There’s been quite a stir with questions on social media about a new radio model from Tecsun, the PL-520. At first glance, it looks like a PL-330 with rounder corners, gray instead of black.
Closer examination discloses a kickstand on the back and a new heart-shaped label on a button with the word “[FAVOURITE]” above, placed where the PL-330 “AM BW” was. AM bandwidth is been moved to where the former USB button resided. On the PL-520 instead of separate buttons for LSB and USB, there is a single LSB/USB button. So, the button count is the same as for the PL-330.
The AliExpress product photo suggests the manual is in Chinese. My original PL-330 manual was in Chinese too.
According to Tom Stiles (Tom’s Radio Room on YouTube) Anna of Anon-co has told him that that there are additional bandwidth selections: 5 kHz on LW/MW and 6 kHz on SW.
Why not buy?
One thing is that firmware on new Tecsun radios often changes and early adopters get left out for some later goodies. [Update: the firmware version is 5202.] Also the lack of an English language manual is a bummer. It would cost $80, and I’d never use it — I barely use the PL-330, deferring to the PL-990 or the DX-286 for most things.
So one more for you guys to buy.
These radios are now being sold on ebay, with the designation being “Export Version”. According to Anon co the version is intended for the export market with English manual and FCC certification. Recently ordered for $83.
i bought this radio pl520 i check whats inside , the circuit board amplifier its identical to pl320, i didn’t check the mainboard whats the mumber of DSP chip (Si4734 used by pl320 or Si4735 on pl330), i compare to my qodosen dx286 FM , dx286 more sensitive, in MW it almost identical, sometime the pl520 is less noise
I purchased this radio in January from AliExpress, it’s basically a mix of the PL-320 and PL-330, not an upgrade of the PL-330, works very well, and yes, unfortunately the manual is in Chinese, but if you know how to use the PL-320 or PL-330 it’s the same.
From a YouTube video on it, it soft mutes or “chuffs” while tuning. And on FM there is no RDS. No reason for either of those! I’ll pass…
The same as the PL-330.
I hear all the time the radio chuffs, that is what a DSP radio does. You can uses tricks to reduce the affect but you can not eliminated it. DSP radios are gettig better at receiving weak signal especally SW. If you can not put up with Chuffing go back to PLL radios.
The PL520 uses a lot of circuits from the PL320 and the benefits from the DSP in the PL330. So, my question in performance? Did Tecsun use the same circuit components as in the PL330 version 3306 which is the international version? The reason is the version 3306 is more sensitive than version 3307 or 3308 for the Chinese market due to compromise in quality of components to save on production cost in later versions. I have tested the three versions of the PL 330 receiver together in the field and using an RF generator setup. LW, AM and SW bands are hotter on version 3306. I did not have an FM generator. Checked FM receptions of stations 100 miles away on the whip, no issues. Version 3306 was a little hotter.
Based on the data, will the PL520 have the same sensitivity as PL 330 version 3307 or 3308 being not as hot?
In my opinion the PL520 will be the sensitivity of PL330 version 3307 or 3308, not 3306. The reason is lower spec. components, lower quality control, and Continuous Improvements on manufacturing. Not the product itself on later versions.
I will get a PL520 international version when available to compare to see if this is true. I will be prepared to eat my words if the PL520 is hotter than the PL330 version 3306. But for now, it makes since in the progression of manufacturing. and the current economy.
Specs. are one thing but hearing in the real world is another.
The current version is for the Chinese domestic market. Anna told me there will be a later international version, presumably with an English manual.
Maybe a PL-520X?
Tecsun added an “X” for the PL-990 international version, but they don’t seem to do that for lower-end models. IIRC, the PL-990 and PL-990X have (small) functional differences, while the lower-end models differ only in the text printed on the radio and the language in the accompanying manuals.