Tecsun PL-330 Shortwave - Simple, simple guide for SWL, AM, FM, and SSB.
Ойын-сауық
In this video, I demonstrate how I use the radio. A lot of the Tecsun pl-330's capabilities are left out of the video, because I simply use it in a basic way. Hopefully, this video raises your interest in a small and relatively inexpensive radio for your household. Thanks for stopping by. MH
Пікірлер: 82
I liked this radio 📻 so much, that I immediately ordered a second one! 😊
@mysteryham4065
4 ай бұрын
I hear ya. I really like the radio too. I use it everyday.
Best review on how to operate the PL-330 that I have watched yet. As a newbie, I learned a great deal from it!
@mysteryham4065
5 ай бұрын
Thanks a bunch and I am glad it helped. Have fun in the hobby!
Thank You Duncan! I have watched 100’s of videos on this great radio and yet you pointed out 3 very helpful tips that no one else has ever whispered. Keep up your great How-tos and enjoy the re-discovered hobby like I have.
@mysteryham4065
Ай бұрын
Thanks a bunch!
Best receiver I’ve owned at this price point. Sensitivity on the ham bands is great. Only criticism is the flimsy tuning rotor. It uses a very small potentiometer as does volume control. Several people have commented that detents aren’t precise and knobs can be quite wobbly, true of mine also.
@mysteryham4065
6 ай бұрын
I 100% agree. Recently, it seems like the tuning knob skips channels or drops tuning steps sometimes. This would be the weakest point on the radio.
@RJDA.Dakota
6 ай бұрын
@@mysteryham4065it is only an inexpensive portable. This is true but when I bought it I was still pleasantly surprised by the performance vs. price point.
Great review and presentation style! I'm looking to get a "new" radio - I've had several used units through the years that I got from thrift stores and always sold them at a hefty profit... so I never held on to them long enough to learn how to use each model 🙂 I've got some bonus points from work I need to use before I retire - so I thought I use them on a NEW radio and actually learn how to use it and fully enjoy it! Thanks for the video...
@mysteryham4065
15 күн бұрын
There are a lot of good vintage radios out there, but you never know what state they are in. If you want something like this radio, but much nicer - look at the Tecsun PL-880. One of my buddies has one and it is really slick with great sound.
@fishpotpete
15 күн бұрын
@@mysteryham4065 Actually the PL_880 is what I ended up ordering after watching several videos (including yours). I've only had it one day and it does sound great... but more importantly for me, it easy to use! Thanks!
I got this Tecsun PL-330 about 3 month's ago. Good receiver with lots of useful features & easy to use. I just use a 30 feet random wire & a MLA30+ loop connected to the 3.5mm gets many signals. Using the extended antenna at outdoor is pretty good too. thank for sharing your experience.
I love this radio. It’s very basic but super fun and useful. There are so many things I can say about this set, mostly positive. The mute on tuning is the only real negative.
@mysteryham4065
6 ай бұрын
Yeah the muting while changing frequencies is a thing, but I can live with it. Thanks for stopping by.
Some good tips that I didn't know about tuning with the PL-330.👍
I just received my 330 today and am impressed with it so far. Right out of the box I was able to set the time and turned it to sw and was able to get a few stations just using the whip antenna . I had an older Grundig yb400 for years that has stopped working and wanted to replace. Thanks for an informative video.
@mysteryham4065
6 ай бұрын
Thanks for checking it out and enjoy the radio!
Thanks for the refresher video... just subbed to your channel! I haven't seen a demo of the PL-330 in years as this model has been out for some time. 🙂 I got mine in late 2021 with the 3306 firmware and learned all the hidden features from various sources. I wish Tecsun releases a follow up model with the buttons from the PL-320, which I also have. They're slightly larger and raised, making them easier to depress without having to use my fingernails.
I bought this radio in April and it is now my goto for SW listening. Highly recommend it as best value and bang for the buck. Your video is AWESOME. and I learned quite a bit from it. Thanks!! 73's. KJ7YQW
@mysteryham4065
6 ай бұрын
I really like the radio too. Thanks for checking out the video!
It mutes between steps but not in an anoying way. It is actually a very friendly rig. ❤
Nice Job with the video, I have this radio and love it.
@mysteryham4065
3 ай бұрын
Thanks. I like it more as time goes on. Thanks for checking out the video.
I have spare batteries (BL-5C) for backup so I won't have to wait for charging. That's also handy for DXpeditions. I like Todderbert's and Jay Allen's reviews. I've bought several radios after seeing their reviews. You explained the 'step' button for me. Interesting feature.
@mysteryham4065
2 ай бұрын
Thanks. Yes… extra batteries are a good thing!
My first radio. I still try to learn to use it. Scan FM and save 1, 2, 3...
