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.
Radio Flynn comments:
Anon-co just posted a pre-sale for the [Tecsun] PL-880 on Ebay: $158.74
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They estimate shipping dates from Nov 30 – Dec. 10 [2013]. Just in time for Christmas!
Thanks for the update, Radio Flynn!
On a side note, I should have a review of the PL-880 posted in enough time to help you make a purchase decision before Christmas. I will do some comparison with the Tecsun PL-660.
I just noticed that the Tecsun PL-880 is available to purchase as a pre-order from Amazon.com.
The vendor (Electronnix) claims that the PL-880 will be “released” on November 30, 2013.
The price is set at $149.00 US; at least $20 more than the Pl-660, depending on the retailer.
Though the PL-880 is available for pre-order on Amazon, I’ll most likely hold out an buy from my favorite eBay seller Anon-Co in Hong Kong. I’ve bought numerous radios from them in the past; their pricing and customer service are hard to beat.
I will review the PL-880 as soon as it’s available.
The Grundig G3 shortwave radio.
Not really a surprise, but I’ve confirmed that the Grundig G3 has been discontinued. They are still available, for the moment, from Universal Radio and online sources like Amazon.com. I would not advise buying from Amazon as I’ve received numerous complaints that they’ve shipped faulty units. Universal Radio, on the other hand, is testing each an every G3 leaving their shop.
With the exit of the G3, this leaves Grundig with the following selection of shortwave portables:
Tecsun PL-880
Tecsun, meanwhile, is adding to their extensive line of shortwave portables. Indeed, this morning, W4ASZ comments:
“I found this link courtesy of the manly men at Herculodge :
Looking pretty good !”
I agree and I do feel cautiously optimistic about the Tecsun PL-880. Could it be my new travel radio? Though I still happily travel with the Grundig G3, Sony ICF-SW7600GR and Tecsun PL-380, a guy can’t have too many radios to choose from!
I’ll plan to review the PL-880 once it’s available. I’m particularly interested in seeing how it stacks up against the venerable Tecsun PL-660.
The Tecsun PL-880 (Photo: bbs.tecsun.com.cn/)
Last night, I discovered news of the new Tecsun PL-880 on Jeff’s excellent blog, the Herculodge.
Out of all of the current shortwave radio manufacturers, Tecsun seems to be one of the only companies making new models for the radio hobbyist–models with important features like SSB, bandwidth control, fine tuning steps, capable AGC, etc.
According to a comment Owl left on this post, it sounds like the PL-880 could be a performer:
Two photos of Tecsun’s new model PL880 appeared yesterday. It uses an analog+DSP architecture similar to ATS909X but has made some significant improvements (4 AM bandwidth + 5 SSB bandwidth) and better audio compared to previous Tecsun portables.
http://herculodge.typepad.com/
herculodge/2013/08/new-tecsun- pl-880-on-its-way.html
I will plan on reviewing the PL-880, once it hits the market. If it’s no larger than my Sony ICF-SW7600GR, it might make for a great travel radio.
(Photo source: bbs.tecsun.com.cn)