TECSUN
TECSUN
RADIOS AUSTRALIA
PL-600
FM STEREO/LW/MW/SW SSB
PLL SYNTHESIZED DUAL CONVERSION RECEIVER
OWNER'S MANUAL
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL BEFORE OPERATION
TECSUN RADIOS AUSTRALIA
24/9 Powells Road, Brookvale, NSW 2100 Australia
Email: info@tecsunradios.com.au
Ph: +61 2 9939 4377
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10 TROUBLESHOOTING
RESET PROCEDURE OPERATES ERRATICALLY
The RESET button is on the bottom of the Perform a RESET, as described in the
PL-600. When performing a reset, have section titled RESET PROCEDURE.
good batteries in the radio or power it with
an AC adaptor and turn it off. Perform a
reset if the solutions outlined below don't
resolve the issue. To perform a reset,
press the reset button with a paper clip or
similar object.
WILL NOT TURN ON
1. Assure that the LOCK feature is not
engaged.
2. Assure that the radio has power
(batteries installed or AC adaptor
plugged in).
3. Assure that batteries are inserted with
correct polarity
4. Assure that the batteries are not
depleted
5. If using an AC adaptor, assure that it is
plugged into the household outlet
(mains socket) and into the radio's DC
socket. Take care not to plug it into the
earphone socket. Also, assure that the
AC adaptor is of the correct DC voltage
output and polarity and that its plug-tip
is of the correct inner and outer
diameter.
SHUTS OFF ABRUPTLY WHILE
PLAYING DURING BATTERY USE
This is caused by depleted batteries.
Replace them.
SHUTS OFF ABRUPTLY WHILE BEING
MOVED DURING AC ADAPTOR USE
This is usually caused by a broken wire or
loose connection in the AC adaptor's cord
or if the AC adaptor's plug-tip is of the
wrong diameter.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
MAJOR FEATURES OF THE PL-600
2
DIAGRAMS
3
GETTING STARTED
WHAT THE PL-600 INCLUDES
INSTALLING BATTERIES
PREVENTING BATTERY ACID LEAKAGE
USING THE INCLUDED AC ADAPTOR/CHARGER
CHARGING BATTERIES IN THE PL-600
4
BASIC RADIO OPERATION
5
CLOCK AND TIMER FEATURES
SETTING THE CLOCK
SETTING THE TIMERS
STORING A RADIO STATION INTO TIMER MEMORY
ACTIVATING/DEACTIVATING THE TIMER
USING THE SNOOZE FEATURE
6
WORKING WITH MEMORY
STORING STATIONS INTO MEMORY
SELECTING/CHANGING MEMORY PAGES
ACCESSING WHAT IS STORED INTO MEMORY
DIRECT MEMORY ACCESS
MANUAL MEMORY SEARCH
MEMORY AUTO-SCAN
DELETING A MEMORY'S CONTENTS
DELETING ALL MEMORY PAGE CONTENTS
MOVING A STORED FREQUENCY
CUSTOMIZING MEMORY PAGES
7
SYSTEM SET CODES
SYSTEM SET CODE TABLE
CHANGING SYSTEM SET CODES
DEFAULT FACTORY SYSTEM SET CODES
MONITORING THE CURRENT STATUS OF SET
CODES AND OTHER SETTINGS
8
ADDITIONAL PL-600 CONTROLS
9
LISTENING TO SHORTWAVE STATIONS
10
TROUBLESHOOTING
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PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL
1 MAJOR FEATURES OF THE PL-600
FM Frequency Range: 87-108 MHz or 76-108 MHz (For Japan)
Shortwave Frequency Range: 1711- 29999 KHz
9/10KHz tuning step selector for Medium Wave (MW) reception
1 kHz tuning step for the display of Medium wave and Shortwave
AM (LW/MW/SW) dual conversion.
SSB (SINGLE SIDE BAND) signal reception
ATS (Auto tuning system) for the memory storage of FM/MW reception
Manual Tuning
Auto Scan Tuning
Direct Keypad Frequency Entry
Digital Tuning Knob
600 Programmable Memories
Memory Page Customization
Auto-Scan and manually scan stations stored into memory
Direct Memory Access
Fast/Slow tuning rate selection for manual tuning
Sleep Function
Two Turn-on Timers with station memory
Snooze Function: 10 minutes, repeated three times
FM Stereo/Mono selection
High/Low Tone Control
LCD Backlight
Key Lock
Built-in Ni-MH battery charger
System set codes
ADDITIONAL PL-600 CONTROLS continued
USING THE LOCK BUTTON USING THE EXTERNAL ANTENNA
Pressing the LOCK button causes all
button-activated controls to be 'locked' The external antenna socket is used to
and the lock symbol appears in the lower improve shortwave or FM performance.
right corner of the display. A long press There are many such antennas on the
engages the LOCK feature. Another long market today. Typing in 'shortwave
press disengages it and the symbol antennas' or 'FM antennas' on your
disappears. favorite Internet search site will provide
This is an excellent feature to use when
traveling, as it keeps the radio from being
accidentally turned on. Before placing the
radio into a suitcase, purse or briefcase,
turn it off and then lock it. This control
does not disengage timer functions.
While you are listening to a favorite radio
station and want not to be shut off
accidentally, you can also lock the radio.
9 LISTENING TO SHORTWAVE STATIONS
Are you new to shortwave listening? If so, other world sources often exposes you to
you'll want to read this section. different and unique perspectives on
WHAT ARE SHORTWAVE STATIONS?
These are radio broadcast stations
around the world broadcasting on
frequencies that can be heard over vast
distances, often many thousands of miles.
In the United States, there are also about
30 domestic shortwave broadcasters with
religious, politically and ideologically
oriented broadcasts.
WHY LISTEN TO SHORTWAVE
STATIONS?
There are many reasons why you may
enjoy shortwave stations. Here are just
some, as reported to us by our customers.
