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Gary DeBock
Hello All,
For those interested in whether the newer PL-380 models have the irritating
"soft mute" function disabled or not, a recent shipment from Joyce at "Anon-co"
may be of interest.
For experimentation (and for forwarding to other DXers), three PL-380's
were ordered from Joyce on December 29th. She kindly upgraded the shipping to
EMS (express mail) at no additional charge, so that the radios were received
today.
All three of the PL-380's were manufactured in December, and all have
two screws in the battery compartment. The serial numbers are also
similar:
36920091200993
36920091200998
36920091201009
All three were tested against a soft mute-enabled PL-310, to see if there
was any difference in the soft mute performance. Similar to the other
two PL-380 models here, tuning the new PL-380 models 1 kHz up or down from
a weak station's frequency did result in a reduction of signal strength, but it
was a moderate reduction, not the very steep drop off in audio
like on the PL-310. This was with the DSP filtering set at 1 kHz (typical in
TP-DXing). The PL-380's were also checked for intermittent signal drop out
during weak station reception, but did not have this soft mute-related issue,
either.
Whereas one of the first two PL-380's received here had instability on
the SW bands (with intermittent oscillations, as reported in the PL-380
review), all of the three new PL-380's have stable SW reception. One of the
new models does have a tuning control which seems slightly stiff, however, and
one new model seems to have slightly lower AM sensitivity than the other two (I
suspect a loopstick issue, which would make this model a nice candidate for a
transplant :-)
In general, there doesn't seem to be any real evidence yet that Tecsun
is changing the PL-380's to the full soft mute mode, but any DXer
receiving one of the official "new models" is requested to notify the
group ASAP if soft mute changes are suspected.
73, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA)
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Hi Gary
Perhaps the new 380s have the new Ver40 firmware. You would have to strip it down and remove the RF shield from the Si4734 to read the top of the chip to find out. Are the filter selections the same?
Roy.
--- In ultralightdx@..., D1028Gary@... wrote: > > Hello All, > > For those interested in whether the newer PL-380 models have the irritating > "soft mute" function disabled or not, a recent shipment from Joyce at > "Anon-co" may be of interest. > > For experimentation (and for forwarding to other DXers), three PL-380's > were ordered from Joyce on December 29th. She kindly upgraded the shipping to > EMS (express mail) at no additional charge, so that the radios were > received today. > > All three of the PL-380's were manufactured in December, and all have two > screws in the battery compartment. The serial numbers are also similar: > > 36920091200993 > 36920091200998 > 36920091201009 > > All three were tested against a soft mute-enabled PL-310, to see if there > was any difference in the soft mute performance. Similar to the other two > PL-380 models here, tuning the new PL-380 models 1 kHz up or down from a > weak station's frequency did result in a reduction of signal strength, but it > was a moderate reduction, not the very steep drop off in audio like on the > PL-310. This was with the DSP filtering set at 1 kHz (typical in TP-DXing). > The PL-380's were also checked for intermittent signal drop out during > weak station reception, but did not have this soft mute-related issue, either. > > Whereas one of the first two PL-380's received here had instability on the > SW bands (with intermittent oscillations, as reported in the PL-380 > review), all of the three new PL-380's have stable SW reception. One of the new > models does have a tuning control which seems slightly stiff, however, and > one new model seems to have slightly lower AM sensitivity than the other two > (I suspect a loopstick issue, which would make this model a nice candidate > for a transplant :-) > > In general, there doesn't seem to be any real evidence yet that Tecsun is > changing the PL-380's to the full soft mute mode, but any DXer receiving > one of the official "new models" is requested to notify the group ASAP if > soft mute changes are suspected. > > 73, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA) >
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Gary DeBock
In a message dated 1/5/2010 1:25:35 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
roy.dyball@... writes:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi Gary
Perhaps the new 380s have the
new Ver40 firmware. You would have to strip it down and remove the RF shield
from the Si4734 to read the top of the chip to find out. Are the filter
selections the same?
Roy.
--- In ultralightdx@yahoogroups.com, D1028Gary@...
wrote:
>
> Hello All,
>
> For those interested in
whether the newer PL-380 models have the irritating
> "soft mute"
function disabled or not, a recent shipment from Joyce at
> "Anon-co"
may be of interest.
>
> For experimentation (and for forwarding
to other DXers), three PL-380's
> were ordered from Joyce on December
29th. She kindly upgraded the shipping to
> EMS (express mail) at no
additional charge, so that the radios were
> received today.
