As Jim pointed out, there is ample information available online about the
Tecsun PL660SLV. I point the SLV part of the model number because the
"brown" version off the radio is "coated" or covered with a rubbery
substance that deteriorates quickly over time and becomes sticky and nasty.
The SLV model is all smooth, silver colored plastic which holds up better.
I have used the Tecsun successfully several times now to pinpoint poles,
houses and sources within houses. While the 3 step attenuator is not ideal
it does work. The signal strength meter has good range and is easy to read
which is helpful.
I have not yet tried to connect any of my directional antennas to the
Tecsun. The Tecsun has a 3.5 mm mono phone jack for the external antenna.
These jacks are not really designed for relatively large and somewhat
unwieldy coax connections. While it will work I would likely damage the
jack in a scenario where I'm trying to juggle the radio and a directional
antenna while walking along sweeping the antenna around and watching the
meter. With my luck I would bump the antenna connector (a lightweight 3.5
mm metal or plastic plug) and snap it off. It's not impossible but must be
undertaken with care.
I have a (larger and heavier but more appropriate for the application)
Radar Engineers Model 240 which I prefer to use when I'm swinging a
directional antenna. The RE receiver fits in a nylon case that has a strap
that goes around my neck and makes viewing the receiver face while swinging
the antenna less hazardous to the equipment. One needs to keep safety in
mind when doing this sort of survey. Multi-tasking can lead to trips, slips
and falls which is not only costly in terms of damaged expensive equipment
but can take its toll on elderly bones and flesh.
No matter what sort of rig setup you choose to use when making moving
surveys, you must be able to manage the equipment while keeping your eyes
on the path, monitoring the readings and avoiding whatever physical
pitfalls lie in wait.
The Tecsun is easy to carry and works well for surveying down to a pole or
house and works well when surveying inside a house for individual RFI
sources. As is true in any job setting, using the right tool is always the
best approach.
Good luck in your search(es)!
Frank N. Haas KB4T
Utility Interference Investigator
Florida
On Mon, May 27, 2013 at 9:35 PM, Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>wrote:
> On 5/27/2013 2:25 PM, Steve wrote:
>
>> Hi Frank,
>>
>> Does the TECSUN have an antenna jack so it could be used with a
>> directional antenna on the aircraft band? Does it have an S-meter?
>>
>
> Google is your friend.
>
> http://www.kaitousa.com/PL660.**htm <http://www.kaitousa.com/PL660.htm>
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Tecsun-**PL-660-Portable-Shortwave-**
> Single/dp/B004H9C4JK<http://www.amazon.com/Tecsun-PL-660-Portable-Shortwave-Single/dp/B004H9C4JK>
>
> http://www.radiomanual.info/**schemi/RX/TECSUN_PL-660_user.**pdf<http://www.radiomanual.info/schemi/RX/TECSUN_PL-660_user.pdf>
> There is an "antenna jack" on the side of the radio, but no indication
> whether it's coax or a single wire.
>
> I haven't seen one of these radios, but I took a borrowed TECSUN PL-380 to
> Dayton for use in the hotel room. $45 at amazon.com It has a DSP IF,
> which makes it spectacularly good at receiving weak signals next to bigger
> ones. I have a vintage Technics ST-9030 (mid-70s, 8-gain tuned front end)
> and a Carver TX-11a hooked up to an 8-element pre-amped, roof-mounted Yagi
> pointed to San Francisco. Both hear signals on 91.5 MHz and 91.9 MHz full
> quieting, but only noise on 91.7 MHz, and the NPR station on 88.5 MHz is
> there but not nearly full quieting. With a clip lead from the center of
> the coax to the rabbit ear of the Tecsun 380, I hear a station from Paso
> Robles on 91.7 MHz off the back of the antenna full quieting, with only
> occasional mild bursts of buckshot from the other two stations, and the SF
> station on 88.5 is full quieting. A $40 HDR "Insignia" brand HDR table
> radio from Best Buy has a DSP IF and works as well. The PL380 has shortwave
> to 22 MHz. I haven't played with it. It does not cover the aircraft band.
>
> These radios are made in China, but I suspect they may use one of the
> chips made by Silicon Labs. http://www.silabs.com/**
> products/audiovideo/Pages/**default.aspx<http://www.silabs.com/products/audiovideo/Pages/default.aspx>
>
> HD radio appears to have gone the way of the 8-track tape -- except for
> one or two legacy mega-buck high futility products, that Insignia is the
> only non-automotive radio currently being sold. Several years ago I bought
> a nice little Sony HD radio at Fry's for about $100. It was discontinued
> soon after, got glowing reviews, and sells for $500 used if you can find
> it. See K6STI's review.
>
> http://ham-radio.com/k6sti/**index.html<http://ham-radio.com/k6sti/index.html>
>
> Yeah, this is off topic, but these low cost consumer radios have blown me
> away.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________**_________________
> RFI mailing list
> RFI@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/**mailman/listinfo/rfi<http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/rfi>
>
--
Frank N. Haas KB4T
Utility Interference Investigator
Florida
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