The Tecsun PL365 covers fa frequency range continuously from 100-29999KHZ so
that obviously includes SW bands, marine bands I believe though I'm not
entirely sure.
The radio does have upper and lower sideband capabilities and frequencies when
in SSB mode are tunabel in 10HZ steps.
FM actually can be made to cover 64-108MHZ by setting the FM coverage mode
which has 4 ranges.
64-108, 76-108, 87.5-108 and 88-108MHZ all selectable.
The radio uses the Ferrite bar when receiving frequencies in the range of
100-1710KHZ or 100-1620KHZ depending on your Medium-Wave step selection - 9 or
10KHZ.
All other frequencies are received by the telescopic antenna.
We've discussed compremises made with antennas previously here and I remind
people that - with SDR and DSP radio sets - the antenna is matched by
programming the radio during manufacturer.
-----Original Message-----
From: Gordon Smith <gor...@mac-access.net>
Sent: Thursday, 29 August 2019 9:21 PM
To: Techno-Chat ... Technology Enthusiasm! <techno-chat@techno-chat.net>
Subject: Re: [Techno-Chat]: Clever Radios
Couple of points here.
You mentioned that this is a “Communications” receiver. The term
“Communications” receiver usually refers to a receiver whose function is aimed
primarily at the communications bands, be it amateur, PMR or logistical service
providers – each of which has, of course, its own frequency ranges and modes of
transmission.
You also said that “Short Wave” goes all the way up to 30 MHz. This is
technically not quite correct, as from around 3 MHz upwards isn’t usually
defined as “Short” way, and in excess of 20 MHz is definitely not covered by
this description. ;-)
Of course, I’m only splitting hairs here, so don’t take these as serious
contradictions.
My major correction, however, relates to the antennas. You specified that the
telescopic whip antenna provided is used for “FM”, and the Ferrite antenna is
used for “AM”. Technically, this is a grossly inaccurate phraseology, since the
differences between the antennas are actually the frequencies at which they are
resonant, and not the modes of emission which they are designed to best
receive. Again, I’m only speaking here very much tongue-in-cheek. All the same,
that last point is perfectly sound.
Seriously though, having a single portable solution capable of general coverage
from, I would presume, roundabout, presumably, the 100 KHz mark up to 30 MHz
certainly has its advantages. That much is beyond dispute.
I certainly wouldn’t draw comparisons to an RF scanner, of course, which is an
entirely different concept. And my final thought on this one for the moment Is
that, assuming this device covers the amateur bands and even some PMR bands, it
would be an advantage to have either SSB support, some form of RIT control or,
preferably, both. This would have a few advantages when listening in the lower
frequency bands, (100 KHz to 30 MHz in particular).
One thing I’m not quite clear on, however, is where the gaps are. You say that
the device supports FM. So, presumably, you’re referring to the 88/108 MHz
broadcast band. This would seem to be the case as you refer to stereo FM in
your post. Also you say that there’s a telescopic whip for that kind of use. So
what are the limits on listening in the VHF range?
As we’ve discussed privately of late, Air band and, to a lesser extent, the
marine bands I find interesting. PMR also has its attractions in some cases.
> On 28 Aug 2019, at 12:11, Dane Trethowan <grtd...@internode.on.net> wrote:
>
> Hi,
> I now have a Tecsun PL365 radio which is rather unique in several ways.
> Looking at the radio at first glance you could be forgiven for thinking the
> radio was a cordless phone handset, that’s the type of design we’re looking
> at with the Tecsun PL365 but just because the radio is small doesn’t limit
> the radio in capabilities.
> Packed inside this little beauty is a fully fledged communications receiver
> without some of the functionality admitedly of its bigger Brothers and
> Cousins but functional, useable and practical nevertheless.
> Performance is good across all bands and tis is amazing given the size of the
> radio.
> Again not to the standard of the big boys but good enough for most situations.
> The radio has a 40CM long telescopic whip antenna aerial for FM and SW.
> A built-in ferrite rod is used for AM however the radio does come with an
> extension antenna socket for AM and takes full use of this with the supplied
> AM plug-in ferrite antenna.
> This arrangement provides some great advantages over conventional ferrite
> antenna arrangements, the main being that the antenna can be “Homed” into the
> direction of the station you’re trying to receive.
> The external Ferrite bar is only 3 inches long so don’t expect miracles from
> this antenna but its pretty good and adds directionality to the radio when
> receiving AM.
> The external AM antenna jack means of course that bigger antenna units can be
> used such as a dedicated outdoor AM antenna or Tecsun’s own desktop tuneable
> loop antenna which plugs straight in.
> Radio listeners will be pleased to know that the PL365 boasts a very nice SSB
> mode tuneable down to 10HZ which means that SSB reception of voice
> communications can be tuned to sound incredibly natural
> As we’re talking SSB I think it time to mention the Shortwave coverage of the
> PL365 which goes all the way up to 30MHZ
> Again performance on Shortwave is surprisingly good given the radio has such
> a short telescopic whip to work with, here’s to the benefits of DSP and SDR
> Radio yet again <smile>.
> The radio has 500 memories though I’ve not got to the point of using those
> yet.
> One function I’m looking forward to trying is the “Easy Tune” function.
> The “Easy Tune” function is very similar to those auto scan functions you
> find on modern-day radio sets but the main difference being that “Easy Tune”
> puts the strongest signals it finds into a dedicated bank of temporary “Easy
> Tune” memory locations.
> You can browse through these locations and transfer the stations stored there
> to permanent memory locations, a very similar arrangement is found on Radio
> Scanners.
> The PL365 comes with a set of earbuds which sound perfectly reasonable and
> the radio receives FM stereo.
> Buttons on the radio are about the size of match heads except for the power
> button which is big and rectangular in size.
> The radio has no keypad, obviously the designers went with the idea of
> putting as much as is possible into memory and using the tuning thumb wheel
> to browse memory locations.
> There is a micro USB port on the side of the radio though I haven’t been able
> to work out what this is for yet.
> I’m powering the radio with 3 AA batteries which are stored in the bottom of
> the unit.
> Speaker sounds a little tinny reminding me of the early transistor radio sets
> I had as a child, still perfectly listenable all the same and even better
> when using the supplied earbuds.
> I bought my PL365 from Tecsun Radios Australia for $100 Australian so an
> absolute bargain.
>
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