{"id":54530,"date":"2022-11-06T07:34:11","date_gmt":"2022-11-06T11:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=54530"},"modified":"2022-11-06T07:34:11","modified_gmt":"2022-11-06T11:34:11","slug":"a-review-of-the-tecsun-h-501x-portable-shortwave-radio-receiver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/11\/a-review-of-the-tecsun-h-501x-portable-shortwave-radio-receiver\/","title":{"rendered":"A review of the Tecsun H-501x portable shortwave radio receiver"},"content":{"rendered":"

I was recently searching for my review of the Tecsun H-501x on the SWLing Post<\/em> to send to a reader when I realized I had not yet published it here! Let’s fix that…<\/strong><\/p>\n

The following review of the Tecsun H-501x was originally published in the November 2021 issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine<\/a>. Enjoy:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a>A review of the Tecsun H-501x<\/h1>\n

by Thomas (K4SWL)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last year [2020], we were treated to a group of new shortwave portables from Tecsun:\u00a0 the PL-990<\/a>, PL-330<\/a>, and the H-501.<\/p>\n

Although all of these models garnered attention from shortwave listeners, one model in particular seemed to draw the most interest, the Tecsun H-501<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

No doubt, much had to do with the H-501\u2019s size\u2013\u2013a large format portable\u2013\u2013and especially the twin stereo speakers, that no doubt sparked the interest of those of us who owned (or wished we owned) the venerable Grundig Satellit 500 or 700 with its reputation for robust audio.<\/p>\n

Tecsun was also very clear during their product announcement in 2019 that the H-501x is the flagship portable for the Tecsun line.<\/p>\n

H-501 versus H-501x<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a>Note that the product being evaluated in this review is the H-501x<\/strong>; the latest \u201cexport\u201d version of the H-501.<\/p>\n

The differences between these two models is fairly modest. The \u201cx\u201d model gives the user a slightly<\/i> lower frequency floor in longwave and shortwave, and finer FM tuning (50 kHz as opposed to 100 kHz) when the AM tuning steps are set to 9 kHz as opposed to 10 kHz.<\/p>\n

The differences are so modest between the H-501 and H-501x, I wouldn\u2019t be worried if you already have the H-501. I would simply encourage you to only purchase from a reputable Tecsun distributor so you can be confident you\u2019re not receiving one of the very early production runs of the H-501 that was only distributed domestically within China. Some of these early domestic models didn\u2019t have all the refinements of the latest H-501 versions. I would encourage you to only purchase the H-501 or H-501x from a reputable distributors like Anon-Co<\/a>, Waters and Stanton, Tecsun Radios Australia<\/a><\/i>, and Bonito<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Unique features<\/h2>\n

Besides the large dual speakers of the H-501x, there are a number of other unique features and design choices that truly set the H-501 series apart from other Tecsun models.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Firstly, the H-501x uses two 18650 Lithium Ion batteries housed in two separate battery compartments. Both batteries can be internally charged, but here\u2019s the interesting part: each battery seems to be somewhat independent of the other. When you engage battery charging, you must select, via a mechanical switch on the back of the radio, \u201cBattery A\u201d or \u201cBattery B.\u201d Only one battery can be charged at a time, and thus only one will power the radio at a time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>More than once, I\u2019ve been listening to the H-501x and the battery indicator started flashing, signifying a low battery. I simply switched the battery switch to Battery B, and, voli\u00e1: <\/i>\u00a0I have a full battery again! This reminds me of a college friend\u2019s VW Beetle that had a spare fuel tank…with this unique feature, when you were running low on fuel, you\u2019d kick in the spare fuel tank and then make plans to refuel the main tank soon. Of course, with the H-501x, both these \u201cfuel tanks\u201d are also generous ones, in that the batteries last for a good while.<\/p>\n

I find that the play time of each battery impressive given the size and audio amplification used in the H-501x. I had worries that the unit\u2019s need for two batteries could suggest a short battery life, but fortunately this hasn\u2019t been the case, no matter what mode I\u2019ve used (FM, AM, shortwave, or Bluetooth).<\/p>\n

