colescuckooclockshop754]

Have you had problem with battery door or stand breaking? Seems flimsy.

[@gary-kr7dm]

If you care for your radio and treat it accordingly, the door and stand are absolutely fine.

[@Callatis]

PL-880 is 300 euros in my country. Would you recommend this radio at this price?

[@tdcattech]

No. You should be able to get it for less in a sale. 300€ is too much.

[@Callatis]

@@tdcattech Every Tecsun radio here is expensive. H501X is 430€. Is it worth buying or is it overpriced?

[@clementglinski3924]

@@Callatis 166 american dollars for a tecsun pl880.

[@craigtester7041]

$ 195+ in Russia. 16,500 RUR

[@eddiedowning2571]

Why did yours coming in a big plastic case rhe other videos are just small boxes no big carrying case

[@twohandsandaradio]

The big plastic case is an option you can buy for extra $$

[@manifestomode1]

What’s your location buddy?

[@tdcattech]

I’m based in Bristol, UK.

[@j7ndominica051]

Bloody hell, it's over 200 euros for a "tiny" radio made of plastic. I think it presented as a luxury product with the big coffer. The Tecsun 990 is 300 euros. Now that there is nothing to listen to, that doesn't seem like a good investment. You could get a boombox with better speakers for less. A gap in frequency coverage between 1600 and 1700 where interesting pirate operators may be. They could have unlocked USW frequencies even wider than 64-108. There are walkie talkies and airport weather in FM, which I heard on my PC. Goes silent momentarily while tuning on USW band. Shame that the MW reception is poor. Standard battery is good. The buttons are most likely plastic as everything else.

[@L1RW]

All of these portable radios are “overpriced”. I’d probably say you should have tried the PL-330, PL-660 or the H501X. If I was paying £180 I would want DAB/+ included too. Otherwise, it may well turn into a useless radio. As more stations on MW are turned off, there won’t be anything to tune into. I don’t like the 18650 battery. I would prefer AA batteries. I reckon your next review should be the PL-330, powered by a Nokia BL5-C battery.

[@tdcattech]

Massively overpriced. It’s a specialist product now, I guess. Smaller runs etc, at least compared to other consumer tech.

[@L1RW]

@@tdcattech they are indeed. For proper SW listening though, you need a Wellbrook loop antenna or similar and a communications receiver. These portable ones are not meant for that. They are ok for walking around with in the woods or even as a travel radio when you go abroad (even though most of Europe use DAB now like the UK does).

[@yutakatakahama4893]

To be frank, even as a Chinese HAM this radio is overpriced and I don't think it worth that much. I'd prefer PL-660/680 to 880.

[@tdcattech]

Agreed. Way overpriced.

[@OttoVolný]

To rádio je zkažené, nemá bargraf S- meter!

[@christopher9727]

John 3.16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

[@yan24to]

Amen

[@audiophileman7047]

Yes, it is the eternal truth. ❤✝

[@moenibus]

So much accessory garbage, for a mediocre receiver. lord so much crap and the worse is the not standard battery

[@christopherp3180]

Terrible review.

[@gary-kr7dm]

Can’t please everyone.

[@user-cv2ud6yf2j]

😂 crappy radio 📻

[@djaj423]

trying to decide on first radio the 880 or the ats25. thought/comments

[@twohandsandaradio]

PL-880 by a MILE.