I love how you show us in detail. thanks Tom

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome.

I didn't really notice this at first, but when I finally received my PL-680 yesterday I put it side-by-side with my older PL-660 to scrutinize the minor differences. Tom probably didn't realize this, but at 23:30 the PL-680's reflective panel for the LCD has a slight golden tint, while the PL-660's LCD has a whiter, silvery tint. As a result, I noted that the PL-660's backlight is slightly brighter than the PL-680. I have no idea why Tecsun chose two dissimilar LCD reflective panels when the company could have used the identical LCD panel for both models. What's odd is that my PL-680 comes with the same firmware version as my PL-660: 6622! 🤔 I was expecting to see the firmware number show up as "6822", but it didn't - it showed "6622" instead.

@henryariashj5hen322

Ай бұрын

O.k. thanks a lot. Regard from Colombia.

thanks for the review & comparison. looking to get the 680 for myself for Christmas!

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

Kool

@caidenamos4857

3 жыл бұрын

You prolly dont give a shit but if you guys are stoned like me during the covid times then you can watch all the latest movies on InstaFlixxer. I've been streaming with my brother lately :)

@genesispaxton4167

3 жыл бұрын

@Caiden Amos yup, I have been using instaflixxer for since november myself :)

Hey Tom! Enjoying your videos! It looks like you've got a couple of adapters on your antenna plug. What exactly are you using to go from SMA on the antenna lead-in to the mono jack on your radios?

I was very impressed with the PL-680 I recently bought. I thought the audio was "big" for such a small radio (compared to my Radio Shack DX-440) Thanks for this radio comparison. It would be hard to go wrong with either of these two radios

@swpirates

7 жыл бұрын

I have both radios and I love both, Craig!

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

You are welcome.

Thanks for your thoughtful review of these radios. Just out of curiosity, when you are doing multiband HF receiving like this, are you using an antenna tuner or just feeding the antenna into the radio? (The antenna you are using is a 1/4 wavelength vertical, yes?)

@hamrad88

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I am not using a tuner and the antenna is a G5RV.

What type of aerial plug adaptor did you use what's the? name

May I ask you something please what is the more recent between the pl-660 and the pl 680 thank you very much

@hamrad88

4 жыл бұрын

680 is several years newer.

Hello, I need an advice. For some time I was planning on purchasing one of the Tecsun receivers and hesitating which model to choose, PL-660 or PL-680. I knew the pros and cons of both, and on the one hand among others things, better SW on the PL-680, on the other hand on the PL-660 better lower part of the AM band. I listen to both ranges and here's my trouble. In addition, I learned that in my city the exclusive representative of Tecsun offers a factory-renewed version of the PL-660. The new PL-660 is available from October 2015. The latest production version of the PL-660 has the system changes used earlier in the PL-680, among others improved sensitivity in the shortwave band (noticeable for weak signals). The receiver has a more stable AGC operation, the improvement of the system during the "soft muting" occurrence as well as the more efficient synchronous detector system. The casing of the new model PL-660 remained unchanged.Is PL-660 completely compatible with the PL-680? I don't know! As it is said on the site, the difference remains only in the shape of the casing. So who knows? Use G-Translate for these links below, please. ercomer-pro.nazwa.pl/instalator/tecsun/?page_id=328 www.ercomer.pl/pl/p/TECSUN-PL-660-Odbiornik-globalny-AMFMSSBCW/101 www.tecsun.pl/index265f.html?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=26&cntnt01returnid=18 From this it can be said that issues in the SW and MW bands have been removed.But in addition to software changes , there is still a question of electronic and electrical components. I don't know if PL-660 and PL-680 do share all of these.That's why choice is so difficult and please advise me which model to choose. The price of both is the same.

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

They sound like they are very close. My choice having not tested an upgraded version of the 660 would be the 680. Remember, I am no expert.

@freddieapf2632

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for your advice. Although as you wrote you are not an expert, then you are an advanced BCL practitioner. But why you chose the PL-680 even though it has less sensitivity on MW?