Listening to news and information from
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2 DIAGRAMS
TIMERATIMER
18.Memory / Sys. Set Button
19.Charge On / Off Button
20.Enter / Delete Button
1. Power/ Sleep
2. Clock Button
3. Timer A Button
4. Timer B Button
B
0 1 2 3 4 5
Ni-MH
Battery
Shortwave Bandwidth N
1
2
5
4
8
7
0
3
6
9
5. FM/Shortwave
Telescopic Antenna
6. LCD Display
7.Light / Snooze Button
FAST
kHz
8.Tuning Fast/Slow / Lock Button
9.Up / Auto-Scan Button
10.Down / Auto-Scan Button
11.Frequency / Preset Button
12.Page Button
13.SSB Button
14.FM. ST & AM Bandwidth Button
15.FM / MW / LW Band &
FM / MW ATS Button
16.SW(SW Meter) Band Button
17.Numeric Keypad
21. Hand Carry Belt
22. FM / SW ANT. Jack
23. ANT. Gain
(DX / Normal / Local)
24. Tone Control
25. Earphone Socket
26. DC 6V Jack
27.Vertical Stand
TECS UN
28. Tuning Knob
29. Stand
30. SSB BFO Knob
31. Volume Knob
32. Reset Button
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PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL
DIAGRAMS continued
RADIO OFF DISPLAY RADIO ON DISPLAY
33. Battery Symbol
34. Clock Digits
35. Timer Digits
Timer A
Timer B
Ni-MH
Battery
A B
36. Timer Activation Symbol
37. Ni-MH Battery Symbol
MEMORY DISPLAY
Refers only to the display's upper right corner.
PAGE PRESET
33. Battery Symbol
38. Antenna Symbol
44. FM,
39. 1-5 Scale
0 1 2 3 4 5
Ni-MH
Battery
FM MW LW Shortwave SSB Bandwidth N
Sleep Timer Symbol
Timer A
SL EEP
Timer B
SLOW
A B
kHz
42. SSB
MW, LW,
Shortwave
Indicators
43. Frequency Digits
41. Bandwidth
SHORTWAVE METER
BAND DISPLAY
Refers only to the display's upper right corner.
40. Clock
Digits
36.
Timer
Activation
Symbol
mb
45. Delete Indicator
46. Memory Display
SYSTEM SET CODE DISPLAY
kHz
47. Shortwave Meter Band Display
48
49
7 SYSTEM SET CODES
System Set Codes allow the radio to be tailored to your needs by changing certain
programmable functions. These functions and their descriptions are noted in the table.
CODE NUMBER
00 (factory default setting)
20
25
50
55
55 (factory default setting)
09 (factory default setting)
10
28
29
76
87 (factory default setting)
SYSTEM SET CODE TABLE
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3 GETTING STARTED
WHAT THE PL-600 INCLUDES away and immediately contact the
●
Earbud style earphones
●
External antenna
●
Carrying pouch
●
AC adaptor/charger
●
4 - 1000 mAh, Ni-MH rechargeable
batteries.
●
Owner's manual
NOTE: In the instructions below, numbers
in parenthesis ( ), refer to the diagrams.
INSTALLING BATTERIES
The battery compartment is located on the
manufacturer of the batteries to inquire
about their battery leakage warranty
program.
USING THE INCLUDED AC
DAPTOR/CHARGER
To power the PL-600 with the included AC
Adaptor/Charger, plug it into a wall outlet
first, and then into the socket on the left
side of the PL-600, labeled DC 6 V.
Batteries can be in the radio while using
the AC Adaptor/Charger.
back of the PL-600. Its cover is on the
lower right corner of the back. To remove
the battery compartment cover, apply
thumb pressure and slide it towards the
bottom of the radio. Install 4 AA alkaline
batteries into the battery compartment,
observing the battery polarity diagram on
the back of the radio.
NOTE: If you don't plan to use
rechargeable batteries at all, then it's a
good idea to set SYSTEM SET CODE 29.
To do this, see the section titled SYSTEM
SET CODES. This assures that the
battery strength indicator will display
correctly for your non-rechargeable
batteries. This is not a mandatory
procedure and the PL-600 will function
if it is not done.
PREVENTING BATTERY ACID
LEAKAGE
To avoid battery acid leakage, only use
high quality alkaline, lithium or
rechargeable nickel-metal-hydride
batteries. Never intermix old with new, or
CHARGING BATTERIES IN THE PL-600
The PL-600 will play using whatever type
of AA batteries are in the battery
compartment, but only nickel-metalhydride batteries can be charged within it.
If non-rechargeable batteries are installed,
the PL-600 as a built-in safeguard system
that will prevent them from being charged.
This safeguard system works with the
PL-600 set to either SYSTEM SET CODE
28 or 29, as described below, and only
with he included AC Adaptor/Charger.
WARNING: Use only the included AC
Adaptor/Charger to recharge Ni-MH
batteries. Use of any other device may
cause the rechargeable batteries to
overheat, become damaged and possibly
damage the PL-600. The built-in
safeguard system, described above,
works only with the included AC
Adaptor/Charger. Damage caused to the
PL-600 resulting from failure to observe
this warning is not covered by the
warranty and voids the warranty.
different brands or types of batteries.
Damage caused by battery acid leakage
is not covered by this product's warranty.
If the batteries leak, don't throw them
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PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL
GETTING STARTED continued
The included AC Adaptor/Charger may be Once charging is finished, 'CHARGE' will
used to charge 4 Ni-MH rechargeable stop flashing and the charging indication
batteries (included) when installed onto bars in the upper left corner will stay full.
the PL-600's battery compartment. Before
charging, the PL-600 must be set up for
use with Ni-MH batteries and the correct
charging rate must be selected for them
to be charged. Ni-MH batteries are
manufactured with specific capacities
rated in milliamp-hours (mAh). These
capacities vary from about 1000 mAh up
to 2400 mAh at the time of this writing
(usually printed on the batteries). For
proper charging without damage to the
batteries, the correct charging rate must
be set. To set the charging rate, plug in
the AC adaptor and turn the PL-600 off.
Then follow the instructions below.
1. Enter SYSTEM SET CODE 28. See charging.
instructions in the section titled
SYSTEM SET CODES.