Hi from kc5noa in Texas. I operate mobile on 17 meters. That is 18.110 to 18.168. Listen for me right at sunset. I like working the gray line. 73s
@mysteryham4065
4 ай бұрын
Will do. Thanks. 73s
Nice video
If the step button is not raised and is an issue for you, just make a small plastic rectangle the same size as the step button and glue it on the button - viola - now it is raised.
Any Ham transceiver with continuous coverage can do Shortwave listening without the extra expense of buying a stand alone Shortwave receiver. After you obtain your license and have a HF Transceiver, when you can afford a stand alone receiver, THEN buy one. Of course, if you have all sorts of 'extra money', by all means buy anything you want. Ham gear is really pricey, unless you build from a half price kit, then you learn electronics in addition to your Tech license. To keep costs down, build from kits, build your antennas yourself, and learn antenna and electronics theory while building your own stuff. Plus, you will have bragging rights by pointing to a piece of gear saying 'I built that myself' !!!
Thank you for video have one it's a have to have radio
Where do you get one with USB-C charge port and raised step button? I can't find them and specified like that anywhere. Thanks!
Muito ótimo seus comentários eu devo comprar este rádio 📻 ele é muito legal gostei parabéns estou aprendendo com vc abraço
My tuning knob was excellent at the beginning but after 50 used are so sensitive and jumped station.What solution i can used, the radio still work
You have a link for this radio? About also a link for the external antenna you are using?
@mysteryham4065
4 ай бұрын
I put the link below for the radio. The antenna I used is a little overkill for short wave listening, because it is for transmitting as well. But a simple wire about 60 feet long will get the same results. But for reference, the antenna I used was an MFJ 40-10 End Fed Halfwave antenna. www.tecsun-radios.com/product/pl330-radio-receiver/
I have this unit coming in two days. I am curious on your opinion as to how sensitive this radio handles medium wave DXing.
@mysteryham4065
2 ай бұрын
Mine had very good sensitivity. If you want the best reception, some people swear by the MLA-30 loop antenna, but the telescoping antenna works pretty well. You could also simply clip on a long piece of wire to the telescoping antenna too.
You can lisn to cb on your portable shortwave receiver
@mysteryham4065
6 ай бұрын
Indeed. Yes, I check the CB frequencies on this radio from time to time.
Why is the 880 ignored? I've had one for over a year and it's excellent. What is it about the 330 that is everywhere on youtube? Best Regards.
@theoverfiend7984
2 ай бұрын
The price basically
What external antenna are you using?
@mysteryham4065
4 ай бұрын
I am just using a really long wire (about 65 ft outside in a tree, then into the window). Instead of worrying about different connectors for the antenna input of your radio, you can simply twist the bare wire onto the built-in telescoping antenna on your radio. I hope this helps.
I’ve got a radio 📻 very similar to this. I bought it from Bookmans in Mesa, Az., for $40.00. It has a backlit display. Once I unpack, I want to use it. I’m into Shortwave, and DXing. Does it work better when you’re near a window 🪟, or does it matter where ya are in the house 🏠? I also don’t know if these radios 📻 work better in town, or out of town. Happy 😊 and safe New Year!! Just subbed!! Your friend, Jeff!!
@mysteryham4065
6 ай бұрын
Thanks for stopping by. Having the antenna outside will generally be better than inside. Where inside the house depends on the station you are trying to pull in. Sometimes just moving the radio a couple of feet in a direction makes a big difference. There is less rf noise out in the woods as opposed to in the city. Enjoy your radio!
@jeffreyhickman3871
6 ай бұрын
@@mysteryham4065 I live in Arizona, so I’d probably have better radio 📻 reception out in the desert 🏜️. Always remember, ANY radio 📻 reception is ALWAYS better at NIGHT!! That stands true, even with the home 🏠 radio 📻. I discovered this in 1987. I lived in Copper Center, Alaska, and could only get local stations 🚉. By the time night rolled around, I could catch stations 🚉 in Fairbanks, Alaska, 250 miles away. That even allows ya to catch radio 📻 stations 🚉 halfway around the world 🌎. I probably should try my radio 📻 in the middle of the desert 🏜️ some☝️ night. I’m at my brother’s house 🏠, saving 🆙 to buy a house 🏠. I’ll be able to get the radio 📻 when I unpack my stuff. Happy 😊 (and safe) New Year!! Your friend, Jeff.
Where did you purchase yours that it came with a raised step button and a USB C connector?
@mysteryham4065
6 ай бұрын
I got it on Amazon from the official Tecsun Amazon store.
@wapphigh5250
6 ай бұрын
@@mysteryham4065 Where? Can't find it ....
