Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Cap Tux, for creating this excellent–printable–reference sheet for the Tecsun PL-880. Click here to download this sheet as a PDF.
Note that I have also added this download to our complete list of Tecsun PL-880 hidden features.
On my radio, version 8820, I’ve found that function ‘6’ is not DNR. It’s automatic filter selection. This is why when you set the filter width to say, .5 for CW, and then start tuning it jumps to 1.2 or wider. When you press 6 to turn the setting to OFF, you find that you can set the filter width, and tune freely without it changing to some other filter width.
Please someone else test and confirm!
When I hold the ‘Page +’ key I get ‘1000’, no idea what it is.
I have firmware 8820
Tecsun pl-880
This is a very nice effort to pull the hidden features together and present them in a logical and easy to understand manner. Great work.
I did find another key which gives a result I do not understand. With the power off, if you press and hold the “+” key (part of the Page function) after a few seconds the screen says “1001”. Anyone know what this may mean?
Also, I have a brand new, recently manufactured PL-880. I have had several PL-880’s prior to this one, so I know the hidden functions well. On this model, with the power off, if I press and hold the AM BW key, I get the expected all LCD segments. Also, if I then press and hold the AM BW key a second time, I get the expected firmware version result.
However, if I then press and hold the AM BW key for the third time I get……. nothing. I cannot get this radio to display the firmware date. One other person has also reported this. I am wondering if Tecsun did this deliberately to hide the firmware date?
73, John
Interesting theory, John. You may very well be correct. When we first uncovered the firmware version hidden feature, I had assumed firmware might be user update-able. After Kaito had to bring radios back in-house to update them from 8819 to 8820, it made me realize that Tecsun might consider firmware visibility as a liability (users discovering their “new” radio had older firmware).
So, it wouldn’t surprise me if you’re correct. It may be hidden on purpose.
-Thomas
John,
This is exactly what I noticed when I received my second PL-880. There is no way I can check firmware date. I placed an order with Anon about four weeks ago. The other Tecsun with working firmware date had been ordered about two weeks earlier. So, your theory is probably right.
Michael
When I hold the ‘Page +’ key I get ‘1000’, no idea what it is.
I have firmware 8820 dated 140430.
Cap
Why do all your recent links via Twitter now fail with a 404, on a mobile device? Sort of defeats the object of mobile if I need to stoke up a lap or desktop.
Other people’s goo.gl short url links still work OK.
73.
Dave.
Hi, Dave,
I just checked the past dozen or so tweets that were generated by the blog. They all opened for me. Good question, though. Has anyone experienced this?
Cheers,
Thomas