{"id":45974,"date":"2020-10-16T14:24:07","date_gmt":"2020-10-16T18:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=45974"},"modified":"2020-10-28T09:00:16","modified_gmt":"2020-10-28T13:00:16","slug":"matt-compares-the-tecsun-pl-990-to-the-icom-ic-r9500-on-an-external-antenna-and-the-results-are-surprising","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/matt-compares-the-tecsun-pl-990-to-the-icom-ic-r9500-on-an-external-antenna-and-the-results-are-surprising\/","title":{"rendered":"Matt compares the Tecsun PL-990 to the Icom IC-R9500 on an external antenna and the results are surprising"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, Matt Blaze<\/a>, who shares the following comparison of the new Tecsun PL-990x<\/strong> and the benchmark Icom IC-R9500<\/strong> communications receiver.<\/p>\n

Matt’s excellent comparison\u00a0 is in audio form. I highly recommend listening with headphones or, at least, an audio device with separate left\/right channels as his comparison takes advantage of this.<\/p>\n

I love not only how he set up this comparison with both radios sharing an identical antenna, but his evaluation also explores how well the PL-990 handles a proper external antenna via its external antenna jack.<\/p>\n

Click below to listen to Matt’s piece, or right click here<\/a> to download the audio:<\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/private\/PL990x-antenna.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Thanks for sharing this, Matt. You’ve inspired me to do similar narrated audio comparisons!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Matt Blaze, who shares the following comparison of the new Tecsun PL-990x and the benchmark Icom IC-R9500 communications receiver. Matt’s excellent comparison\u00a0 is in audio form. I highly recommend listening with headphones or, at least, an audio device with separate left\/right channels as his comparison takes advantage of this. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3194,3,129,43,154],"tags":[2884,8884,8836,8918,7811,8756,4085,479,7810,8757],"class_list":["post-45974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-guest-posts","category-news","category-reviews","category-shortwave-radio","category-shortwave-radio-reviews","tag-icom","tag-icom-ic-r9500","tag-matt-blaze","tag-matts-audio-comparisons","tag-pl-990","tag-pl-990x","tag-reviews","tag-tecsun","tag-tecsun-pl-990","tag-tecsun-pl-990x"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-bXw","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":45996,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/matt-compares-the-tecsun-pl-990-and-sangean-ats-909x-sharing-an-external-antenna\/","url_meta":{"origin":45974,"position":0},"title":"Matt compares the Tecsun PL-990 and Sangean ATS-909X sharing an external antenna","author":"Thomas","date":"October 18, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor,\u00a0Matt Blaze, who shares the following comparison of the new\u00a0Tecsun PL-990x and the original Sangean ATS-909X\u00a0communications receivers. Like Matt\u2019s recent comparison of the Tecsun PL-990x to the Icom IC-R9500, this review is in audio form and brilliantly narrated by Matt. I highly recommend listening with headphones or,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/ATS-909X.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/ATS-909X.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/ATS-909X.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":46456,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/11\/tecsun-pl-990-in-stock-again\/","url_meta":{"origin":45974,"position":1},"title":"Tecsun PL-990 in stock again","author":"Thomas","date":"November 13, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jack Dully, who notes that the Tecsun PL-990X is back in stock at Anon-Co. Click here to check out their ordering page. In addition, Tecsun Radios Australia is offering free shipping today (Friday 13, 2020). If you've been considering purchasing the PL-990 or PL-990x,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Products"","block_context":{"text":"New Products","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/new-products\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Tecsun-PL-990x-PL-990-9.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Tecsun-PL-990x-PL-990-9.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Tecsun-PL-990x-PL-990-9.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Tecsun-PL-990x-PL-990-9.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Tecsun-PL-990x-PL-990-9.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Tecsun-PL-990x-PL-990-9.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":46693,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/11\/matts-monster-mediumwave-radio-selectivity-shootout\/","url_meta":{"origin":45974,"position":2},"title":"Matt’s Monster Mediumwave Radio Selectivity Shootout!","author":"Thomas","date":"November 29, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Matt Blaze (WB2SRI), for sharing another brilliant audio comparison featuring benchmark portable radios: Medium wave selectivity shootout by Matt Blaze I did another monster medium wave portable receiver comparison, this time with the aim of comparing receivers' ability to deal with weak signals in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Matt-Blaze-Mediumwave-Radio-Comparison-Recordings-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Matt-Blaze-Mediumwave-Radio-Comparison-Recordings-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Matt-Blaze-Mediumwave-Radio-Comparison-Recordings-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Matt-Blaze-Mediumwave-Radio-Comparison-Recordings-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Matt-Blaze-Mediumwave-Radio-Comparison-Recordings-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":46366,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/11\/matts-marathon-mediumwave-matchup\/","url_meta":{"origin":45974,"position":3},"title":"Matt’s Marathon MediumWave Matchup","author":"Thomas","date":"November 7, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Matt Blaze (WB2SRI), who shares the following guest post: Matt's Marathon MediumWave Matchup by Matt Blaze Here's another simultaneous receiver comparison, this time of ten portable medium wave receivers plus the Icom IC-R9500 (as a \"reference receiver\"). Previously, I used the same antenna for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3952-2-scaled-e1604758555726.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3952-2-scaled-e1604758555726.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3952-2-scaled-e1604758555726.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3952-2-scaled-e1604758555726.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3952-2-scaled-e1604758555726.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45427,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/tecsun-pl-990x-vs-pl-880-comparing-ssb-audio-characteristics-and-pre-production-production-pl-990-models\/","url_meta":{"origin":45974,"position":4},"title":"Tecsun PL-990x vs. PL-880: Comparing SSB audio characteristics and pre-production\/production PL-990 models","author":"Thomas","date":"September 18, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A number of SWLing Post readers have been asking about SSB audio characteristics on the new Tecsun PL-990. Earlier this week, I took a moment while visiting family to make a few quick comparison videos with the PL-880 outdoors and away from RFI. As I mention in the videos, there\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Tecsun-PL-990-and-PL-990x-2.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Tecsun-PL-990-and-PL-990x-2.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Tecsun-PL-990-and-PL-990x-2.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Tecsun-PL-990-and-PL-990x-2.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Tecsun-PL-990-and-PL-990x-2.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45288,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/field-notes-comparing-the-tecsun-pl-990x-and-pl-880\/","url_meta":{"origin":45974,"position":5},"title":"Field Notes: Comparing the Tecsun PL-990x and PL-880","author":"Thomas","date":"September 11, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many of you have been asking about the new Tecsun PL-990, especially as compared with the venerable PL-880. If you haven't checked out Dan Robinson's post yet, I highly recommend you do so. His long-format video will also give you a good indication of how both radios compare. Also check\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Tecsun-PL-990-and-Tecsun-PL-880-1-4.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Tecsun-PL-990-and-Tecsun-PL-880-1-4.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Tecsun-PL-990-and-Tecsun-PL-880-1-4.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Tecsun-PL-990-and-Tecsun-PL-880-1-4.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Tecsun-PL-990-and-Tecsun-PL-880-1-4.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45974","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45974"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45974\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}