Tecsun PL-880 vs PL-660: Which Shortwave Radio to Buy?
The PL-880 and PL-660 are Tecsun's two most-recommended portable shortwave radios. The PL-880 costs $100 more and adds DSP processing with variable bandwidth. The PL-660 costs less and adds air band reception. The right choice depends entirely on what you want to listen to.
Quick Answer: Which Should You Buy?
Choose PL-880 If:
- Shortwave selectivity is a priority
- You listen on congested HF bands (40m, 31m)
- You want adjustable DSP bandwidth
- You use headphones or line output
- You're a serious shortwave listener or DXer
Choose PL-660 If:
- You want to listen to aircraft communications
- Budget is a consideration
- Casual shortwave and AM/FM listening
- You want the widest frequency coverage
- SSB matters but air band matters more
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Tecsun PL-880 | Tecsun PL-660 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179.99 | $80-120 |
| DSP Processing | Yes (variable bandwidth) | No |
| Air Band (VHF Aviation) | No | Yes (118–137 MHz) |
| AM / MW | Yes | Yes |
| FM | Yes | Yes |
| Shortwave (SW) | Yes | Yes |
| SSB (USB + LSB) | Yes | Yes |
| Line Output | Yes | No |
| Selectivity | Adjustable (DSP) | Fixed |
| Memory Channels | 2000 | 2000 |
Key Differences Explained
DSP Bandwidth: The PL-880's Core Advantage
The PL-880 uses a DSP chip that lets you select between multiple bandwidth settings (typically 1.2, 2.3, 3.5, 5, and 7 kHz). Narrower bandwidths reject adjacent channel interference — critical when trying to copy a weak station sandwiched between two stronger broadcasters on the 31-meter or 41-meter bands. The PL-660 uses fixed filter bandwidth with no adjustability. In quiet conditions, the difference is minimal. In congested conditions, the PL-880 wins clearly.
Air Band: PL-660's Unique Feature
The PL-660 receives the VHF aviation band (118–137 MHz), allowing you to listen to ATC approach and departure controllers, ground control, and aircraft communications at your local airport. The PL-880 doesn't cover this range at all. If you're near an airport or enjoy aviation communications, this is a compelling reason to choose the PL-660 despite the reduced shortwave performance.
Line Output: PL-880 for Recording
The PL-880 includes a line-level output for connecting to a recorder, amplifier, or speaker system. This makes it suitable for shortwave recording sessions or connecting to better external audio. The PL-660 only has a headphone output, which works but produces varying output impedance across volume settings.
Value Calculation
The PL-660 delivers roughly 80% of the PL-880's shortwave performance at 50% of the price. For casual listeners who tune in to BBC World Service or Voice of America on strong signals, the PL-660 is excellent value. For DXers chasing weaker stations on crowded bands, the PL-880's DSP filtering is worth the premium.
Best Radio by Listening Style
Casual Shortwave
Winner: PL-660
Strong broadcast stations on predictable bands. Fixed bandwidth is fine. Save $100.
Shortwave DX
Winner: PL-880
Weak signals on crowded bands benefit significantly from DSP bandwidth control.
Aviation Listening
Winner: PL-660
PL-880 doesn't receive air band at all. PL-660 is the only choice for ATC listening.
Amateur Radio Monitoring
Winner: PL-880
DSP selectivity helps on the crowded 20m (14 MHz) and 40m (7 MHz) bands.
Emergency Preparedness
Either
Both receive international shortwave news and MW emergency broadcasts. PL-660's lower cost makes it a better emergency kit investment.
Headphone Listening
Winner: PL-880
Cleaner audio stage and line output deliver better headphone and recorded audio quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Tecsun PL-880 and PL-660?
The PL-880 is a newer design with DSP (Digital Signal Processing) for better selectivity and a cleaner audio output. The PL-660 is an older model that includes air band reception (118–137 MHz) that the PL-880 lacks. The PL-880 is significantly more expensive but offers noticeably better shortwave selectivity.
Does the Tecsun PL-880 receive the aviation air band?
No. The PL-880 does not receive the aviation VHF air band (118–137 MHz). The PL-660 does include air band reception. If listening to aircraft communications is a priority, the PL-660 is your choice between these two models.
Is DSP worth the extra cost in the PL-880?
For serious shortwave listening, yes. The PL-880's DSP processing allows you to adjust bandwidth (narrower for crowded bands, wider for better audio), which is particularly useful when stations are packed close together on 40m or 31m broadcast bands. The PL-660's fixed bandwidth is less flexible in congested conditions.
Which Tecsun radio has better audio quality?
The PL-880 generally produces better audio on shortwave due to its line output and more refined audio stage. The PL-660 is adequate but the PL-880 is noticeably cleaner when listening through headphones, especially on SSB.
Can either radio receive USB and LSB (SSB)?
Yes, both models receive SSB (Single Sideband) — both upper sideband (USB) and lower sideband (LSB). This is important for amateur radio listening, utility stations, and some shortwave broadcasts. SSB support is present on both.
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