Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Robert Richmond, who shares two images of the Tecsun H-501 dated June 21, 2019 from this radio forum.
As Robert notes, “Probably a prototype, so YMMV.” Very true–it’s quite possible further changes could be made to the design or silkscreening before a full production run.
The photo above with BG71CA does give us an indication of the radio’s overall size.
Thanks for sharing, Robert!
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen!
Yaroslav from Ukraine is addressing you again.The technical advantages of TECSUN H-501 and TECSUN S-990 (please don’t confuse these stereo models with the mono model TECSUN PL-990), namely – FM 64-108 and two speakers for each channel attract me to buying one of these models, and I ask you kindly to answer a few technical questions in order to compare TECSUN PL-398MP, which I have, and H-501 or S-990, which I’d like to buy. Before each question I’ll give a short statement.
Item 1
Statement: In PL-398, there is an option of lighting both the display and the buttons, in comparison with the older model PL-390, where buttons have no lighting, only the display can be lighted.
Question: What about H-501 and S-990: Is the lighting option available both for the display and the buttons (like in PL-398) or only for the display (like in PL-390)? I hope that it is similar to the newer version PL-398, i.e. both the display and the buttons can be lighted.
Item 2.
Statement: I have an AC adaptor TECSUN PST-17U that can be connected to PL-398, so that one can listen to the radio while the adaptor is plugged into an AC power outlet. It is also possible to listen to the radio when the battery compartment is empty and the adaptor is connected, and the built-in charger is turned off (CHARGE OFF mode is set).
Question: Is it admissible to connect this adaptor to H-501 or S-990? Is it possible to listen to the radio when the battery compartments are empty and the adaptor is connected?
What is the supply voltage of H-501 and S-990? Is it equal to 3.7V (and the battery compartments are connected in parallel, so that one compartment can be empty)? Or 3.7V x 2 = 7.4V (i.e. the battery compartments are connected in series)?
Is it possible to feed the radio H-501 and S-990 from 5V solar panels or power banks?
Item 3
Statement: In PL-398, there are options of indicating (1) signal strength (in dB); (2) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR, in dB) and (3) indoor temperature in Centigrade and Fahrenheit degrees.
Question: Are all these options available in H-501 and S-990 or not all?
Item 4
Statement: The radio alarm clock mode in PL-398 has a slight construction shortcoming: the minimum volume level that can be set by default is equal to 10 points out of 30, it is possible to set 11 points or more, but not less than 10 points. This level is too high for waking up, 5 points would be comfortable. As you had told me, it is caused by the main processor of this radio.
Question: What about H-501 and S-990? Is the main processor in H-501 and S-990 the same as in PL-398, or H-501 and S-990 have a new model of the main processor? Maybe all TESCUN alarm clock radios have the same model of the main processor? How many volume levels are available in H-501 and in S-990? What is the lowest possible level for the radio alarm clock mode in H-501 and S-990 in comparison with PL-398?
And in general, H-501 and S-990 are very similar to each other. What are the differences between these two models? What options are available in H-501, but not available in S-990, and vice versa?
I am grateful to you in advance!
Sincerely,
Yaroslav, Ukraine.
I have to admit, Tecsun radios are starting to look and feel very outdated, I’m really not impressed with these so called latest radios. They even look older than the PL-880 and S-8800, it’s not even funny any more.
I wonder is the SSB distortion gone on these so called new radios ?
H-501 in action videos:
https://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDQwMzczODYxNg
https://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDQwMzY4ODE1Ng
Looks like a H-501 announcement or product briefing video at a convention, event, etc.:
https://gss3.baidu.com/6LZ0ej3k1Qd3ote6lo7D0j9wehsv/tieba-smallvideo-transcode-cae/16385733_eccf574f18d681ba4931a786d92e1e21_0_cae.mp4
More PL-990 in action videos:
https://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDQwMzc4OTE5Mg
https://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDQwMzY1ODgwNA
DX2008 in action:
https://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDIxNjI2NDY0NA
…should have included the Air Band (VHF)!…? How good on AM will this radio be?
Hmmm, I wonder if this is also the blueprint for the Eton Elite Satellit listed as a future produce on Universal Radio’s website. The form factor certainly shows similarities and the disclaimer on the Universal page picture says “subject to change”.
Looks kinda like a Sony ICF-2010
Seems I should have kept skimming the thread. More pics! o.0
Back of H-501:
https://vcfm.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=866&start=2355#p130680
A comparison shot:
https://vcfm.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=866&start=2355#p130686
PL-501 being held and examined at fourth photo:
https://vcfm.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=866&start=2400#p130956
PL-990 photo:
https://vcfm.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=866&start=2385#p130836
330, 990, 501 comparison:
https://vcfm.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=866&start=2385#p130844
Tecsun DX2008 (?!) apparently with sync and SSB:
https://vcfm.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=866&start=2220#p126770
Other interesting recent Tecsun product shots:
https://vcfm.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=866&start=2280#p128194
https://vcfm.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=866&start=2325#p129858
https://vcfm.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=866&start=2310#p128745
https://vcfm.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=866&start=2205#p126290
https://vcfm.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=866&start=2205#p126407
https://vcfm.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=866&start=2205#p126406
Appears I missed the DX2008 launch last year. The product details claim LSB/USB support, but a spec sheet does not show shortwave band support. I suspect AM sync for MW BCB is sideband selectable.
http://www.radioscanner.ru/forum/topic50399.html
When are we going to have a Tecsun receiver with programmed MP3 timed recordings not just MP3 playback?
It appears Tecsun has abandoned the VHF air band for good. It was gone from the PL-880 and both of these new Tecsun models have left it out.
Is there any technical desadvantage in construction of radio when they add Air band ? Thanks
Can’t see why they would put the audio jacks on the front of the radio rather than on the side.
Still unclear is exactly what changes have been made for this receiver in comparison to others such as the 880/990 etc
And the similarities with old Grundig designs continue to be clear.
> And the similarities with old Grundig designs continue to be clear.
How old? (I’m also a vintage radio guy, so I suspect our definitions of ‘old’ may differ 😉 ). But many (all?) of the “modern” post-bankruptcy, post-Koç buyout, post-early 00’s Etón/Grundig radios – like the Satellit 750, Satellit 800, etc. – /are/ Tecsuns…
With the audio connections being on the front of the case for now, is there any consideration to putting at least a line out on the back? I know this is a portable radio but bumping that while listening could become an issue with the radio.
Only thing exposed on the back I have seen to date is a tilt bail.
I kept skimming the linked forum thread, and there are more images, including the back.
Thomas, I sent you email with direct links to those posts if interested.