[IRCA] Tecsun PL-300WT-- A Sizzler on AM & FM, A Fizzler on LW and SW

[D1028Gary@xxxxxxx]

Hello All,
 
Although evidence indicates that a huge ordering boom has started for the  
DSP-enhanced Tecsun PL-300WT Ultralight radio, for those of you still on the 
 fence about this innovative pocket radio, some further information may be 
of  interest.
 
Tecsun's primary focus in developing this breakthrough model appears to  
have been in transforming the AM and FM circuitry to set new standards of  
weak-signal performance, and with superlative sensitivity and selectivity  in 
both bands, they appear to have accomplished their purpose. However, the  
model does have other bands included in the package, which frankly appear to  
have been neglected, and border on the substandard.
 
The Longwave band (153-513 kHz) of the PL-300WT  was thoroughly searched 
for any possible signals at local sunset, without  any results. This is not 
unusual for small portables with LW capability, but in  most cases, one or two 
of the strongest beacons will at least make an appearance  at sunset. 
 
The Shortwave bands of the PL-300WT are filled with local MW station spurs, 
 and mixing products. The signal of local KSUH-1450 has a "coverage" of 
about 6  Mhz on the Tecsun's shortwave bands, from 9.5 Mhz to 15.5 Mhz. WWV on 
10 Mhz is  really just a mixing product with KSUH. Legitimate SW stations 
have anemic  signal levels, to the point of being crowded out by the MW spurs. 
 The Tropical Band is especially bad, with a sorry collection of MW  
station spurs and mixing products overpowering any legitimate  stations.
 
Of course the argument could be made that for a $50 receiver, Tecsun has  
already provided an outstanding value with the superlative, DSP-enhanced  
reception on the AM and FM bands. The puzzling aspect is why Tecsun would  
include such dreadful LW and SW sections in a model which is otherwise so  
superb. In summary, if LW or SW reception is your top priority in a  portable, my 
strong recommendation would be to avoid the PL-300WT, despite its  
breakthrough DSP capabilities.
 
73, Gary DeBock
 
 
     
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