While evaluating the Tecsun PL-880 this afternoon, I discovered a hidden feature: synchronous detection.
By pressing and holding either the USB/NORM or LSB/NORM buttons, you can make the PL-880 sync lock on either the upper or lower side band. By pressing either button momentarily, it simply puts the mode in either upper side band or lower side band.
Now to properly test it…
You can follow all Tecsun PL-880 updates by bookmarking/checking this link.
I just received my Tecsun PL-880 from FedEx a few moments ago. I only purchased this radio last week from Anon-Co on eBay–I’m most impressed that it arrived so early.
The PL-880 has been a highly-anticipated radio and I’m eager to dig in and see how well it reviews. I had several readers ask if I would take photos as I unboxed the unit–so I’ve embedded photos below. Simply click on each photo to enlarge:
Along with the owner’s manual, Tecsun has included a large, fold-out amateur radio world map and quick reference guide.
In the box, along with the manual and fold-out map, you’ll find: a USB charging cable, a rechargeable lithium battery, a wire antenna and a set of earbud headphones.
The padded faux leather case reminds me of cases we used to receive with world band radios.
I like the layout of the front panel. The buttons have a very nice feel and the tuning wheels/knobs are fluid.
What’s most impressive, though, is the sound out of the internal speaker. Though I need to spend more time with it, it will most likely be one of the best I’ve ever heard in a radio this size. Nice bass and treble tones.
The Tecsun Pl-660 (left) and PL-880 (right). Nearly identical in size.
Of course, I will do a full review as soon as possible. I may also post updates along the way as I make discoveries.
Can you guess how I will be spending this afternoon and evening? Yep, playing radio. Stay tuned!
You can follow all Tecsun PL-880 updates by bookmarking/checking this link.
In response to my post and recording yesterday, TheGreekRadio.com commented on the current state of the Voice of Greece:
“After the forceful eviction of the redundant ERT employees from the Radio House in Athens, the shortwave frequencies no longer transmit the normal program of Voice of Greece as there is no such service produced in Athens. This happened on the 7th of November, when you probably noticed the station ID change.
Mediumwave and shortwave frequencies have been now set to relay the radio program of “Radio Station of Macedonia” by the redundant employees of ERT3, from Thessaloniki. (This used to be the independent program relayed for a few hours before midnight on 7,450 until June’s ERT switch-off, when phone lines were cut and the “guerilla” program started). They keep doing a full program during the day, but being unemployed, it seems that they cannot carry on overnight.
The official interim public radio (one single service for entire Greece) so far does not care for [the take] over [of] the shortwave and mediumwave resources in Athens. Probably they do not have the staff to operate them, as only the necessary personnel was hired to keep the single radio service running on FM.”
Many thanks to TheGreekRadio.com for this informative explanation.
Thus it looks like VOG’s shortwave service might be easily cut–and without warning. We already know that the Greek government is considering dismantling the Avlis transmitting site.
Click here to download.
The eBay seller, Anon-co, has posted the owner’s manual for the Tecsun PL-880. Click here to download the manual as a PDF.
Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mike, for sending me this file.
I purchased a PL-880 and expect to receive it soon. I will post some preliminary photos and a review in time to help you make any holiday buying decisions.
BBC Seychelles Relay Station (Photo: Vijay.sc)
(Source: BBC Media Centre via Rob Wagner)
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) announced today that the Indian Ocean Relay Station (IORS) transmitter site at Grand Anse, Mahé, will cease all shortwave transmissions on 29 March 2014.
The site was established in 1988 and has been in continuous service since then, relaying BBC broadcasts to audiences in East Africa primarily in English and Somali.
The closure will not affect the availability of BBC World Service programmes in Seychelles, which are relayed from satellite broadcasts on to local FM frequencies 106.2, 105.6 and 105.2MHz. In areas of East Africa still dependent upon shortwave broadcasts, the signal will be supplied by other relay stations. The announcement follows an earlier decision to stop all shortwave broadcasts from the BBC World Service site in Cyprus for similar commercial, technological and audience reach reasons. These ended in March of this year.
The announcement will unfortunately result in 11 staff being put at risk of redundancy. The staff over the last 25 years have operated and maintained this shortwave broadcast facility with passion, expertise and professionalism. The technical ability and commitment of the team at the IORS has been applauded by the BBC World Service.
The decision to close the site has been taken due to changing commercial and technological circumstances. As countries develop and their media markets open, listening and viewing habits have changed. New technology has changed the way audiences listen to BBC programmes and reduced the importance of shortwave broadcasts in much of the area currently served by the IORS, making the IORS commercially unviable.
The BBC is supporting the development of new delivery platforms such as internet and mobile streaming as well as FM radio and TV broadcasts. Shortwave broadcasts continue to regions and markets where listening remains strong and BBC services can be delivered efficiently to large geographic areas.
Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Knut, who recently informed me that the German language services of Radio Slovakia International, Radio Prague, Radio Ukraine International and the Polish Radio External Service are being relayed on shortwave radio, via Radio 700 in Euskirchen, Germany.
All broadcasts are on 3985 kHz and are transmitted daily (with 1 kW), beginning at 19:30 UTC.
At one thousands watts, on 3,985 kHz, this will be challenging DX outside of Europe. Still, I love the fact that independent broadcasters (like Radio 700, WRMI, WBCQ, etc.) make shortwave broadcasting affordable for many of these international broadcasters.
Knut originally learned about these relays through the German radio blog, DX Aktuell.
Check out Radio 700’s full broadcast schedule by clicking here.
If you’ve been thinking about buying a self-powered emergency radio, flashlight or cell phone charger, now is the time!
Etón Corporation, who manufactures some of the best self-powered products on the market, is now donating 25% of their web sales to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan.
In addition, they’re working with Project PEARLS to donate $140,000 worth of their preparedness products to help Haiyan survivors.
Read the full press release below, or check it out on the Etón Blog for more details:
(Source: Eton Corp Blog)
“Typhoon Haiyan is one of the biggest storms to occur on planet Earth and has left manymillions in the Philippines without access to electricity, food, and clean water.
According to CNN: “In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, nights are often the hardest. It’s dark. It’s wet. It can be scary. There’s little to do, and, for many, even less to eat.”
For our part, Etón Corp is donating 25% of all sales through EtonCorp.com to Typhoon Haiyan relief.
We are also working with San Jose-based non-profit Project PEARLS to donate $140,000 worth of our preparedness products to help survivors in the Philippines gain access to invaluable information, light, and power.
“The San Francisco Bay Area is home to one of the largest Filipino populations in the United States and as a company based here, we feel personally touched as we have neighbors, co-workers and friends that are personally affected by this tragedy – our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the storm,” said Esmail Hozour of Etón Corporation. “We hope that through these donations, we can do our part to help in the relief efforts for those in the hardest hit areas.”
For the past 30 years, Etón has worked to create and distribute products that help people recover from tragedy caused by severe weather near and far. From the Moore, Oklahoma tornado earlier this year to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, we hope to equip victims of natural disaster with the tools and peace of mind to move forward and persevere.”