I got my Tecsun PL-660 from ANON-CO on ebay before it was available in the US. With express shipping, it cost me about $118. I love this radio.
One of the coolest features is its Auto Store feature - press and hold the button for the band you want it to scan and the radio scans for active stations (on SW you can scan either the meter band you are currently tuned to, or the entire SW spectrum) and it places them in memory on Page 0, so you can quickly flip through them. On SW, this is especially cool - it will scan the entire SW bands in about 3 minutes or so, and voila you have 40 to 60 stations pre-stored for you to flip through.
Just an overall good radio imho
And I give a thumbs up to the Tecsun 390 I just received... It gets everythinng, in stereo to boot! Check it out sometime, Jeff.
Posted by: Ed S | February 26, 2011 at 03:16 PM
My understanding is that the 390 is like a 380 on steroids. Bigger bar antenna, better sound and two easy tuning modes like the 380 (ATS and ETM). Plus the traditional method of memorizing individiual memories is easy and stored under VM. Does the 390 have a tuning wheel that clicks for each station like the 380/606? That's one of the neatest features of the 380/606/(390(?)) series...Much like the analog TV sets of old. After scanning for available frequencies, just click the thumbwheel for each station(or channel)received. The 660 does essentially the same thing but you have to instead "scroll" to the next channel and not "click". Same difference...just a different feel. The 390 does come at a size cost (compared with its older siblings) which is no big deal for most people because it is still a smallish radio.
Dan, I'm glad you like your 660. I use mine almost every night. It shares duty with the G5. I ocassionally put them side to side and play the comparison game. I hope they both last for at least 3 years. At the rate I'm depressing the keys I'm not sure. How do you like the Sync? Have you played with the SSB feature yet? I receive alot of Hams around here and they spend quite a bit of time comparing equipment and checking signal strength. I haven't used the airband much yet but I never used it much on my scanner either(BC246T).
It doesn't look like the 660 scans airband either (bummer). Very nice radio overall.
Posted by: Craig | February 26, 2011 at 05:33 PM
Ed, I'll have to come over or you can come over. Either way. Using USB or just batteries?
Posted by: Jeffrey McMahon | February 26, 2011 at 05:58 PM
The only thing I don't like is the curved front case... I like the square, flat-keyed design of the PL600 better... want one anyway though!
Posted by: dorpmuller | February 26, 2011 at 08:17 PM
The PL660 is the same case as the Eton E10. The PL606 is essentially the same case as the Grundig G1100 and Tecsun DR920 (with a few changes to the lower right). The Tecsun Pl210 is the same case as the Eton E100. I guess they can keep costs down reusing cases.
Posted by: Harry | February 26, 2011 at 08:42 PM
Harry is right. The 660 case is the same as rhe E10. The E10 had an antenna tuner where the SSB control is now. The 660 case looks somewhat homely to my eyes in pictures. But in person it is much more attractive.
Posted by: Craig | February 26, 2011 at 08:56 PM
The Sangean WFR-27 Internet Radio looks to be the same case as the PR-D5. They are nice cases, however, I suppose you will no longer be able to rely on appearance to identify model.
Posted by: Harry | February 26, 2011 at 10:14 PM
It reminds me of the Grundig G8 with an extra speaker and more bells & whistles.
I'm using rechargeable AA batteries (3) and haven't tried to recharge using USB connector yet, connector was curiously not supplied. This is a small radio, not one you'd want to keep plugged into AC. Nice that it has a Line In and an input for FM and SW wire ext antenna (supplied).
Call me sometime, would like to see how big the girls are!
Posted by: Ed S | February 27, 2011 at 06:53 AM
Bring your 390 over today, Ed. Around 3:30? This morning I have to fix my wife's flat tire or take it somewhere to get it fixed or replaced.
Posted by: Jeffrey McMahon | February 27, 2011 at 07:35 AM
Craig: I use SSB often on the rig and it does work well - better than the G6 or G3 I used to have. ON USB, I need to adjust the fine tune knob clockwise just a bit from the detent, and on LSB I adjust it counterclockwise just off the detent.
I too, use it every evening and love the auto-off feature (mine is set for 75 minutes).
SYNC does work well on signals that have alot of adjacent channel interference.
Between SYNC, and the narrow bandwidth select, it really does help pick out the buried signals. For me, Radio Habana comes in 30 to 40 over S9 on 6050 at night, and with the narrow bandwidth and SYNC engaged, I can hear whats on either side of 6050. I use it with the longwire strung around the window frame inside.
Posted by: Dan | February 27, 2011 at 07:35 AM
@ Craig again:
I forgot to mention the Air Band. I do not think that it scans, but I'll check it later today.
Posted by: Dan | February 27, 2011 at 07:38 AM
Yea, SSB works better than my G5 but you would expect that as it is selectable for USB and LSB. I use sync as well to pick out weak stations from splatter. Doesn't seem to work as well to reduce fading though. I can't get mine to scan the airband; I've held the air button down to hopefully initiate a scan...but it doesn't seem to do anything. Oh well, no such thing as a perfect radio.
P.S. I use the supplied longwire as well and it does help some. Unfortunately, it only works with SW and FM. For the MW band I use a tuneable loop which really helps to boost signals.
Posted by: Craig | February 27, 2011 at 12:22 PM