Today I join the Tecsun PL-368 owners club!


Johnny
 

Hi all,

Today I (hopefully) take ownership of my new Tecsun PL-368.

I'm excited to try out this little radio and its unique form factor.  I may have to consult some of you other PL-368 owners for "expert tips" after I have used it for awhile.

Hopefully it is a "keeper"!  :)

Question:  Anyone tried the aftermarket larger AM Ferrite Antennas for this radio?  I'm going to look for them on EBay, unless they are somewhere else?


Johnny


FenDrifter
 

Hi Johnny 
Well done, I personally think you’re going to be very happy with this little gem! I haven’t tried the aftermarket antennas, but if you type in ‘ferrite antenna Tecsun’ into eBay you’ll find the ones that I think are made in Greece. As my main interest is in shortwave (at the moment) I’ve not felt the need. I know I keep repeating it, but it’s the clarity of this set that makes it a winner for me, in addition to it’s shortwave powers. I got an old Roberts R-861 (rebranded Sangean 909) yesterday, and in poor conditions with a weak station the 368 was better; given the reputation of that set I think it speaks volumes. Enjoy!
Drifter


Johnny
 

Hi FenDrifter,

Great information, thank you!

That only served to get me MORE excited!  ;)


Johnny


Johnny
 

Hi all,

Oh my golly!

The PL-368 is so compact!

The form factor is great.  I thought it would be larger (and more cumbersome?).

Still investigating the actual radio.


J


FenDrifter
 

You’re gonna have a fun time Johnny!
Drifter


Paul Blundell
 

That sounds great and I look forward to hearing how this works for you.

Paul

On Fri, Feb 25, 2022 at 12:36 AM Johnny via groups.io <jlochey=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
Hi all,

Today I (hopefully) take ownership of my new Tecsun PL-368.

I'm excited to try out this little radio and its unique form factor.  I may have to consult some of you other PL-368 owners for "expert tips" after I have used it for awhile.

Hopefully it is a "keeper"!  :)

Question:  Anyone tried the aftermarket larger AM Ferrite Antennas for this radio?  I'm going to look for them on EBay, unless they are somewhere else?


Johnny



--
Paul


Marc Coevoet
 

Op 24/02/2022 om 20:07 schreef Johnny via groups.io:
Hi all,
Oh my golly!
The PL-368 is so compact!
Would the tecsun pl 330 be a good alt to the 368?

because it accepts the same AM antennas ...

https://www.anon-co.com/product/tecsun-pl330-radio

Marc
--
The "Penguin" has arrived - and he's not going away - ever.
For former Apple users: Xubuntu.org (menu's up left)
For former Windows users: Lubuntu.org (menu's down left)


Paul R. Stoetzer
 

From my use of both, the PL-330 and 368 are extremely similar radios (essentially the same radio in fact) and it really comes down to form factor needed if you’re looking to purchase. The 330 has better audio because of the larger speaker, but the whip antenna is shorter. The only operational difference I’ve noticed is that there’s no thermometer on the 330. 

If your use case involves walking around while listening, the 368 is the better choice due to its easy one handed operation and the longer whip antenna. 

73,

Paul, N8HM  

On Thu, Feb 24, 2022 at 17:25 Marc Coevoet <sintsixtus@...> wrote:
Op 24/02/2022 om 20:07 schreef Johnny via groups.io:
> Hi all,
>
> Oh my golly!
>
> The PL-368 is so compact!

Would the tecsun pl 330 be a good alt to the 368?

because it accepts the same AM antennas ...

https://www.anon-co.com/product/tecsun-pl330-radio

Marc
--
The "Penguin" has arrived - and he's not going away - ever.
For former Apple users: Xubuntu.org (menu's up left)
For former Windows users: Lubuntu.org (menu's down left)






Ron Layton <micron327@...>
 

I've been told by one of the folks at County Comm NOT to use the oversized aftermarket plug in ferrite antenna because it will weaken and eventually break the jack on the radio. I won't take that chance. However, I have the self contained ferrite loop with the variable cap, its white with red caps on the end made in Greece and sold by eBay seller "bigapple59". It has a jack so you can plug an extension cable into it,set it up on a windowsill or if outdoors set it up as high as you want and plug the other end into the 368 where the ferrite plugs in. Or you can lay it along side the bottom of the 368 since the internal ferrite lays horizontal to the bottom. I have used a ferrite probe attached to the portable ferrite from Greece and laid it against the bottom of my 368 and it couples just fine. Just remember, ferrite rods are directional. Hope this helps.Link to the eBay antenna for reference: https://www.ebay.com/itm/184737576452?hash=item2b0337b604:g:AH8AAOSwJHlfx35M
73's
Ron