However I will note here that the supplied switching power supply will inject noise if you try listening to AM or shortwave while<\/i> charging. This hasn\u2019t affected FM reception, though.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The fold-out metal bail on the H-501x is very large. This shouldn\u2019t have surprised me, but it did. The H-501x is tall and wide, but not very deep\u2013\u2013only marginally deeper than, say, the PL-880. The bail needed to be low-profile, but also support this mini \u201cwall\u201d of the radio while in use. The metal wire bail is handy and certainly does the trick, although there\u2019s only one tilt position, and when it\u2019s deployed, the radio effectively has a large footprint. This might limit where you can set it if the surface\u2013\u2013say, a bedside table\u2013\u2013is small. Not a problem for me, but worth noting.<\/p>\n

The H-501 also has five dedicated knobs recessed on the left and right side of the radio. On the left, you find the audio controls: volume, treble, and bass. I love the fact they use the radio\u2019s real estate for dedicated treble and bass controls. On the right side, there are two knobs for tuning and fine tuning.\u00a0 Again, I love the dedicated fine tuning control\u2013\u2013no need to use buttons for this delicate task.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

One odd design choice, though, is how recessed<\/i> these knobs are. They just barely protrude from the sides of the radio (although they have a large surface area from the front of the radio). For the main tuning knob in particular, this can make band scanning a bit finicky since there\u2019s so little surface area to grasp when turning the encoder on the end. I have to assume Tecsun chose this unusual design approach to protect the knobs when\/if the radio is dropped (ahem…I also \u201ctested\u201d this, but not by choice! More on this incident later). At least Tecsun did insert a rubber-like protective pad in the middle of both the tuning and fine tuning knobs, obviously to give the user a bit more grip.<\/p>\n

The H-501x has separate external AM and FM antenna ports on the right side of the radio. While not entirely unique to the H-501x, I do value having dedicated AM\/FM ports.<\/p>\n

Finally, though it\u2019s becoming much more popular in modern portables, the H-501x sports both Bluetooth and digital file playback. To have Bluetooth on a radio with the H-501x\u2019s audio characteristics is a true bonus; it makes the radio so much more useful in this era of numerous Bluetooth devices. I\u2019ll often pair the H-501x with my laptop to cruise the world via the Radio Garden<\/i> website\/application. Digital file playback is done via a small MicroSD card slot\u2013\u2013one that I\u2019m willing to bet some H-501x owners may not have even noticed yet, because it\u2019s recessed into the bottom of the radio! To be clear: the MicroSD card can only be used for playback, sadly, not for off-air recording.<\/p>\n

Nice touches, Tecsun!<\/p>\n

Ergonomics<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>In my opinion, the H-501 has excellent ergonomics, recessed tuning knobs notwithstanding. The front control panel is large and the buttons are all spaced out generously. This is an easy portable to operate while wearing thin winter gloves.<\/p>\n

I like how easy it is to call up a frequency:\u00a0 want to listen to the Voice of Greece? Simply punch in 9420 while in shortwave mode, and you\u2019re transported to Avlis. No pressing buttons to tell the radio you\u2019re about to key a frequency, and no need to even hit the enter\/return button; just enter the frequency\u2013\u2013love it.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll admit that I also love the fact that the H-501x\u2019s display is quite large and backlit (which can be toggled on\/off). No need for reading glasses to operate this radio. The chunky buttons also have a nice tactile response indicating that they\u2019ve been pressed. They\u2019re not backlit, but Tecsun did put a tiny orange LED in the center of the keypad to make it easier to find your position in low light.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re familiar with Tecsun radios, you\u2019ll quickly find your way around the controls and features. As with many of their radios, you can change frequency bands by pressing the AM, FM, and SW+\/SW- buttons.<\/p>\n

Although I\u2019m not a heavy user of auto-tune functions, the H-501x does feature ATS tuning. In addition, memories can be organized into Pages, a feature I prefer.<\/p>\n

Hidden stuff<\/h1>\n

One odd thing about recent DSP chip-based Tecsun radios is that many come off the production line with a host of hidden features. When the PL-880 was first released, users ended up finding and documenting many of these features, which included things like sync detection, calibration, antenna control, and more.<\/p>\n

Hidden features are an odd product strategy, in my opinion, and I assume Tecsun may use hidden functionality as a means for advanced users to tweak their radio listening experience. I suspect\u2013\u2013especially in terms of sync detection on the PL-880\u2013\u2013these features are likely to be less refined and less functional, but can still be engaged. Almost all of the recent Tecsun models have a host of hidden features.<\/p>\n

The H-501x is no exception, of course. Here\u2019s a short list:<\/p>\n