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

Because in my location there are hundreds of very strong MW stations so trying to do MW DXing is impossible.

My particular opinion the two are very similar in performance and I even believe that the previous model is superior, in addition to having a more modern design than the PL-680 model, this one has a square design that gives us an old-fashioned feeling of this receiver.

@tiagogardino

3 жыл бұрын

I received my Tecsun PL-660 today May 31st and the bottom of the radio I received came exactly like the PL-680 model with the rubber feet. 25:15

@karlbel4992

Жыл бұрын

@@tiagogardino Idem . Video True for older PL660 versions

Tom, I have a question hopefully you can answer. I have a PL-310et, I want to set it up for use with my 40m dipole. I need to make an adaptor to go from pl-259 to radio phone plug. Does the antenna plug for the radio use both the center conductor and shield or is it using only the center conductor? Thank you in advance for your help. 73's

@hamrad88

5 жыл бұрын

I have mine set with both connections. I have not diagram to be sure this is correct but it does work for me.

@darrellbeard2799

5 жыл бұрын

@@hamrad88 Thank you, I'll set it up that way.

Thanks as always, Tom! Great radios. . .both of them! Let's go head to head with the Sony 7600GR next!

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

It's in the list.

Just curious, would not an a/b antenna switch be easier?

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

Yes, but my four position switch is not working properly. So, I need to get a new one.

Greetings I just started researching about multi band radios, I remember when I was a kid I spent hours in the night with my grandpa radio looking for stations from outside the country, now that this memory came back to me I would like to get a portable radio that I can take everywhere I travel and search for what I can find. What would you recommend would be a nice radio to start?

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

The PL-680 would be a great starter radio.

nice☺. thanks

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome.

Hello. Which radio is better for all bands, without division into AM, FM etc.

@hamrad88

4 жыл бұрын

I live the 680 slightly better.

Thanks Tom. Both are good but pricing is crazy atm! For me in Australia, the cheapest for the 660 is AU$160 posted and AU$210 posted for the 680. I have the PL330 bought new and just got the PL600 used for $50, looks brand new though but I want airband. I think I'll get the PL680 due to better buttons, looks and supposed more sensitive on SW. I love your video's buddy. Nice to meet you on Danny's live a few weeks ago.👍🍻📻🤓🇭🇲

@sidneycavalcant

6 ай бұрын

Banda aérea não seria melhor Xhdata d808 ?

Tom's radio room show I learn lot from you about shortwave receivers and what to lisn to on shortwave and ssb and what time in utc at your

How do you know if a tecsun pl660 is of the updated generation that does not have negative problems?

I 'm a licensed radio amateur (ham), I would have liked to have seen CW and SSB modes as well as the AM broadcast band sensitivity demonstrated.

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

I could do the CW and SSB testing on the shortwave bands but there are hundreds of strong AM/FM stations in my area so it is difficult to do much testing that is meaningful.

@Wavelength7mhz1

2 жыл бұрын

There 660 and 680 have very smooth agc response so ssb is very smooth and natural unlike other radio's .

@karlbel4992

Жыл бұрын

@@Wavelength7mhz1 XHDATA d808 So perfect RX ssb and better power sound

please can you help me in choosing, I have doubts between Tecsun Pl 660 vs Pl680 ?? thanks

@hamrad88

3 жыл бұрын

That is a hard decision. For me I like the newer 680. If you get either, get them from somewhere that has a good return policy. These radios from China do not have a good quality control. One could be great and the next one could have problems. These two models have not had quality control problems in the past but other newer models and newer production runs have had.

