Tecsun PL-880 - User Manual

Other manuals for Tecsun PL-880

Additional Features6 pages

Quick Start Guide3 pages

Questions and Answers

E
Eric HeathAug 12, 2025
Why does my Tecsun Receiver keep turning off?
- A
  Amber BarkerAug 12, 2025
  If your Tecsun Receiver turns off while you are listening, the battery may be out of power; replace or charge it. Also, the sleep timer might be activated; turn the radio on again.
J
james63Aug 15, 2025
Why is AM reception so poor on my Tecsun Receiver in the USA?
- L
  Lisa WilsonAug 16, 2025
  If you are experiencing poor AM reception in the USA on your Tecsun Receiver, it may be because the device is set to 9kHz tuning steps while the USA uses 10kHz. To resolve this, turn off the radio and press the [9/10kHz] button to select the accurate tuning step.
J
James Torres MDAug 20, 2025
What to do if my Tecsun Receiver is malfunctioning?
- T
  Timothy TorresAug 20, 2025
  If your Tecsun Receiver is malfunctioning, it may be due to interference causing the microchip to not function properly. Remove the battery and reinstall it once the device's display has turned off completely. If it still does not work, press the reset button with a pointed object.
S
Susan BrownAug 23, 2025
Why is the charging time on my Tecsun Receiver getting shorter?
- J
  jeff81Aug 23, 2025
  If the charging time for your Tecsun Receiver is becoming shorter, it is likely that the rechargeable battery is getting old. Replace the old rechargeable battery with a new one.
B
Brian AllenAug 27, 2025
What to do if some stations aren't stored during ATS on my Tecsun Receiver?
- T
  Tyler SmithAug 27, 2025
  If, during ATS on your Tecsun Receiver, some stations cannot be stored or some stored stations have noise, it could be due to a weak signal. Try to search for the station manually. Alternatively, there may be interference in your area. Contract the antenna or move to another location and try again.
W
Wesley BrooksAug 30, 2025
How to fix Tecsun Receiver when only few FM stations can be received?
- K
  kimberlyparkAug 31, 2025
  If you can only receive a few FM stations on your Tecsun Receiver, the FM frequency may have been accidentally set to 76 - 90MHz. Turn off the radio, then press and hold the [FM SET] button to select the accurate FM frequency range.
A
amybraunSep 4, 2025
How to fix low SW SSB broadcasting sound on Tecsun Receiver?
- M
  michael87Sep 4, 2025
  If the sound of SW SSB broadcasting on your Tecsun Receiver is too low, press the [AM BW] button to select the Wide band.
J
Julie SimpsonSep 7, 2025
Why is there only noise when the alarm goes off on my Tecsun Receiver?
- S
  Stacey ArmstrongSep 7, 2025
  If, when the alarm goes off on your Tecsun Receiver, there is only noise, you may not have set the proper radio station for the alarm. Preset your alarm station properly. It is also possible that there is no broadcasting at that frequency; make sure it is possible to receive radio broadcasts at your location.

Summary

LCD Symbol Description

Status Indicators

Explanation of indicators for battery, sleep timer, alarm, SSB, charging, and signal strength.

Frequency and Tuning Indicators

Explanation of units (kHz/MHz), key lock, and tuning speed indicators.

Memory and Band Indicators

Explanation of page, preset, band, and FM stereo status indicators.

Using the Antenna

FM and Shortwave Antenna Usage

Instructions for extending and adjusting the telescopic antenna for FM and SW bands.

Medium and Long Wave Antenna Usage

Guidance on using the internal ferrite bar antenna for MW and LW bands.

Tuning into Stations

Manual Tuning

Step-by-step guide to manually searching for stations using the tuning knob.

Auto Browse Tuning

How to automatically scan and preview stations.

Direct Keypad Entry

Entering station frequencies directly using the numeric keypad.

Working with Station Memories

Storing Stations Manually

Guide on how to save favorite stations into memory locations.

Automatic Station Storage

Semi-Auto Storage

Storing stations during Auto Browse to avoid unwanted ones.

