1. Setup
1.1 Battery Installation
The battery compartment is located on the back of the PL-380. To install batteries:
- Apply thumb pressure and slide the battery compartment cover towards the bottom of the radio to remove it.
- Install 3 AA alkaline batteries into the compartment, observing the battery polarity diagram (+/-) located on the back of the radio.
- The display screen will show battery capacity, time, and other information upon correct installation.
Important Battery Information:
- If no battery has been installed for a long time, the radio's clock may stop working. Pre-stored frequencies will remain saved. The clock will resume operation once new batteries are installed.
- When the battery power is low, the battery symbol will flash on the display to alert you to change batteries. The radio will automatically turn off when the power is depleted.
- Do not mix used and new batteries, as this can damage the radio and lead to incorrect power capacity display.
- If the radio will not be used for a long period, remove the batteries to prevent liquid leakage and potential damage to the radio's components.
1.2 External Antenna Connection (AN-03L)
The AN-03L external antenna is designed to improve shortwave (SW) and FM performance. To connect and use the antenna:
- Connect one end of the AN-03L external antenna to the radio's external antenna jack.
- Clip the other end of the external antenna to the radio's extendable telescopic antenna.
- For optimal reception, hang the other end of the AN-03L antenna near a window or outdoors.
AN-03L Antenna Features:
- Significantly improves the reception quality of the SW band.
- Requires no extra power.
- Lightweight, compact, and portable design for quick setup.
- Compatible with all SW radios.
Cautions for External Antenna Use:
- Do not install the external FM/SW antenna in areas prone to frequent thunderstorms.
- It is strictly prohibited to use the antenna during thunderstorms or lightning.
- The antenna cord is approximately 5 meters long; consider this distance when setting up.
1.3 Charging the Radio
The PL-380 features an intelligent charging function for rechargeable batteries.
- With the radio off, install 3 x UM3 (AA) rechargeable batteries.
- Press and hold the [A] key until "CHA On" and "Battery" are displayed to activate the built-in charging function.
- Connect a 5V external adapter with a USB plug to the radio's DC-IN 5V jack. Alternatively, use a USB cable to connect the radio to your PC for charging.
- During charging, the battery symbol will animate from bottom to top. Charging stops automatically when batteries are fully charged.
Notes for Charging:
- To extend battery life, it is recommended to fully discharge rechargeable batteries before recharging them.
- Use 3 batteries of the same type and capacity as a group; do not mix with other batteries or different power capacities.
- Caution: Do not charge non-rechargeable batteries in the radio, as this can cause hazards or damage.
2. Operation
2.1 Control Locations
Familiarize yourself with the buttons and controls on your PL-380 radio:
- Power on/off button
- Button display
- FM ST. button (FM Stereo)
- FM/ATS button (FM band selector and Auto Tuning Storage)
- MW/LW button (MW/LW band selector & Auto Tuning Storage)
- SW/ATS button (SW meter band selector & Auto Tuning Storage)
- ENTER/DELETE button
- 0-9 Numeric keys
- Memory button (Storing radio stations) / Batteries type selector
- AM/BW button (AM IF bandwidth selector)
- VM (View Memory) & Scan button (Memory)
- VF (View Frequency) & SCAN button (Frequency)
- ETM (Easy Tuning Mode) button
- LIGHT/SNOOZE button
- LOCK button
- TIME Setting button
- ALARM On/Off & Setting button
- Earphone jack
- USB 5V DC-IN jack
- FM & SW telescopic antenna
- Multifunctional tuning knob
- Back stand
- Volume knob
- Battery compartment
2.2 Turning the Radio On/Off
Short press the [POWER] button to turn the radio on or off.
2.3 Time Setting
- Long press the [TIME] button until the "hour" display flashes. Rotate the [TUNING] knob to adjust the correct hour.
- Short press the [TIME] button again. The "minute" display will flash. Rotate the [TUNING] knob to adjust the correct minute.
- Press the [TIME] button once more to confirm your time setting.
- Alternatively, you can directly key-in the numeric keys instead of rotating the [TUNING] knob to set the time.
2.4 Alarm Setting
- Long press the [ALARM] button until both the "HOUR" and "AL" displays flash. Rotate the [TUNING] knob to adjust the hour.
- Short press the [ALARM] button again. When the "minute" display flashes, rotate the [TUNING] knob to adjust the minute.
- Short press the [ALARM] button again. Rotate the [TUNING] knob to select the alarm duration (1 to 90 minutes).
- Finally, short press the [ALARM] button again to confirm the alarm setting.
Alarm Type Indicators:
- The radio icon indicates the alarm is set to radio-on.
- The bell icon indicates the alarm is set to buzzer.
- If the display corner remains blank, the alarm is off.
Preset Alarm Station:
- Turn on the radio, tune to your desired alarm radio station, and adjust the volume.
- Short press the [M] button to store the alarm station into memory.
- Repeat short pressing the [ALARM] button until the radio icon appears on the display to confirm the preset alarm station.
2.5 Listening to the Radio
- Short press the [POWER] button to turn on your radio.
