TECSUN PL-300ET SHORTWAVE RADIO

Hello and welcome back... If you are looking for a cheap & portable Shortwave Radio... Read on.

I got this little radio in one of those Innovations Catlogs and must say... I'm pretty impressed.

Its a Tecsun (model PL300et) Shortwave Receiver.
Its main claim to fame is its world time dial (you can turn a dial on the front of the radio and it will show current time (where you were) and new time (where you are now)).
Cost around $79
Its portable, great sound and reception and it even shows the temp (i like this feature)

The only down-side i can find is the tuning part..
The Tecsun has 4 modes for tuning.. =
Jog dial manual tuning (good)
Auto scan tuning (ok)
Memory pre-setting auto scan tuning (don't like)
Memory pre-setting manual scan tuning (ok)
The problem is, this radio has 500 preset memories, which sounds impressive but is a pain when your using a thumb dial to go through 500 different stations (mind boggling and i've forgotten what each channels are)... Its probably me being picky but it something that annoys me.
Also the tuning will go at 1khz step then suddenly jumps to 10khz steps depending how fast you twiddle the knob.. takes a bit of getting used to.
It could also use a plug to connect an external antenna (kinda like a headphone socket)

But over all, its an amazing little radio and well worth the money..

For me its a 8/10

SPECS

• FM : 64.0 ~ 108.0 MHz
• MW : 520 ~ 1710KHz  (9K/10K tuning step selectable) 
• SW : 3150~ 21950KHz
• LW : 153 ~ 513KHz
• Noise Limit Sensitivity: FM < 3µV, AM < 1mV/m, SW < 20µV, LW < 10mV/m

FM Stereo is impressive, sounds really good..

•   500 Preset Memories
• Multi-functions Digital Display for Frequency, Signal Strength, S/N, Clock & Alarm, Temperature & Battery
• Rotary Digital Volume Control with 30 Levels
• Alarm Clock Function (Buzzer or Radio Station)
• Sleep timer (from 1 to 120 minutes)
• World Traveling Clock 
• Low power consumption
• Signal strength, temperature and battery consumption display
• 9K / 10K tuning steps for MW
• Keylock function
• Built-in rechargeable function via USB jack (excellent idea)
• Reset button
• DC jack (6V) (charger not included)  
• Unit Size: 135 (L) x 86 (H) x 26(W) mm  
•  Using DSP technology to enhance the highest sensitivity and selectivity, with excellent S/N ratio & anti-interference result in good reception & sound quality

Unit takes 3 AA battery's...

LINKS

http://www.innovations.com.au/p/electronics/audio-sound/world-band-radio-and-clock

https://www.tecsunradios.com.au/store/

*** Side-Note ***
This post is my own opinions and are not endorsed/paid by Tecsun.
#Tecsun
#NSWRadio&Communications
#Pl-330et

PROGRAMING SERVICE FOR UNIDEN RADIO SCANNERS (Updated 1/12/2020)

Hello and Welcome Back... 

 

Do You Own a Uniden Radio Scanner and Don't Know How to Program It?...

 

UBCD396T /XT**

UBCD325PT*

UBCD436PT*

UBCD536PT*

USDS100*

USDS200* 

 

 

Programming is now available for Various models for  NSW / CANBERRA Only (see full list below)

This is a FULL Radio Setup using Sentinel / Proscan / Freescan** Software (10 Banks)

Its highly Recommended that you do a DMR upgrade (via Uniden) for models* that allow it as most of this file uses DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) Frequency's 

 

** Windows PC Only

The Full Radio Setup is as follows..

