So I recently purchased the Tecsun PL-660. I would love to listen to MW with it but the reception is terrible. I have a Chevy Malibu and I can listen to tons of AM stations with the built in stock radio. I'm really shocked that this well recommended radio is crap at AM. Any suggestions? Also what is the best AM radio that I can buy? I don't really care about FM and SW as much as AM.
Posted Apr 17, 2019, 12:50 PM UTC
The best AM radio you can buy is a good SDR that covers MW, plus a loop antenna like this one. There is plenty of good SDR software out there.
It'll be a whole new world. Perfectly controllable bandwidths, CQUAM stereo, even dual antenna phasing with the right SDR + software. You can do things like this.
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I'm assuming you used that "Local/DX" attenuator switch?
Yes I did.
I collect AM Fm radio's from the 1960's 1970's and 80's they always seem to work better on AM and most of the time are under $10 at thriftstores, garage sales or ebay, Dxing I pick up stations 100's or 1000's of miles away from where I live.
MW DXing isn't my thin, but I recall reading on swling.com that the Pl-660 is underwhelming for it. I'm quite happy with mine (plus a random wire antenna) for shortwave. Perhaps a cheap passive loop would help? I have one on my wishlist just because it looks insanely cool.
the sony icf-ex5mk2 with synchronous detection would be in the top 5 although they are now quite expensive.
one of the best am dx portable radios available.
Same with mine and the 880 (and most of the new DSP radios), disappointing just using the ferrite. The earlier generation of digitally tuned radios like the Grundig G5 or Realistic 400/440 perform much better for me on AM. Wish the Tecsuns had an option for a longwire antenna for AM/longwave use. The Eton Field Radio is pretty good on AM.
But if you get something like the AN-200 antenna, the 880 and 660 play nice with those and greatly increase AM dxing reception.
The County Comm radios do allow for a longwire to be attached to the whip for AM reception.
I don't use my PL-660 much for MW, but at night I've easily picked up signals from San Francisco, Nevada and Arizona from Southern California, which smokes my car radio. Of course, I don't have much to compare it to. I bought it for SWL. I know MW isn't supposed to be the PL-660s strong suit but at least my copy is adequate. I don't know how much they vary unit to unit.
The Tecsun PL-660 is a known under-performer for MW and FM. This guy noticed that in his review of the radio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em3JzaxVQ8A
Car radios tend to work very well because of where they are used: outdoors on the streets and highways. If you could park the car in your living room the AM radio probably wouldn't work as well.
A couple of portables said to be the top MW performers: C. Crane CC Radio 2E and the Sangean PR-D4W. https://radiojayallen.com/am-portables-mega-shootout-2019-update/
My favorite MW Radio is the Hammarland SP-600 but it's not exactly portable.
Just checked on Amazon for that Sangean PR-DW4. That looks very promising from the posted comments and is a good price also. I think I will look into getting this. Thanks a bunch.
I used to have PL-660 and now using PL-600, these both performed relatively well on MW for me, on par with car radio. Try to go outside, good advise.