TECSUN PL 600 radio review:
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61gk0z6nMvL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)
Pics, tech specs and such from the radio manufacturer.
https://www.tecsun-radios.com/product/tecsun-pl600-ssb-radio/ (https://www.tecsun-radios.com/product/tecsun-pl600-ssb-radio/)
Cost to me new in box s as shown above w/shipping - $99.00
Quick note - this came from the factory w/English manual (not always the case) a set of 1000MaH NiMH AA cells that the radio will charge - on or off, if the supplied wall art is used. Set of Okay-ish ear buds and a low cost but certainly usable external antenna on a wind-up holder. The wire has a clip n one end to hold the wire elevated. Nice touch.
The radio can be set for 9kc or 10kc AM radio channels, as this is digital. SSB is 'tuned' via a BFO.
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I bought this as a replacement for my very old and well-used DX-343/Sangean SG-631.
The Sg-631 radio sold new for about $140 USD. This is an analog AM/FM/SW 'world band' clock radio Runs from 6VDC, has an external power port to run from a battery pack or 4xAA cells internally. Does not rx SSB. Now old enough to be refered to as "Classic' or 'antique' the radio is in daily use as a clock radio and has worked without fail for decades.
I've carried this around the world with me to listen to SW radio 'news'. I had this before I picked up my Icom IC-R2.
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Why?
Well, the TECSUN 600 is very close to the SG-631 in function - AM/FM/SW and is a clock radio. No weather or Aeronautical band.
Runs from 4xAA cells. It is digital, with direct keyboard entry - a nice touch when hunting a specific SW station. It has almost the exact same form factor as my old Sangean, so I know it will fit my travel gear.
The supplied wall wart is for battery charging, otherwise, switching hash is objectionable on AM/SW.
The radio is popular with some in the sailing community - it is used to download SW WEFAX maps on the cheap - it is that stable.
I suppose you can look at this as a low-cost 'Swiss army knife' field radio. Certainly, a decent travel radio.
Make no mistake, this is nowhere close to my Sangean ATS909 (https://www.sangean.com/products/product.asp?mid=73) radio, but the PL600 is less than 1/2 the size and 1/3 the cost, both factors in my view, that made this worth the purchase.
For a travel radio - a rig with a good clock and alarm system - I think this is a decent low-cost option that will deliver good performance/dollar. If you travel and don't want to haul a ham rig, this may be your go-to option.
For more, see any number of video reviews on line -
Revisiting Tecsun PL-600 General Coverage LW AM FM SW with SSB (youtube.com) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_vEXE82ZwM&t=2s)
Revisiting the Tecsun PL 600 shortwave receiver review (youtube.com) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQKQ1JY1UwM&t=6s)
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About the Mexican stations:
To add the 9 KC vs 10 KC thing.
Mexican AM radio stations are set to 9KC channel spacing. US AM stations are on a 10 KC channel spacing.
If you have the memory space, load the 50KW 'blowtorch' AM stations now. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_50_kW_AM_radio_stations_in_the_United_States (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_50_kW_AM_radio_stations_in_the_United_States))
Otherwise, regional EBS stations would be a good choice. Example - KSL, reality heard across the intermountian west in the evening and at night.
AM station listing en Mexico - by region
http://radiostationworld.com/locations/mexico/radio_broadcasting/ (http://radiostationworld.com/locations/mexico/radio_broadcasting/)
List of US AM radio stations by class and location/frequency
https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/am-clear-regional-local-channels (https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/am-clear-regional-local-channels)
Thank you. Will definitely check this out.
Thank you for the kind words.
I bought the radio more for the form factor than the performance. AM blowby is quite noticeable.
I would highly recommend the more expensive, but vastly better, SANGEAN ATS-909X2 over anything else on the portable market.
But at the price point and size, it does OK.