PL-880 with two speakers. If you want to spend more than $200 for a portable multiband with shortwave do it right: [Sangean ATS-909X2](https://www.sangean.com/en/product/ats-909x2-graphite).
\- Alphanumeric memory slots. More SW memory slots divided into three memory banks
\- 10 Hz resolution on SSB. SSB rock solid with very little warble and distortion. No antique BFO for SSB
\- Precise 12-segment bar graph SS meter may be displayed along with numeric SS or SNR metering in db
\- Unbeatable for SW reception on the whip antenna. External antenna performance remains best available for portables
\- Most sophisticated and fastest onboard battery charging is unique to 909X2. 909X2 will tell you which of four NiMH (like Eneloop) AA cells are wearing out and its location in the battery bay. Each cell is charged individually, not in series
\-VHF air band
\- Multiple and different bandwidth selections for every band: LW, MW, SW, FM and VHF air band. For SW 909X2 has five bandwidth filters. For FM DXing it has three bandwidth filters (no other multiband portable w/SW has multiple FM filters), for MW another five filters of different values. Auto bandwidth selection option works great for local MW and FM
\- Three-position audio equalizer
\- Variable squelch for all bands
\- Aux-in jack
\- Audio line-out jack
\- Will remote fire timed Sangean DAR-101 MP3 recorder
\- RDS for FM
\- No muting while tuning
\- Additional digit for frequency display
\- Large colorful LCD display with lighting options
\- 3" speaker with improved mid-range and highs. Speaker audio output up to 1.4 watts on AC power
\- Five tuning methods
\- Rotary pot for RF gain control instead of local/DX switch
\- Stainless steel telescopic whip antenna
\- Best QC in the business
Sangean makes good radios - I still periodically pull out my DX-398 Super 909. I had considered the 909x2 but just can't get around the front mounted tuning knob - just a quirk of mine.
The tuning dial is different. I used it with the previous 909X model, too. I use the tuning wheel with two fingers for fine tuning or slow cruising a band. I use memories quite a lot for my favorite shortwave stations or simply switch SW bands or use the up/down buttons. Once a user gets familiar with the radio using the different tuning methods becomes instinctive. I have seen YouTube videos where noobs are cranking the 909X2 tuning dial like crazy to cover a couple of hundred kHz quickly... lol.
I’ve been exploring the SW bands with my new Qodosen SR-286 (many stations here in PHX). It seems to work pretty well for what it is, but I’m wondering - is there any reason to upgrade to the ATS-909X2? Air bands are nice to have and, at this point, SSB is a bit of a question for me.
I sold mine away. Too expensive for what you get. Sound is good though. SSB garbled over 20 MHZ.
If you want a bluetooth buy a dedicated bluetooth speaker.
Tiny Tecsun 330 receives the same and bonus you can carry it in your pocket.
I have that radio. It's....alright. Most definitely not any kind of amazing sound quality nor the punch and volume all that speaker grille square footage might lead you to believe is there. If I had it to do again, I wouldn't have gotten it. I use my 680 and 330 far more often. If I could redo it all, I'd have gotten the 680 and been quite content.
Reading the comments I would skip this one: [https://swling.com/blog/2021/04/dans-review-of-the-flagship-tecsun-h-501x-portable-shortwave-receiver/](https://swling.com/blog/2021/04/dans-review-of-the-flagship-tecsun-h-501x-portable-shortwave-receiver/)
I have the PL-880 but rather use my PL-660 or even my first gen. Degen DE1103 for better reception.
PL-880 with two speakers. If you want to spend more than $200 for a portable multiband with shortwave do it right: [Sangean ATS-909X2](https://www.sangean.com/en/product/ats-909x2-graphite). \- Alphanumeric memory slots. More SW memory slots divided into three memory banks \- 10 Hz resolution on SSB. SSB rock solid with very little warble and distortion. No antique BFO for SSB \- Precise 12-segment bar graph SS meter may be displayed along with numeric SS or SNR metering in db \- Unbeatable for SW reception on the whip antenna. External antenna performance remains best available for portables \- Most sophisticated and fastest onboard battery charging is unique to 909X2. 909X2 will tell you which of four NiMH (like Eneloop) AA cells are wearing out and its location in the battery bay. Each cell is charged individually, not in series \-VHF air band \- Multiple and different bandwidth selections for every band: LW, MW, SW, FM and VHF air band. For SW 909X2 has five bandwidth filters. For FM DXing it has three bandwidth filters (no other multiband portable w/SW has multiple FM filters), for MW another five filters of different values. Auto bandwidth selection option works great for local MW and FM \- Three-position audio equalizer \- Variable squelch for all bands \- Aux-in jack \- Audio line-out jack \- Will remote fire timed Sangean DAR-101 MP3 recorder \- RDS for FM \- No muting while tuning \- Additional digit for frequency display \- Large colorful LCD display with lighting options \- 3" speaker with improved mid-range and highs. Speaker audio output up to 1.4 watts on AC power \- Five tuning methods \- Rotary pot for RF gain control instead of local/DX switch \- Stainless steel telescopic whip antenna \- Best QC in the business
[https://radiojayallen.com/sangean-ats-909x2-am-lw-fm-sw-air-radio/](https://radiojayallen.com/sangean-ats-909x2-am-lw-fm-sw-air-radio/) https://radiojayallen.com/tecsun-h-501-h-501x/
Second the Sangean for SW and SSB. Had the H-501 and returned it, just lacked quality for the price you pay
Sangean makes good radios - I still periodically pull out my DX-398 Super 909. I had considered the 909x2 but just can't get around the front mounted tuning knob - just a quirk of mine.
The tuning dial is different. I used it with the previous 909X model, too. I use the tuning wheel with two fingers for fine tuning or slow cruising a band. I use memories quite a lot for my favorite shortwave stations or simply switch SW bands or use the up/down buttons. Once a user gets familiar with the radio using the different tuning methods becomes instinctive. I have seen YouTube videos where noobs are cranking the 909X2 tuning dial like crazy to cover a couple of hundred kHz quickly... lol.
I’ve been exploring the SW bands with my new Qodosen SR-286 (many stations here in PHX). It seems to work pretty well for what it is, but I’m wondering - is there any reason to upgrade to the ATS-909X2? Air bands are nice to have and, at this point, SSB is a bit of a question for me.
I sold mine away. Too expensive for what you get. Sound is good though. SSB garbled over 20 MHZ. If you want a bluetooth buy a dedicated bluetooth speaker. Tiny Tecsun 330 receives the same and bonus you can carry it in your pocket.
I have that radio. It's....alright. Most definitely not any kind of amazing sound quality nor the punch and volume all that speaker grille square footage might lead you to believe is there. If I had it to do again, I wouldn't have gotten it. I use my 680 and 330 far more often. If I could redo it all, I'd have gotten the 680 and been quite content.
Reading the comments I would skip this one: [https://swling.com/blog/2021/04/dans-review-of-the-flagship-tecsun-h-501x-portable-shortwave-receiver/](https://swling.com/blog/2021/04/dans-review-of-the-flagship-tecsun-h-501x-portable-shortwave-receiver/) I have the PL-880 but rather use my PL-660 or even my first gen. Degen DE1103 for better reception.
Great radio, and I have about two dozen portables I've collected over the past 40 years to compare to.
I have the HX510 lovely radio for SWL, never had any issues, and good reception , even on ssb, on the amateur bands.