Tecsun PL-360 Digital PLL Portable AM/FM Shortwave Radio.

[Moab]

One of my preps, once the Ukraine war started, was to go thru my bugout bag. And i sadly discovered that my tiny countycomm Marathon am/fm/shortwave radio had died. It was about the size of a deck of cards and ran 150hrs on one aa battery. I tried to get it fixed. But this radio is about 10-15 yrs old. And its much improved predecessor goes for $50. But its bigger and runs on more batteries.


Tecsun PL-360 Digital PLL Portable AM/FM Shortwave Radio with DSP, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QJKO52/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_YM2EVBJSHMTHFQM6WJKE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1


For a truly backpack sized shortwave radio its highly rated.


There is an updated version the pl 368. Buts its almost twice the cost. And i dont recall what the improvement was. But it wasnt enough to bump up for me. To many other preps to spend on.


I will be coupling it with a shortwave antenna for an additional $16.


Sangean ANT-60 Short Wave Antenna https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000023VW2/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_RSJXAEKN55EW58C0ZTQE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1


Maybe not the greatest set up in the world. But to stick in your pack its a good size - to performance - to cost ratio.


I'm still going to try to fix the old one myself. I think it may just be a power issue. I am going to take it apart and see.

[NT2C]

One of my preps, once the Ukraine war started, was to go thru my bugout bag. And i sadly discovered that my tiny countycomm Marathon am/fm/shortwave radio had died. It was about the size of a deck of cards and ran 150hrs on one aa battery. I tried to get it fixed. But this radio is about 10-15 yrs old. And its much improved predecessor goes for $50. But its bigger and runs on more batteries.


Tecsun PL-360 Digital PLL Portable AM/FM Shortwave Radio with DSP, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QJKO52/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_YM2EVBJSHMTHFQM6WJKE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1


For a truly backpack sized shortwave radio its highly rated.


There is an updated version the pl 368. Buts its almost twice the cost. And i dont recall what the improvement was. But it wasnt enough to bump up for me. To many other preps to spend on.


I will be coupling it with a shortwave antenna for an additional $16.


Sangean ANT-60 Short Wave Antenna https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000023VW2/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_RSJXAEKN55EW58C0ZTQE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1


Maybe not the greatest set up in the world. But to stick in your pack its a good size - to performance - to cost ratio.


I'm still going to try to fix the old one myself. I think it may just be a power issue. I am going to take it apart and see.

The difference between the two is that the 368 adds SSB capability, which is a huge difference and benefit.  Most ham signals below VHF are going to be SSB, a lot of commercial SW stations are also broadcast in SSB.  The extra $30 difference is well worth it IMHO.

[Moab]

Thank you so much! I coulsnt find a clear definition as to how widespread its use was. Ill definitely spend the extra 30 bucks.

I just compared this to the larger portable units with ssb. But they are at least $130. As fast as these radios change, and as long as they sit in my preps, i try to go for middle of the road pricewise.

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.