TECSUNDigital PL368 AM/FM/LW/SW Worldband Radio with Single Side Band Receiver (Black)

If you've owned any of the previous iterations of this slim little handheld receiver (Tecsun PL360/CountyComm GP-5 DSP, and Tecsun PL365/CountyComm GP-5 SSB) then you know what a joy it is to report that it finally has a direct entry frequency keypad to get where you need to go instantly! No more scrolling and scrolling and scrollllllling that danged thumbwheel! This feature alone is worth the purchase!This receiver line up has always been praised by users, not for being all that "great" or mind-blowing but simply for doing so much so well for something so small and simple. They are not going to outperform their larger siblings from Tecsun but these little guys have all been very good radios, especially for their size (and price point)!And now the PL368 is easily the greatest iteration of this line up, not just for the direct entry keypad (tuning around was a total pain in the thumbwheel until now!), but for other improvements over previous models, like selectable bandwidths for each mode (like 2.5, 3.5, 5 or 9kHz in AM, or 0.5, 1.2, 2.2, 3 or 4 kHz in SSB).There seems to have been some improvement in the audio chain as well. I don't know what they did (better stock speaker? better components?) but in side-by-side, direct comparisons with my PL360 and GP-5 SSB on the same signals and bandwidths the PL368 simply sounds clearer, cleaner, a bit warmer too (not as brittle or hissy).Tecsun has added synch detection but unfortunately they seem to keep missing the boat pretty badly in that department in all their models (the PL660 seems to be the lone relative success in Tecsun's synch implementation). This one's no exception -- it is overly filtered and needlessly harsh and irritating. It locks pretty well but is just kind of dirty sounding. I will not be bothering with it, and will instead use the ECSS method which I can already assure you is better than the synch by far, especially now that there are those bandwidth filter options for SSB.It offers an updated version of their popular ETM memory tuning feature, now called ETM+, which according to Tecsun "gives the possibility of setting up time-specific memories for longwave, medium wave (AM) and shortwave." I found the earlier ETM feature to be very helpful on the local MW and FM stations when traveling, but have yet to implement this ETM+ version so I can't add to that.FM is certainly on par for this receiver style, as good as the previous iterations, mono on board but stereo at the headphone out. Of course, in any mode or band, using good headphones will sound much fuller and richer than the little stock speaker.All previous versions utilized 3xAA batteries, but now it uses a thin BL-5C lithium rechargeable battery. It charges from a standard 5V/500mA USB charger.The charger is not included, by the way, but that's probably a good thing these days, as most of us have more than enough cube USB chargers laying about (generally unused most of the time) anyway. The USB to micro-USB charging cable IS included, however. How long does a charge get you in listening time? Well, I have not used the receiver enough to be very accurate on this point but I've had it powered up while learning its ins and outs as well as just listening for at least two to three hours each day the last three days, and the battery indicator on the display still reads full. I prefer replaceable rechargeable batteries but so far this little battery pack seems to be very efficient, and its use certainly makes the radio slimmer and lighter than ever.There are numerous hidden features (visit The SWLing Post and RadioJayAllen to research in detail); one of them is very handy for we who enjoy external antennas -- you can toggle between the whip antenna or the external antenna jack (used for the included little ferrite MW antenna that actually peaks and nulls as you turn it!). I almost always use that little antenna for MW listening but exploring this feature has shown me that in my area sometimes the telescopic whip antenna brings in a better signal on some MW stations at certain times than the little ferrite... so being able to switch to the whip is very helpful. I wouldn't want to plug a whole lot of antenna into this little, easily overloaded thing but being able to toggle that if I want to experiment is handy indeed.There is much more but I just want to make the point that if you already know and enjoy this style of receiver, you will definitely love this latest and greatest version (that keypad, what a gift!).If you have never tried this style receiver, well, now might be a really good time to finally take an $80 to $90 plunge and find out. At this price, in this slim little package, with all it does well (and not despite any limitations but by improved design), I think this will be a popular model when enough people discover it.

The Tecsun Digital PL368 is an exceptional multiband radio. Its wide frequency coverage, includes the AM, FM, LW, and Short Wave bands. In addition it tunes Single Side Band (SSB), ensures that you can tune into a wide range of stations and emissions. The modern DSP digital demodulation technology enhances reception sensitivity and selectivity, making it a reliable companion for radio enthusiasts.

Nice little radio to play around with. Reception on FM is good, the included Directional Antenna, makes AM reception better. I really haven't put it through it paces yet. Shortwave is about what you would expect from a radio this size. A random wire clipped to the built-in telescoping antenna can bring in more signals, but also bring in more noise (QRN). Listening to sideband signals can be a challenge, but the radio holds its own. I also like the fact that it charges through the USB Micro B connection. A charge lasts quite a long time in this thing. Overall, its nice little radio to have and offers good value for the price.

Convenient, good sound, good reception including sw. Built well. Rechargeable.

The Tecsun Digital PL368 has the same specifications as the PL330 which I also own but in a different, more portable shape. All buttons and functions are essentially the same as the PL330 and sensitivity and selectively are also the same. Sensitivity and selectively are very good on this radio. The PL368 has a belt clip and a carrying pouch with a belt loop to carry it anywhere you go. It also has a highly sensitive AM/LW antenna to plug in the top to increase signal strength and it works great but the radio itself does have a built in antenna. I like that I can just rotate the antenna instead of the radio so the speaker can face me. The FM antenna is impressively long and brings in many stations solidly. I haven't tried it yet on SW but I'm sure it's adequate, especially with a SW antenna reel that can be connected to it. Sound is ok. Better for talk then for music. It does come with stereo ear phones and the radio is stereo capable but I haven't tried them yet. I think that for what it is, it is a good take anywhere radio. I would get it again if I had to.

propagation was good the day I got it. picked up 10meter, cb signal, 14 mhz, 7 mhz, and time signals. 5,10,15,20. am, fm, ssb, sw all worked. No long wave that I can find.Using the memory is a little flaky but direct input works well.This is in my emergency kit now.Only drawback is I think you need to not roughly handle it.Would buy again and I will for xmas.

Wanted a radio that was small, that you put in your pocket.Radio does not have the full sound of a larger radio, or the sensitivity of an amateur radio.But overall, the radio has exceeded my expectationsThe sound is better than I expected it to be. The sensitivity overall is goodThe price is below 100.00, that clinched the deal for me.

Great little receiver, very sensitive on HF. I just wished the 2.5 filter was also available for SSB instead of the 2.2 otherwise I have no complaints. Great portable I can take anywhere and listen to my friends on the amateur bands with either a long wire, or sometimes I just place the internal antenna on my kitchen faucet. :D No complaints, just a great portable receiver.