2. While '1000' flashes in the display, use
the UP /DOWN buttons to select the
mAh rating of your Ni-MH batteries.
Charging time varies depending on the
milliamp-hour rating of the batteries. The
charging circuit automatically senses the
milliamp-hour rating of the batteries and
will charge them for the correct amount of
time. Charging time can take from 5.5
hours for 1000 mAh batteries to 13 hours
for 2300 mAh batteries. The charging
circuit will sense when the batteries are
fully charged and automatically go into
trickle-charge mode, thus safeguarding
the batteries from being overcharged.
Disconnecting the adaptor/charger DC-06
from the PL-600 or pressing the
CHARGE ON/OFF button will also stop
To charge Ni-MH batteries:
1. Install 4 Ni-MH AA batteries.
2. Connect the adaptor/charger to the AC
wall.
3. Press/release the CHARGE ON/OFF
button. 'CHARGE' will flash in the
display and the charge indication bars
will advance from bottom to top in the
upper left corner of the display. The
digits in the upper right corner of the
display will change to 00:00 and will
count up in minutes and hours until
charging is finished.
6 WORKING WITH MEMORY
At the factory, the PL-600 is set up with numeric keypad to enter the page or
10 pages of memory (from 01~10), each
page holding 50 frequencies plus 100
frequency memory in P0. This enables
storing of 600 frequencies into memory.
Memory setting of 01~10 can be changed
and tailored to your personal needs or
can be left as is. When first learning to
store stations into memory, we suggest
using the factory setting. To change the
factory setting, see the section
CUSTOMIZING MEMORY PAGES. When
working with memory, the term PRESET
appears in the display under the memory
numbers.
STORING STATIONS INTO MEMORY
1. Turn on the radio.
2. Tune to the desired station.
3. Press/release the MEMORY button
(18). Note that the memory number
digits, labeled PRESET (46) flash in
the upper right corner of the display. SELECTING/CHANGING MEMORY
The memory page number, labeled
PAGE, also appears, but does not
flash.
4. Within 5 seconds use the numeric
keypad to enter the memory number
that you wish to store the station into.
For memories 1-9, enter the numbers
as 01~09.
5. Within 5 seconds press the MEMORY
button, or wait 5 seconds. This finalizes
storing into memory and after a few
seconds, the upper right corner's
display returns to show the clock.
SELECTING/CHANGING MEMORY
PAGES
To select/change memory pages:
1. Press/release the PAGE button (12).
The page number flashes in the
display.
2. Within 3 seconds, use either the UP or
DOWN button to change to the page of
your choice. Alternately, use the
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4 BASIC RADIO OPERATION
TURNING THE PL-600 ON AND OFF VOLUME AND TONE CONTROLS
The volume control (31), labeled
The PL-600 can be turned on by the two
methods shown below. To turn it off, press
the POWER/SLEEP button (1).
1. BATTERY SAVER/TIMER METHOD:
Perform a quick, short press of the
POWER/SLEEP button (1). This turns the
radio on with 30 in the display and causes
the radio to shut off automatically after 30
minutes. The sleep timer symbol
SL EEP
, , also appears in the display. To
change the automatic shut off time from
30 minutes to the number of minutes-toplay of your preference, use the UP or SELECTING FM, MW, LW OR
DOWN buttons (9, 10) immediately after SHORTWAVE
turning on the radio. This allows selection
of 1~120 minutes of playtime before
automatic shut-off occurs. The number of
minutes that you last set is also used the
next time the radio is turned on.
2. TIMER-DEFEAT METHOD:
This method defeats the automatic
minute timer and causes the radio to stay
on until deliberately turned off, until the
batteries drain or indefinitely if used with
an AC adaptor. Hold down the POWER
button for about 3 seconds, then release.
Note that 'On' appears in the display and
that the sleep timer symbol does not
appear when this method is used.
SIGNAL STRENGTH AND BATTERY
STRENGTH INDICATOR
When the radio is turned off, the upper
left corner of the display (6) shows battery
strength. When the radio is turned on, the
antenna symbol (38) and the 1-5 scale
shows relative signal strength.
VOLUME, is located on the right side of
the radio. To change the volume, rotate
the volume control knob. The tone control
(24), on the left side of the radio is
labeled TREBLE/BASS. Use the position
producing the sound that you like best.
USING EARPHONES
Earphones/headphones with a 1/8 inch
stereo plug can be used. Plug them into
the earphone socket (25) on the left side
of the radio.
When listening to FM or shortwave, fully
extend the telescopic antenna (5). It need
not be extended when listening to MW or
LW stations. After turning on the PL-600,
perform quick, short presses of the
'FM/MW -ATS' button (15) to select FM or
MW. To select SW press the 'SW METER
BAND' button (16). Each sequential press
of the SW METER BAND button or of the
UP or DOWN buttons places the radio at
the beginning of a specific shortwave
meter band. The frequency digits (43)
appear toward the center portion of the
display. The local stations of the area that
you are currently in will be heard on MW
and FM, while shortwave stations from
around the world can be heard on SW.
You can also select LW by press the
'FM/MW/LW' button (15). Before using
LW, you should activate the LW function
via the SYSTEM SET CODE, see the
SYSTEM SET CODE TABLE.
NOTE: If you are new to shortwave, see
the special shortwave sections later in
this manual.
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PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL
BASIC RADIO OPERATION continued
LISTENING IN FM STEREO DOWN button to auto-scan downward in
FM stereo can be heard when using
earphones/headphones. To hear FM in
stereo, press the FM STEREO button
(14). ' ' will appear in the display.
SETTING UP MW AND FM INSIDE OF (17). First, make sure that the correct
NORTH AMERICA OR JAPAN band is selected - FM, WM, LW or SW.
You can skip this section if you are
neither in North America nor in Japan and
just purchased the PL-600. It is already
set-up in the factory for use.
Inside of North America, AM stations (MW
in the PL-600's display) are spaced in 10
kHz tuning steps, you should change it
refer to the instructions CHANGING
SYSTEM SET CODES.
