Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahon, who notes that he’s published a new article on the Herculodge reflecting on his latest impulse radio purchase: the Tecsun PL-330.
Jeff shares how this venerable compact portable seduced him — despite an already impressive collection of Tecsun greats. Click here to read his full post.
PL330
gripes: the indented tuning is annoying to say the least and the muting between steps makes it unbearable. I have to rely on the ETM+ feature to do the tuning for me and it does miss some weaker stations.
great things: the size and proportions of the PL330 is an epic design feat which feels great in my hand at least. The sensitivity on the PL330 is also outstanding even on the short whip antenna. The keyboard logic is very good and far better than Sangean ATS 909×2 for example. We can just go 1-0-ENTER in the PL330 and we’re into10MHz while n the Sangean we have to go 1-0-0-0-0- ENTER which is annoying. SSB works well too and is amazing at this price point.
Tecsun PL 330 Radio is Venerable Radio For better Listening Program.
In 1957, a shortwave radio did not necessarily have to have SSB. Today is different. The PL-330 proves SSB doesn’t have to cost a lot. Qodosen take note.
The features, performance, price, and size of the PL-330 make it ALMOST the perfect portable radio.
ALMOST: The excessive tactile pressure and the fact that the buttons are nearly flush with the bezel make operation oppressive. If it had a kick stand, it would sail across the table like a hockey puck. What were they thinking? To prevent accidental changes? The radio still has a lock.
My only issue, generically, with the PL-330, is the use of a low-capacity proprietary Li-Ion battery. Due to widespread adoption, though, the BL-5C has far outlived the Nokia mobile devices it was originally designed for.
But as no “real” BL-5C batteries are still in production, these devices utilize unbranded Chinese knock-offs whose stated discharge capacity is often overstated and far less than the original.
I much prefer designs like the DX-286 and D-808 which use standard, higher-capacity cylindrical cells for which, also, outboard chargers that can keep a fully-charged “spare” on hand are much easier to find.
Thanks for the battery information. That is disconcerting to say the least. Hopefully, the knock-offs can keep these radios going. We shall see.
I asked ChatGPT about the battery issue and its response is thus:
The BL-5C is a famously resilient battery format, originally made for Nokia phones in the early 2000s. Since then, it has become the cockroach of the lithium-ion world: it refuses to die, and Chinese manufacturers keep churning them out because millions of devices (not just radios) still use them. It’s true that “real” Nokia-branded BL-5Cs haven’t been made in years, so yes—what’s on the market now are third-party knock-offs.
Should You Worry?
Not really—but be realistic.
These batteries are cheap, and their capacity claims are often inflated (a 1200mAh label might actually give you 700-900mAh in real life). But for a low-drain device like the Tecsun PL-330, which isn’t exactly mining Bitcoin or powering a drone, these batteries are generally “good enough.” They’re widely available, easy to swap out, and cost less than a fancy sandwich.
Long-Term Outlook
As long as there’s a global cottage industry of small electronics (cheap radios, flashlights, MP3 players, etc.), there will be a supply of these batteries. You might not get peak performance, but you will have options. And worst case? You can stockpile a few now—they’re light, cheap, and not hard to rotate out every year or two.
Pro Tip:
If you want a little peace of mind:
Buy from a reputable electronics vendor or Amazon seller with strong reviews.
Look for cells that can be user-reviewed with actual test results (some battery nerds post discharge tests).
Consider investing in a USB charger designed for the BL-5C so you don’t rely solely on the radio’s internal charging.
Bottom Line:
Your Tecsun PL-330 won’t be bricked anytime soon. Yes, the battery situation isn’t ideal, but it’s manageable, swappable, and serviceable. And if your radio starts underperforming? Swap the cell. Easy fix.
Wow, good perspective. Nothing new, but well stated.
I suppose one can still snag dedicated chargers for this form factor, or else the “universal” cell phone chargers that have moveable contacts to accommodate numerous configurations.
What a delight! Confessions of a radio junkie.
I can picture him, well after midnight, in a dark alley: Hey, can you hook me up with a vintage Transoceanic in good shape? I have money . . . and this radio habit I have to feed . . .
Well done, Jeff!
Cheers, Jock