Tecsun PL-606 - User Manual

PL-606
FM stereo / SW / MW / LW DSP RECEIVER
OPERATION MANUAL

Summary

Control Locations and Layout

Power and Basic Controls

Details on power button, band selection, ETM, delete, memory, alarm, and time controls.

Tuning and Reception Controls

Covers VF/SCAN, FM ST/AM BW buttons, and the multifunctional tuning knob.

Connectivity and Physical Features

Information on telescopic antenna, antenna jack, earphone jack, USB jack, stand, and volume knob.

Battery Compartment

Location and access details for the battery compartment.

LCD Display Elements

Display Indicators and Icons

Explanation of indicators like battery, sleep timer, alarm, key-lock, signal, ETM, band, and stereo status.

Information Display Fields

Details on temperature, tuning speed, frequency units, digital number displays, and memory addresses.

Getting Started and Basic Operation

Turning the Radio On and Off

Instructions for installing batteries and using the power button to operate the radio.

Tuning in Stations

Methods for finding and listening to radio stations, including ETM tuning.

Station Tuning Methods

Manual Tuning and Bandwidth Selection

How to manually tune frequencies and adjust AM bandwidth for optimal reception.

Auto Browse Station Function

Using the auto browse feature to scan and preview stations.

Station Memory Management

Automatic Station Search (ATS)

Instructions for using ATS to automatically store stations for FM, MW/LW, and SW bands.

Manual and Semi-Auto Station Storing

Procedures for manually saving favorite stations and using semi-auto storing methods.

Listening to Stored Stations

Methods for accessing and tuning into previously saved radio stations.

Deleting Stored Stations

Guidance on removing single stations or all stations within a band from memory.

Advanced Features and Settings

Sleep Timer Functionality

How to set the sleep timer for automatic radio turn-off.

Clock and Alarm Settings

Instructions for setting the current time and configuring alarm functions.

Display Mode and Key Lock

Changing display information and activating/deactivating the key lock feature.

System and Reception Adjustments

FM Stereo and AM Bandwidth Settings

Adjusting FM stereo reception and selecting AM bandwidth for clarity.

Frequency Range and LW Band Configuration

Setting the FM frequency range and enabling/disabling the LW band.

Tuning Step and Temperature Display

Configuring MW/AM tuning steps and understanding temperature unit switching.

Charging and Reception Improvement

Battery Charging Functionality

Enabling/disabling charging, switching battery modes, and using the intelligent charging system.

Improving FM;SW Reception

Methods to enhance FM and SW reception using antennas.

Important Matters and Troubleshooting

Using External Antennas

Guidance on connecting and using external wire antennas for better reception.

Battery Usage Guidelines

Key considerations for battery installation, power levels, mixing types, and long-term storage.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Solutions for problems like not turning on, radio going off, ATS failures, and poor reception.

Technical Specifications

Frequency Ranges and Sensitivity

Detailed specifications for FM, MW, LW, and SW frequency ranges and receiver sensitivity.

Selectivity and Crosstalk

Technical data on selectivity for different bands and FM stereo crosstalk.

Memory, Power, and Dimensions

Information on memory capacity, power requirements, speaker output, and physical dimensions.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The PL-606 is a versatile portable radio receiver designed for comprehensive listening across multiple frequency bands, including FM stereo, Shortwave (SW), Medium Wave (MW), and Longwave (LW). It incorporates Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology to enhance reception quality and user experience.

Function Description

The radio's primary function is to receive and play radio broadcasts. It supports FM stereo, allowing for a richer audio experience when a strong FM signal is available. The SW, MW, and LW bands provide access to a wide range of international and local broadcasts, catering to diverse listening preferences.

A key feature of the PL-606 is its advanced tuning capabilities. It offers several methods for finding stations:

• ETM (Easy Tuning Mode): This unique Tecsun-designed method intelligently scans and temporarily stores suspected radio stations into a dedicated ETM memory. This significantly streamlines the process of finding active stations, especially when traveling or in new locations. The ETM memory is separate from the regular 550 preset memories.
• Manual Tuning: Users can directly search for stations by frequency using the [TUNING] knob. The radio supports both slow and fast tuning speeds, with specific step sizes for each band (e.g., 0.01MHz for FM slow, 0.1MHz for FM fast; 1kHz for MW/LW/SW slow, 9/10kHz for MW, 9kHz for LW, 5kHz for SW fast).
• Auto Browse Station: This function automatically scans through frequencies, pausing on each station for about 5 seconds. This allows users to quickly preview available broadcasts.
• ATS (Auto Tuning Storage): The radio can automatically scan and store stations into its preset memories for each band. For FM, MW, and LW, ATS will replace existing stored stations. For SW (Mode B), it will store new stations into blank memory addresses without overwriting existing ones.