The FM frequency range may be different
from that used in North America, e.g. like
that used in Japan, 76-108MHz. To make
these changes, see the SYSTEM SET
CODE TABLE and the instructions
CHANGING SYSTEM SET CODES.
TUNING IN STATIONS
There are four ways to tune-in stations,
described below. They are Manual
Tuning, Auto-scan Tuning, Direct
Frequency Entry and Fine Tuning.
MANUAL TUNING
Quick, short presses of the UP/DOWN
buttons (9,10) enables tuning up or down
frequency.
AUTO-SCAN TUNING
Pressing the UP or DOWN buttons (9, 10)
for just over 1 second enables automatic
scan-tuning. The radio will then
automatically stop on the next station
encountered and stay for about 5
seconds for your monitoring. Press the
UP/DOWN buttons again to keep
listening in the station. Use the UP button
to auto-scan upward in frequency and the
FM
frequency.
DIRECT FREQUENCY ENTRY
When the desired frequency is known, it
can be entered via the numeric keypad
Most WM, LW and Shortwave frequencies
are designated in kilohertz (KHz), e.g.
810 KHz or 9475 KHz. All FM frequencies
are designated in megahertz (MHz), e.g.
102.9 MHz. To enter such frequencies,
just enter the frequency using the
numeric keypad (17).
Sometimes Shortwave frequencies are
designated in megahertz (MHz). If you
encounter such a shortwave frequency
and it has less than three digits after the
decimal point (e.g. 15.10 MHz or 6.92
MHz), then use the following method to
enter it.
However, if there are three digits after the
decimal point (e.g. 15.110 MHz or 5.975
MHz), use the method described
previously.
1. Enter the frequency using the numeric
keypad (17).
2. Press/release the 'Enter' (20) button.
TUNING KNOB
The TUNING knob control (28) is located
on the right side of the radio. Use it to
'fine-tune' stations or as you would a
tuning knob.
5 CLOCK AND TIMER FEATURES
SETTING THE CLOCK 3. Within 5 seconds, use the tuning knob
The factory has set the clock to function to set the hour.
as a 24-hour format clock.
There are three methods for setting the
clock.
CLOCK SET METHOD 1 UP AND
DOWN BUTTONS:
1. Turn the radio off. The clock digits
appear in the center of the display (34).
2. Press/release the button labeled 'Time'
(2). The clock's HOUR digits flash in
the display, within 5 seconds, set the
hour using the UP/DOWN buttons
(9, 10).
3. Press/release the 'Time' (2) button
again, the MINUTE digits flash in the
display, within 5 seconds, set the
minute using the UP/DOWN buttons
(9, 10).
4. Within 5 seconds of finishing,
press/release the 'Time' (2) button or
wait until the clock digits stop flashing.
CLOCK SET METHOD 2 –
NUMERIC KEYPAD:
1. Turn the radio off. The clock digits
appear in the center of the display (34).
2. Press/release the button labeled 'Time'
(2). The clock's digits flash in the
display.
3. Use the numeric keypad to key-in the
time in 24 hour format. Within 5
seconds of finishing, press/release the
'TIME' (2) button or wait until the clock
digits stop flashing.
CLOCK SET METHOD 3 TUNING
KNOB
1. Turn the radio off. The clock digits
appear in the center of the display (34).
2. Press/release the button labeled 'Time'
(2). The clock HOUR digits flash in the
display.
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BASIC RADIO OPERATION continued
TUNING MODE FAST TUNING SLOW INTRODUCTION TO SINGLE SIDE
TUNING BAND (SSB)
The TUNING-FAST/SLOW button (8) Many higher-end shortwave radios have
allows selection of fast or slow tuning special circuitry enabling SSB, a highly
when using the tuning knob or the UP efficient way of electronically processing
and DOWN controls. FAST or SLOW transmitted and received signals for twoappear in the display. When tuning with way communication. Examples of this are
the tuning knob (28), fast tuning is usually amateur radio (hams), maritime and
appropriate. When tuning with the UP and aeronautical communication. Either upper
DOWN buttons, use slow tuning to tune in side band (USB) or lower side band
stations and fast tuning to move up or (LSB) can be used. Non-voice methods of
down frequency at a rapid rate. Then use communication can also be heard,
slow to actually tune in stations. including CW (Morse code) and RTTY
Experiment with this control to see which (radio teletype). Receiving SSB signals is
tuning mode that you prefer. not always easy. Since this is two-way
USING THE BANDWIDTH BUTTON
The BANDWIDTH button (14) is used
when listening to WM and SW stations.
Its purpose is to help minimize
interference. The preferred setting is
WIDE, which provides best audio fidelity.
Use NARROW when there is
interference. W or N will appear in the
display.
USING THE PL600'S SSB (SINGLE
SIDE BAND) FEATURE
SSB enables listening to shortwave
signals using the single-sideband mode.
This mode is used for a variety of signals
including amateur radio and other twoway communications, Morse code,
weather-fax transmissions and other
encoded signals often referred to as
'utility' signals. To use SSB, turn on the
SSB circuit by pressing the SSB button
(13 ) . Note that SSB appears in the
display (42). Tune to the shortwave
frequency of your choice. Use the tuning
knob to coarse-tune the SSB signal, then
fine-tune with the SSB BFO+ knob (30).
This SSB circuit allows tuning of both
upper and lower sideband signals. For
best SSB signal clarity, placing the
DX/LOCAL switch in the LOCAL position
may be desirable.
communications, transmissions are often
very short and sporadic. Also, most twoway communication uses relatively low
power, 50 to 1000 watts. The amateur
radio operators are easiest to find, best
results are experienced when using an
outdoor shortwave antenna such as a
dipole.
Follow your radio's instructions on how to
engage its SSB feature. Shown next are
some selected frequency ranges on
which SSB communications can be
found. All frequencies are shown in
kilohertz.
