Craig's Review of the Tecsun PL-660

I have been using the Tecsun 660 for over a month now so I guess it's time for a short review. If I encounter any problems, I will update. 

 
This is Tecsun's latest offering and possibly their best to date. It is a Dual-Conversion radio with a myriad of features including synchronous detection. My sample was a first generation unit meaning the display light will only stay on for 3 seconds after a control is activated. Newer units will have lights that stay on for thirty seconds. Other new alterations involve tuning speed.

Layout and Operation:

Layout is very straightforward. The tuning knob BFO and non-digital volume control are located on the right side. Antenna jack (FM/Shortwave), antenna gain switch, tone bass switch, headphone and external power jack are all located on the left side. All other controls are located in front. 
After turning on the radio and selecting a band, you can choose 1 of 3 modes to utilize: VF,VM or scan. If you choose VF (frequency mode)tune as you would any radio or input frequencies directly using the keyboard. If you choose VM (memory mode) use the tuning knob to "scroll"through memorized stations. If you choose scan mode the receiver will stop for 5 seconds on each station and move on to the next. Memories can be stored manually or automatically using ATS (auto tune system). This is a very useful feature which automatically stores stations.Two modes are available but I'll use mode A as an example. Choose the AM band and hold down the same button for a second and let up. The radio will go silent and the dispay will literally start counting out received stations until it reaches the end of the band. The tuning knob can now be used to scroll through all perceived stations bypassing "dead frequencies". The threshold or squelch is set low enough that even the faintest stations are counted as valid. In the past I have had radios with this feature made useless because the squelch was set to high causing even strong stations to be missed. These memories will stay in place until using the ATS again which will overwrite previously stored memories. What makes this feature even more interesting is it literally gives you an indication of atmospheric conditions from day to day. Some nights during a scan you might get 70 stations,,,,the next night 85.

Selectivity

The radio has two selectable bandwidths. I would guess 6khz. and 3khz? These are shown on the dispay as upside down brackets of differnt widths. Plus it has a selectable sync detector which helps separate stations; If you are listening to a weak station say 800khz and find strong interference from a powerhouse at 790 activate sync and choose USB (upper side band) , which will eliminate most of the interference. This does change the sound tone a bit too but it works well! If the signal becomes too week for sync to work, SYNC will begin to flash on the display.

Sync can reduce fading a bit but works better as a station separator. Selectable SSB with BFO is included for shortwave enthusiasts. Find a Ham operator and select the appropriate sideband (usually LSB below ten Megs and USB above 10Megs) and fine tune the BFO to decode these transmissions. It is quite stable in use.

Sensitivity:

MW sensitivity is quite good owing to a almost 5" internal antenna but I'd like to further enhance reception with a tuneable loop... From WA state I have easily received CKMX Utah as well as well as KFI Los Angeles. CKNW New Westminster BC, which is always tough, comes in quite well at night with little fading.

I have compared it to a Super Radio 3 and couldn't tell any difference in sensitivity. I use the 17 foot included plug in antenna to receive many shortwave stations although it works very well on the whip to. I rarely listen to FM but did try to receive some known faint stations and was able to get them fairly easily. I noticed some videos on You Tube comparing Tecsuns earlier model the 600 with the 660 on FM and the 660 was less sensitive. Also includes an air band and LW neither which I have tested extensively yet.
 
Misc:

From pictures of the internals the radio appears to be heavily shielded which helps minimize electrical interference ect. I checked Long wave 470Khz. for a local strong station (1380) and found no image so the dual-conversion seems to be doing its job. Sound quality is adequate for a DX machine but don't expect it to compare with a Tivoli or Super Radio. It is very clear and crisp. Speaker output is rated at 450mW. The manual claims power consumption between 50 and 70 mA so 2300mA rechargeables should last somewhere around 40 hours. Build quality appears solid. I have had this radio for about 1 month now and like it very much. I would rate it a 5 out of 5 for funability. It cost about $100 with shipping from eBAY. Included is a nice case with a velcro flap, external FM/shortwave antenna (for clipping on curtain ect.), rechargeable batteries (four 1000mA) and a wall wart. 

As we all know it can be risky ordering from China as you might get a dud. Then you have to decide whether or not it's worth sending back. Too bad Tecsun doesen't have service center in the US. Long-term quality can be a concern but as of yet I haven't had any problems except a prematurely worn volume control on a Kaito. Careful of that flimsy collapsible stand too. I always support the radio with my hand when depressing buttons (which by the way are rather stiff). Hope this review is helpful and happy listening.

Craig-. WA State.

Comments

[Gary]

Thanks for your review of the PL-660, Craig. This looks like a good alternative to the Grundig G3.

I'm interested in the "improved" model, which supposedly offers three tuning speeds (1 kHz, 9/10 kHz, and Auto, which automatically switches between the two). I like to be able to manually switch between 1 and 10 kHz steps. The latter is good for band scanning, and the former is good for fine tuning. My Eton E10, which is physically quite similar to the PL-660, offers this capability.

The new model is also supposed to have reduced audio output in AM mode, to minimize distortion on strong signals.

I posted a question about the improved model on the Yahoo PL-660 group some time ago, but I haven't been able to get anyone to verify that it actually exists.