>
> All three of the PL-380's were manufactured in December, and all have
two
> screws in the battery compartment. The serial numbers are also
similar:
>
> 36920091200993
> 36920091200998
>
36920091201009
>
> All three were tested against a soft
mute-enabled PL-310, to see if there
> was any difference in the soft
mute perf ormance. Similar to the other two
> PL-380 models here,
tuning the new PL-380 models 1 kHz up or down from a
> weak station's
frequency did result in a reduction of signal strength, but it
> was a
moderate reduction, not the very steep drop off in audio like on the
>
PL-310. This was with the DSP filtering set at 1 kHz (typical in TP-DXing).
> The PL-380's were also checked for intermittent signal drop out
during
> weak station reception, but did not have this soft
mute-related issue, either.
>
> Whereas one of the first two
PL-380's received here had instability on the
> SW bands (with
intermittent oscillations, as reported in the PL-380
> review), all of
the three new PL-380's have stable SW reception. One of the new
>
models does have a tuning control which seems slightly stiff, however, and
> one new model seems to have slightly lower AM sensitivity than the
other two
> (I suspect a loopstick issue, which would make this model a
nice candidate
> for a transplant :-)
>
> In general,
there doesn't seem to be any real evidence yet that Tecsun is
>
changing the PL-380's to the full soft mute mode, but any DXer receiving
> one of the official "new models" is requested to notify the group
ASAP if
> soft mute changes are suspected.
>
> 73, Gary
DeBock (in Puyallup, WA)
>
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Gary DeBock
Hi Roy,
It really seems that Tecsun didn't change anything with these three
PL-380's, since the filter selections, filtering performance, and the ability to
tune 1 kHz up or down from a weak station (without a severe soft-mute drop-off)
is exactly the same as my earlier PL-380 models. I don't know if these are the
official "new model" PL-380's (mentioned by Joyce of Anon-co), or not. Nothing
seems different to me.
I plan to perform some loopstick modifications and other experiments on
these models, but since two of them are destined for other DXers after
thorough testing, I'll save any strip-down work for the model I plan to
keep. It may be the weekend before I can do much with them, however, since my
Amidon shipment (with the LW-optimized ferrite bars and shorter type 61 bars for
the PL-310 internal loopstick tinkering) apparently hasn't even shipped yet.
Amidon certainly must be wondering how so many orders came suddenly, despite the
poor economy :-)
73, Gary
In a message dated 1/5/2010 1:25:35 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
roy.dyball@... writes:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi Gary
Perhaps the new 380s have the
new Ver40 firmware. You would have to strip it down and remove the RF shield
from the Si4734 to read the top of the chip to find out. Are the filter
selections the same?
Roy.
--- In ultralightdx@yahoogroups.com, D1028Gary@...
wrote:
>
> Hello All,
>
> For those interested in
whether the newer PL-380 models have the irritating
> "soft mute"
function disabled or not, a recent shipment from Joyce at
> "Anon-co"
may be of interest.
>
> For experimentation (and for forwarding
to other DXers), three PL-380's
> were ordered from Joyce on December
29th. She kindly upgraded the shipping to
> EMS (express mail) at no
additional charge, so that the radios were
> received today.
>
> All three of the PL-380's were manufactured in December, and all have
two
> screws in the battery compartment. The serial numbers are also
similar:
>
> 36920091200993
> 36920091200998
>
36920091201009
>
> All three were tested against a soft
mute-enabled PL-310, to see if there
> was any difference in the soft
mute perf ormance. Similar to the other two
> PL-380 models here,
tuning the new PL-380 models 1 kHz up or down from a
> weak station's
frequency did result in a reduction of signal strength, but it
> was a
moderate reduction, not the very steep drop off in audio like on the
>
PL-310. This was with the DSP filtering set at 1 kHz (typical in TP-DXing).
> The PL-380's were also checked for intermittent signal drop out
during
> weak station reception, but did not have this soft
mute-related issue, either.
>
> Whereas one of the first two
PL-380's received here had instability on the
> SW bands (with
intermittent oscillations, as reported in the PL-380
> review), all of
the three new PL-380's have stable SW reception. One of the new
>
models does have a tuning control which seems slightly stiff, however, and
> one new model seems to have slightly lower AM sensitivity than the
other two
> (I suspect a loopstick issue, which would make this model a
nice candidate
> for a transplant :-)
>
> In general,
there doesn't seem to be any real evidence yet that Tecsun is
>
changing the PL-380's to the full soft mute mode, but any DXer receiving
> one of the official "new models" is requested to notify the group
ASAP if
> soft mute changes are suspected.
