By 2013, portable radios based on DSP (digital signal processing) chips had been around long enough for second-generation products to begin rolling out. One of Tecsun's earliest DSP models was the PL-310 AM/FM/longwave/shortwave radio. Even though it featured the kind of performance that could previously have been obtained only from more expensive receivers, there were some issues, particularly with a "soft muting" function that tended to interfere with the reception of very weak signals.
For most listeners, that wouldn't have been an issue, but hobbyists who seek out weak signals were very frustrated by the "soft muting" issue.
The PL-310 also came out before Tecsun began featuring Easy Tuning Mode (ETM), a second bank of station memories that could be very handy when traveling to other locations, enabling a quick scan of signals available without disturbing pre-existing memory presets.
Tecsun added ETM to the PL-310 in 2013 along with other improvements, and changed the model number to reflect the change. Earlier, before buying my Tecsun PL-380, I considered buying the PL-310, but the PL-310 did not have ETM then, so I bought the PL-380. With the updated PL-310ET, I was curious to see how the new model compared with the PL-380, as well as with the newly released CC Skywave travel radio.
There are two noticeable differences between the PL-310ET (the black radio) and the PL-380 (the silver-gray radio). The PL-310ET uses a small knob for tuning rather than a recessed thumbwheel control, and has a jack on the left side of the unit (left photo) for connecting an external FM or shortwave antenna. As usual for Tecsun radios of this size, the built-in rod antenna is too short for peak FM performance. The length of the antenna should be 30 inches, not 21 1/2 inches.
The right side of the radio has the tuning knob and a thumbwheel volume control that is detented, just as with other Tecsun models. The Tecsun volume controls have been the subject of complaints from some users, since volume levels "jump" from one detent to another, sometimes getting louder than expected.
Controls are occasionally placed differently on the PL-310ET compared to the PL380. Even so, the same functions are available on both models.
Otherwise, the PL-310ET is nearly identical to the PL-380. The PL-310ET requires three AA batteries, as does the PL-380, and can recharge metal-hydride batteries. I ordered my PL-310ET through an Amazon reseller for just under $50. Unlike ordering from a Chinese reseller, rechargable batteries weren't included, nor was a box. The manual and a zippered carrying case were included. The carrying case, while not rigid, does have a slight amount of difficulty with the knob that sticks out slightly from the right side of the radio.
Please check out my review of the PL-380 for more details on use of the radio, audio quality, etc. The rest of this review compares the PL-310ET with comparable travel radios.
C. Crane's release of the CC Skywave radio in the last quarter of 2014 created the opportunity to do a head-to-head comparison of two radios aimed at listeners seeking a high-performing compact radio. Both the CC Skywave and C. Crane's earlier CC Pocket radio seemed to be tailored to the needs of the American market, including coverage of the weather-radio band, used only in North America.
During a very windy day at midday on the last week of December, I sought to compare the PL-310ET, the PL-380, the CC Skywave, and the CC Pocket. Signals available vary from day to day and sometimes, for the very weakest signals, even in the same hour. Results obtained on another day could have been different. So it's important not to say one radio is much better than the other just because it could pick up one or two more signals. What's notable is how close these radios are in performance. They all could be better on FM with a properly sized antenna, but even then, I believe the improvement would be more noticeable with weak signals becoming stronger, and not with just picking up more stations.
That said, here are station counts among the various models:
| Model | AM | FM |
|---|---|---|
| (Available stations) | 47 | 52 |
| CC Pocket | 45 | 50 |
| CC Skywave | 46 | 50 |
| Tecsun PL-310ET | 45 | 51 |
| Tecsun PL-380 | 47 | 52 |
As I observed previously, the AM performance of the CC Skywave was better than the Tecsun radios in a couple of other ways. There were many fewer digital noises, such as beeps or tones, on the CC Skywave. There were a few more on the CC Pocket, but still it was much quieter than the Tecsuns. Audio recovery through the automatic gain control was just a little stronger and more consistent on the CC Skywave and the CC Pocket (second version).
The audio quality of the CC Skywave was just a little better compared to the other radios, both with headphones and through the speaker -- there was a little more bass and a little more presence. The analog volume control also provided better control over listening volume. There wasn't an abrupt jump between levels as there sometimes can be with the Tecsun radios.
I included the CC Pocket to provide another benchmark for comparison, though I think it competes in a slightly different niche than the other three radios. When considering the CC Skywave and the Tecsun radios, I think you can't go wrong with any of them. The Tecsun radios are easier to obtain than they once were, and cost less than the C. Crane radios; but the CC Skywave is a little smaller and has slightly better audio. Any of them makes a good radio for traveling or everyday listening.