@maloz63

3 жыл бұрын

Go for the pl680, it's a newer version, plus design of it looks better

Hallo - thank you for the review. As you have a lot of experience I would like to ask you a question. I need a receiver for my sailboat. I want to receive mainly weather data (maps and text). Most important frequencies for me are navtex (490 kHz, 518 kHz) and 147,3 kHz but also many other frequencies (I do not really need FM because I will use my Radio Sender for that). I have seen many videos where peolpe are using 660, and 680 sucesssfully although they do not have an extra line out (to connect to smartphone or PC with a decoding software) and only rel. broad filter bandwidth. The 880 would have a very narrow bandwitdh filter which is good I think for isolating the data and a line out, the Sangean 909x will need an external antenna I think (that would be no problem) -so I am not sure which of those 4 recievers would be best for me (XHdata, Sony ...are not good for me because they start at 150 kHz and not at 100) - maybe you have an idea which one would be good for a sailing boat (possible to mount an external antenna to the sailing rig but it would be more conveniant to do it without an external antenna when possible) - in my case size matters (not much space on a boat) - Voice is not so important to me then weather data. A nice feature would be time controlled recording but it is no a must have. Thanks

Hello interesting video I have a PL 660 I agree with you if you have a PL 660, there is no need to buy a 680 for it's basically the same radio. But I thought it was interesting to see when you compared them both. Also want to say I like my new Tecsun GR 168, it can not be compared with better shortwave radio like PL 680 and PL 660. I do not know if you've tested Tecsun GR 168 would be interesting to see a test on it and hear what you think about that radio .What I like about Tecsun GR 168 is a crank in the back on the radio, I like to be out in the summer and listen to the radio. but always a problem out of batteries or I forgot to bring me a power pack. But no problem, just crank a little so you are back up and running. have a good day, and can tell you that it is -12 degrees, and quite a lot of snow here where I live up in the north of Sweden right now burr. So Florida feels very tempting right now take care.

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I have added the 168 to my list of radios to test.

@NTPTM

7 жыл бұрын

hamrad88 Hello Thank you it will be fun to see and hear what you think about the radio as I said, it's a little cheaper radio, and it do have every band on the shortwave but it works to listen to some short wave bands. Very sad to hear that Radio Australia lay down their broadcasts on shortwave radio take care.

Toms radio room your two Tecsus receivers are cool

I love the 660. Excellent reception and performance! I had some weird issues with my 660 at first but they cleared up. I`ve had temporary issues with a number of new radios. The solution? Put alkaline batteries in them or plug them in and use them for a few hours. It`s called a "burn in period." My CCrane EP PRO had bad FM reception when I turned it on. Now it`s perfect. My Panasonic RF-562 had FM problems that cleared up. My 660 had FM and air band issues that went away. I really REALLY love this radio! The AM reception really surprised me too. I heard the Coast Guard on SSB recently!

@hamrad88

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the useful info.

@baneverything5580

3 жыл бұрын

@@hamrad88 The Coast Guard frequency is 8993 if you want to try to hear them.

@hamrad88

3 жыл бұрын

@@baneverything5580 Thanks

@ZommBleed

2 жыл бұрын

Very good information to know. Thanks for sharing.

@karlbel4992

Жыл бұрын

I USE PL 660 NEW VERSION SINCE FEW YEARS NO RX DIFF NO FEET DIFFERENCES ...

Great video Tom, thanks. I have a PL 880 I am wondering if I get a 680 would I see a great improvement on short wave weak stations?

@hamrad88

3 жыл бұрын

Probably not as shortwave band conditions are poor right now but improving.

@bigkamran

3 жыл бұрын

@@hamrad88 how can I find out if the conditions have improved? Is there a website, what would I look for?

@hamrad88

3 жыл бұрын

@@bigkamran The solar flux index is a factor that will give you an idea whether shortwave listening is improving. Just do a search for solar flux index. The websites will explain what it is and how to use it. Basically we are looking for a solar flux index number above 100.

@bigkamran

3 жыл бұрын

@@hamrad88 thank you 🙏. Love your videos.

@Wavelength7mhz1

2 жыл бұрын

The pl 680 is far Superior for ssb reception

Please help me with your opinion, I want to buy two radio and I am in doubt between a Tecsun PL 660 or PL 680 ??? what would be your suggestion? and another Tecsun PL 880 or Sagean ATS 909 ?? can you please help me with your opinion ??

