Tecsun Digital PL368 AM/FM/LW/SW Worldband Radio with Single Side Band Receiver (Black)

If you've owned any of the previous iterations of this slim little handheld receiver (Tecsun PL360/CountyComm GP-5 DSP, and Tecsun PL365/CountyComm GP-5 SSB) then you know what a joy it is to report that it finally has a direct entry frequency keypad to get where you need to go instantly! No more scrolling and scrolling and scrollllllling that danged thumbwheel! This feature alone is worth the purchase!This receiver line up has always been praised by users, not for being all that "great" or mind-blowing but simply for doing so much so well for something so small and simple. They are not going to outperform their larger siblings from Tecsun but these little guys have all been very good radios, especially for their size (and price point)!And now the PL368 is easily the greatest iteration of this line up, not just for the direct entry keypad (tuning around was a total pain in the thumbwheel until now!), but for other improvements over previous models, like selectable bandwidths for each mode (like 2.5, 3.5, 5 or 9kHz in AM, or 0.5, 1.2, 2.2, 3 or 4 kHz in SSB).There seems to have been some improvement in the audio chain as well. I don't know what they did (better stock speaker? better components?) but in side-by-side, direct comparisons with my PL360 and GP-5 SSB on the same signals and bandwidths the PL368 simply sounds clearer, cleaner, a bit warmer too (not as brittle or hissy).Tecsun has added synch detection but unfortunately they seem to keep missing the boat pretty badly in that department in all their models (the PL660 seems to be the lone relative success in Tecsun's synch implementation). This one's no exception -- it is overly filtered and needlessly harsh and irritating. It locks pretty well but is just kind of dirty sounding. I will not be bothering with it, and will instead use the ECSS method which I can already assure you is better than the synch by far, especially now that there are those bandwidth filter options for SSB.It offers an updated version of their popular ETM memory tuning feature, now called ETM+, which according to Tecsun "gives the possibility of setting up time-specific memories for longwave, medium wave (AM) and shortwave." I found the earlier ETM feature to be very helpful on the local MW and FM stations when traveling, but have yet to implement this ETM+ version so I can't add to that.FM is certainly on par for this receiver style, as good as the previous iterations, mono on board but stereo at the headphone out. Of course, in any mode or band, using good headphones will sound much fuller and richer than the little stock speaker.All previous versions utilized 3xAA batteries, but now it uses a thin BL-5C lithium rechargeable battery. It charges from a standard 5V/500mA USB charger.The charger is not included, by the way, but that's probably a good thing these days, as most of us have more than enough cube USB chargers laying about (generally unused most of the time) anyway. The USB to micro-USB charging cable IS included, however. How long does a charge get you in listening time? Well, I have not used the receiver enough to be very accurate on this point but I've had it powered up while learning its ins and outs as well as just listening for at least two to three hours each day the last three days, and the battery indicator on the display still reads full. I prefer replaceable rechargeable batteries but so far this little battery pack seems to be very efficient, and its use certainly makes the radio slimmer and lighter than ever.There are numerous hidden features (visit The SWLing Post and RadioJayAllen to research in detail); one of them is very handy for we who enjoy external antennas -- you can toggle between the whip antenna or the external antenna jack (used for the included little ferrite MW antenna that actually peaks and nulls as you turn it!). I almost always use that little antenna for MW listening but exploring this feature has shown me that in my area sometimes the telescopic whip antenna brings in a better signal on some MW stations at certain times than the little ferrite... so being able to switch to the whip is very helpful. I wouldn't want to plug a whole lot of antenna into this little, easily overloaded thing but being able to toggle that if I want to experiment is handy indeed.There is much more but I just want to make the point that if you already know and enjoy this style of receiver, you will definitely love this latest and greatest version (that keypad, what a gift!).If you have never tried this style receiver, well, now might be a really good time to finally take an $80 to $90 plunge and find out. At this price, in this slim little package, with all it does well (and not despite any limitations but by improved design), I think this will be a popular model when enough people discover it.

Not heavy, very light and easy to pack on the go! Reception very good if you are away from other electronics, WiFi, TVs, ect. Easy to program, audio good. IMO I recommend it! Was worth my money!

