TRRS

In this video I reveal some of the hidden features of the Tecsun PL-880 Shortwave radio and compare it to the Tecsun Pl-660 radio.
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[@kjay5]

Tom, thanks for your comments received via e-mail. As a result of your video I purchased a Tecsun PL-880. Your video provide a lot of information for individuals like me that really don't know a lot about Worldband, SW, and SSB radios. I hope to view lots more on various aspects of its operation. Good work. Thanks.

[@hamrad88]

You are welcome. Tom

[@Demosophist]

Most people are talking about what are essentially irrelevancies for anyone using this for prepping. What you need is clear SSB tuning, and the PL-880 has significant distortion compared to the PL-660. Most of the reviewers will lead you astray about that, because they tend to focus on broadcast radio.

[@borninthestates]

I saw ther e is already firmware 2021 does anybody knows something about it? should we or should we not upgrade? THANK YOU EVERYBODY

[@squigitjb]

Great video I've just ordered one with 8820 update ...

[@hamrad88]

john burnham Thank you. Keep us informed on your new radio. Tom

[@peteradely885]

The American Radio Relay League. QST magazine. They had a full article on the PL-880. w2hp

[@bigmartin]

Nice radios, I enjoyed mine until LW, MW & SW reception just died for no apparent reason, searching the forums and it’s common enough. Mines receiving on FM only now, I’m pretty pissed off

[@greggaieck4808]

Toms radio room your Tecsun Pl 880 is cool

[@kjay5]

Thumbs up! Doing a great job.

[@hamrad88]

Thank you. Tom

[@henry12h]

Great video

[@hamrad88]

Thanks and have a nice day.

[@vaughnburrows]

Do you use an external antenna with this radio? If yes which one thanks

[@hamrad88]

I have used an external antenna. I use my amateur radio antenna which is a G5RV model. Not the best for shortwave listening but it is fair. Tom

[@skoalmint6146]

so can you explain what happens if you try to run it off of the usb port olny?

[@hamrad88]

+Max Heyman My radio will not run off the usb port only.

[@skoalmint6146]

hamrad88 that is total bullshit on tecsuns part. i cant believe they would do that. i was dead set on this model but now im going with the 680.

[@gettingpast4391]

@@skoalmint6146 The battery lasts forever.. unless you leave the radio on 24/7 I can't imagine why it's a problem. Battery is also removable.

[@parnicksmusick]

For some reason the Soft Mute hidden feature does not work on my new 880 (firmware version 8820, manufactured just a few months ago). Holding 9 does nothing in any mode except FM, and whatever it is doing there is certainly not softmute. Interestingly, when you press and hold 5 with the unit off, you can turn the light off and disengage the side switch entirely. This feature is not documented in any list I have seen. I wonder if Tecsun has changed the hidden features? Perhaps gotten rid of the softmute entirely? What do you think, Tom.

[@hamrad88]

Some people have reported that the 9 button works differently depending on what mode or band (AM/FM/SW/SSB) the radio is in. I just tried mine and I get a flashing number when I press and hold the 9 and the number appears to be different depending on the mode (band) the radio is on. I have firmware 8820. Also, there is some speculation that there are different versions of 8820. Tom

[@FuZhixiang]

Mine is the same with SNR, pruduct time showing function disabled. But SYNC, pre-process time are being kept there. But when the radio is off, holding button 5 will toggle something on and off, which I don't know what has been turned on and off.

[@hamrad88]

Fu Zhixiang You can get loads of information from this website. Here is just one of the many articles on this readio. swling.com/blog/2013/12/important-note-about-tecsun-pl-880-firmware-versions/ Tom

[@FuZhixiang]

hamrad88 Thanks you, Tom.

[@hamrad88]

Fu Zhixiang You are welcome. Thanks for your comments. Tom

[@stephenwilliams5201]

Tks have sites on upper end tecsun rig. Tks agn.

[@Kreemerz]

airband? on the 880?

[@hamrad88]

No

[@jollycrafts9531]

Hello, your videos are very good ! I came here to ask you a big favour. I live in England and I bought a PL 880. I am ok with the radio but it seems that the battery is not working. I don't know... there is something wrong. when I connect the radio to the electricity with a cable it works and the display shows that the battery is fully charged, if I disconnect it from the electricity it turns off immediately. I really do not know what to do. Can you please, help me?

[@hamrad88]

I will try to help but it will not be easy as I do not have the radio in my hands. Sometimes these batteries will show fully charged but have little power in them when a load such as the radio is put on them. Do you have a meter to check the battery? Do you have another battery to try? Also, keep in mind that the batteries that come with the radio can be poor quality. Hope that helps. Ask if you have more questions.

[@jollycrafts9531]

Thanks so much for being so kind. I have reseted the radio and it is working. Thanks so much and a big hug from the other side of the pond!

[@hamrad88]

@@jollycrafts9531 Awesome

[@trooper2221]

Say, my pl660 on medium wave tones to 1620 it should go further like to 1710 I guess. Any suggestions on what to do? I have 1640 station I like in the car

[@hamrad88]

+trooper2221 Try changing the tuning steps from 10 Khz to 9 Khz.

[@themjayshow6273]

I know you are a busy man, but I was wondering how I could step down the SW tuning from 5 to 1 frequency, I like tuning 1 frequency at a time.

[@hamrad88]

Use the fine tuning knob.

[@themjayshow6273]

So there is No step down tuning button for Shortwave? You have to use the fine tuning knob? The specifications on the website said 1 kHz to 5 kHz tuning step for shortwave.

[@hamrad88]

That is correct, use the fine tuning knob. My 880 sets in a drawer as it has so many design problems.

[@charleswendt4868]

Many years ago I had a realistic DX 440 if I remember right it worked better than any radio I have today. And I have many. I am thinking about getting another DX 440, what do you think?

[@hamrad88]

Based on why I have heard it was a pretty good radio but there were some that did not work correctly. So trying to get one from someone you trust.

[@charleswendt4868]

I just ordered

[@hamrad88]

@@charleswendt4868 OK, keep us posted.

[@g.fortin3228]

tha 880 has a stainless antenna. not aluminum ;-)

[@hamrad88]

Thanks

[@thomastammaro693]

Okay so after watching some videos,I got the" gimme's" and bought the Tecsun 2000. The 880 owns it. . Better bang for the buck!

[@trooper2221]

yes! that did it i switched the steps thanks

[@hamrad88]

+trooper2221 Glad that helped.

[@MrRobuz]

Where can I find the cheat for my own use?

[@hamrad88]

Here is one of many places. swling.com/blog/tag/tecsun-pl-880-hidden-features/

[@MrRobuz]

@@hamrad88 Thank You now all I have to get my radio from Amazon in 2 weeks I hope.

[@hamrad88]

@@MrRobuz Keep us posted.

[@choppergirl]

I cover my antennas with black electrical tape so I never have to touch them with hands that can carry a static electric charge or from anything else that touches the antenna (like carpet) and shoot thousands of static electric volts right into the senstitive detector circuit. I am at a loss as to why antennas don't come covered with rubber or plastic from the factory. Or why hardcore radio guys that should know better, love to touch their antennas more than their XXXXs ;-)

[@hamrad88]

Thanks for your comments.

[@g.fortin3228]

I do believe I will do this.. at least to the outer thickest part of the antenna. Great idea !

[@thedancingalien7766]

Us aliens bought one of these Now we want another.