- Select your desired band (FM, MW/LW, or SW) by pressing the corresponding [FM], [MW/LW], or [SW] button. For SW and FM, fully extend the telescopic antenna for better reception.
- Turn the [TUNING] knob to find your desired radio station.
- Alternatively, you can directly key-in the frequency numbers using the numeric keys.
- Adjust the volume level by rotating the [VOLUME] knob.
2.6 Tuning Methods
Easy Tuning Mode (ETM)
ETM allows you to easily tune into stations and temporarily store them. It can store up to 100 stations for FM/MW/LW and 250 for SW.
- Turn on the radio and select your desired band.
- Short press the [ETM] button; "ETM" will appear on the display.
- Long press the [ETM] button to initiate auto-scanning for stations within the current band.
- Once scanning stops, rotate the [TUNING] knob to browse the scanned stations.
- Short press either the [VF] or [VM] button to exit ETM mode.
Manual Tuning
- Turn on the radio. Short press the [VF] button to enter frequency mode.
- Rotate the [TUNING] knob to select your desired station.
| Band | Slow Tuning Step | Fast Tuning Step |
|---|---|---|
| FM | 0.01 MHz | 0.1 MHz |
| MW | 1 kHz | 9/10 kHz |
| LW | 1 kHz | 9 kHz |
| SW | 1 kHz | 5 kHz |
Auto Browse Station
- Turn on the radio. Short press the [VF] button; the frequency will flash.
- Long press the [VF] button; the ">>" symbol will appear, and the radio will scan from one station to another, staying on each for about 5 seconds.
- To stop the auto browse function, simply press the [VF] button.
Direct Key-in Frequency
- Short press the [VF] button to enter frequency mode.
- Use the numeric keys [0] - [9] to directly enter the desired station frequency.
Note:
- For FM band frequencies, ignore the decimal point when inputting numbers (e.g., for FM 89.0 MHz, enter 890).
- If the entered frequency is not within the covering range, the display will show "Err".
2.7 Memory Functions
The PL-380 has a total of 550 preset memories: 100 for FM, MW, and LW bands each, and 250 for SW.
Auto Tuning Storage (ATS)
- Turn on the radio and select the desired band (FM or MW/LW).
- Long press the [FM] or [MW/LW] button. The "PRESET" number (e.g., P001) will appear, and the radio will scan and store stations.
- For SW band, there are two ATS modes:
- Mode A: Long press the [SW] button to ATS stations across all meter bands.
- Mode B: Long press the [SW] button to ATS stations only within the current meter band.
Manually Storing Stations
- Tune to your desired station. Press the [M] button once; the memory address will flash on the display.
- Press the [M] button again to store the station, or wait 3 seconds for automatic storage.
- To store a station into a specific memory address, rotate the [TUNING] knob to the desired address, then press the [M] button to confirm.
Semi-Auto Storing Stations
- Short press the [VF] button to enter frequency status.
- Long press the [VF] button to activate the Auto-browse function.
- While the radio is browsing and you find a desired station, press the [M] button (with "PRESET" flashing) to store it into the next available memory. The auto-browse will continue until you press the [VF] button again.
Deleting Memories
- Manual Delete: Press the [VM] button, rotate the [TUNING] knob to select the memory to delete, then long press [DELETE]. "DEL" will flash; press [DELETE] again to confirm.
- Semi-Auto Delete: In VM mode, long press [VM] to activate Auto-Browse. While previewing an unwanted station, press [DELETE] (DEL shows for 2s) to delete and continue browsing. Short press [VM] to exit.
- Delete All: Short press [VM] to enter VM/Memory mode. Long press [DELETE] for 3 seconds; "DEL" will show. Press [DELETE] again to remove all memories.
2.8 Display Modes
- Radio OFF: Short press the [DISPLAY] button to view Temperature and Alarm time.
- Radio ON: Short press the [DISPLAY] button to view Alarm time, Temperature, Local time, and Signal Strength/SNR.
2.9 Key Lock Function
Long press the [LOCK] button. A lock symbol will appear on the display, indicating all keys are locked. Long press it again to unlock the keys.
2.10 FM Stereo (FM ST.) Button
While listening to an FM station with stereo earphones, short press the [FM.ST] button. A stereo indicator will appear on the display, activating FM stereo mode.
2.11 AM Bandwidth (AM BW) Button
Short press the [AM BW] button to cycle through AM IF bandwidth options: 6, 4, 3, 2, 1 kHz. This feature helps reduce interference. A wider bandwidth generally offers better audio fidelity, while a narrower bandwidth can result in a duller sound but may improve clarity in noisy conditions.
2.12 System Settings
- FM Frequency Range: Turn off the radio. Long press the [FM SET] button until the desired frequency range (87.5-108MHz, 64-108MHz, or 76-108MHz) appears. Keep pressing [FM SET] to cycle and select the appropriate range for your region.
- Clock Format (12/24 Hour): Turn off the radio. Long press the [12/24] button until "12H" or "24H" appears on the display to select the desired clock format.
