Category Archives: News

Bonito’s AntennaJet ASM 300 coming soon

slider-1-image6(Source: Bonito Press Release)

Bonito AntennaJet ASM300

With the AntennaJet ASM 300, we add another component to our supplies of receiving equipment. It is USB-controlled and you can connect up to three different receiving antennas from 9 kHz – 300 MHz loss-free to one output socket.

Additionally, you can combine all three input channels according to your needs. They are then connected in phase to the output socket. Thus you can always find the best combination of antennas when receiving conditions are bad.

Because there are no mechanical components like relays, the switching of the channels is done electronically by using active elements. So above average intermodulation values (IP3:+40 dBm at 7MHz typical) and extremely high insulation values are achieved.  The electronics are installed in strong aluminum profile housing.

The HF-inputs are BNC and are protected against short and pulse-shaped voltage surges with complex ESD protection circuits. Because the voltage supply is integrated via USB, you do not need an additional power supply, which make the ASM300 ideal for portable operation.

asm300-380Technical Data

  • Input Frequency range: 9 kHz – 300 MHz (-1dB)
  • Input socket/Impedance: BNC/50 Ohm (DC-blocked max.50V) ESD input protection: 30kV; max. Pulse power 350 W (8/20µ) Max allowed input power=0dBm
  • Insertion loss: 0dBm
  • Output sockets/Impedance: BNC/50 Ohm () DC -blocked max. 50V)
  • Insulation between the inputs:80dB type<0.3 MHz

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Insulation between output and input: 110dB typ< 0.3MHz
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  • Amplitude frequency response (300 KHz -300 MHz): max- 1dB typ.
  • Amplitude difference of the outputs: max. 0.5dBtyp.
  • 3rd order Intercept point: +40dBm typ<10MHz +20dBm typ.>100MHz
  • Power connector: USB-B socket
  • Power consumption: max. 50mA (5V DC)
  • Temperature range: 0-40 °C (without condensation)
  • Size/Weight: 103x90x32 mm/0.30 Kg
  • Conformity: CE
  • Standard accessories: USB A/B cable (shielded cable with ferrite cores)
  • The appropriate control software will be put at your disposal for Windows 8, 7, Vista and Windows XP.

Click here to visit Bonito online.

Hidden feature: Adding seconds to the Tecsun PL-880 clock

A very simple hidden feature: by turning off your Tecsun PL-880, then pressing and holding the number 8 on the keypad, you can turn on the PL-880 clock seconds display. Use the same process to toggle between settings.

Tecsun PL-880 clock display showing seconds

Be warned that this free feature will not buy you extra time. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

You can follow all Tecsun PL-880 updates by bookmarking/checking this link.

Hidden feature: Adjusting the Tecsun PL-880 FM de-emphasis

Photo source: Tecsun PL-880 Yahoo Group

Photo source: Tecsun PL-880 Yahoo Group

There has been some confusion (mainly on my part) about the hidden feature behind button number 5.

Pressing and holding the number 5 will toggle the radio between 50 and 75 uS.

But what, exactly, is this function?

Thankfully, Eric Cottrell has the answer:

“The 50/75 uS setting is the FM De-emphasis. 75 uS in the US and 50 uS in Europe.”

Eric then pointed to a discussion about de-emphasis on DIY Audio’s website.

Many thanks, Eric, for clarifying this (and thanks to others SWLing Post readers who pointed this out in comments as well).

You can follow all Tecsun PL-880 updates by bookmarking/checking this link.

Video: Tecsun PL-880 vs. PL-660 on 80 meters SSB

In the following video, I compare single side band reception between the Tecsun PL-880 and PL-660. On 80 meters, in SSB mode, you can hear that the PL-660 has a slightly lower noise floor than the PL-880.  Note again, however, that I mistakenly had the tone control of the PL-880 set to “bass.” I’ll try to make another video later with the tone control set to the “treble” position.

You can follow all Tecsun PL-880 updates by bookmarking/checking this link.

Video: Tecsun PL-880 vs. PL-660 on a local AM station

In the following video, I have tuned both the Tecsun PL-880 and the PL-660 to a relatively local AM station (880 kHz). Note that I had the tone control switch set to “bass” on the PL-880 (it would have been better on “treble”):

For normal AM radio listening, I believe the PL-880 produces better audio fidelity than the PL-660. I will try to record a weak medium wave station this evening, if time allows.

You can follow all Tecsun PL-880 updates by bookmarking/checking this link.

Video: Tecsun PL-880 vs. PL-660, using the hidden DNR feature

Photo source: Tecsun PL-880 Yahoo Group

Photo source: Tecsun PL-880 Yahoo Group

In this video, I’ve tuned both the Tecsun PL-880 and PL-660 to All India Radio on 9,445 kHz (transmitted from Bengaluru, India, some 8,800 miles away).

Thanks to an image of a (prototype?) PL-880 keypad posted on the Tecsun PL-880 Yahoo Group–an excellent group you should join, by the way–I’ve discovered that if you press and hold the number 6 on the PL-880 keypad, it engages the hidden DNR function. I assume DNR is an acronym for “digital noise reduction.”

I engage the PL-880 DNR feature in this video and compare with the PL-660 audio.  Again, apologies for quality as this was made using my iPhone.

You can follow all Tecsun PL-880 updates by bookmarking/checking this link.

Video: Tecsun PL-880 vs. PL-660 on shortwave AM

Once again, I ventured out to my truck tailgate to make a few videos of the Tecsun PL-880. In this video, I’ve tuned the PL-880 and PL-660 to Deutsche Welle’s English language service on 9,800 kHz (transmitted from Kigali, Rwanda, some 7,600 miles away).

I made this video with my iPhone, so apologies for the low quality:

Note that when I first turn on the PL-660 it is in sync mode by accident. After changing the bandwidth on the PL-660, I then turn off sync.

I’ve noted that the PL-660’s sync detector locks better than that of the PL-880. However, using the PL-880’s SSB mode to zero-beat the AM carrier (see article on ECR), produces great (and stable) results.

Sensitivity-wise, these radios are quite similar. While I personally prefer the audio of the PL-880, the PL-660 makes vocals pop out of the noise a bit better.

You can follow all Tecsun PL-880 updates by bookmarking/checking this link.