The Tecsun PL-660 is a PLL synthesized receiver designed for comprehensive radio reception across multiple bands, including FM Stereo, MW, LW, SW-SSB, and Air Band. This versatile device offers a range of features for both casual listening and serious shortwave enthusiasts, emphasizing sensitivity, selectivity, and user-friendly operation.
Function Description
The PL-660 serves as a portable world receiver, capable of tuning into a wide spectrum of radio frequencies. Its primary function is to receive broadcast signals from various bands, providing audio output through its built-in speaker or an earphone jack. The PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) synthesis ensures stable and accurate tuning, which is crucial for clear reception, especially on shortwave and SSB frequencies.
For FM reception, the radio supports FM Stereo, enhancing the listening experience when using earphones. The MW (Medium Wave) and LW (Long Wave) bands cater to regional and international broadcasts, while the SW (Shortwave) band is designed for long-distance reception, often used by hobbyists and for international news. A key feature for shortwave listeners is the Single Side Band (SSB) capability, which includes both Upper Side Band (USB) and Lower Side Band (LSB) detection. This allows for the reception of amateur radio, utility, and other specialized SSB transmissions. Additionally, the PL-660 includes an Air Band, enabling users to listen to aircraft communications.
The radio incorporates a synchronous detector, which is particularly useful for improving AM reception. This function helps to reduce interference from adjacent strong signals and mitigate fading, leading to a clearer and more stable audio output. The dual conversion technology applied to AM bands (SW/MW/LW) further enhances the receiver's performance in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and resistance to inter-modulation and channel interference.
Memory storage is a significant aspect of the PL-660, offering a total of 2000 memory presets. These are organized into a main Page 0 with 800 memories (100 each for FM/MW/LW/Air Band, and 200 each for SW/SSB) and 12 additional pages (P1-P12), each containing 100 memories, totaling 1200. This extensive memory capacity allows users to store a vast number of favorite stations for quick access.
The device also includes practical features like a sleep timer, which automatically turns off the radio after a user-defined period (1 to 120 minutes), and an alarm function with two independent timers (Timer A and Timer B). The alarm can be set to turn on the radio to a preset station and volume, providing a convenient wake-up or reminder function.
Usage Features
Operating the PL-660 is designed to be intuitive, with multiple tuning methods to suit different preferences.
- Manual Station Tuning: Users can directly rotate the [TUNING] knob to scan through frequencies. The intelligent tuning step function, which can be set to fast or slow, adjusts the tuning speed based on how quickly the knob is rotated.
- Auto Browse Station: This feature allows the radio to automatically scan through available stations, pausing on each for about 5 seconds. During auto-browsing, users can store a station into memory with a single button press.
- Direct Keypad Entry: Frequencies can be entered directly using the numeric keypad, offering precise and rapid tuning to a known frequency.
- Auto Tuning Storage (ATS): This function automatically scans and stores all available stations within a selected band into memory. For FM, MW, and LW, ATS replaces existing memories, while for SW (Mode B), it stores new stations into blank memory addresses without overwriting existing ones. This is particularly useful for quickly populating memory pages with local or strong signals.
Managing stored stations is also flexible:
- Storing Stations: Stations can be stored manually by tuning to a frequency and then selecting a memory address. During auto-browsing, stations can be semi-automatically stored.
- Selecting Memory Pages: The radio allows users to navigate through different memory pages to organize and access their stored stations efficiently.
- Memory Tuning: Stored stations can be accessed manually by rotating the [TUNING] knob, through auto-browse memory, or by directly entering the memory address using the keypad.
- Deleting Memories: Individual stored stations can be deleted manually, or a semi-auto delete function allows for quick removal of unwanted stations during auto-browsing. There's also an option to delete all memories within a selected page.
The PL-660 offers several controls to optimize reception and audio quality:
- Antenna Gain Switch (DX/Normal/Local): This switch allows users to adjust the antenna sensitivity to match signal strength, reducing background noise and interference, especially in areas with strong signals or electrical noise.
- AM BW (Bandwidth) Selection: Users can choose between Wide Band (for better audio fidelity with strong signals) and Narrow Band (for receiving weak or distant stations by limiting interference from adjacent signals).
- Tone Control (Treble/Bass): A dedicated switch allows users to adjust the audio output to either a treble- or bass-enhanced sound, catering to personal listening preferences.
- Key-Lock Function: This feature prevents accidental button presses, which is useful when carrying the radio or to avoid unintended changes to settings.
For improving FM and SW reception, an external wire antenna can be connected to the dedicated jack, allowing for better signal capture, especially when hung outside a window.
Maintenance Features
The PL-660 is designed with battery management and system stability in mind.
- Intelligent Charging Function: When powered off, the radio can charge Ni-MH rechargeable AA batteries installed in its compartment, provided an external adaptor is connected. A charging indicator on the LCD shows the progress. It's important to use only rechargeable batteries for this function and to ensure they are fully discharged before recharging to prolong battery life.
- Battery Type Selection: The radio can be configured for either rechargeable Ni-MH batteries or regular alkaline batteries. This setting ensures the correct power capacity display and activates/deactivates the built-in charging system accordingly.
- Battery Consumption Display: The LCD shows a battery consumption indicator, alerting users to the battery level. A flashing low battery symbol indicates that new batteries are needed, and the radio will automatically turn off when power is depleted.
- Intelligent Light Function: The backlight illuminates for 3 seconds when any key or knob is operated. It can also be set for permanent illumination, though this is discouraged when running on battery power to conserve energy. The permanent illumination automatically turns off when the radio is powered off.
- Reset Procedure: In case of malfunction or improper operation, the radio can be reset using a pointed object inserted into a dedicated [RESET] hole. This procedure helps restore the device to a stable state without erasing stored station memories.
- Troubleshooting Guide: The manual includes a comprehensive troubleshooting section to help users diagnose and resolve common issues, such as the radio not turning on, poor reception, or charging problems, offering practical solutions like replacing batteries, adjusting antenna gain, or performing a reset.
Overall, the Tecsun PL-660 is a robust and feature-rich portable radio, offering extensive band coverage, advanced reception technologies, and user-friendly controls, making it suitable for a wide range of radio listening activities.