Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have only had this portable a month now, but I continue to be impressed by this very fine new Chinese lw/mw (am)/sw/fm/air band radio from Tecsun (sold by KaitoUSA in N. America).
PROS: Brief Overview feature set summary-
1) This dual conversion, very high quality PLL (Phase locked loop), worldband radio is a completely new version of the Eton E10 with full SSB (single-sideband band) capability (also previously known as the Tecsun PL-550). This wonderful SSB detection capability also has a very finely controlled, center detent adjustment, BFO (beat frequency oscillator) knob in the center of the left hand side of the radio between the volume control knob and the tuning control knob. There are also numerous ways of tuning the radio using a direct entry keypad, separate digital up/down scanning keys, etc.
2) Dual bandwidths for quality sw reception with dx/normal/local switch as well as AC/DC adapter power input, external fm/sw antenna input, earphone input, nicely controlled backlight, great, five full bar, signal strength meter, small, four bar, battery charge indicator, dual timers, clock always on-screen, bass-treble tone setting switch, 600 memories of which 500 presets are user controllable, two sets of frequency adjustment steps for each available frequency band (fast/slow), with very fine reception and audio clarity on ALL bands, etc.
3) A complete set of system codes is available through a dedicated key for rapidly setting all possible system selection choices (number of preset pages with number of presets per page of memory, type of batteries being used, regular or rechargeable, 9 or 10 KHZ step size depending on the geographic location of the listener, etc.) For example, setting the system set code to "03", a complete airband channel (as noted above, but with the presence on the screen of an actual small aeroplane image!) is also available on an additional high frequency band (4th of five present on this radio) from 118-136 MHz. This band can not be automatically scanned (just like the one available on the Grundig G6 radio which is also for sale on Amazon and built for the Grundig/Eton corporation by Tecsun as its OEM-Original equipment manufacturer).
3**) UPDATE: January 14, 2009:
Officially according to Tecsun engineers in China this aero band is spurious (not real) and the PL-600 cannot detect any type of signals from the 118-136 MHz band at all!!!!! Then why not clear up any confusion right away and remove all this "aero" material in the software stages of this radio's development??? It remains to be seen what this band is exactly since I have definitely picked up signals at least "bleeding over" from the various sw bands directly onto this very puzzling "aero" band. Curiously from what I have been able to learn, the aeroband software works comnpletely and is still installed in the radio, but Tecsun chose to remove the detailed hardware circuitry that would have allowed the unit to detect aircraft frequencies probably so that they wouldn't directly compete head-on with the Grundig G6 as its OEM and as noted earlier above.
4) Separate control of all sw meter bands from 120 m to 11 m using a separate button just to the left of the lw/mw/fm and the "aero" band selection button.
5) Pressing the lw/ mw/fm/ "aero" band key at the bottom right of the main keyboard and holding it down (long press), a complete set of available fm and am stations will be preselected by the radio and are automatically (by performing an ATS system-wide search) put into the first 99 presets of available memory. This is a very very nice feature for travelers arriving at a new location so that they can very rapidly locate the latest and clearest am/fm stations available for their listening pleasure.
6) Complete four, AA battery system for automatically recharging Nickel Metal hydride batteries within the radio.
7) This radio seriously competes with the Kaito KA1103 for quality reception capabilities while it is slightly larger and slightly heavier. To compensate however, it has a much finer ergonomic digital action and display system for handling the numerous options available. Obviously the microprocessor-computer controls available are now far more extensive than they were even just a few years ago.
8) The standard Kaito return policy (30 days) and year-long warranty is a great deal for purchasers from N. America (if you choose not to purchase the unit directly from Tecsun in Hong Kong or in Shenzhen, ROC).
Summary CONS:
1) This is quite large and fairly heavy unit (7.5 " X 4.75 " X 1.25") with a weight of about 1 pound, but at least it comes with a quality carrying strap handle as well as with a quality velcro-sealed case.
2) Presets cannot be stored alphanumerically as on more the much more expensive Sangean (ATS-909AP) and the Sony (ICF-SW7600GR) units, but they are stored on the Tecsun PL-600 by both band and by frequency.
3) You need to always remember that a "short" push on the buttons performs a different action than a "long" push on the buttons. This is semi-standard now on all new Tecsun/Degen/Kaito/Redsun brand radios.
4) The battery door is not hinged to prevent loss, but this is a finely constructed radio and the battery door fits the unit very securely nonetheless.
5) My first unit had a problem with the BFO tuning unit (center detent lock-up problem), but I sent it back and they quickly sent me out a new unit in exchange which all works properly.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Tecsun PL-600 AM/FM/LW SSB Shortwave Radio, Black
Made by the same manufacturer that makes brand name radios, such as Grundig, Eton and etc. The Tecsun PL600 is an AM/FM/LW shortwave radio with Single Side Band (SSB) reception. There are four options when tuning your radio stations. With direct tuning, you input the desired frequency digits. Manual tuning allows you to change the frequency using the tuning knob. If you are unsure of what station you want, use the scan tuning option to have the radio stop at all listenable receptions. Finally, with preset tuning, you can recall a preset station with a single button press. You can store up to 600 preset stations using memory tuning features.If you plan on traveling with a radio, the PL600 is an ideal choice. You can either listen to the PL600 via the built-in speaker or with the included earphones. Beyond the ability to tune into various radio bands, the PL600 also features a built-in automatic battery charger, plugs it into any wall outlet with the included 220V AC adapter when the battery indicator shows that battery is low.
Click here for more information about Tecsun PL-600 AM/FM/LW SSB Shortwave Radio, Black
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