@hamrad88

5 жыл бұрын

I am no expert but I would choose the 680.

@user-gm4zu8ki2h

3 жыл бұрын

Hi, Friends! Your "Tecsun PL-600"-- если "in Russian to sey"-- "откровенная китайская "подделка",-- неудачная копия давнего и забытого уже в мире "Panasonic- PL 645". "Barahlo esho To, chto-by ego vybrocyt' nie gljadja"...

@markrosinski4814

4 ай бұрын

@@user-gm4zu8ki2hwhat would you recomend insted shto nada kupit ?

👍 👍

Tom, based on your findings here, I'm not sure what the point of the PL-680 is. Just having slightly different-shaped buttons does not seem worthy of a different model #. Couldn't they have just re-issued the 660 with these buttons? It kindof seems like a waste of time, but thanks for reviewing it for us! :-)

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

One thing is that the 660 got a bad name because of problems with the early production units. My 660 is a later production unit and it does not have any of those problems.

@tommybewick

7 жыл бұрын

I'm curious what the issues were with the early units, if you know? I have an early 660 I bought right after they came out and I never had a problem with it.

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

Off hand I don't remember but I remember doing a Google search and finding negative comments. I will see if I can find them again.

@freddieapf2632

7 жыл бұрын

Sorry for this inposing but Tecsun has done something more compound than just re-styling the casing. Read my 2 weeks old comment in this section (TRRS #1045 - Tecsun PL-660 vs PL-680).

Ao incluir o Tecsun PL 990, o que pode mudar ?

A factory-renewed version of the PL-660! Hi, a lot of time has passed since your last review and my question to you that wasn't answered. So once again I ask about it, hoping that your experience and intuition will shed some light on this latest Tecsun's product. I'm not giving details about changes now to shorten this post. I already described these here in the comments about a year ago. In short, the latest production version of the PL-660 has the software changes used earlier in the PL-680. Due to different electronic and electrical components (eg. speaker, etc.) this new variant can't be completely compatible with the PL-680, but from the manufacturer's description it differs significantly from its predecessors. The casing of the renewed PL-660 remained unchanged. Would you buy such a model or is it producer's specific trick to sustain production, what do you think?

@hamrad88

6 жыл бұрын

Sorry I missed your previous comments. KZread sometimes automatically deletes posts. I have seen other radio models upgraded and new features added so even thou I am not specifically attuned to the upgrades to the 660, I would guess they are definite improvements. The PL-880 has gone thru at least three major upgrades, for instance.

@sidneycavalcant

4 жыл бұрын

@@hamrad88 entre os 3 modelos: 660, 680 e 880 para aquisição em 2020, para seria a escolha ?

@odairjosegreim1716

2 жыл бұрын

@@sidneycavalcant também estou com a mesma dúvida em 2022! Qual comprou amigo?

@sidneycavalcant

2 жыл бұрын

@@odairjosegreim1716 Ficamos sem respostas !

@sidneycavalcant

2 жыл бұрын

@@odairjosegreim1716 Eu tenho PL 660, mas penso em vender em breve.

Is there a big difference in pl 990 and pl 990x ?

@hamrad88

2 жыл бұрын

Checkout Jay's review here: radiojayallen.com/tecsun-pl-990x-am-sw-lw-mp-bluetooth-mp3-player/

@vinayfondekar3455

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much really appreciate

what is the newest of the two?

@hamrad88

4 жыл бұрын

680

Hello Tom, what is the best outdoor antenna fir sw and ssb am using pl660 2 different sw radios.

@hamrad88

3 жыл бұрын

I now use the MegaLoop 30+.

@medo123345

3 жыл бұрын

@@hamrad88 tks

@medo123345

3 жыл бұрын

@@hamrad88 hello again, do you mean MLA30?

