Anybody using the TECSUN PL-380 DSP WORLD BAND RADIO?

[AustinTX]

Been hearing some good things about this Chinese made radio especially for FM dxing. It's not available in the USA but can be purchased through an Ebay Hong Kong seller.

Was wondering if anybody is using it here on the boards and what the results are?

2010 FM DX Audio clips from Austin, TX
http://www.hillcountrynetradio.com/dx.html

 

[ddsparxx]

I don't know how the Tecsun PL-380 performs, but I have the Tecsun PL-310 which performs pretty well on both AM and FM. On FM, the selectivity is outstanding.

 

[Icangelp]

If you go to file area of the DXer.ca web site, you will find a review of the PL-380 in the files section under the ultralight radio heading. It is a very thorough and should answer your questions.

 

[BRNout]

I don't know how the Tecsun PL-380 performs, but I have the Tecsun PL-310 which performs pretty well on both AM and FM. On FM, the selectivity is outstanding.

I concur, the PL-310 is one excellent little radio! I find that it actually outperforms the G8 on AM and FM and clobbers it on the LW and SW bands. I hear conflicting things about the PL-380. On the one hand, they got rid of the 'soft mute' function that the G8 and PL-310 are stuck with - a definite positive. However, I am also told that the ferrite bar AM antenna is shorter on the 380 than on the 310 - a minus. Also, I've heard some reports of the tuning dial being more flimsy on the 380 and breaking off on certain radios.

All in all, it's delayed me from taking the plunge and buying one - though I may well do so eventually.

 

[ddsparxx]

I had the tuning knob come off of my 310 but I manage to put it back on. A smaller ferrite bar in the 380 may mean lower sensitivity unless it is thicker than the 310's. I read somewhere that the thicker the ferrite bar, the better. Why Tecsun updated the 310 with a smaller loopstick, I don't know.