I have been looking for a small portable radio that can provide SSB coverage and thought I found it with this radio. It is very small. The feature set is extensive. The price is great. So, what is the problem? I'll start with an antenna that is not fully supported; on the radio I received. The issue becomes very apparent when tuning or adjusting volume which causes the antenna to rattle against the plastic top. How long will it take for something break requiring a new antenna or PCB repair. I was surprised to find that while the radio can tune in 10 Hz steps it does not tune in 100 Hz steps which in my opinion are more practical for SSB tuning. The sensitivity is great but the receive audio is noisy in a way that is tiring. All in all, I really want to like this radio but just can't. To me this radio takes many steps forward with the keypad, BW, SSB, but then takes steps backward due to the antenna, SSB audio, and tuning steps. I'll keep using my Sony for now.

The speaker's sound quality is better than I expected. Not tinny at all. I really like that it has SSB, synchronous detection, & a replaceable, rechargeable battery. The build quality is good. Not flimsy or cheap. Reception on all bands seems quite good. It has good selectively & sensitivity. I like that it has an optional, rotatable LW/MW bar antenna. When fully extended, the FM/SW whip antenna is longer than I expected. The price is quite reasonable. I recommend it.

The Tecsun Digital PL368 has the same specifications as the PL330 which I also own but in a different, more portable shape. All buttons and functions are essentially the same as the PL330 and sensitivity and selectively are also the same. Sensitivity and selectively are very good on this radio. The PL368 has a belt clip and a carrying pouch with a belt loop to carry it anywhere you go. It also has a highly sensitive AM/LW antenna to plug in the top to increase signal strength and it works great but the radio itself does have a built in antenna. I like that I can just rotate the antenna instead of the radio so the speaker can face me. The FM antenna is impressively long and brings in many stations solidly. I haven't tried it yet on SW but I'm sure it's adequate, especially with a SW antenna reel that can be connected to it. Sound is ok. Better for talk then for music. It does come with stereo ear phones and the radio is stereo capable but I haven't tried them yet. I think that for what it is, it is a good take anywhere radio. I would get it again if I had to.

Works great, shortwave reception is clear and crisp, the noise floor is low, and is easy to use for those of us who have experience with the PL-880 portable (most of the buttons have identical functions). Frequency coverage is printed right on the outside of the battery cover.A homebrew longwire antenna is a must for pulling in those weak, distant stations, and the included ownwer’s manual makes programming quick and easy. Mini-USB charging cord is a plus.About the only thing missing is Bluetooth, but I wouldn’t rule it out in a future model. Overall, this little powerhouse is well worth the price, and it has features some of the bigger, more expensive shortwave receivers lack.

I get the stations that are important to me, and it seems like a quality radio for its compact size.

I would give the PL368 5 stars were it not for instability when standing it on the desk. It is very sensitive to contact with the hand on shortwave. I overcame the problem by inserting a mini phone plug in the LW/AM antenna socket and the radio works fine. (See the red sleeve in the photo). It is very ergonomic and very sensitive with only the whip antenna. SSB is great. I’ve picked up stations from New Zealand, Ascension Island and Colombia without an external antenna. Amateur radio reception is surprisingly good. Tuning and volume controls are of good quality and easy to use. It’s a great radio for camping or the beach as well as a good bedside radio; I would recommend it.

Did not meet your marketing gaff. Very disappointed.

The unit I received is compromised: the soft muting circuit doesn't work and the manual tuning is a nightmare, for this radio. I asked for a return and the dealer doesn't accept it. Complications now...Bad business... Stay away.

Excelente radio solo me hubiese gustado un poco mas grande pero va bien ....muy bien

この製品は、見かけとは異なり意外に優れた本格的な「7MHz帯SSBのハンディー型アマチュア無線受信機」の一面を持っています。小型軽量安価で、テンキー入力も可能。LSBで1kHz/10Hzステップ設定が可能。受信感度も良く、選択度も良好、LSB復調音声も自然な音声で、LSBのバンド帯域も0.5/1.2/2.2/3.0/4.0kHzと選択可能でノイズから音声を上手に浮かび上がらせます。下手なアマチュア無線機よりも快適にSSB受信を楽しんでいます。いつでもどこでも超軽量コンパクトで、気軽に持ち運べる受信機として気に入ってます。短波放送、AM・FMラジオとしても、快適に受信可能です。このラジオ、コンパクトな中に隠れたポテンシャルが凄いです。

Veramente piccola offre prestazioni superlative. Sensibilità elevata, anche più spinta rispetto alla pl660 che possiedo. Peccato l’assenza della banda aerea, ma riesco ad ascoltare qso radioamatoriali dalla cantina. Assurdo. Si sente la presenza del dsp. Da radioamatore consiglio questo prodotto per radioascolto con ogni situazione senza ingombri.