@hamrad88

3 жыл бұрын

@@medo123345 Camisin MLA-30+ Plus Upgrade Loop Antenna Active Receiving 100KHz-30MHz Short Wave Radio

@medo123345

3 жыл бұрын

@@hamrad88 appreciated with many thanks . Stsy successful Tom.

Qual a sua escolha para aquisição de apenas 1 ?

@sidneycavalcant

2 жыл бұрын

Sem resposta

@Dommus50

Жыл бұрын

Qual vc adquiriu?

@sidneycavalcant

Жыл бұрын

@@Dommus50 na época adquiri o 660, mas vendi e agora estou com 680

The 680 has better performance on the air bands the shortwave performance seems the same.

So which one is better? 660, 680? or maybe the newest one PL-880?

@hamrad88

3 жыл бұрын

My experience shows the 680 is best but they can vary from radio to radio.

@AndrzejSQ9PKW

3 жыл бұрын

@@hamrad88 I'm going to buy my first global receiver, and i will buy une of those. Thanks for fast respond :)

@hamrad88

3 жыл бұрын

@@AndrzejSQ9PKW If you are in the US, try to buy it from my Amazon store at: www.amazon.com/shop/hamrad88. It is only a store from page as you are dealing directly with Amazon but I get a small credit for your purchases. Have a great day.

@AndrzejSQ9PKW

3 жыл бұрын

@@hamrad88 nah, I'm in Europe, Germany right now. Today or tomorrow I'm going to buy it

I have read the difference between the two radios is on the AM band of the Tecsun PL-680 is better than the Tecsun PL-660. The rest of the bands the two radios are very similar.

@chicopintudo3443

Жыл бұрын

THANKS 😁👍

Which one better on Am Best Regards

@hamrad88

5 ай бұрын

They are pretty close. I would say 680 is slightly better overall.

Tom's radio room show I like your utube videos

Wich one is the best? 660 or 680

@hamrad88

Ай бұрын

From my experience the 680.

ok sir you say that you live in south Florida, now i live in Costa Rica and i want to purchase one of those radios the PL-660 how can i get one can you send it off to me tell me the price and after sending you the money will you get me one please?

@hamrad88

6 ай бұрын

Sorry I don't sell radios. Try Amazon.

You passed on the fringe football station and then compared a full scale signal of that woman talking.... the 680 is supposed to be more sensitive..... should use more fringe signals to check them...

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

Good point.

Tom's radio room show your Tecsun pl-680 Mw lw fm sw ssb 5band portable receiver and the tecsun pl660 mw lw fm sw ssb 5band portable receiver is cool 📻 😎 👌 👍

Скажыте пожалуста! В чем отличие pl 660, и pl 800. ???

@andreyaba4156

4 жыл бұрын

В корпусах. Потроха один в один...

@user-gm4zu8ki2h

3 жыл бұрын

Откровенное "китайское дерьмо"! "Тексан-600"-й!Да, батарейки-аккумуляторы он "сжирает не по-детски!" Он даже хуже в 10 раз, чем тот давний 15-летней давности "Panasonic-645(digital) с которого он китайцами "перекопирован"! А уж с "одно классным "Sony-ICF-SW 7600" (world reciver) ему "тягаться, как от Москвы до Киева "раком ползти"! Все-таки у моего 20-летнего "Sony"- была истинно японская тогда "сборка", и "клеймо"-- "Made in Japan", тогда качество было мирового уровня! Слушать тогда, в начале 2000-х радио Бельгии на 11-метрах, радио Австралии, летним полднем, на 13 метрах, или в полночь - на "тропических диапазонах"-- бразильских, уругвайских, эквадорских местных радиостанций почти до летнего восхода - на Sony-7600,-- это была "удача ещё та"! Даже музыку от них на диктофон записывал тогда! А прямая трансляция "радио Гавана-Куба" на 17810кгц,- это было вообще -"событие",- когда в Москве - 1 час ночи...

