Why Craig Prefers the Tecsun PL-660 Over the Katio 1103

(Re-post)

After using the 660 for several months I would rate the 660 as very capable. The 1103 is a sibling of the G5 which is nice also. But the Tecsun is superior in terms of ease of use. The memory system alone is superior. You have the ability to store memorized stations in the normal manner but you can also use ATS mode; "A" which will store all stations received in a temporary spot until overwritten by the next scan. You also have the "B" mode which wont ovewrite previous scans but add to it (at the end of the scan).

For instance, with the G5 I have to hold down the up/down frequency button to scan. Now it will stay on any received frequencies for 5 seconds. So essentially I have 5 seconds to decide as to whether or not I want to listen to that station.

With the 660 I run an entire scan of a band (SW for instance) and it will count out received stations. Then I can use the tuner much like television sets of old. Just tune to the next channel if you don't like the content.

The 660 will count out the channels received as well. I got 69 SW stations on Friday but a few hours later, running a scan, I only got 39. This was not an atmospheric phenomenom but due to stations signing off.

I was receiveing tons of hams as well.

So the 660 is a very well designed small receiver.

 

 

Comments

[S Patrick]

The 660 certainly has flaws on the designer end. You can't even stick the antenna straight up in the air on that unit while it's on that stand, and the stand itself is very flimsy.

I do think the 660 has the 1103 beat on shortwave and on FM reception. And the 660 having a real volume knob on top of having separate usb/lsb is a certain plus for the 660. And the number pad on the 660 is superior than the 1103.

But where the 1103 beats the pants off the 660 is on AM reception off the ferrite, and the soft mod that allows you to use a longwire antenna for AM reception with the 1103 is a huge plus over the 660.

[Loren]

One other thing the Tecsun 660 has over the 1103 is superior audio from the speaker. Although my 660 has suddenly become deaf on SW using the whip antenna. Still works with an external antenna. FM and airband is unaffected. Software problem maybe?

[S Patrick]

Loren, did you try a reset of the 660?? the reset button is the bottom of the radio. If that doesn't work, maybe a bad static charge from the antenna disabled it.

[S Patrick]

Oh, forgot to add, yea I'll concede the 660 the advantage over the 1103 on the speaker, especially on FM.