AERONAUTICAL SW FREQUENCY
RANGES (USUALLY USB)
2850-31 55
3400-35 00
4650-47 50
5480-57 30
6525-67 65
8815-90 40
10005-1 0100
11175-11400
13200-1 3360
15010-1 5100
17900-1 8030
21870-2 2000
23200-2 3350
MARITIME SW FREQUENCY RANGES
(USUALLY USB)
4063-44 38
6200-65 25
8195-88 15
12230-1 3200
16360-1 7410
18780-1 8900
19680-1 9800
22000-2 2720
25070-2 5110
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5 CLOCK AND TIMER FEATURES
SETTING THE CLOCK 3. Within 5 seconds, use the tuning knob
The factory has set the clock to function to set the hour.
as a 24-hour format clock.
There are three methods for setting the
clock.
CLOCK SET METHOD 1 UP AND
DOWN BUTTONS:
1. Turn the radio off. The clock digits
appear in the center of the display (34).
2. Press/release the button labeled 'Time'
(2). The clock's HOUR digits flash in
the display, within 5 seconds, set the
hour using the UP/DOWN buttons
(9, 10).
3. Press/release the 'Time' (2) button
again, the MINUTE digits flash in the
display, within 5 seconds, set the
minute using the UP/DOWN buttons
(9, 10).
4. Within 5 seconds of finishing,
press/release the 'Time' (2) button or
wait until the clock digits stop flashing.
CLOCK SET METHOD 2 –
NUMERIC KEYPAD:
1. Turn the radio off. The clock digits
appear in the center of the display (34).
2. Press/release the button labeled 'Time'
(2). The clock's digits flash in the
display.
3. Use the numeric keypad to key-in the
time in 24 hour format. Within 5
seconds of finishing, press/release the
'TIME' (2) button or wait until the clock
digits stop flashing.
PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL
4. Within 5 seconds, press/release the
'Time' (2) button, then use the tuning
knob to set the minute.
5. Within 5 seconds of finishing,
press/release the 'Time' (2) button or
wait until the clock digits stop flashing.
You can also set the clock when you turn
on the radio. When the radio is on, the
clock digits appear in the upper right
corner of the display. Set the clock
referring to the 3 methods above.
SETTING THE TIMERS (USE AS
WAKE-UP ALARM)
The PL-600 has two, independently
programmable timers, timer A and B,
enabling the PL-600 to turn on and play
the radio for an alterable period of time
and then turn off. The playtime can be
selected from 1~90 minutes. The timers
can be used as wake-up alarms. After
setting a timer and a playtime, store a
radio station into timer memory and
activate the timer. See the next sections
titled STORING A RADIO STATION INTO
TIMER MEMORY and ACTIVATING /
DEACTIVATING THE TIMER.
NOTE: A radio station must be stored into
timer memory. If this is not done, there
will only be static once the timer is
activated.
CLOCK SET METHOD 3 TUNING
KNOB
1. Turn the radio off. The clock digits
appear in the center of the display (34).
2. Press/release the button labeled 'Time'
(2). The clock HOUR digits flash in the
display.
BASIC RADIO OPERATION continued
LISTENING IN FM STEREO DOWN button to auto-scan downward in
FM stereo can be heard when using
earphones/headphones. To hear FM in
stereo, press the FM STEREO button
(14). ' ' will appear in the display.
SETTING UP MW AND FM INSIDE OF (17). First, make sure that the correct
NORTH AMERICA OR JAPAN band is selected - FM, WM, LW or SW.
You can skip this section if you are
neither in North America nor in Japan and
just purchased the PL-600. It is already
set-up in the factory for use.
Inside of North America, AM stations (MW
in the PL-600's display) are spaced in 10
kHz tuning steps, you should change it
refer to the instructions CHANGING
SYSTEM SET CODES.
The FM frequency range may be different
from that used in North America, e.g. like
that used in Japan, 76-108MHz. To make
these changes, see the SYSTEM SET
CODE TABLE and the instructions
CHANGING SYSTEM SET CODES.
TUNING IN STATIONS
There are four ways to tune-in stations,
described below. They are Manual
Tuning, Auto-scan Tuning, Direct
Frequency Entry and Fine Tuning.
MANUAL TUNING
Quick, short presses of the UP/DOWN
buttons (9,10) enables tuning up or down
frequency.
AUTO-SCAN TUNING
Pressing the UP or DOWN buttons (9, 10)
for just over 1 second enables automatic
scan-tuning. The radio will then
automatically stop on the next station
encountered and stay for about 5
seconds for your monitoring. Press the
UP/DOWN buttons again to keep
listening in the station. Use the UP button
to auto-scan upward in frequency and the
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CLOCK AND TIMER FEATURES continued
When the timer activates, it turns on the ACTIVATING/DEACTIVATING THE
radio, with the timer activation symbol TIMER
and the playtime appear flashing in the
display. The radio will play the station
stored into timer memory and shut off
automatically when the playtime counts
down to 00 or until you turn the radio off
with the POWER/SLEEP button. The
'snooze' feature can also be used (see
section titled USING THE SNOOZE
FEATURE).
There are three methods to set the timer.
They are almost same as the clock set.
You can set Timer A or B separately.
STORING A RADIO STATION INTO
TIMER MEMORY
To hear a radio station when the timer SNOOZE/LIGHT button (7). The radio will
activates, the station must be stored into turn off and then turn on again in 10
timer memory. Here's the 2 step minutes. This process can be repeated 3
procedure: times.
1. Turn on the PL-600 and tune to the
desired station.
2. Press the TIMER A or TIMER B button
for more than 1 second, then release.
The timer symbol flashes in the display
twice.
NOTE: To monitor the frequencies stored
into timer memory A and B, perform a
three second press of the SYSTEM SET
button while the radio is turned off. The
set code information and the frequencies
stored into timer memory flash in the
display.
For a timer to turn on the radio, it must be
activated. A timer can be
activated/deactivated with the radio on or
off. To activate the timer, press/release
the TIMER A or TIMER B button. The
timer symbol will appear in the display. To
deactivate a timer, press/release the
TIMER A or TIMER B button. The timer
symbol will disappear from the display.