BANK
0 = RURAL FIRE inc Rural Fire Aviation, UHF / VHF Fireground, PMR, NPWS & Forestry
1 = CB Radio inc AM CB & UHF CB
2 = GRN (Government Radio Network) inc Ambulance, Fire & rescue, SES, RTA, & heaps More
3 = MEDICAL / RESCUE inc Surf Rescue, Hospitals, VRA & More
4 = LOCAL inc Westfields / Shopping Centres, Bus Companys & More
5 = SYDNEY AIRPORT inc Companys, Main Airport Frequencys
6 = LOCAL AIRPORTS inc Bankstown & Camden
7 = MILITARY inc Richmond, Williamtown & More
8 = MARINE RADIO inc Marine Rescue
9 = TRANSPORT (Air Companys, Buses, Taxis, ect, ect)

11= DMR Orion Trunking (Bus Companys, Various Private Companys)


This table above (banks) represent 30 years of radio listening. The frequencies i have in these banks are a collection of personal listening, hours of searching ACMA databanks and RadioReference website.
 

 

 

HOW MUCH DOES THIS COST TO PROGRAM?

 

OPTION 1 **

 $40 - Email Master File with detailed instructions (Suits Radios that use Freescan Program inc 396T / 396XT / 325PT (Basic Setup) 

For this Email versions, you will need a Data Cable / Software that (hopefully) came with your radio.

 

OPTION 2
  $50 - Meet me to Program 396T / 396XT / 325PT (if you Live / Travel around Blue Mountains and I will do it for you..Takes around 10-20mins)

 OPTION 3

 $50  - Mail Micro SD Card for 436, 536, sds100 & 200 (NEW)... Please allow 24-48 hours for sending out card for programming (Inc Tracking)

  OPTION 4

$50 - Meet me and I install the Provided Micro SD card for 436 - 536 - SDS100 & 200 (NEW) (if you live / travel around Blue Mountains and i will do it for you..Takes around 15mins)

 

OPTION 5 (TAIT RADIOS)

$30

Meet me with the frequencies you require to program your TAIT T2010 Radio, don't forget if input frequency is different to output frequency, you will need both.

 

 

***  PAYMENT IS TO BE MADE BEFORE PROGRAMMING as I have spent time programming only for people not bother to turn up...This way Slots you into a time frame and gets programming Started. ***

 

 

*** HOW TO PAY  ***

1. Using this Website, Click on the 'DONATE' tab on the top right corner of this page "Shout Me A Coffee" & Deposit the correct amount

This Method uses Paypal and Takes 30sec of your Time

 

2. In the notes section in Paypal, please state the its for 'Radio Programming', and address if sending Micro SD Card & Area of Listening

Please allow 24/48 hours for the instructions and link to the file to be emailed to you. (i have 4 kids so things get hectic at times) also it gives me time to find frequencies for your area.

 

WHY CHOOSE ME TO PROGRAM YOUR RADIO?  

1. 40 year experience with Radio Scanners

2. I was the founder of the COW (Cell on Wheels) frequency list on GRN. 

After searching for nearly 2 days, i found that the GRN COW Portable systems have a 'NSW Wide' assignment attached to them, which means if your tower goes down for maintenance, the COW system will kick in & because my Master File includes all NSW Wide COW frequencies, you will be able to continue to listen...

3. I was also the person who worked out settings for the 436PT that need to be changed in order to receive the GRN properly. 

While everyone else was wondering why they were getting crappy reception on GRN using the 'Auto' setting, I worked out that it needed to be set to 'Manual 6' in order to be more sensitive on decoding GRN.

 

SCANNERS  / RADIOS I PROGRAM

USDS100 (Handheld)* (New)

USDS200 (Desktop) * (New)

UBCD536PT (Desktop) * (NEW)

 
UBCD436PT (handheld) * (NEW)

 

TAIT T2010 (Mobile / Desktop) (NEW)

 
UBC3500XLT (Discontinued handheld) 

 
UBCD396T (handheld)

 
UBCD396XT(handheld)

 
UBCD325P2(handheld)

 
UBCD996XT (desktop)

 
UBCD996T (desktop)

 
UBCD996P2 (desktop)

 

UBC126AT (Handheld) (Analogue Radio)


UBC126AT (Set-out will be modified from the list above, no digital channels are include as it is a analogue scanner only)

NOTE - DISCLAIMER
I offer this service AS IS, meaning i don't claim that its 100% correct, as whats good for me, may not be good for you.. (so far no problems :)

 

The setup is designed to get you started and then you can add, modify or delete to make it your own.
This file is the same one i use so i know it works but sometimes things change.
Please have patience as i will endeavor to fix any problems that should they arise

If you have a problem please email me and let me know because it may be something that i have overlooked or hadn't thought about.
 