- MW(AM) Step Setting: Turn off the radio. Long press the [9/10kHz] button until "9kHz" or "10kHz" appears. Long press again to toggle between alternative band steps. The temperature display will also change accordingly (Fahrenheit for 10kHz, Centigrade for 9kHz).
- LW On/Off Setting: Turn off the radio. Press and hold the [MW/LW] button until "LW ON" or "LW OFF" appears to enable or disable the Longwave band.
2.13 Sleep Function
- Press and hold the [POWER] button until "SLEEP" and "On" or a time (1-120 minutes) appears on the display.
- Rotate the [TUNING] knob to select the desired sleep timer duration (1 to 120 minutes) or select "On" for continuous operation.
- The radio will automatically confirm the setting after a few seconds.
3. Maintenance
- Battery Care: Always use fresh batteries and remove them if the radio will not be used for extended periods (e.g., more than a month) to prevent leakage and damage. If using rechargeable batteries, ensure they are fully discharged before recharging to prolong their lifespan.
- Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the radio's exterior. Do not use abrasive cleaners, solvents, or strong chemicals, as these can damage the finish.
- Storage: Store the radio in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and high humidity.
- Water Resistance: The PL-380 is not water-resistant. Avoid exposing it to rain, splashes, or high moisture environments.
4. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Cannot turn on the radio | No power / Improper battery installation Power button is locked | Replace batteries, ensure correct +/- polarity Press the [LOCK] button to unlock |
| Radio turns off unexpectedly | Low battery power Sleep timer activated | Replace batteries Turn on the radio again (sleep timer will reset) |
| Cannot store stations with ATS / Noisy reception | Stations too weak or interference nearby | Search manually, lower the antenna, or move to a different location away from interference sources |
| Limited FM stations received (e.g., in Japan) | FM frequency range setting is incorrect for the region | Turn off radio, long press [FM SET], then short press [FM SET] repeatedly to select 76-108MHz range |
| Poor AM reception (e.g., in USA) | AM step setting is incorrect for the region | Turn off radio, press [9/10kHz] button to select 10kHz step |
| Radio malfunction / Microchip issue | Interference or temporary microchip malfunction | Remove and reload batteries. If issue persists, contact customer service. |
5. Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | Tecsun |
| Model Number | TECSUN PL-380 |
| Type | FM, MW, SW, LW DSP Receiver |
| Style | Portable |
| Function | Built-In Speaker |
| Screen | Yes |
| Audio Output Mode | Stereo |
| Hardware Interface | 3.5mm audio |
| Enclosure Material | Plastic |
| Body Material | Plastic |
| Water Resistance Level | Not water resistant |
| WIFI | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Frequency Range FM | 87-108 MHz (Russia 64-108MHz, Japan 76-108 MHz, Eu/USA 87.5-108 MHz) |
| Frequency Range MW | 522-1620 kHz (USA 520-1710 kHz) |
| Frequency Range LW | 153-513 kHz |
| Frequency Range SW | 2300-21950 kHz |
| Sensitivity FM (S/N=30dB) | Less than 3 μV |
| Sensitivity MW (S/N=26dB) | Less than 1mV/m |
| Sensitivity LW (S/N=26dB) | Less than 10mV/m |
| Sensitivity SW (S/N=26dB) | Less than 20 μV |
| Selectivity (FM, MW, LW, SW) | >60 dB |
| FM Stereo Crosstalk | Less than 35 dB |
| Memory Stations | 550 |
| Output Power | 350 mW |
| Speaker | Ø50mm, 500mW/16 Ohm |
| Earphone Jack | Ø3.5mm, 8-32 Ohm, Stereo type |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 135(W) x 86(H) x 26(D) mm |
| Weight | 200g (Batteries not included) |
| Power Supply | 3 x UM3 (AA) batteries or USB 5V DC |
| Input Voltage | 5V |
| Battery Included | Yes (Rechargeable Battery Pack) |
| Origin | Mainland China |
6. User Tips
- Clarify Product Variants: The product listing may offer the radio, the external antenna, or a bundle. Always double-check the specific option you are selecting to ensure you receive the desired item.
- Optimize SW Reception: For the best Shortwave (SW) reception, fully extend the radio's telescopic antenna and connect the AN-03L external antenna. Position the AN-03L near a window or outdoors, but always avoid using it during thunderstorms.
- Battery Management: To maximize battery life and prevent damage, use fresh batteries and remove them if the radio will be stored for extended periods. If using rechargeable batteries, it's beneficial to fully discharge them before recharging.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Is this product offering the radio or just the external antenna?
- A: The product listing may offer various configurations, including the TECSUN PL-380 radio, the AN-03L external antenna, or a combination bundle. Please carefully review the selected variant before purchasing to ensure you receive the correct item. The AN-03L is an external antenna designed to enhance shortwave reception.
8. Warranty and Support
For warranty information, technical support, or service inquiries, please refer to the contact details provided by your retailer or the manufacturer's official website.
TECSUN RADIO CO., LTD.
FACTORY: 189 GuanChang Road, DongCheng District, DongGuan, GuangDong, P.R.China
E-mail: tecsun@on-nets.com
Website: www.tecsun.com.cn