Phil Pasteur
 
Edited

I have two of the previous generation of the County Comm radios with the same form factor as the 368. I like the radios quite well, but for my use case the form factor is not good. It is not really possible to just let the radio stably stand by itself on a table, so you are constrained to hold it. This becomes tedious, for me anyway. I guess some sort of stand could be made or purchased.  I made a simple stand and sit it on a lazy Susan to aim the radio. 
I was lucky enough to get a 7 inch ferrite antenna on a frame from Gary DeBock that fits the 368 and earlier models. It does make a big difference. It has a sleeve that slips over the FM/SW antenna to stabilize it pretty well taking the stress off of the antenna socket. It makes a significant difference in reception. But it then becomes nearly impossible to stand the radio up by itself.
I haven't read too much about the PL-330, though I do see that it is about 20% cheaper than the GP7/368. If it really is the same internals and performs as well, and  if it were me, just for the form factor alone (for my use case) I would lean towards the 330.
That being said, for carry in a holster on the belt, or the like, the 368 is pretty slick.
It all depends on how you want to use the radio. Just some things to think about.


earl tasca
 

I picked up some plastic stands years ago at the dollar store after breaking a stand on an 1103.the 330 has no stand but is an excellent radio for my needs the 368 also great is small so the ergonomics are a bit harder I bought the rubber case from county comm  and it is perfect, good luck.


On Fri, Feb 25, 2022, 4:11 PM Phil Pasteur via groups.io <ppasteur=q.com@groups.io> wrote:

[Edited Message Follows]

I have two of the previous generation of the County Comm radios with the same form factor as the 368. I like the radios quite well, but for my use case the form factor is not good. It is not really possible to just let the radio stably stand by itself on a table, so you are constrained to hold it. This becomes tedious, for me anyway. I guess some sort of stand could be made or purchased.  I made a simple stand and sit it on a lazy Susan to aim the radio. 
I was lucky enough to get a 7 inch ferrite antenna on a frame from Gary DeBock that fits the 368 and earlier models. It does make a big difference. It has a sleeve that slips over the FM/SW antenna to stabilize it pretty well taking the stress off of the antenna socket. It makes a significant difference in reception. But it then becomes nearly impossible to stand the radio up by itself.
I haven't read too much about the PL-330, though I do see that it is about 20% cheaper than the GP7/368. If it really is the same internals and performs as well, and  if it were me, just for the form factor alone (for my use case) I would lean towards the 330.
That being said, for carry in a holster on the belt, or the like, the 368 is pretty slick.
It all depends on how you want to use the radio. Just some things to think about.


myteaquinn
 

When I purchased my Country Comm version they offered a hockey puck stand for it. Expensive and really not worth it but it has its own charm. Here is their current stand on their website.


myteaquinn, west of Cleveland


On Friday, February 25, 2022, 05:50:14 PM EST, earl tasca <etasca227@...> wrote:


I picked up some plastic stands years ago at the dollar store after breaking a stand on an 1103.the 330 has no stand but is an excellent radio for my needs the 368 also great is small so the ergonomics are a bit harder I bought the rubber case from county comm  and it is perfect, good luck.


On Fri, Feb 25, 2022, 4:11 PM Phil Pasteur via groups.io <ppasteur=q.com@groups.io> wrote:

[Edited Message Follows]

I have two of the previous generation of the County Comm radios with the same form factor as the 368. I like the radios quite well, but for my use case the form factor is not good. It is not really possible to just let the radio stably stand by itself on a table, so you are constrained to hold it. This becomes tedious, for me anyway. I guess some sort of stand could be made or purchased.  I made a simple stand and sit it on a lazy Susan to aim the radio. 
I was lucky enough to get a 7 inch ferrite antenna on a frame from Gary DeBock that fits the 368 and earlier models. It does make a big difference. It has a sleeve that slips over the FM/SW antenna to stabilize it pretty well taking the stress off of the antenna socket. It makes a significant difference in reception. But it then becomes nearly impossible to stand the radio up by itself.
I haven't read too much about the PL-330, though I do see that it is about 20% cheaper than the GP7/368. If it really is the same internals and performs as well, and  if it were me, just for the form factor alone (for my use case) I would lean towards the 330.
That being said, for carry in a holster on the belt, or the like, the 368 is pretty slick.
It all depends on how you want to use the radio. Just some things to think about.


Ron Layton <micron327@...>
 

When I bought the County Comm GP-7 I also bought the stand and the extra battery set with charger. The stand works perfect and fits in a jacket/shirt/pants pocket easily until you get where you are going to set up. Also, I have been using a Tecsun AN-200 with the GP-7 and it fits perfectly inside the loop leaning up at an angle. I get some good DX reception with this setup. I either take off the ferrite or leave it on. Leaving it on makes a bit of difference in signal strength. I get a lot better results using my DIY milk crate box loop so go figure.
73's
Ron


Johnny
 

Hi Ron,

If I get a case for the GP-7 will it fit the PL-368 do you think?


J


Ron Layton <micron327@...>
 

Hi J
Yes. They are the same radio with slight difference such as whip antenna and markings. I see County Comm just came out with a solid aluminum case but its $35. Kind of expensive and the silicon rubber case is just fine.
Ron