My Email Is = michael-bailey1708@hotmail.com


Michael Bailey


#Uniden
#UBCD396T
#BCT15
#UBCD396XT
# UBCD996XT
#UBCD325P2
#UBCD996P2
#UBC126AT
#ProgramScanner
#program
#radioScanner 
#UBCD436PT
#UBCD536PT

#Tait

#Taitt2010

#tait

#programming 

#radioprogram

#programscanner

#usds100

#USDS200

GRN APCO BANDPLAN

Hello and welcome back... Found out about this by mistake...

I decided to reprogram my Uniden UBCD396XT Radio Scanner and make things a little more organized.

Upon programing GRN (Digital P25) into the radio i found that i was receiving towers from Kurrajong, & Gov Phillip Tower but not Glenbrook or Razorback (Picton).

Living in Springwood, NSW, my main tower is Glenbrook and wondering is the tower was not transmitting, i programmed in the control channel into another analogue radio and confirmed that it was, in fact.. still working.

Next step was to check settings and i noted that the two working channels had found its bandplan but the the two that was dead had no bandplan in place.

The bandplan is used to set parameters into the radio along with step frequencies as well.

You will find the bandplan in your Freescan setup. Once you load your setup, head the your GRN setup and click on the Base (or Tower), in my case its Glenbrook as a start.

There are 3 tables in front of you... Site Setup, Trunk Frequencies and APCO Band Plan. The APCO bandplan is what you want.

All your towers should have a Bandplan like the pic below.

If you try to enter the frequencies manually, the software will tell you that the 762mhz frequencies are out of band, just click OK. 

FREQUENCY(Mhz)     SPACING (Khz)
851.00625                       6.25
762.00625                       6.25
851.0125                         12.5
762.00625                       12.5
412.47500                       6.25
420.00000                       6.25

After setting the bandplan, I then plugged my radio into an outdoor antenna and Bingo..Glenbrook was now working (also did the same to Razorback and it too started to work)

So, if you are programming your radio and wondering why its not picking anything up... Check the bandplan.
Normally, it programs the bandplan automatically (as it did for Gov Phillip Tower & Kurrajong) but failed to do Glenbrook & Razoback.

Hope this Helps

NOTE = I have updated the 'How to setup GRN page  :)

EASIER TO READ INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR UNIDEN 396XT

Hello and welcome back... Do you own a Uniden UBCD396XT / BCD396XT and hate the crappy 'instruction manual on a disc'?

An excellent 45 page in depth instruction manual is available on line at this site = CLICK HERE

Also a manual for the396T is available as well = CLICK HERE

Note = this site is aimed at the American market but is OK for Australian use.. Just dont go upgrading the firmware..


LINKS

http://marksscanners.com/396XT/396xt.shtml

http://marksscanners.com/396/396.shtml

PLEASE, Don't forget to shout me a coffee (see link top right corner)... Any amount big or small is much appreciated and it keeps this site happening :)

GRN - ID CODES UPDATED

Hello and welcome back... Just a quick update to let you know that the GRN - ID Code page has been updated = CLICK HERE

I have tried to edit the page as so you can copy and paste into freescan as easily as possible (using EZ-Grab function)

While i may not update every week, i am working behind the scenes to make sure this site stays as up to date as possible. (I also have 10 other sites :))

CHEERS

PLEASE, Don't forget to shout me a coffee (see link top right corner)... Any amount big or small is much appreciated and it keeps this site happening :)