@mysteryham4065
6 ай бұрын
@@wapphigh5250 www.amazon.com/dp/B0921HN6QM?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Hi, may i know how to set FM channels using etm feature? Thanks
@mysteryham4065
5 ай бұрын
I have not used the ETM feature yet. If I find out, I will let you know. But if you press and hold the FM button, it will scan and save stations in the quick storage feature. Thanks.
Hi whag frequency range is yhis radio in khz or mhz
@mysteryham4065
6 ай бұрын
Here are the frequency ranges from the official Tecsun website.. FM: 64-108 MHz / 76-108 MHz / 87-108 MHz / 88-108 MHz LW: 153-513 kHz MW (AM): 520-1710 kHz / 522-1620 kHz SW: 1711-29999 kHz
Tem fotos da antena usada e o local fixado ?
@mysteryham4065
6 ай бұрын
I do not have a photo of the fixed antenna, but it is an end fed half wave. It is the MFJ-1982MP.
Can you give more info on the outside antenna you are using?
@mysteryham4065
3 ай бұрын
Sure. The exact antenna is an MFJ 40-10 meter End Fed Halfwave. I use it for transmitting for ham radio. So you don't have to get the same one. If you connect a long wire (about 65 ft) to the radio, you will get a similar result. If you don't have room for a long wire, I hear those MLA-30 loop antennas on Amazon are fantastic. Thanks for stopping by.
@whar2010
3 ай бұрын
@@mysteryham4065 Thanks
Can you show us your antenna setup
@mysteryham4065
5 ай бұрын
Sure. I can do a video on the HF and VHF/UHF antennas that I have up. But the external antenna that I used in the video was an MFJ-1984MP. Thanks for stopping by.
When I press the LSB button, then press and hold it, it doesnt scan....instead the screen flashes like an error. Is my radio a knockoff?
@mysteryham4065
4 ай бұрын
Pressing and holding the LSB button is for fine tuning a frequency. In order to scan in LSB or USB, press and hold the left arrow. To scan in AM medium wave, press and hold the MV/LW button. To scan in FM, press and hold the FM/ST mode. I hope this helps. Before scanning, be sure you are in the mode that you are wanting. I hope this helps. If I am wrong, check the manual to be sure. Thanks.
I wish you showed how to recall a station in memory. No problem in adding them, but the recall in the instructions are not that clear.
Purchase link please , because am afraid to buy a poor quality batch or store
@mysteryham4065
Ай бұрын
I got it on Amazon… a.co/d/41tqlzA
If you want a kickstand get one of those cheapies for a smart phones.
@mysteryham4065
6 ай бұрын
Indeed. I was able to get an Amazon Basics adjustable tablet stand that work pretty good fro $10.
@RJDA.Dakota
6 ай бұрын
Or go to Barnes and Noble and buy a small book stand. That’s basically what I already use and it works well. Bandwidth can also be adjusted to 2,3 kHz
@StratmanII
6 ай бұрын
I don't know why the PL-330 was designed without a kickstand. I have this radio as well as the PL-320 which doesn't have SSB. The PL-320 does have a built-in rear kickstand although it's not very wide.
@RJDA.Dakota
6 ай бұрын
@@StratmanII it is pretty thin. I have a small stand like a lecturn has for a book, it actually came with a radio that I bought from the EEB decades ago and they even called it a radio stand. That of course works for tablets and phones.
@StratmanII
6 ай бұрын
@@RJDA.Dakota It's odd considering that Tecsun (finally) figured a way to incorporate a mini kickstand to the PL-320. After all, its dimensions and is rear case is almost identical to the older PL-330. I was hoping that they would introduce an updated version of the PL-330 with a kickstand but there are no news of a "Mk 2" version of this receiver. I've used plastic fold-able stands for smartphones before and they have a sharp curved bottom which to my horror, left a slight straight line mark on the bottom of my radios. The bottom gutter part of the stands are too narrow as they are meant to accommodate ultra-thin phones, not radios. I replaced them with transparent acrylic photo frame stands but their backs are too tall for small receivers and the edges of the stand have non-beveled, sharp corners. They're functional but hardly elegant. 😞 Looks like I have to keep on looking for dedicated radio stands. The ones designed for tablets and iPads also have thin bottom rests that won't even fit my Sihuadon R-108.
O que ativado e desativado ao usar a tecla 9 com o rádio desligado no firmware 3306 ?
@mysteryham4065
6 ай бұрын
I am not sure, but I think it adjusts the muting threshold.
Very small receiver. 73!
What external antenna are you using?
@mysteryham4065
Ай бұрын
The antenna I used is a little overkill for short wave listening, because it is for transmitting as well. But a simple wire about 60 feet long will get the same results. But for reference, the antenna I used was an MFJ 40-10 End Fed Halfwave antenna.
@user-pf9dr2bt6z
Ай бұрын
@@mysteryham4065 Thank You :)