What is the Tecsun PL 320 from the specs that I have seen

[@StratmanII]

I received my PL-320 nearly two weeks ago but only had the time to open the package yesterday. I really like the raised buttons - they're much easier to depress than my PL-330's semi-recessed switches. 📻👍 Mine came with firmware 3202, but I hope the firmware is stable. This is the first time I've bought an early release Tecsun and I hope that later firmware versions won't make me want to upgrade to a future version of the PL-320! 😠 Oddly for a newly released model there's no ambient temperature display like my vertical form factor PL-368 does. The latter appears to have the same features (and hidden functions) like the PL-330 but for some reason the PL-368 also shows the ambient temp, like the PL-310ET/PL-380/PL-360/PL-365/PL-398MP/PL-398BT. In my opinion the PL-330 should adopt this PL-320's case and button design. That includes the new USB-C charging interface, which I believe debuts with this PL-320 and the much welcome, vertical kickstand that the PL-330 lacks. If Tecsun releases a "Mark II" version of the PL-330 with the larger buttons, the kickstand and USB-C charging, I'd buy one without hesitation! 😎 There's a new "hidden feature" which neither the PL-330 or the PL-368 has though. Pressing and holding the "5" button will cause the S/N figures to flash. Turning the tuning wheel will change the values of the left pair of digits, while rotating the volume wheel changes the right pair of digits. I have no idea what these parameters are for, but I noticed that a ETM scan produces fewer stations after changing the values to their maximum. Changing the left pair numbers to the lowest value made ETM scans produce a lot more results, but the radio also registered more frequencies that were just background noise. I'm still experimenting with this mysterious adjustment feature. The PL-320's 650 memory slots (down from the latest PL-330/368's 850 memories) is understandable as it doesn't have Single Side Band, but it gains an additional 9 kHz bandwidth for AM (applies to both MW and SW) that neither the PL-330 or the PL-368 have. Thankfully the AGC is smooth as the PL-330/368 and has none of the annoying garbled pumping which the PL-310ET and PL-398MP suffer from. Listening to shortwave is easy on the ears, unlike my PL-398MP. There are no AM (medium wave) or LW stations in my country, so all I can listen to is to FM and SW broadcasts. The PL-320's price is rather high for a non SSB pocket receiver and is too closely priced to the more capable PL-330, but then as of 2022 the PL-320 is Tecsun's only non SSB radio that has the automatic memory sorting feature. IMO, Tecsun didn't really need to come out with the PL-320 in the first place. All it had to do was to release a second generation PL-330 with this nicely contoured grey case, raised buttons with backlighting (like the PL-398MP), USB-C charging port and the mini-kick stand. That would be really be an instant hit! 😏📻💓

[@GrotrianSeiler]

I recently bought one of these. It is far nicer than I expected. The sound quality is excellent for such a small radio. The sensitivity is very high, even without an external antenna, and the ETM+ is a great feature. I’m sorry the 660 doesn’t have it. It’s very nicely laid out and a fun addition to any collection. I seem be be using it a lot these days.

[@kwdavids1]

One difference is that the PL-320 has two alarms. The buttons across the top are: Time, Timer A and Timer B (just like on the PL-660). The PL-330 has only one alarm. The third button on the top of the PL-330 is the display button, which is moved to the right side on the PL-320. The buttons on the PL-320 right are Display [Lock] and Step [light]. The latter is a function not directly available on the PL-330. The PL-320 also adds a "FAVORITES" button.

[@madmax2069]

SSB is a requirement for me, because SSB is good for more than just receiving SSB signals. SSB can be used to receive an AM signal that has noise/interference nearby or falls within the AM broadcast signal (you just use LSB or USB depending on what side the noise/interference falls in relation to the carrier of AM, and sometimes SSB can work better than AM sync especially if there is noise around the AM broadcast. Is it me or did they get the scaling messed up a bit on that image, either those are some oddly large hands, or they shrank the radio.

[@whollyunaware5185]

Possibly an upgrade over the PL-310ET (still being offered); hence the in-between model number.

[@eldontyrellcorp]

I just got it today. I still have to wait until evening to test it in more depth. This was enhanced compared to pl330. It has USB c, a stand, the plastic seems a little bit sturdier and it's "round" on the top, looks prettier. It suffers the same lack of sensitivity in LW. I'll make the same mods as the pl330 : enhanced ferrite antenna and bigger battery (2500 mAh). I'll come back later here with a small review.

[@scottforbes0]

As a proud owner of a PL-330, I bought a PL-320 purely to evaluate and write an online review about it. I am eagerly awaiting my shipment 🙏

[@peterjones6357]

It's available at XHDATA for around £30. Yes, they all have Chinese manuals for now. Mine arrived last week.

[@jeffking4176]

Interesting. Going against the Radiwow R-108 (?). 📻🙂

[@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY]

PL-320 doesn’t have AIRBAND

[@davidsradioroom9678]

For the extra $20, I'd get the 330. A Chinese manual is not helpful of you don't speak Chinese, too.

[@jeffking4176]

I definitely agree 📻🙂

[@nandrews8412]

I'll be keeping my 330. 👍

[@peterjones6357]

It's certainly not there to replace the PL-330!

[@peterjones6357]

Gilles. I have sent you and email with a full translation of the Chinese manual. Feel free to share.

[@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY]

NO SSB. But PL-330 does have SSB

[@r0naldzuccala198]

Hello. Well I can't see how you could do much better then a pl 330 which is my choice for radio of the year. As always thanks for the info. Merry Xmas. Ronz.WA3090SWL.

[@sheilalessard6429]

PL-330 lite lol 😂

[@alphalunamare]

it seems to suggest that Tecsun have run out of technical innovation and are relying upon repackaging by the marketing department.

[@Cesarsound1]

There is no benefit to buying this.

[@FrancisLitanofficialJAPINOY]

NO SSB