USING THE SNOOZE FEATURE
When the timer activates and turns the
radio on, the timer activation symbol (36)
appears flashing in the display. While it is
flashing, press/release the
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PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL
6 WORKING WITH MEMORY
At the factory, the PL-600 is set up with numeric keypad to enter the page or
10 pages of memory (from 01~10), each
page holding 50 frequencies plus 100
frequency memory in P0. This enables
storing of 600 frequencies into memory.
Memory setting of 01~10 can be changed
and tailored to your personal needs or
can be left as is. When first learning to
store stations into memory, we suggest
using the factory setting. To change the
factory setting, see the section
CUSTOMIZING MEMORY PAGES. When
working with memory, the term PRESET
appears in the display under the memory
numbers.
STORING STATIONS INTO MEMORY
1. Turn on the radio.
2. Tune to the desired station.
3. Press/release the MEMORY button
(18). Note that the memory number
digits, labeled PRESET (46) flash in
the upper right corner of the display. SELECTING/CHANGING MEMORY
The memory page number, labeled
PAGE, also appears, but does not
flash.
4. Within 5 seconds use the numeric
keypad to enter the memory number
that you wish to store the station into.
For memories 1-9, enter the numbers
as 01~09.
5. Within 5 seconds press the MEMORY
button, or wait 5 seconds. This finalizes
storing into memory and after a few
seconds, the upper right corner's
display returns to show the clock.
SELECTING/CHANGING MEMORY
PAGES
To select/change memory pages:
1. Press/release the PAGE button (12).
The page number flashes in the
display.
2. Within 3 seconds, use either the UP or
DOWN button to change to the page of
your choice. Alternately, use the
use the tuning knob to change the
page.
3. Press/release the PAGE button to
finalize the page change.
ACCESSING WHAT IS STORED INTO
MEMORY
There are three ways to access what has
been stored into memory: Direct Memory
Access, Manual Memory Search and
Memory Auto-scan. These three methods
are described below. When the memory
page and memory preset numbers
appear in the upper right corner of the
display, as it will in the descriptions below,
the radio is in MEMORY ACCESS MODE.
This mode can be exited any time with a
press/release of the FREQ/PRESET
button (11).
If you first need to change memory
pages, see the previous section,
PAGES.
DIRECT MEMORY ACCESS
Use the numeric keypad to key-in the
memory number. For example, if the
desired radio station is in memory
number 01, just press '0', then '1', and it
will go to memory 01.
MANUAL MEMORY SEARCH
Manual Memory Search enables manual
searching through the memories within a
memory page, as shown below:
1. Press/release the FREQ/PRESET (11)
button.
2. Use quick, short presses on the UP or
DOWN buttons or use the tuning knob
to search through the memories.
3. Press the FREQ/PRESET button when
finished.
GETTING STARTED continued
The included AC Adaptor/Charger may be Once charging is finished, 'CHARGE' will
used to charge 4 Ni-MH rechargeable stop flashing and the charging indication
batteries (included) when installed onto bars in the upper left corner will stay full.
the PL-600's battery compartment. Before
charging, the PL-600 must be set up for
use with Ni-MH batteries and the correct
charging rate must be selected for them
to be charged. Ni-MH batteries are
manufactured with specific capacities
rated in milliamp-hours (mAh). These
capacities vary from about 1000 mAh up
to 2400 mAh at the time of this writing
(usually printed on the batteries). For
proper charging without damage to the
batteries, the correct charging rate must
be set. To set the charging rate, plug in
the AC adaptor and turn the PL-600 off.
Then follow the instructions below.
1. Enter SYSTEM SET CODE 28. See charging.
instructions in the section titled
SYSTEM SET CODES.
2. While '1000' flashes in the display, use
the UP /DOWN buttons to select the
mAh rating of your Ni-MH batteries.
To charge Ni-MH batteries:
1. Install 4 Ni-MH AA batteries.
2. Connect the adaptor/charger to the AC
wall.
3. Press/release the CHARGE ON/OFF
button. 'CHARGE' will flash in the
display and the charge indication bars
will advance from bottom to top in the
upper left corner of the display. The
digits in the upper right corner of the
display will change to 00:00 and will
count up in minutes and hours until
charging is finished.
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WORKING WITH MEMORY continued
MEMORY AUTO-SCAN DELETING ALL MEMORY PAGE
Memory Auto-scan enables scanning
through the memories within the selected 1. Press/release the FREQ/PRESET
memory page. Each filled memory is
accessed for about 5 seconds, after
which the scan moves on to the next
used memory automatically, staying on it
for about 5 seconds. This continues
indefinitely on the selected page until
deliberately stopped. Unused memories
are not accessed.
1. Press/release FREQ/PRESET (11)
button.
2. Press/hold either the UP or DOWN
button for about a second. Then
release it. Note that PRESET flashes
under the memory number, indicating
that memory scanning is functioning
with each memory being scanned for
about 5 seconds. It then moves on to
the next memory for another 5
seconds. To stop memory preset auto scan, press/release either the UP or
DOWN button.
DELETING A MEMORY'S CONTENTS
CONTENTS
button (11).
2. Press/hold the DELETE button (20) for
5 seconds and then release it. 'dEL'
and PAGE (45, 46) appear flashing in
the display.
3. Within 2 seconds, press/release the
DELETE button.
MOVING A STORED FREQUENCY
A stored frequency can be moved to a
different memory or memory page.
1. Turn on the radio.
2. Press/release the PAGE button.
3. Within 3 seconds, use the UP or
DOWN button to select the required
memory page.
4. Press/release the MEMORY button
twice.
5. Within 5 seconds use the numeric
keypad to enter the memory number
that you wish to store the station
into.
6. Within 5 seconds press/release the
MEMORY button.
1. Press/release the FREQ/PRESET
button (11).
2. Use the UP or DOWN button (5,6) to
select the memory preset location of
the frequency that you wish to delete.
Alternately, use the numeric keypad to
enter the memory number.
3. Press/hold the DELETE button (20) for
about 2 seconds and then release it.
'dEL' appears flashing in the display.