Auto Tuning Storage (ATS) for FM;MW;LW

Using ATS to automatically scan and store available stations.

SW ATS and Memory Page Selection

SW ATS Modes

Instructions for using ATS on Shortwave bands in different modes.

Memory Page Selection

How to select and manage different memory pages.

Listening to Stored Stations

Manually Browse Stored Stations

Step-by-step to manually select stored stations within a page.

Auto Browse Stored Stations

Automatically cycling through stored stations on a page.

Station Memory Management

Direct Entry into Stored Stations

How to directly select a station using its page and address.

Manually Delete Single Station

Procedure to remove a single stored station.

Station Deletion Methods

Semi-Auto Delete Single Station

Deleting stations during auto-browse within a memory page.

Manually Delete All Stations

How to erase all stations within a selected memory page.

Sleep Timer and Time Setting

Sleep Timer

How to set the radio to turn off automatically after a specified time.

Time Setting

Guide to setting the current time on the device.

Alarm Setting and Operation

Alarm Setting

Steps to set the alarm time and duration.

Activate; Deactivate Alarm

How to enable or disable the alarm function.

Alarm and Display Features

Alarm Station Setting

Selecting a radio station to play when the alarm sounds.

Turning Off the Alarm

Procedure to stop the alarm and turn off the radio.

LCD Backlight

Information on controlling the screen's illumination.

Audio and Bandwidth Settings

FM Stereo Function

Activating or deactivating the stereo reception for FM broadcasts.

AM Bandwidth Selection

Choosing appropriate bandwidths for MW, LW, and SSB reception.

Operational Adjustments

SW Sensitivity and Gain Control

Adjusting antenna gain for optimal Shortwave reception.

Tone and Key Lock Settings

Controlling audio tone and locking device buttons.

Display and Line-Out Functions

Managing display modes and audio output.

SSB and Shortwave Reception

Single Side Band (SSB) Operation

How to select and tune SSB frequencies for better clarity.

Enhancing Shortwave Reception

Using an external wire antenna for better SW reception.

Power and Reset Functions

Charging Function

How to charge the internal rechargeable battery.

Reset Function

Procedure to reset the device to its default settings.

System Settings

FM Frequency Range

Selecting the FM broadcast frequency range.

Band Settings (LW;MW)

Configuring LW and MW tuning step parameters.

Auto-Sorting Station List

Automatically organizing stored stations.

Maintenance and Battery Safety

Radio Maintenance

Tips for keeping the radio clean and in good condition.

Lithium Battery Safety

Important precautions for using and storing lithium batteries.

Troubleshooting Guide

Power and Operation Issues

Solutions for the radio not turning on or turning off unexpectedly.

Reception and Storage Problems

Addressing problems with station storage and signal quality.

Alarm and Sound Issues

Resolving issues related to alarm function and audio clarity.

Charging and Malfunction Resolution

Fixing problems with battery charging and general device malfunctions.

Technical Specifications

Frequency Range and Tuning

Specifies the radio's operational frequency bands and tuning increments.

Sensitivity, Selectivity, and S;N Ratio

Details reception quality, interference rejection, and signal clarity.

Bandwidth, Memory, and Power

Information on audio filtering, memory capacity, and power requirements.

This document describes the TECSUN PL-880, a PLL multi-band radio designed for excellent performance. It offers a wide range of functions for tuning, storing, and managing radio stations, along with several convenience features and maintenance guidelines.

Function Description

The TECSUN PL-880 is a versatile radio capable of receiving FM, AM (MW/LW), and Shortwave (SW) broadcasts, including Single Side Band (SSB). It features a PLL (Phase-Locked Loop) synthesized receiver for stable and accurate tuning. The radio can be powered by an included 18650 lithium battery and also supports external 5V DC-IN charging via a mini-USB port.

