TECSUN PL-660 Portable Radio Instruction Manual

1. Introduction

This manual provides detailed instructions for the operation and maintenance of your TECSUN PL-660 Portable AM/FM/LW/Air Shortwave World Band Radio. Please read this manual thoroughly before use to ensure proper functionality and to maximize your listening experience across various frequency bands, including Single Side Band (SSB) reception.

2. Package Contents

The TECSUN PL-660 package typically includes the following items:

• TECSUN PL-660 Portable Radio
• Stereo Earphones
• Wire Antenna
• Carrying Pouch
• AC Adapter (for charging)
• Ni-Mh Rechargeable Batteries (3 AA batteries required, often included)

Image: TECSUN PL-660 radio with its standard accessories, including the operation manual, rechargeable batteries, external wire antenna, AC power adapter, and a protective carrying pouch.

3. Product Overview

Familiarize yourself with the layout and functions of your TECSUN PL-660 radio.

Image: Front view of the TECSUN PL-660 Portable Radio. The large LCD screen displays frequency, time, and signal strength. To the left is the speaker grille, and below the screen are various control buttons for tuning, memory, and band selection.

Front Panel Controls:

• POWER Button: Turns the radio on/off.
• TIME / TIMER A / TIMER B / SET Buttons: For setting time and alarm functions.
• LIGHT / SNOOZE Button: Activates backlight; functions as snooze for alarms.
• VF/VM (SCAN) Button: Switches between Variable Frequency (tuning) and VFO/Memory modes; initiates scan.
• AIR / SSB / SYNC Buttons: Selects Airband, Single Side Band, or Synchronous Detection modes.
• FM ST. / AM BW Buttons: Toggles FM Stereo/Mono; adjusts AM bandwidth.
• Number Pad (0-9): For direct frequency entry and memory recall.
• MEMORY / DIRECT KEY IN / DELETE Buttons: For managing stored frequencies.
• PAGE +/- Buttons: Navigates through memory pages.
• ATS / FM / AM / SW / LW Buttons: Auto Tuning Storage; selects frequency bands.

Image: Side view of the TECSUN PL-660 radio. This image shows the rotary tuning knob, the SSB BFO fine-tuning control, and the volume control. Also visible are the external antenna jack, antenna gain switch, tone switch, earphone jack, and DC 6V power input.

Side Panel Controls and Ports:

• TUNING Dial: Main rotary control for frequency adjustment.
• SSB BFO Control: Fine-tunes SSB reception for clear audio.
• VOLUME +/-: Adjusts audio output level.
• FM & SW ANTENNA Jack: For connecting an external antenna.
• ANT. GAIN Switch (DX/NORMAL/LOCAL): Adjusts antenna sensitivity for different signal strengths.
• TONE Switch (TREBLE/BASS): Adjusts audio tone.
• EARPHONE Jack: For connecting stereo earphones.
• DC 6V Input: For connecting the AC adapter for power and battery charging.

4. Initial Setup

4.1 Battery Installation

The PL-660 requires 3 AA batteries. Open the battery compartment on the rear of the unit and insert the batteries, observing correct polarity (+/-). For optimal performance and charging, use Ni-Mh rechargeable batteries.

4.2 Power On/Off

Press the POWER button located on the top left of the front panel to turn the radio on or off.

4.3 Antenna Usage

Extend the telescopic antenna fully for optimal FM, Shortwave (SW), and Airband reception. For enhanced Shortwave reception, connect the included wire antenna to the FM & SW ANTENNA Jack on the side of the radio.