4. While 'dEL' is still flashing,
press/release the DELETE button.
CUSTOMIZING MEMORY PAGES
The PL-6
factory with 10 memory pages (from
01~10), each page having 50
memories plus 100 memories in page
00, in total 600 memories. You can
change the set up of page 01~10 via
the SYSTEM SET CODES, shown
below.
00 is configured at the
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PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL
7 SYSTEM SET CODES
System Set Codes allow the radio to be tailored to your needs by changing certain
programmable functions. These functions and their descriptions are noted in the table.
SYSTEM SET CODE TABLE
CODE NUMBER
00 (factory default setting)
20
25
50
55
55 (factory default setting)
09 (factory default setting)
10
28
29
FUNCTION
Divide the memories into 10 pages with
50 locations
Divide the memories into 20 pages with
25 locations
Divide the memories into 25 pages with
20 locations
Divide the memories into 50 pages with
10 locations
Activate LW band
Deactivate LW band
Set the tuning steps for MW to 9KHz
Set the tuning steps for MW to 10KHz
Rechargeable battery to be used
Normal AA battery to be used
IN DISPLAY
10:50
20:25
25:20
50:10
ON
OFF
9kHz
10kHz
Ni-MH
76
87 (factory default setting)
Set the FM frequency range to 76-108MHz
(for Japan)
Set the FM frequency range to 87-108MHz
76 108
87 108
Ni-MH
Battery
33. Battery Symbol
37. Ni-MH Battery Symbol
45. Delete Indicator
RADIO OFF DISPLAY RADIO ON DISPLAY
MEMORY DISPLAY
Refers only to the display's upper right corner.
SYSTEM SET CODE DISPLAY
DIAGRAMS continued
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SYSTEM SET CODES continued
CHANGING SYSTEM SET CODES Ten pages with 50 memories each.
●
Code 08.
To enter a system code of your choice,
use the procedure below.
●
9 KHz AM (MW) tuning rate. Code 09.
●
Rechargeable batteries to be used.
Code 28.
1. Turn off the radio.
2. Press/release the SYSTEM SET button
(18). Note that '- - ' (48) appears in the
upper right corner of the display and
the clock digits disappear.
3. Within 5 seconds, enter the desired
numeric code with the numeric key pad,
●
87-108 MHz FM frequency coverage.
Code 87.
●
LW band Deactivate. Code 55.
MONITORING THE CURRENT STATUS
OF SET CODES AND OTHER
SETTINGS
then immediately press/release the
button labeled SYSTEM SET. The code
ICON (49) will briefly appear in the
lower right corner of the display.
DEFAULT FACTORY SYSTEM SET
CODES
Performing a three second press of the
SYSTEM SET button, with the PL-600
turned off, allows monitoring of key set
codes and other settings. This information
quickly flashes in the display in the
following order.
When shipped from the factory, the radio's
System Set Code Table is set up as
follows. Changes can be made via the
procedure shown in the section titled
CHANGING SYSTEM SET CODES.
1. 9 or 10 kilohertz setting
2. Rechargeable battery milliamp-hour
setting
3. FM tuning range setting
4. Timer A's radio frequency
5. Timer B's radio frequency
8 ADDITIONAL PL-600 CONTROLS
USING THE LIGHT USING THE ANTENNA GAIN SWITCH
A quick, short press/release of the The Antenna Gain switch (23) has three
LIGHT/SNOOZE button (7), located on positions, DX, NORMAL and LOCAL. This
the front of the radio's upper right corner, switch should normally be in the DX
will turn on the display light, shining from position, providing maximum receiving
the left side of the display, for about 5 performance. If the
seconds. A longer press/release of the station that you are listening to is
s
button (about 3 seconds) will cause it to overwhelmingly powerful and causes
stay on indefinitely (note that this will distortion, try the NORMAL or LOCAL
decrease battery life). Turn off the light position. This switch is not used for
with a quick short press of the button. station.
FM or Shortwave
AM
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PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL
ADDITIONAL PL-600 CONTROLS continued
USING THE LOCK BUTTON USING THE EXTERNAL ANTENNA
Pressing the LOCK button causes all
button-activated controls to be 'locked' The external antenna socket is used to
and the lock symbol appears in the lower improve shortwave or FM performance.
right corner of the display. A long press There are many such antennas on the
engages the LOCK feature. Another long market today. Typing in 'shortwave
press disengages it and the symbol antennas' or 'FM antennas' on your
disappears. favorite Internet search site will provide
This is an excellent feature to use when
traveling, as it keeps the radio from being
accidentally turned on. Before placing the
radio into a suitcase, purse or briefcase,
turn it off and then lock it. This control
does not disengage timer functions.
While you are listening to a favorite radio
station and want not to be shut off
accidentally, you can also lock the radio.
SOCKET
further information if you with to purchase
or make such an antenna.
9 LISTENING TO SHORTWAVE STATIONS
Are you new to shortwave listening? If so, other world sources often exposes you to
you'll want to read this section. different and unique perspectives on
WHAT ARE SHORTWAVE STATIONS?
These are radio broadcast stations
around the world broadcasting on
frequencies that can be heard over vast
distances, often many thousands of miles.
In the United States, there are also about
30 domestic shortwave broadcasters with
religious, politically and ideologically
oriented broadcasts.
WHY LISTEN TO SHORTWAVE
STATIONS?
There are many reasons why you may
enjoy shortwave stations. Here are just
some, as reported to us by our customers.
Listening to news and information from
national and world events.
Exposure to other languages and
cultures, including their music and
perspectives. Hearing a country's native
or 'folk' music can be very enjoyable, even
if you don't understand the language.
Learning a language by hearing native
speakers.
Keeping in touch with another part of the
world, perhaps your original homeland or
that of your family's heritage.
Religious, politically and ideologically
oriented broadcasts.
1 MAJOR FEATURES OF THE PL-600
FM Frequency Range: 87-108 MHz or 76-108 MHz (For Japan)
Shortwave Frequency Range: 1711- 29999 KHz
9/10KHz tuning step selector for Medium Wave (MW) reception
1 kHz tuning step for the display of Medium wave and Shortwave
AM (LW/MW/SW) dual conversion.
