Vintage Realistic DX -100 VS modern Tecsun PL-680 PLL receiver how Shortwave readios evolved!

[@Kw1161]

Gilles I still use my National Panasonic 2800DR radio every day which cost me $150 at the time at the US Navy ship store. It drifts on shortwave and the BFO settings are still twitchy but it was my second SW capable radio with the 1st being a Sony 2001 which was a battery hog whereas the 2800 just sips battery power. When I was in High School in the seventies, I remember lusting after the Radio Shack DX-160, and couple of years ago was given a working DX 200 which new price you can now buy a Tecsun 880 plus an XhDATA D-808 in today’s prices. Now we have the hardware, now the broadcast people need to get us the software (programming)….😂! Brings back my old Amiga computer memories! Have a great day! 73!

[@duanetrivett750]

Glad to see you got your old DX 100 out for a spin !

[@johnharris1846]

Gilles you're so right. I too have the Tecsun PL-680 and it's an excellent radio, especially on SSB.

[@kwdavids1]

Interesting choice for comparison. My Panasonic RF-085 is still working great about 50 years later.

[@alexkanavos6470]

I understand what you're saying. I feel the same way. In the 90s and early 2000s, the shortwave radios that I wanted were like $500.00 to $1000.00 US, and now, I can get a good portable shortwave radio, a software defined radio, or an Internet radio device for like $200.00 or $300.00 US. Radios are much more affordable now, even the advanced ones. Things have changed, and in this regard, they've changed for the better.

[@billpenna]

I too have fond memories of my old analogue radios from the early 80s. Partly due to nostalgia, partly due to how many stations it could pick up because of the number of broadcasters on the air. I would give anything to take today's receivers back to the late 70s/early 80s to test them against the number of stations on the air at any given point in the day. With the stability, frequency accuracy and selectivity it would be a lot of fun.

[@Archtops]

I recently purchased the PL-680 along with several others. Sent all of them back except for the 680. My first SW listen I received stations 7000 miles away. I love the 680!

[@davidsradioroom9678]

When I was a teenager, I would have just about given my right arm to have a radio like the 680.

[@junior3429]

I agree but I miss Knobs, switches and Analog Meters.

[@lovetheblue6659]

This is the main reason I still have fun with my Eton Elite 750. It feels like an advanced version of a RS DX-300.

[@cfldriven]

Dec 2024 I got the PL-680 just so I would have one of the last analog electronic radios. Impressive radio and while it cost $131 the much cheaper and newer Qodosen DX286 $72 can out perform it. What's the old saying, how can they sell them so cheap ....volume. What a great time we are living in.

[@ry491]

You are right of course about the perfirmance . The only difference is that the DX100 will still be working long after the Tecsun is thrown in the trash !

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

I doubt it, the Tecsun I am sure will outlive the Realistic...

[@MDK2_Radio]

That DX 100 will need serious work to work well. He already described how it drifts like crazy. It may turn on and but “working” isn’t the same thing as “working well.” It’s not a winning argument.

[@ry491]

@@MDK2_Radio I have two 60s receivers that are totally original and still operate well . All old receiver's tend to drift even from new . Tecsun and similar radios do work well but do have a fairly high failure rate already and are not easy to fix . I had two pl 600s that both failed after about a year . They were both exchanged under warranty though which was good .