>
> 73, Gary
DeBock (in Puyallup, WA)
>
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Gary DeBock
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your comments, which sound logical to me.
Since Joyce is probably not an expert in Tecsun radio design, however, the
best option seems to be specifically placing an order with Joyce for a "new
design" PL-380, then checking the DSP filter options on this new version, and
stripping it down (as Roy suggests) to check the labeling on the DSP chip. This
"new version" PL-380 order will be placed tonight, with the EMS shipping
option.
73 and Thanks, Gary
In a message dated 1/5/2010 6:28:59 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
mikecoughlin2@... writes:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
> I don't know if these are the official "new model" PL-380's (mentioned
by Joyce of Anon-co), or not. Nothing seems different to me. <
Since
Joyce is the one who mentioned this 'version 2', why not "go straight to the
horse's mouth" and, simply, ask her what the difference is? ... rather than
all these attempts to infer what the difference(s) is(are) ... via empirical
observation?
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Your discussion about the "new" models prompted me to check my PL-380 that I received from Anon in mid December. The serial number is:
3692009 000333 Mfg Date 11 09
It has 2 screws in the battery compartment. WIthnthe DSP set to 1 khz. and tuning slowly in 1 khz. Steps (I used 1310 khz which has no local) stations I did notice that the RX audio did seem to drop but did not disappear completely. This was done using only the stock loop stick and sitting in the living room. I live in a rural setting and have no interfence unless it is "house" generated. In fact the radio is within 12 inches of an HP 22 inch LCD Monitor and no noise from that source. Right now I'm listening to a Spanish station I will try and ID later.
As far as SW and LW I haven't tried yet.
Hope this helps a little.
Larry N4SEA
Shinnston, WV
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Gary DeBock
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the reminder, and of course your original message that Joyce had
mentioned a "new version" of the PL-380 alerted us that Tecsun had made a change
in the model-- and we appreciate your notice.
Since Joyce's description of the upgrade wasn't too clear, however, it's
probably best that we get an actual "new version" PL-380 and run some actual
tests on it, to determine exactly what Tecsun has changed. If Tecsun
intends to bring back the full "soft mute" function, our group would
probably like to know right away, before more DXers order PL-380's.
73 and Thanks, Gary
In a message dated 1/5/2010 8:10:15 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
jshaw1@... writes:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Mike/Gary,
I asked Ms. Joyce that question and her comment was that
the upgrade was to make the "receiving status stabler." See msg 7132.
Thanx!
73
Jim Shaw
AL7BA
--- In ultralightdx@yahoogroups.com,
D1028Gary@... wrote:
>
> Hi Mike,
>
> Thanks for
your comments, which sound logical to me.
>
> Since Joyce is
probably not an expert in Tecsun radio design, however, the
> best
option seems to be specifically placing an order with Joyce for a "new
> design" PL-380, then checking the DSP filter options on this new
version,
> and stripping it down (as Roy suggests) to check the
labeling on the DSP
> chip. This "new version" PL-380 order will be
placed tonight, with the EMS
> shipping option.
>
> 73 and
Thanks, Gary
>
>
> In a message dated 1/5/2010 6:28:59
P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
> mikecoughlin2@... writes:
>
>
>
>
> > I don't know if these are the
official "new model" PL-380's (mentioned
> by Joyce of Anon-co), or
not. Nothing seems different to me. <
>
> Since Joyce is the
one who mentioned this 'version 2', why not "go
> straight to the
horse's mouth" and, simply, ask her what the difference is? ...
>
rather than all these attempts to infer what the difference(s) is(are) ...
> via empirical observation?
>
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thenoviciate <mikecoughlin2@...>
I don't know if these are the official "new model" PL-380's (mentioned by Joyce of Anon-co), or not. Nothing seems different to me. < Since Joyce is the one who mentioned this 'version 2', why not "go straight to the horse's mouth" and, simply, ask her what the difference is? ... rather than all these attempts to infer what the difference(s) is(are) ... via empirical observation?
|
|
|
Mike/Gary,
I asked Ms. Joyce that question and her comment was that the upgrade was to make the "receiving status stabler." See msg 7132. Thanx!
73
Jim Shaw
AL7BA
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In ultralightdx@..., D1028Gary@... wrote:
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your comments, which sound logical to me.