Usage Features

The radio offers multiple ways to tune into stations:

Manual Tuning: In View Frequency (VF) mode, you can rotate the [TUNING] knob to search for desired stations.
Auto Browse: In VF mode, pressing and holding the [VF/VM] button initiates an automatic scan, stopping on each available station for about 5 seconds. This can be stopped by rotating the [TUNING] knob or pressing [VF/VM] again.
Direct Keypad Entry: In VF mode, you can directly enter a station frequency using the numeric keys [0-9]. For FM, decimal points are ignored (e.g., 8, 9, 3 for 89.3 MHz). An "Err" symbol is displayed if the frequency is out of range.
Memory Storage: The PL-880 boasts 3050 station memories. These are organized into PAGE 0 (P0) with 650 memories (100 each for FM/MW/LW/SSB and 250 for SW) and PAGES 1-24 (P1-P24) with 100 memories each, totaling 2400 memories.
- Manual Storage: In VF mode, after tuning to a station, press [MEMORY], rotate [TUNING] to select an address, then press [MEMORY] again or wait 3 seconds to confirm.
- Semi-Auto Storage: During Auto Browse, pressing [MEMORY] stores the current station while browsing continues.
- Auto Tuning Storage (ATS): This function automatically scans and stores available stations. For FM, extend the telescopic antenna, select the FM band, then press and hold [FM]. For MW/LW, select the band and press and hold [AM]. For SW, extend the antenna, select SW, then press and hold [✓] for all meter bands (Mode A) or [^] for the present meter band (Mode B). ATS in FM, MW/LW, and SW Mode A will replace previously stored stations, while SW Mode B stores new stations in blank memory addresses.
Listening to Stored Stations:
- Manually Browse: In VM mode, select a band, then rotate [TUNING] to browse stations within a page. Use [- PAGE +] to change pages.
- Auto Browse: In VM mode, press and hold [VF/VM] to auto-browse stored stations, stopping on each for 5 seconds. Stop by rotating [TUNING] or pressing [VF/VM].
- Direct Entry: In VM mode, select a memory page using [- PAGE +] and numeric keys, then enter the address using numeric keys.
Deleting Station Memories:
- Manually Delete Single Station: In VM mode, select the station with [TUNING], press and hold [DELETE] until "dEL" and "Preset" flash, then press [DELETE] again.
- Semi-Auto Delete Single Station: During Auto Browse in VM mode, press [DELETE] to remove the current station without confirmation.
- Manually Delete All Stations (Within a Page): Press and hold [DELETE] for 3 seconds until the page number and "dEL" flash, then press [DELETE] again.
Sleep Timer: In POWER OFF mode, press and hold [POWER] until the sleep timer symbol flashes. Rotate [TUNING] to select a duration from 1-120 minutes or "On" for continuous power.
Time Setting: Press and hold [TIME] until the hours flash. Rotate [TUNING] or use numeric keys to adjust. Press [TIME] again for minutes, adjust, then press [TIME] or wait 3 seconds to confirm.
Alarm Setting (by radio): Press and hold [ALARM] until hours flash. Adjust hours with [TUNING] or numeric keys. Press [ALARM] for minutes, adjust. Press [ALARM] again to set "Alarm Off Timer" (1-90 minutes). Press [ALARM] or wait 3 seconds to confirm.
- Activate/Deactivate Alarm: Press [ALARM] to activate (alarm symbol appears) or deactivate (symbol disappears).
- Alarm Station Setting: Turn on the radio, select a station, adjust volume, press [MEMORY] to store, then immediately press [ALARM] to select it as the alarm sound.
- Turning Off Alarm: When the alarm sounds, press [POWER] to enter radio listening mode, or press [POWER] again to turn off the radio.
- Snooze Function: Press [SNOOZE] when the alarm sounds to temporarily turn it off for 5 minutes.
LCD Backlight: The orange backlight illuminates for 5 seconds after any key or knob operation. The [ON/OFF LIGHT] switch can keep the backlight continuously on.
FM Stereo: When listening with stereo earphones, press [FM.ST] to activate stereo (symbol appears). If the signal is weak, turn it off for better reception. Stereo function will not activate if the station is not broadcasting in stereo.
AM BW (Bandwidth) Selection: Press [AM BW] to select bandwidth for MW, LW, SW, and SSB. For AM modes, choose from 9, 5, 3.5, 2.3 kHz. For SSB, choose from 4, 3, 2.3, 1.2, 0.5 kHz. Wide band offers better fidelity for strong signals, while narrow band helps with weak or distant stations by reducing interference.
SW Sensitivity (ANT. GAIN): Use the [ANT.GAIN] switch (DX/NORMAL/LOCAL) to optimize sensitivity for SW reception, especially with strong signals or interference.
Tone Control: The [TONE] switch allows selection between "TREBLE" (upward) and "BASS" (downward) tones.
Key Lock Function: Press and hold [10] to activate (key symbol appears) or deactivate (symbol disappears) the key lock.
Display Mode Conversion: In POWER ON mode, repeatedly press [DISPLAY] to view time, alarm setting, or Signal Strength/SNR.
Line-Out Function: The device can output audio via a line-out jack to an external amplifier or recording device. Volume control is then handled by the external device.
SSB (Single Side Band): In Shortwave mode, press [USB/NORM] or [LSB/NORM] to select Upper Side Band (USB) or Lower Side Band (LSB). Enter the frequency directly, then use the [FINE TUNING] knob for better reception. Press [USB/NORM] or [LSB/NORM] again to exit SSB mode. SSB can help reduce interference from adjacent AM/SW stations.
Enhancing Shortwave Reception: Plug an external wire antenna into the [SW ANT] jack and position the other end outside a window for improved SW reception.
Charging Function: Connect a 5V external power source via the mini-USB port. The battery symbol will animate during charging and stop when fully charged.
Reset Function: If the device malfunctions, insert a pointed object (like a paper clip) into the [RESET] hole and gently press the button. Resetting does not delete station memories.
System Setting (In Power Off Mode):
- FM Frequency Range: Press and hold [FM SET] to cycle through 88-108MHz, 76-108MHz, or 64-108MHz.
- Turn ON/OFF LW: Press and hold [MW/LW] to toggle "LW ON" or "LW OFF".
- MW (AM) 9K/10K Tuning Steps: Press and hold [9/10kHz] to switch between "9kHz" or "10kHz" tuning steps.
- Auto-Sorting Station List: In POWER OFF mode, press and hold [ ] for 2 seconds to automatically sort all stored stations. This removes duplicates and arranges stations by frequency (low to high) within P0 (band-specific) or P1-P24 (all bands: FM, SW, MW, LW).

