Latest Radio Technology Shows Up in the New Tecsun PL-360

Tom Welch has apprised us of this very intriguing, new offering from Tecsun, the PL-360, which features DSP (improves FM sensitivity), a dock for external AM antenna (the AN200 external antenna is $20 extra), and something I've never heard of before--ETM, Easy Tuning Mode. 

The PL-360 powers on 3 AA batteries or an external adapter (not included). Without the AN200 (but I would only buy the PL-360 WITH the external AM antenna; seems like half the fun), the PL-360 is $46 plus $24 shipping. The seller, Anon-co, hails from Hong Kong. 

With the external AM antenna, the PL-360 reminds me of a two-pronged wine opener. Sorry I couldn't drag a larger photo. Click on the eBay site for a better look. 

If you're looking for outstanding FM induced from the new DSP technology, you might look into the Milwaukee 2590 worksite radio, which I reviewed a month back. 

Comments

[brandon]

Interesting radio, though I'm patiently waiting for one of these 4734 DSP chips to show up in a larger-sized radio. So far the 310, 360, and 380 are all too small for my taste.

[Jeffrey McMahon]

My Milwaukee 2590 radio, reviewed here a few weeks ago, has the DSP chip. You can tell on FM. Too bad it has ancient presets in which you can only scroll upwards.

[Angelo]

This is very tempting.

[Angelo]

E-Bay 160398674284
Grandma liked the Dells.

[brandon]

One of the most intriguing DSP-based radios I've ever seen is actually a car stereo - the Blaupunkt Bremen mp76.

http://www.hendoncarstereo.co.uk/trolleyed/15/index.htm

This thing actually has 2 receivers built in and 2 antenna inputs so you can have a digital directional antenna - I remember back when Crutchfield sold these (or something similar) they advertised an fm sensitivity of 3db which is ridiculously good. It also has AM and SW bands, an automatic equalizer that constantly adjusts itself based on its built-in microphone and the background noises and acoustics of your car, and a whole bunch of other features. This would be a neat car-to-home stereo conversion project (my main home stereo for listening to fm is actually a Sony car stereo/minidisc recorder converted to a home stereo).

[Ante]

This thing is too tiny; it looks more like a remote control. Not too optimistic about it.

[Blake]

It is good to see a revival of several new radios coming out. This radio looks very neat to me. I am tempted to get one. I agree with Brandon they need to come out with larger sized DSP units with quality room filling sound. Some of those vaporware units looked pretty appealing. I wonder if they could apply DSP to SSB? A huge ferrite bar with DSP that you could switch on or off? That could make a syncronos detecor obsolete.

[Andreas]

I agree with Blake.

My 2010 request programme would look like this:

- size of a RP2100
- conservatively constructed shortwave stages, i.e. double conversion
- filter section refined with DSP
- SSB capability
- multiple antenna options (telescope, rotary ferrite also operative on lower sw-bands, external antenna jack)
- powerfull AF stage and speaker

Let's call it RP4100 ;)
Keep on dreaming!

[Jeffrey McMahon]

It's a shame Sangean isn't using DSP yet. All my Sangeans produce hiss through earbuds on 89.3 KPCC. They would benefit from DSP. Also, if they would put it on the Lunchbox coming out next month and add a headphone jack, I'd be very happy with it.

[brandon]

Speaking of an RP4100, whatever happened to production of the RP3100?

http://www.zmdz.com/bbs/incomefiles/20079/3010373812597.JPG

Will that thing EVER see the light of day? And I wonder just how many prototypes were produced and what they'd be worth.

[Andreas]

@brandon
Every night before I go to bed I speak a little prayer: "...and don't let be the RP3100 vaporware forever" ;)

I enjoy my RP2100 very much. Bought the Ten Tec BFO Kit, but have not found the time to solder yet...

[Jeffrey McMahon]

Several months ago, Paul from Seattle gave us a link showing the RP3100 would NOT be in production for economic reasons largely.

[Tom Welch]

I suspect "economic reasons largely" means that there is not enough of a market to justify start up production costs.

Higher end world band radios are design to be sold in the 1st world where shortwave radio listening has fallen dramatically in the last decade.

[Andreas]

Tom, I think you're absolutely right. Period.

But.
There's still a remarkable price gap between the small radios for typically 60 bucks up to 150 bucks on the one hand side, and the Tecsun S2000 for 250 bucks on the other... (ebay prices)

[ix]

Anjan DTS-10 looks awfully similar to RP3100. not on ebay yet, afaik