The PL-606 also includes a comprehensive memory system, allowing users to store up to 550 preset stations: 100 for FM, 100 for MW, 100 for LW, and 250 for SW. Stations can be stored manually, semi-automatically (during auto browse), or via ATS. The memory system also allows for manual deletion of single stations or all stations within a selected band.

Beyond radio reception, the PL-606 integrates several utility functions:

• Clock and Alarm: It features a digital clock that can display world time, local time, and alarm time. Users can set an alarm to wake up to a radio station, with an adjustable auto-off timer for the alarm (1-90 minutes). A snooze function is also available, temporarily silencing the alarm for 5 minutes.
• Sleep Timer: The radio can be set to automatically turn off after a specified period, ranging from 1 to 120 minutes, or remain on permanently. The default sleep timer is 30 minutes.
• Key-Lock Function: This prevents accidental button presses, ideal for travel or when carrying the radio.
• Display Modes: The display can show various information depending on whether the radio is on or off. When off, it can show world time, alarm time, and temperature. When on, it displays frequency, band, signal strength (dBu), Signal-to-Noise Ratio (dB), alarm time, temperature, local time, memory address, and meter band.
• Intelligent Lighting: The display backlight illuminates for 3 seconds when any button or knob is operated. This feature can be toggled on or off.
• Bandwidth Selection (AM BW): For AM (MW/LW/SW) reception, users can select from multiple bandwidths (6, 4, 3, 2, 1 kHz). A wide bandwidth provides better audio fidelity for strong signals, while a narrow bandwidth helps reduce interference from adjacent strong signals for weak or distant stations.
• FM Frequency Range Selection: The radio allows users to select different FM frequency ranges (87.5-108MHz, 64-108MHz, 76-108MHz, or 87-108MHz) to suit local broadcasting standards.
• LW Band Activation: The Longwave band can be toggled on or off, which is useful in regions where LW broadcasts are not prevalent.
• AM Tuning Step Selection: Users can choose between 9kHz or 10kHz tuning steps for MW (AM) reception, which also influences the temperature display unit (Fahrenheit for 10kHz, Centigrade for 9kHz).

Usage Features

The PL-606 is designed for ease of use with a clear LCD display and well-labeled controls.

• Power On/Off: A dedicated [POWER] button controls the radio's main power.
• Band Selection: Separate buttons for [FM], [MW], and [SW] allow quick switching between frequency bands.
• Volume Control: A dedicated [VOLUME] knob provides smooth adjustment of the audio output from 0 to 30 levels.
• Antenna: For FM and SW reception, a telescopic antenna should be fully extended. For MW and LW, rotating the radio or changing its location can optimize reception. An external wire antenna can also be connected to the dedicated jack for improved FM and SW reception, especially when hung outside a window.
• Stereo FM: The [FM ST.] button activates or deactivates FM stereo listening. If the signal is weak, turning off stereo can improve clarity.
• Battery Operation: The radio operates on 2x AA batteries. It has a battery consumption indicator and a charging indicator.
• External Power: A USB 5V DC-Jack allows for external power supply and charging of rechargeable batteries.
• Earphone Jack: A standard 3.5mm earphone jack enables private listening.
• Stand: A built-in stand allows the radio to be propped up for convenient viewing and operation.

Maintenance Features

The PL-606 incorporates features related to battery management and general care:

• Rechargeable Battery Mode: The radio can be configured to recognize and charge rechargeable Ni-MH batteries. When in this mode, the display accurately shows the power capacity of rechargeable batteries and a charging animation appears during charging.
• Battery Polarity: The battery compartment has a clear diagram to ensure correct battery installation.
• Battery Care: It is recommended to fully discharge rechargeable batteries before recharging to extend their lifespan. Also, using two batteries of the same type and capacity as a pair is advised. Non-rechargeable batteries should never be charged in the radio, as this poses a hazard.
• Long-Term Storage: If the radio will not be used for an extended period, batteries should be removed to prevent leakage and potential damage to internal components.
• Troubleshooting: The manual provides a troubleshooting guide for common issues, such as the radio not turning on (due to no power, incorrect battery installation, or key-lock), radio turning off automatically (no power, sleep timer active), poor reception, or alarm issues. Solutions include replacing batteries, unlocking the keypad, adjusting antennas, or re-setting alarm stations.
• Clock Memory: If batteries are removed for a long time, the clock may reset, but pre-stored frequencies will be retained. The clock will resume normal operation once new batteries are installed.

Tecsun PL-606 Specifications