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Just in time for Christmas. . . Tecsun PL-880 PLL Synthesised DSP Receiver by Ross Tester • • • • • • • • • • 100 – 519kHz LW 52 – 1710kHz AM BROADCAST 1711kHz – 29.999MHz AM/USB/LSB 64-108MHz FM BROADCAST (+) 3050 MEMORIES 450mW CLASS AB AUDIO AMP 18650 LITHIUM ION BATTERY USER SELECTABLE IF BANDWIDTH DSP ON SHORTWAVE (+FM) INCLUDES LEATHERETTE CASE, APPROVED 5V PLUGPACK, EARBUDS AND WIRE ANTENNA. It’s been a while since Tecsun Radios Australia added a new model to their range but the new PL880 looks like the wait has been worth it! I t’s described as a “high sensitivity world band radio” but that is almost damning it with faint praise – it’s so much more than that and would suit every user from the occasional eavesdropper to the dedicated shortwave listener. Because it offers digital signal processing (DSP) on SSB as well as the more usual FM, and because it offers 10Hz steps on USB/LSB it would also be ideal for resolving HF amateur radio transmissions, which almost invariably these days are SSB. Digital signal processing offers cogent 46  Silicon Chip performance advantages, particularly in the reception of weak signals. It’s definitely not a pocket-sized receiver – at 190 x 113 x 32mm, the PL880 is significantly larger than most of the other Tecsun models we’ve seen. And at about 600g including battery, it’s not a lightweight either! But they’ve obviously used the extra space to offer features and performance which far exceed those of the smaller cousins. First, the bands covered are somewhat expanded: FM starts at 64MHz, up to the usual 108MHz, so you get quite a lot of the low-VHF band as well as the usual 88-108MHz FM broadcast band.You’d be surprised what there is to listen to down there – take it to the football and listen in to the referees’ radios, for example. Similarly, the AM broadcast band is a little wider than normal at 520-1710kHz and the “shortwave” bands starts right at 1711kHz and go all the way up to 29999kHz (29.999MHz) in 1kHz steps. A long-wire shortwave antenna is supplied which plugs into a socket on the side of the radio – this socket can also be used to connect a better (ie, resonant) antenna. siliconchip.com.au Before we get into the technicalities 450mW class AB amplifier and full-range of this radio, we also note a significant speaker built in. There’s also a bass/treble departure from previous power. switch and a 3.5mm stereo headphone Most small radios (previous Tecsuns socket is also built in (with ear buds supincluded) operate from “AA” cells. Usually plied). A line socketby is provided for manufactured in output Australia there are three of them (for either 4.5V a recorder, external amplifier, telephone Pty Ltd or 3.6V, depending on whether they are system etc. alkalines or rechargeable Nicads).harbuch<at>optusnet.com.au This Of particular interest to shortwave Conventional one, though, has a single “18650”Toroidal 3.7V, –listeners is theTransformers user-selectable IF bandPower Audio – – ‘Specials’ – 2Ah Lithium-ion cell. width: onValve AM you can choose 9.0 or – Isolated – Stepup/down We’ve been expecting to see aMedical lot 5.0kHz; SSB gives you the choice of 4.0, Power Supplies more devices powered this way – more Encased 3.0, 2.3, 1.2 and 0.5kHz. HF sensitivity is capacity for less size – but the uptake has typically less than 1V. been a little slow. Top marks to Tecsun! Incidentally, a feature on the advantages Tuning of using lithium-ion cells appeared in You can manually tune by selecting the SILICON CHIP, June 2013. band required and turning the largest tunIt’s supplied with a 5V (and Australian ing knob, or you can scan for stations or approved!) mains plugpack (no getting you can use the keypad to directly enter fried by dodgy cheapos here . . .). the station frequency. Pressing the VF/ Being 5V, it will also operate from a VM key will, alternately, reveal the station USB socket, whether that’s on a computer (frequency) currently tuned or the station or any other device. The 5V supply also (from memory) currently selected. charges the Li-ion cell whenever plugged Encased Power Supply Memories in. Incidentally, the Li-ion cell is removable, just the same as with AA cells, so Speaking of the memory, there are www.harbuch.com.au it can be replaced when it will no longer 3050 available (yes, 3050!) arranged in 25 accept charge. That’s likely to be years pages. The first page can Pty accommodate Ltd away, depending on use. 650 station memories; the other 24 pages 9/40 Leighton Pl, HORNSBY 2077 The audio is significantly better than 100 each. So if you have trouble remem5854a station, Fax (02)you 9476 3231have just as you’d get from a typical small radio, Ph with(02) a 9476 bering might much trouble remembering where you stored that station. A notebook or comL puter database might help! You can store A I C R the stations manually, semi-automatically SPE US FO IP or what they call ATS, (Auto Tuning StorH BONCON S age). We won’t even try to explain the processes involved: you can read that ILI ADER when you buy your Tecsun PL-880. RE ANTRIM TRANSFORMERS Harbuch Electronics Harbuch Electronics C AIR S BAND RECEIVER: $60 VALUE! YOURS FREE! You may have noticed that the Tecsun PL-880 Radio does not have an air band. That’s a pity: there’s some great listening on the aircraft frequences (180-136MHz). HOWEVER! As a special offer for SILICON CHIP readers, if you purchase a PL-880 before January 31 2015, Tecsun Radios Australia will GIVE YOU, FREE OF CHARGE, a Kaito Air Band Radio, (normally retails for $60.00). Simply mention SILICON CHIP when ordering. siliconchip.com.au Clock/Alarm The radio has a clock, sleep timer, snooze and alarm timer – you can set the alarm to sound anywhere from 1–90 minutes (if you haven’t woken after 90 minutes, you probably should replace your hearing aid batteries). The snooze timer is fixed at five minutes. There’s also a backlight which can auto turn-off if you wish. Hidden features While the majority of users will gain all the information they need to drive the Tecsun PL880 from the user manual supplied, there are several “hidden” features that aren’t detailed and the advanced user might find useful. Tecsun Radios Australia have detailed these on a separate PDF sheet which they will supply on request. These features include: Activating synchronous detection (LSB and USB) ANTRIM TRANSFORMERS manufactured in Australia by Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd harbuch<at>optusnet.com.au Toroidal – Conventional Transformers Power – Audio – Valve – ‘Specials’ Medical – Isolated – Stepup/down Encased Power Supplies Toroidal General Construction OUTER INSULATION OUTER WINDING WINDING INSULATION INNER WINDING CORE CORE INSULATION Comprehensive data available: www.harbuch.com.au Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd 9/40 Leighton Pl, HORNSBY 2077 Ph (02) 9476 5854 Fax (02) 9476 3231 Changing the FM de-emphasis (you can change from factory set 50s to 75s) Changing the line output level Adding a ‘seconds’ display to the time Adjust the low-voltage shutdown point Displaying the software version and build date Displaying remaining battery life In use What else can we say but WOW? It’s a good looking radio, it’s a great sounding radio and it has every feature you could possibly want (and then some). In fact, in the time we had to play with it, we reckon we just scratched the surface of what it can do. And even then, it was impressive, to say the least. At $239.00 (inc GST) it’s not a cheap radio. If you want a cheaper model, Tecsun Radios Australia (part of the Av-Comm group) have them from under $30. But if you want a radio that offers exceptional performance and a great range of “creature comforts”, you can’t go past the Tecsun PL-880. SC *Tecsun Radios Australia, 24/9 Powells Rd, Brookvale NSW 2100. Tel (02) 9939 4377; website www.tecsunradios.com.au December 2014  47