Hidden feature: Calibrating the Tecsun PL-880 on medium wave

Tecsun-SSB-QRG-1This hidden feature was described by Diemtar on the Tecsun PL-880 Yahoo Group:

  1. Tune to a strong medium wave (AM broadcast) station
  2. Turn on on SSB mode USB/LSB
  3. Move the fine tuning control until you have a good SSB signal (i.e. obtain a good zero-beat of the AM station)
  4. Press and hold the Snooze Button, now you see a correction value in the display
  5. Press the Snooze Button again.

I just tried this on my PL-880 (firmware version 8820) and it worked well.

Many thanks, Dietmar!

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11 thoughts on “Hidden feature: Calibrating the Tecsun PL-880 on medium wave

  1. Mike

    Hello all. I’ve had a few quirks with my new PL-880.
    The display light stopped working after about the first day. I was able to recalibrate it by doing a reset.
    The display sometimes freezes, so that none of the controls work, except the volume. Sometimes it won’t shut off. I can cure it by removing the battery or doing a reset. These issues appear to be software related, not mechanical, from what I can tell. I just did the usb/lsb calibration which seemed to be successful. Overall I like the radio but I wish it was more sensitive on AM. FM is quite good, both sensitivity and selectivity. Anyone else having software related issues?

    Reply
  2. Harry

    With the power turned off, press LW On/Off until you turn it to “on”. Now turn on the radio and press AM button twice in rapid succession and it will stay on LW band.

    Reply
  3. ted

    i found on my pl880 has 8820 2018-2019 early
    changing from am/lw am push,then push 2nd time too sw too lw
    not listed i found more i will list them as i find them
    i have a triplecovertion tecsun

    Reply
  4. Moshe Ze'ev Zaharia

    Try long pressing button number 2 (LW on/off) while the radio is swithced Off, to change LW mode to On.
    Good luck,
    Moshe.

    Reply
    1. Moshe Ze'ev Zaharia

      just checked at Anon-Co site, they have the manual for the PL880.
      It Says “Turn On/Off LW: To turn on/off LW, press & hold the [MW/LW] button until “LW ON” or “LW OFF” appears on the display”
      Good Luck,
      Moshe.

      Reply
      1. Kenneth Litzke

        Moshe,

        You mentioned the Panasonic RF-800U elsewhere, but I couldn’t reply to that comment. I like the look of the RF-800U, any word on how well it works and/or sounds?

        Ken

        Reply
        1. Moshe Ze'ev Zaharia

          Hi Ken,
          I bought this radio for my brother in law’s birthday.
          I didn’t played much with it, but reception on MW and FM is great. Because the case is made of wood, the radio sounds very rich, in fact, it sounds much bigger than it is.
          I didn’t test it on Shortwave, but I’m sure it won’t disappoint.
          Take care,
          Moshe.

          Reply
  5. david wheeler

    I cant seem to switch my pl880 to long wave saw vidio where am button was pushed twice an saw it change.but on the 2 button it says LW/on off. tried all kinds of combinations. manual says something else can you help? thank you.

    Reply
    1. Harry

      With the power turned off, press LW On/Off until you turn it to “on”. Now turn on the radio and press AM button twice in rapid succession and it will stay on LW band.

      Reply

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