5. Operating the Radio

5.1 Frequency Ranges

The TECSUN PL-660 covers a wide range of frequencies:

• FM: 76 ~ 108MHz (Japan 76 ~ 108MHz / Germany 87.5 ~ 108MHz)
• MW (AM): 522 ~ 1620kHz (band step 1/9kHz for Asia / Africa / Europe) / 520 ~ 1710kHz (band step 10kHz for Northern America)
• LW: 100KHz to 519KHz (band step 1/9kHz)
• SW: 1711KHz to 29999KHz (band step 1/5kHz)
• AIR: 118~137MHz (band step 1/25kHz)

5.2 Tuning Modes

The radio offers six selectable tuning modes:

1. Jog dial manual tuning: Rotate the TUNING dial on the side.
2. Auto scan tuning (ATS) for FM, MW, LW & SW: Press the ATS button.
3. Pre-setting manual scan tuning: Scan through saved presets.
4. Memory pre-setting auto scan tuning: Automatically scan through memory.
5. Memory pre-setting address direct entry tuning: Enter memory address directly.
6. Frequency direct entry tuning: Use the number pad and DIRECT KEY IN.

5.3 Basic Features

• Multi-functions Digital Display for Frequency, Signal Strength, S/N ratio, Clock & Alarm.
• Temperature (°C or °F) & Battery Consumption display.
• Highly intelligent On / Off switch: allows setting sleep timer from 1 - 120 minutes, or direct power on/off.
• Alarm by radio, with automatic alarm stopper within 1 - 90 minutes.
• Light & Snooze function - 5 minutes, repeated three times.
• Digital clock function with 12/24 Hour Format.
• Volume Knob with maximum 30 sound levels.
• FM Mono & Stereo selection.
• Key lock function.
• LCD Display Screen.

5.4 Specific Band Operation

Airband (AIR): The airband is used for radio communication in aviation (VHF band between 118 MHz and 137 MHz). You may be able to receive dialogue between pilots and air traffic control, and weather forecasts near airports. Select the 'AIR' band and use the tuning methods to find frequencies.

Single Side Band (SSB): For receiving amateur radio (HAM) and utility broadcasts, select the 'SW' band and then press the 'SSB' button. Use the 'SSB BFO' fine-tuning knob on the side of the radio to clarify the audio, as SSB signals require precise tuning.

Synchronous Detection (SYNC): For AM and Shortwave broadcasts, pressing the 'SYNC' button can help reduce fading and interference from adjacent strong stations, improving listening quality.

6. Maintenance

To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your TECSUN PL-660 radio:

• Clean the exterior of the radio with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid using abrasive cleaners, solvents, or strong chemicals, as these can damage the finish.
• If the radio will not be used for an extended period, remove the batteries to prevent potential leakage and damage to the device.
• The radio features a built-in charging system. To charge the supplied Ni-Mh rechargeable batteries, connect the AC adapter to the DC 6V input jack. Ensure the radio is turned off during charging.
• Avoid exposing the radio to extreme temperatures, high humidity, dust, or direct sunlight.

7. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your TECSUN PL-660, refer to the following common problems and solutions:

• No Power:
  • Check if the batteries are correctly installed and fully charged.
  • If using the AC adapter, ensure it is properly connected to both the radio and a working power outlet.
• Poor Reception / Weak Signal:
  • Fully extend the telescopic antenna.
  • Try repositioning the radio to a different location, away from potential interference sources (e.g., computers, fluorescent lights).
  • For Shortwave (SW) reception, connect the included external wire antenna.
  • Adjust the 'ANT. GAIN' switch (DX/NORMAL/LOCAL) on the side of the radio to match signal strength.
• Distorted Audio:
  • Adjust the 'VOLUME' control.
  • Check the 'TONE' switch setting (TREBLE/BASS).
  • For SSB reception, carefully fine-tune using the 'SSB BFO' knob.
  • If listening to FM, ensure the 'FM ST.' setting is appropriate for the signal strength (Mono for weaker signals).
• Display Not Working / Dim:
  • Ensure the batteries have sufficient charge.
  • Press the 'LIGHT' button to activate the backlight.
• Buttons Unresponsive:
  • Check if the 'Key Lock' function is activated. Deactivate it if necessary.

8. Specifications