Tag Archives: Mei Tao

The new HanRongDa HRD-747: Mei Tao shares preliminary info and photos

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mei Tao, who shares the following:

Hi Thomas:

Before the Chinese New Year, I received a prototype of the HRD-747 radio and was asked for suggestions on how to improve it. As far as I know, this little gem will hit the Chinese market in April.

Here are its major features and some photos:

  1. More like a handheld wideband receiver: covers UHF?300—520MHz), VHF?30—300MHz), AIR, FM (64—108MHz), SW, MW, USB, LSB, WFM, NFM, and AM.
  2. Based on a DSP chip?sensitivity and selectivity are excellent.
  3. SSB?selectable USB/LSB?reception with 10Hz step tuning.
  4. Multiple tuning methods: ATS, presets, manual tuning, auto tuning, etc.
  5. Equipped with tuning knob.
  6. Bandwidth is selectable.
  7. Squelch level can be adjusted.
  8. ATT control, external antenna jack.
  9. 1000 memory presets.
  10. Powered by BL-5C cellphone battery (removable).

Sincerely

Mei Tao

Photos

Thank you, Mei Toa! The HRD-747 certainly offers a wider frequency range that we’re used to seeing in small portable radios. I’m very curious how sensitive and selective it is in those higher VHF/UHF bands and if imaging or poor selectivity are issues.

Thank you so much for the preliminary info!

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Photos of the new Tecsun GR-99 emergency radio

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mei Tao, who writes:

Hi Thomas:

I’m happy to tell you that yesterday [January 29, 2021] Tecsun released a new model Emergency Radio. I’ve included some photos:

The GR-99 includes FM, AM and SW bands. As most of today’s radios, it is also based on the DSP chip which offers good performance. It can be powered by the built-in Ni-MH battery and two AA batteries.

This radio also features hand crank power generator which can charge your device such as smartphone through the micro-USB cable. In case of emergency, GR-99 with flashlight and SOS alarm can give you a hand.

Nearly a month ago, I helped to test the prototype of this radio and gave them my advice. Now it’s great to see it on sale.

At last, provide you with a photo of me, almost two years ago. I took this selfie with my radios.

Oh I must admit that several radio in this photo were my friends’.

Sincerely

Mei Tao

Ha ha!!! I love the photo, Mei Tao–absolutely brilliant!

I’m happy to see that not only is Tecsun still producing an emergency radio with an analog dial (which requires less of the battery than a digital display), but also is still including the shortwave bands.

Thank you very much for reporting on this early production run Tecsun radios, Mei Tao!

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Mei Tao shares new Tecsun M-301 impressions and photos

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mei Tao, who writes:

Hi Thomas,

These days I’ve just got the Tecsun’s newest product, the M-301 radio and would like to share some detailed information with you and other BCLers.

The M-301 has two color versions, white and black. It’s a three-in-one model including FM radio, Bluetooth Receiver and MP3 Player. As you can see in the below pictures, it’s very slim and compact, just slightly bigger than Apple 4S cell phone.

But it offers so many features–much more than similar radios I have owned. I had to take much effort to study how to operate it correctly.

Below are its major features:

  1. FM reception: Frequency coverage: 64-108, 76-108, 87-108, and 88-108MHz
  2. Bluetooth 5.0 technology: Can answer calls through the hands-free function.
  3. MP3 Player: It can play 16bit/44.1k FLAC/WAV/WMA/APE and MP3 format music stored in TF card (Max 128GB). Repeat mode: Folder/One.
  4. Recording: It has 3 recording modes–namely, Mic Recording, Radio recording and Bluetooth Recording.
  5. Three tuning methods: including manual tuning, ATS, tuning preset stations.
  6. 100 memory presets.
  7. Rechargeable battery: Working time for about 17 hours at medium volume, charging by DC 5V micro USB cable, charging time for about 2.5 hours.
  8. Can be used as computer external speaker through micro USB cable.
  9. Sleep timer: Shuts off automatically after specified times (0—120 minutes).
  10. Clock and alarm: wakes you up by radio broadcasting or music stored in the TF card.
  11. Can display Fahrenheit or Celsius temperature.
  12. Can store one favorite station or one music file on the “Favorite Program” button.
  13. Hand strap is also used as the antenna.

