New Portable - The TECSUN PL-600

I just bought a new Tecsun PL-600 portable shortwave radio on eBay. I paid $60 for it new in the box, from a supplier in Hong Kong. I selected one in black, but as you can see it comes in silver or gun-metal grey also. These radios get very good reviews and it’s very smart looking too. I wanted a portable that had sideband capabilities.

Tecsun is the same manufacturer that makes brand-name radios, such as Grundig, Eton.

Once it arrives I’ll be sure to do a video on my YouTube channel as I do for all products I buy. It’s too bad I didn’t buy this a bit earlier so I’d have it on my Bahamas trip next week, but alas, I am taking my WiNRADiO G31DDC. That should keep me occupied.

I also own the Tecsun PL-880.

TECSUN PL-600 Features

Dual conversion technology, Microcontroller, digital PLL technology-based design. World band broadcasting signal reception (FM, MW, LW, and SW band). Very, very sensitive receiver! Better than Sony compared side by side!
SSB BFO reception by the dedicated fine-tuning knob on the shortwave broadcasting band.
LCD display the frequency, digital clock time, signal strength, and battery level.
AM mode (MW, LW and SW band) narrow / wide bandwidth selectable.
Multiple signal strength control types are selectable for different conditions and applications.
Multiple tuning methods are selectable.
Supports the ATS function on the FM band and the MW band.
Built-in memory supports the favorite station preset function.
Built-in digital clock (24H display mode).
Built-in alarm timer supports the auto power on function.
Built-in sleep timer supports the auto power-off function.
Built-in smart charge circuit to charge the Ni-MH rechargeable battery.
FM-MONO and FM-STEREO are selectable.
Two-tone mode selectable: BASS and TREBLE.
FM stereo program listening via the earphone.
FM band frequency coverage: from 76.0MHz to 108.0MHz (starting frequency selectable: 76.0MHz, 87.0MHz, and 87.5MHz).
MW band frequency coverage: 520KHz to 1710KHz (10KHz tuning step), 522KHz to 1620KHz (9KHz tuning step).
LW band frequency coverage: 100KHz to 519KHz.
SW band frequency coverage: 1711KHz to 29999KHz.
SW band meter band definition: 120m (2250 – 2550 KHz), 90m (3150 – 3450 KHz), 75m (3850 – 4050 KHz), 60m (4700 – 5100
KHz), 49m (5800 – 6300 KHz), 41m (7100 – 7500 KHz), 31m (9400 – 10000 KHz), 25m (11500 – 12150 KHz), 22m (13500 – 13900 KHz), 19m (15000 – 15900 KHz), 16m (17450 – 18000 KHz), 15m (18850 – 19100 KHz), 13m (21450 – 21950 KHz), 11m (25600 – 26100 KHz).
Dual conversion technology 1st IF = 55.845MHz, 2nd IF = 455KHz.
SNR sensitivity: FM band < 3uV @ 30dB, MW band < 1mV/m @ 26dB, LW band < 1.2mV/m @ 26dB, SW band < 20uV @ 26dB.
FM band tuning step: 0.10MHz by FAST tuning mode, 0.01MHz by SLOW tuning mode.
MW band tuning step: 9KHz or 10KHz by FAST tuning mode, 1KHz by SLOW tuning mode.
LW band tuning step: 9HKz by FAST tuning mode, 1KHz by SLOW tuning mode.
SW band tuning step: 5KHz by FAST tuning mode, 1KHz by SLOW tuning mode.
Multiple tuning modes selectable: jog dial manual tuning, auto scan tuning, memory pre-setting auto scan tuning, memory pre-setting manual scan tuning, memory pre-setting address direct entry tuning, frequency direct entry tuning.
600 favorite stations programmable preset in the built-in memory.
The power supply used on this PL-600 radio is 4pcs AA size 1.5V batteries, or +6V/300mA external DC power supply (center negative).
The size of this PL-600 radio is about 181 x 116 x 31 mm / 7.1 x 4.6 x 1.2 inch.
The weight of this PL-600 radio is about 445g without a battery and any accessories.