@chicopintudo3443

Жыл бұрын

@@user-gm4zu8ki2h 🇧🇷📻👍😁

@user-gm4zu8ki2h

Жыл бұрын

@@chicopintudo3443 Gracias, Amigos - Chico Pintudo!!👍👍😀😀

📻🙂

I think the PL660 Is better, more sensitive !

Is a 660 any better than a 310et?

@hamrad88

6 жыл бұрын

In general the 660 is a little better but the 310 is still a good radio.

Какой лучше так и непонятно?

@user-gm4zu8ki2h

3 жыл бұрын

Да "барахло", что тот "Тексан", что другой! Барахло! Года 2-3 назад 600-й купил, "сдуру", 100 раз пожалел!.. По сравнению с "Sony -ICF-SW7600 (World Reciver) что по чувствительности, по качеству звука и сервисных удобств -"Тексан"-600 да и близко не лежал, "гавно ещё то!" Попробую "Тексан" спихнуть на "Авито" хоть за пол-цены... Разочарован.

@user-gm4zu8ki2h

3 жыл бұрын

@@wavezone2566 Ну, не знаю. Я конкретно речь веду о 600 "тексане". Аккумуляторы "тексановские", фирменные, что идут в комплекте -"съедает влет", буквально за 2-2.5 часа! При средней громкости -"жрет как собака"! Притом, что "Сонька" на них может сутки поработать, а то и дольше...

@markrosinski4814

4 ай бұрын

@@user-gm4zu8ki2h Sony -ICF-SW7600 eto historia, shto nada kupit cejchas

Hi my question to you is why do you hate Spanish stations so much ?

@hamrad88

6 ай бұрын

I don't hate them. I just wish I knew Spanish.

The PL-680 is no longer available but I have them both & also the PL-880 & the 660 is the best one for sensitivity. PL-880 stinks & sounds weird on side band. The 680 isn't as sensitive as the 660.

@hamrad88

6 жыл бұрын

All of these radio are still available new.

@drsysop

6 жыл бұрын

I seen it on ebay but I never get from there. Got scammed there.

@hamrad88

6 жыл бұрын

Try Amazon. I think I have them in my store.

@mootpointjones8488

6 жыл бұрын

DrSysop I owned the 880 but sold it as the Synchronous detection was useless. The 660 is a great little receiver. If Tecsun could give it the sound, layout and battery of the 880 it would rival my Sony 2010!

@CL-ty6wp

Жыл бұрын

660 is gone now too

Кто этого мужика впустил в наши края- он ни фига не шарит по нашему, а слушать по его не интересно.

@shevchenkosevas

6 жыл бұрын

Учи Английский!!!

@igorgonta9573

5 жыл бұрын

Скажыте пожалуста! В чем отличие pl 660, и pl 800. ???

@olddog57

3 жыл бұрын

Да и русский мтоит ему учить

each time that you tune in to a Spanish station you quickly skip it

@hamrad88

6 ай бұрын

Yes that is only because I don't know the language. Sorry.

@hamrad88

6 ай бұрын

Would you like to do shows where I leave the radio on Spanish stations longer?

@Koji-888

6 ай бұрын

I believe the clown is just trying to stir up trouble. Oh the kids these days. It’s non stop. Everyday. MUTED. 🤣

The 680 has better performance on the air bands the shortwave performance seems the same.

@hamrad88

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info.

@chicopintudo3443

Жыл бұрын

Disseram que o PL 660 é melhor em AM... E em SSB(USB e LSB)... AGORA NÃO SEI !!! Seria legal o dono do canal fazer 1 teste e tirar nossa DÚVIDA ❗❗❗ EM SSB, QUAL O MELHOR DE SINTONIA ??? 660 OU 680 É MAIS FÁCIL DE SINTONIZAR ??? Grande abraço aqui do Brasil 🇧🇷👊😎 TMJ

@tech29X

Жыл бұрын

@@chicopintudo3443 They are the same; Recent productions are the same inside. PL660 is fat and round, PL680 is flat and square.