[S Patrick]

Thanks for an awesome and well written review.

Amazon has the PL-600 shipping out of Arizona via Kaito for 89.99 but I know it's not the same radio as the PL-660, though it looks identical.

[Devremülkler]

Nice post. I love it. Waiting your new posts. Thank you...

[Keith B.]

Very thorough review, Craig. Thank you.

[craig]

Thank you for your thank you's. Gary I cannot make comments about the "improved" or 2nd gereration model. I don't have it in hand. All I know is they (Tecsun) supposedly made alterations in tuning speed and the light duration. You made reference to distortion (clipping of the signal) on strong stations but I have not had this problem. If you're really close to a strong staion this will occur with any receiver. I'm sure you already tried to set the DX switch to local to avoid overload?

[jg]

I can verify that the improved model exists.

I asked for a PL-660 for Christmas. Then a few days later, I read on the Yahoo group about the "improved" 2nd batch coming from Tecsun, and regretted not having waited a little longer. Oh well...

Santa Claus ordered the silver version, but was told that the only ones in stock were black, so black it would be. It arrived at the last minute, only a day or two before Christmas.

Turns out the radio I received is indeed the "improved" version with the 30-second backlight, etc. It was manufactured in December according to the stickers in the battery compartment.

I haven't done a whole lot of listening with it yet, but what experience I have had with it has been good.

[Chuck E]

My main concern with Tecsun (unfortunately) is reliability. I've had numerous Tecsun-made radios either arrive defective or develop defects. It's too bad, as I do like their build quality and funability.

[me.yahoo.com/a/Q_9jhrtklMIFpwLgGfT_1BgoCA--]

Thanks. This is a very useful review. I've ordered the PL-660 & am looking forward to receiving it.

I have a Grundig G3 that is abysmal, (a dud I think).

I have a PL-550 that is one of the most sensitive radios for SW, especially. The PL-660 looks like it's a kin to the PL-550. I'm hoping for a great radio.

[L C]

I've had my black improved model Pl 660 for 45 days and cannot figure out how to set the charging function and charge times. Thoughts? Thanks

[Walter Zhao]

Kaito Electronics Inc in California is the service center for the radios sold out from this company.
Tecsun radio is sold out from this company.

[James Servaas]

Hi Craig, good review.

Could you (or someone who reads this) please compare the Tecsun PL660 with Sony SW7600GR ?
I am planning to buy a good receiver, and these are the two radios that made it to the final shortlist.

I am not interested much in sound quality and memories, etc. and other secondary functions in which Tecsun will probably be better.

What I care about most is sensitivity and anti-fading/anti-interference (i.e. synch. detect.) features. Picking up faint signals, not losing them, etc. How does the Tecsun compare to Sony SW7600GR radios in this regard?

Also, what about the robustness and durability of the Tecsun radio? (I am a bit worried because it is from China)

Thanks

[James Servaas]

... as an addition to the previous comment.

I forgot to say: the frequency that I am really interested in are the Short Waves. So, could you please compare the sensivitity in receiving distant/weak radio broadcasts on the Tecsun and on the Sony SW7600GR (which I was told is very good in this regard)?

Thanks again

[Tom]

I really like my PL-660. I've only had it for about 10 days, but so far I am pleased.

To enable the intelligent recharging function of your PL-660:

1) Press the BATTERY button until the display indicates "Ni-NH" underneath a battery icon

2) Install 4 AA Ni-MH batteries (supplied)

3) Connect AC wall adapter to the 115 VAC source and the DC input on the radio.

Note - the intelligent recharging feature automatically turns off when complete.

The recharging circuit was designed to be used with 1000 maH capacity batteries. If you use batteries with larger capacities, you'll probably want to purchase a separate charging unit.

[Dohmnuill ( Australia)]

I've had a PL-660 for a month now, and pretty much agree with most of the review comments.

Naturally, it is made to a price but that is not a big gripe. The knobs are slightly "cheap" (very thin plastic)which contributes to that feel - an easy thing to fix by Tecsun.

The BFO knob does not need the indent - you "fall into that pothole" just when the SSB is about right and it slightly interferes with the setting. Again, no great gripe. It would be better to mark the knob and frame with white paint to indicate the setting of the BFO (I've done that, anyway).

The sensitivity is very impressive on HF. Afternoon listening to North Atlantic air traffic is easy here in southern Australia. Likewise US utility stations are very readable. In fact most parts of the world come in strongly (all other variables being equal). 20 and 40 metres are excellent.

I quite like the easily tuned memory pages. The readout is clear. The variable bandwidth is effective. I changed to eneloops and they seem to give a much better run than the supplied 'Tecsun' NiMH's. I've yet to try alkalines.

Considering I paid $85 + pp (ex Hong Kong), I can't complain.

(Sony ICF2001, Marconi R1155, National HRO Sr, Yaesu FT-897, Yaesu VR-500, Eddystone EC10, etc etc..)

[Gordon Cooper]

How is the LW selectivity and sensitivity? I know that the antenna is very important at those wavelengths, but if the LW section is a dud, you could hook the thing up to a full wavelength antenna and not hear anything.