Since Joyce is probably not an expert in Tecsun radio design, however, the
best option seems to be specifically placing an order with Joyce for a "new
design" PL-380, then checking the DSP filter options on this new version,
and stripping it down (as Roy suggests) to check the labeling on the DSP
chip. This "new version" PL-380 order will be placed tonight, with the EMS
shipping option.
73 and Thanks, Gary
In a message dated 1/5/2010 6:28:59 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
mikecoughlin2@... writes:
I don't know if these are the official "new model" PL-380's (mentioned by Joyce of Anon-co), or not. Nothing seems different to me. <
Since Joyce is the one who mentioned this 'version 2', why not "go
straight to the horse's mouth" and, simply, ask her what the difference is? ...
rather than all these attempts to infer what the difference(s) is(are) ...
via empirical observation?
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kbar123456 <kbar123456@...>
What I read in the tecsun's forum is that the new version got the alarm clock bug fixed only.
But anon-co may know more details of it.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
--- In ultralightdx@..., "Jim" <jshaw1@...> wrote:
Mike/Gary,
I asked Ms. Joyce that question and her comment was that the upgrade was to make the "receiving status stabler." See msg 7132. Thanx!
73
Jim Shaw
AL7BA
--- In ultralightdx@..., D1028Gary@ wrote:
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your comments, which sound logical to me.
Since Joyce is probably not an expert in Tecsun radio design, however, the
best option seems to be specifically placing an order with Joyce for a "new
design" PL-380, then checking the DSP filter options on this new version,
and stripping it down (as Roy suggests) to check the labeling on the DSP
chip. This "new version" PL-380 order will be placed tonight, with the EMS
shipping option.
73 and Thanks, Gary
In a message dated 1/5/2010 6:28:59 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
mikecoughlin2@ writes:
I don't know if these are the official "new model" PL-380's (mentioned by Joyce of Anon-co), or not. Nothing seems different to me. <
Since Joyce is the one who mentioned this 'version 2', why not "go
straight to the horse's mouth" and, simply, ask her what the difference is? ...
rather than all these attempts to infer what the difference(s) is(are) ...
via empirical observation?
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thenoviciate <mikecoughlin2@...>
> Since Joyce is probably not an expert in Tecsun radio design, <
oh ... I was thinking that maybe Joyce had enough stroke with Tecsun (due to sales volume) that she might be in a position to simply ask Tecsun what the PL-380 v2 scoop is ... ?
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Gary,
Definitely agree. I'm sure she's not a
techie.
73
Jim
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2010 12:44
AM
Subject: Re: [ultralightdx] Re: Tecsun
PL-380 "Soft Mute" (or lack thereof)
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the reminder, and of course your original message that Joyce
had mentioned a "new version" of the PL-380 alerted us that Tecsun had made a
change in the model-- and we appreciate your notice.
Since Joyce's description of the upgrade wasn't too clear, however, it's
probably best that we get an actual "new version" PL-380 and run some actual
tests on it, to determine exactly what Tecsun has changed. If Tecsun
intends to bring back the full "soft mute" function, our group would
probably like to know right away, before more DXers order PL-380's.
73 and Thanks, Gary
In a message dated 1/5/2010 8:10:15 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
jshaw1@....com writes:
Mike/Gary,
I asked Ms. Joyce that question and her comment was
that the upgrade was to make the "receiving status stabler." See msg 7132.
Thanx!
73
Jim Shaw
AL7BA
--- In ultralightdx@yahoogroups.com,
D1028Gary@... wrote:
>
> Hi Mike,
>
> Thanks
for your comments, which sound logical to me.
>
> Since Joyce
is probably not an expert in Tecsun radio design, however, the
> best
option seems to be specifically placing an order with Joyce for a "new
> design" PL-380, then checking the DSP filter options on this new
version,
> and stripping it down (as Roy suggests) to check the
labeling on the DSP
> chip. This "new version" PL-380 order will be
placed tonight, with the EMS
> shipping option.
>
> 73
and Thanks, Gary
>
>
> In a message dated 1/5/2010
6:28:59 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
> mikecoughlin2@...
writes:
>
>
>
>
> > I don't know if
these are the official "new model" PL-380's (mentioned
> by Joyce of
Anon-co), or not. Nothing seems different to me. <
>
> Since
Joyce is the one who mentioned this 'version 2', why not "go
>
straight to the horse's mouth" and, simply, ask her what the difference is?
...
> rather than all these attempts to infer what the difference(s)
is(are) ...
> via empirical observation?
>
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