Maintenance Features

Keep Dry: Protect the radio from rain, humidity, and liquids to prevent corrosion. If wet, remove the battery and allow it to dry completely.
Temperature Control: Avoid storing the device in extreme temperatures (above +50°C or below -50°C) to prevent damage to components and the LCD.
Physical Care: Do not drop, hit, or smash the device.
Cleaning: Use a clean, soft, dry cloth to clean the screen. Avoid harsh chemicals or strong detergents.
Disassembly: Do not attempt to disassemble the device or adjust internal parameters.
Lithium Battery Safety:
- Do not expose the battery to heat, high pressure, dropping, or children playing with electric currents.
- Replace only with the same type of lithium battery.
- Do not short-circuit, open, amend, or expose the battery to damp environments.
- For extended storage, remove the battery and wrap it in non-conductive material to prevent direct contact with metal. Store in a cool, dry place.
- Dispose of batteries properly; do not put them in fire or water.
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight, heat, deformation, or smoldering.
- Adhere to aviation regulations; lithium batteries are prohibited in checked luggage.
- If not used for an extended period, charge the battery once every 3 months for about 4 hours to prolong its lifespan.

Tecsun PL-880 Specifications

General

AM Frequency Range	520 - 1710 kHz
LW Frequency Range	100 - 519 kHz
SW Frequency Range	1711 - 29999 kHz
Headphone Jack	3.5 mm
Dimensions	192 x 113 x 33 mm
Modes	AM, FM, LW, SW
FM Frequency Range	64 - 108 MHz
Tuning Steps	1 kHz (AM/SW)
Selectivity	FM: >60dB / AM: >40dB
Audio Output	450mW
Power Supply	DC 5V
Battery Life	Up to 20 hours
Additional Features	alarm clock, sleep timer