SSB (SINGLE SIDE BAND) signal reception
ATS (Auto tuning system) for the memory storage of FM/MW reception
Manual Tuning
Auto Scan Tuning
Direct Keypad Frequency Entry
Digital Tuning Knob
600 Programmable Memories
Memory Page Customization
Auto-Scan and manually scan stations stored into memory
Direct Memory Access
Fast/Slow tuning rate selection for manual tuning
Sleep Function
Two Turn-on Timers with station memory
Snooze Function: 10 minutes, repeated three times
FM Stereo/Mono selection
High/Low Tone Control
LCD Backlight
Key Lock
Built-in Ni-MH battery charger
System set codes
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LISTENING TO SHORTWAVE STATIONS continued
GENERAL SHORTWAVE 'RULES-OF- clock reappears. If you don't wait, then
THUMB'
Night shortwave reception is usually
method 2 below will automatically be
used.
better than daytime shortwave. This can
change from time-to-time, so it's worth
checking the bands during the day too.
During daytime the most active
shortwave bands are 13, 15, 16, 19, and
22 meters, 16 and 19 usually being the
best. At night, the most active bands are
25, 31, 41 and 49 meters, with 31 and 49
usually best.
2. Perform one quick, short press of the
button labeled SW METER BAND,
immediately followed by quick, short
presses of either the UP or DOWN
tuning buttons. The band number
appears in the upper right corner of the
display. Once the band of choice is
selected, start tuning after the clock
reappears in the upper right corner.
Around sunset and sunrise, both the day
and night bands may be good, sometimes
exceptionally good. Listening at these
times can often be quite rewarding.
The construction materials of some
buildings severely block shortwave
signals. To counteract this, hold the radio
in your hands and get very close to a
window.
AUTO-SCAN TUNING WHILE IN
SHORTWAVE
In shortwave, auto-scan tuning scans in
the shortwave frequency ranges noted in
the Band Chart below. To tune shortwave
frequencies that are in-between these
ranges, or outside of these ranges, use
one of the other tuning methods, e.g.
Regular Tuning (manual tuning) or Direct
SELECTING A SHORTWAVE METER
BAND WITH THE PL-600
Frequency Entry as discussed titled
TUNING IN STATIONS.
All 14 of the international broadcast bands
can be accessed with the PL-600. The
bands are numbered 120, 90, 75, 60, 49,
BAND CHART OF SHORTWAVE AUTOSCANING RANGES
31, 25, 22, 19, 16, 15, 13 and 11 meters
and are commonly called 'Meter Bands'.
The PL-600 offers two ways to access a
shortwave band. Each method places the
tuner at the beginning of the band's
frequency range.
1. Each successive quick, short press of
the button labeled SW METER BAND
(16) places the radio at the beginning of
a band. While pressing the button, the
band number shows in the upper right
corner of the display (50) and
disappears a few seconds after it is
released, causing the clock to reappear
in the corner. Start tuning only after the
BAND (METERS) FREQUENCY RANGE
120
90
75
60
49
41
31
25
22
19
16
15
13
11
2250 - 2550
3150 - 3450
3850 - 4050
4700 - 5100
5800 6300
7100 7500
9400 10000
11500 12150
13500 13900
15000 15900
17450 - 18000
18850 - 19100
21450 - 21950
25600 - 26100
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PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL
10 TROUBLESHOOTING
RESET PROCEDURE OPERATES ERRATICALLY
The RESET button is on the bottom of the Perform a RESET, as described in the
PL-600. When performing a reset, have section titled RESET PROCEDURE.
good batteries in the radio or power it with
an AC adaptor and turn it off. Perform a
reset if the solutions outlined below don't
resolve the issue. To perform a reset,
press the reset button with a paper clip or
similar object.
WILL NOT TURN ON
1. Assure that the LOCK feature is not
engaged.
2. Assure that the radio has power
(batteries installed or AC adaptor
plugged in).
3. Assure that batteries are inserted with
correct polarity
4. Assure that the batteries are not
depleted
5. If using an AC adaptor, assure that it is
plugged into the household outlet
(mains socket) and into the radio's DC
socket. Take care not to plug it into the
earphone socket. Also, assure that the
AC adaptor is of the correct DC voltage
output and polarity and that its plug-tip
is of the correct inner and outer
diameter.
STATIONS ARE RECEIVED TOO WEAK
●
Assure that the ANTENNA GAIN switch
is set to the DX position.
●
Assure that the telescopic antenna is
pulled up all the way for FM and
Shortwave reception.
●
When listening to AM stations, swivel
the radio. The AM internal ferrite bar
antenna is highly directional.
THERE IS NO SOUND FROM THE
SPEAKER
Assure that earphones/headphones are
not plugged in and that the volume control
is turned up.
A STATION CAUSES SEVERE AUDIO
DISTORTION, BUT SEEMS TO BE
VERY STRONG IN SIGNAL STRENGTH
This is probably a strong, local station,
very close to your location. Because of its
close proximity to you, its signal is too
strong. To reduce signal strengths, place
the ANTENNA GAIN switch into the
NORMAL or LOCAL position.
SHUTS OFF ABRUPTLY WHILE
PLAYING DURING BATTERY USE
This is caused by depleted batteries.
Replace them.
SHUTS OFF ABRUPTLY WHILE BEING
MOVED DURING AC ADAPTOR USE
This is usually caused by a broken wire or
loose connection in the AC adaptor's cord
or if the AC adaptor's plug-tip is of the
wrong diameter.
THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT HAS A
STICKY LIQUID OR DRIED WHITE
POWDER IN IT
This is the result of battery acid leakage.
To avoid battery acid leakage, only use
high quality alkaline or rechargeable
nickel-metal-hydride batteries. Never
intermix old with new, or different brands
or types of batteries. If the batteries leak,
immediately contact the manufacturer of
the batteries and don't throw them away.
Damage caused by battery acid leakage
is not covered under warranty.
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