Yesterday, Jan 28th, the Tecsun M-30 hit the market in China, but I don’t know when or if it will be available in the North America and European markets in the future. I hope so.

Good Luck.

Mei Tao

Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Mei Tao! This looks like a nice, slim travel radio since it sports a clock and alarm and options for both Bluetooth and USB connectivity to other audio devices. While it’s a shame it doesn’t include AM or SW reception, I imagine FM reception will be great based on the fact this is such a strong suit for similar DSP portable receivers.

Thanks again for the very early tip on the M-301!

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Tecsun PL-990 and H-501 may be the last high-end shortwave portables from Tecsun

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor from China, Mei Tao, who writes:

I would like to share the latest news about Tecsun’s New Products: the PL-990 and H-501.

These day I found that several Chinese BCLers who received the PL990 or H501 one after another–they posted many a detailed pictures of these two radios. Lots of my friends asked me when they could buy these two radios on the market.

Then I asked the Tecsun’s boss, Mr Liang.

He replied that they had begun to supply the PL-990 and H-501, but there were only a quantity of 300 in the first batch. These radios were first supplied to the subscribers who pre-ordered PL-990 or H-501 in October. Therefore other customers would have to wait for the second or the third batch. As for the foreign BCLers, I believe the wait time will be longer.

In addition, there is a bit of bad news: Mr Liang told me that PL-990 and H-501 were the last products he led the team to design, and they were his last masterpieces. In other words, the PL-990 and H-501 may be Tecsun’s last high-end portable and desktop radios. What a pity!

Thank you for sharing this, Mei Tao. Yes, that would be a pity indeed if the PL-990 and H-501 end up being the last high-end portables from Tecsun. I suppose it’s not surprising, though, as I’m sure some of the demand for shortwave radios is on the decline at the same time so many inexpensive DSP-based portables are saturating the market.

Two years ago I heard from a reliable source that Tecsun might be pulling the plug on their high-end portables, so I was quite surprised when I saw the PL-990 and H-501 announcements earlier this year. I suppose these models could be a “last hurrah” and certainly a way to mark the PRC’s 70th anniversary (as we’ve seen on some of the radios’ promotional material).

Regardless, I’m looking forward to reviewing both of these radios. Frankly, I’m quite happy a few hundred production models are in the hands of enthusiasts in China. Hopefully early adopters have given critical feedback to Tecsun so that when the first major production run is exported, the units will have been well-vetted and solid performers.

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The new HanRongDa K-603 portable radio

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mei Tao, who writes:

Yesterday, I received a new radio: the HanRongDa K-603, which was sent to me by the manufacture.They want me to test this prototype machine in order to find any bugs. If there is nothing to fix, I believe this radio will hit the market in this or next month.

K-603 is a small portable radio which also has some great functions. Its major features include:

  • FM, AM, and SW bands
  • Bluetooth 5.0 connection
  • TF Card Player
  • Recording function
  • Line in
  • LCD can display three different languages,English?Chinese and another foreign language.
  • Powered by the BL-5C Li battery
  • MW channnel space can be switched between 9KHz adn 10KHz.
  • Tuning methods: Scan, ATS, and direct key entry

The designer told me that this K-603’s fm coverage is from 87MHz to 108MHz, but they will extend it to 64MHz in the next version. That’s really good news.

In a few days, I will test it carefully. If necessary, I will make side-by-side comparisons with my own Tecsun, Sangean, Radiwow, and Degen radios. Then i will present some text and video reviews.

I would like to share some pictures of this new radio with you and other BCLers

Best wishes to you!

Photos

Thank you, Mei Tao! We look forward to your review of the HanRongDa K-603. Yes, please let us know how it compares to your other receivers. We also look forward to any update regarding price and availability. Thanks for sharing those photos!

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