Tecsun PL-600 User manual

TECSUN
PL-600
PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL BEFORE OPERATION
OWNER'S MANUAL
PLL SYNTHESIZED DUAL CONVERSION RECEIVER
FM STEREO/LW/MW/SW SSB
http://www.tecsun.com.cn email: [e-mail]
Tecsun General Electric Manufacturer Co., Ltd.
TEL: [phone] FAX: [phone]
189 GuanChang Road, DongCheng District, DongGuan, GuangDong, P.R.China
TECSUN

MAJOR FEATURES OF THE PL-600
DIAGRAMS
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
BASIC RADIO OPERATION
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
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
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
ADDITIONAL PL-600 CONTROLS
LISTENING TO SHORTWAVE STATIONS
TROUBLESHOOTING
TABLE OF CONTENTS 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 STATIONS ARE RECEIVED TOO WEAK
an AC adaptor and turn it off. Perform a ● Assure that the ANTENNA GAIN switch
reset if the solutions outlined below don't is set to the DX position.
resolve the issue. To perform a reset, ● Assure that the telescopic antenna is
press the reset button with a paper clip or pulled up all the way for FM and
similar object. Shortwave reception.
● When listening to AM stations, swivel
WILL NOT TURN ON the radio. The AM internal ferrite bar
antenna is highly directional.
1. Assure that the LOCK feature is not
engaged. THERE IS NO SOUND FROM THE
2. Assure that the radio has power SPEAKER
(batteries installed or AC adaptor Assure that earphones/headphones are
plugged in). not plugged in and that the volume control
3. Assure that batteries are inserted with is turned up.
correct polarity
4. Assure that the batteries are not A STATION CAUSES SEVERE AUDIO
depleted DISTORTION, BUT SEEMS TO BE
5. If using an AC adaptor, assure that it is VERY STRONG IN SIGNAL STRENGTH
plugged into the household outlet This is probably a strong, local station,
(mains socket) and into the radio's DC
very close to your location. Because of its
socket. Take care not to plug it into the
earphone socket. Also, assure that the close proximity to you, its signal is too
AC adaptor is of the correct DC voltage strong. To reduce signal strengths, place
output and polarity and that its plug-tip the ANTENNA GAIN switch into the
is of the correct inner and outer NORMAL or LOCAL position.
diameter.
SHUTS OFF ABRUPTLY WHILE THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT HAS A
PLAYING DURING BATTERY USE STICKY LIQUID OR DRIED WHITE
This is caused by depleted batteries. POWDER IN IT
Replace them. This is the result of battery acid leakage.
To avoid battery acid leakage, only use
SHUTS OFF ABRUPTLY WHILE BEING high quality alkaline or rechargeable
MOVED DURING AC ADAPTOR USE nickel-metal-hydride batteries. Never
This is usually caused by a broken wire or intermix old with new, or different brands
loose connection in the AC adaptor's cord or types of batteries. If the batteries leak,
or if the AC adaptor's plug-tip is of the immediately contact the manufacturer of
wrong diameter. the batteries and don't throw them away.
Damage caused by battery acid leakage
is not covered under warranty.
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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
LISTENING TO SHORTWAVE STATIONS continued
GENERAL SHORTWAVE 'RULES-OF- clock reappears. If you don't wait, then
method 2 below will automatically be
THUMB'
used.
Night shortwave reception is usually
better than daytime shortwave. This can 2. Perform one quick, short press of the
change from time-to-time, so it's worth button labeled SW METER BAND,
checking the bands during the day too. immediately followed by quick, short
During daytime the most active presses of either the UP or DOWN
shortwave bands are 13, 15, 16, 19, and tuning buttons. The band number
22 meters, 16 and 19 usually being the appears in the upper right corner of the
best. At night, the most active bands are display. Once the band of choice is
25, 31, 41 and 49 meters, with 31 and 49 selected, start tuning after the clock
usually best. reappears in the upper right corner.
Around sunset and sunrise, both the day
AUTO-SCAN TUNING WHILE IN
and night bands may be good, sometimes
SHORTWAVE
exceptionally good. Listening at these In shortwave, auto-scan tuning scans in
times can often be quite rewarding. the shortwave frequency ranges noted in
The construction materials of some
the Band Chart below. To tune shortwave
buildings severely block shortwave
frequencies that are in-between these
signals. To counteract this, hold the radio
ranges, or outside of these ranges, use
in your hands and get very close to a
one of the other tuning methods, e.g.
window.
Regular Tuning (manual tuning) or Direct
SELECTING A SHORTWAVE METER Frequency Entry as discussed titled
BAND WITH THE PL-600 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,
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 CHART OF SHORTWAVE AUTO-
SCANING RANGES
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
BAND (METERS) FREQUENCY RANGE
PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL

2 DIAGRAMS
2
8
0
5
1
7
4
3
9
6
kHz
Ni-MH
Battery
Shortwave Bandwidth N
FAST
0 1 2 3 4 5
TIMER
A
TIMER
B
TEC SUN
1. Power/ Sleep
2. Clock Button
3. Timer A Button
4. Timer B Button
5. FM/Shortwave
Telescopic Antenna
6. LCD Display
7.Light / Snooze Button
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
20.Enter / Delete Button
19.Charge On / Off Button
18.Memory / Sys. Set Button
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
28. Tuning Knob
29. Stand
31. Volume Knob
32. Reset Button
30. SSB BFO Knob
ADDITIONAL PL-600 CONTROLS continued
USING THE LOCK BUTTON USING THE EXTERNAL ANTENNA
SOCKET
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 further information if you with to purchase
traveling, as it keeps the radio from being or make such an antenna.
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
national and world events.
WHAT ARE SHORTWAVE STATIONS? Exposure to other languages and
These are radio broadcast stations cultures, including their music and
around the world broadcasting on perspectives. Hearing a country's native
frequencies that can be heard over vast or 'folk' music can be very enjoyable, even
distances, often many thousands of miles. if you don't understand the language.
In the United States, there are also about Learning a language by hearing native
30 domestic shortwave broadcasters with speakers.
religious, politically and ideologically Keeping in touch with another part of the
oriented broadcasts. world, perhaps your original homeland or
that of your family's heritage.
WHY LISTEN TO SHORTWAVE Religious, politically and ideologically
STATIONS? oriented broadcasts.
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
PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL

A B
Timer A
Ni-MH
Battery
Timer B
kHz
33. Battery Symbol
35. Timer Digits
34. Clock Digits
36. Timer Activation Symbol
37. Ni-MH Battery Symbol
A B
SL EEP
kHz
Timer A
SLOW
Ni-MH
Battery
FM MW LW Shortwave SSB Bandwidth N
Timer B
0 1 2 3 4 5
33. Battery Symbol
38. Antenna Symbol
39. 1-5 Scale Sleep Timer Symbol
40. Clock
Digits
36.
Timer
Activation
Symbol
41. Bandwidth
42. SSB
43. Frequency Digits
44. FM,
MW, LW,
Shortwave
Indicators
PAGE PRESET
45. Delete Indicator 46. Memory Display
mb
47. Shortwave Meter Band Display
48
49
RADIO OFF DISPLAY RADIO ON DISPLAY
MEMORY DISPLAY
Refers only to the display's upper right corner.
SHORTWAVE METER
BAND DISPLAY
Refers only to the display's upper right corner.
SYSTEM SET CODE DISPLAY
DIAGRAMS continued SYSTEM SET CODES continued
●
CHANGING SYSTEM SET CODES Ten pages with 50 memories each.
Code 08.
To enter a system code of your choice, ● 9 KHz AM (MW) tuning rate. Code 09.
●
use the procedure below. Rechargeable batteries to be used.
Code 28.
1. Turn off the radio. ● 87-108 MHz FM frequency coverage.
2. Press/release the SYSTEM SET button Code 87.
(18). Note that '- - ' (48) appears in the ● LW band Deactivate. Code 55.
upper right corner of the display and
the clock digits disappear. MONITORING THE CURRENT STATUS
3. Within 5 seconds, enter the desired OF SET CODES AND OTHER
numeric code with the numeric key pad, SETTINGS
then immediately press/release the
button labeled SYSTEM SET. The code Performing a three second press of the
ICON (49) will briefly appear in the SYSTEM SET button, with the PL-600
lower right corner of the display. turned off, allows monitoring of key set
codes and other settings. This information
DEFAULT FACTORY SYSTEM SET quickly flashes in the display in the
CODES following order.
1. 9 or 10 kilohertz setting
When shipped from the factory, the radio's 2. Rechargeable battery milliamp-hour
System Set Code Table is set up as setting
follows. Changes can be made via the 3. FM tuning range setting
procedure shown in the section titled 4. Timer A's radio frequency
CHANGING SYSTEM SET CODES. 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
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
s
AM
PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL

PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL
3 GETTING STARTED
WHAT THE PL-600 INCLUDES away and immediately contact the
● Earbud style earphones manufacturer of the batteries to inquire
● External antenna about their battery leakage warranty
● Carrying pouch program.
● AC adaptor/charger
● 4 - 1000 mAh, Ni-MH rechargeable USING THE INCLUDED AC
batteries. DAPTOR/CHARGER
● Owner's manual To power the PL-600 with the included AC
Adaptor/Charger, plug it into a wall outlet
NOTE: In the instructions below, numbers first, and then into the socket on the left
in parenthesis ( ), refer to the diagrams. side of the PL-600, labeled DC 6 V.
Batteries can be in the radio while using
INSTALLING BATTERIES
the AC Adaptor/Charger.
The battery compartment is located on the
back of the PL-600. Its cover is on the CHARGING BATTERIES IN THE PL-600
lower right corner of the back. To remove The PL-600 will play using whatever type
the battery compartment cover, apply of AA batteries are in the battery
thumb pressure and slide it towards the compartment, but only nickel-metal-
bottom of the radio. Install 4 AA alkaline hydride batteries can be charged within it.
batteries into the battery compartment, If non-rechargeable batteries are installed,
observing the battery polarity diagram on the PL-600 as a built-in safeguard system
the back of the radio. that will prevent them from being charged.
This safeguard system works with the
NOTE: If you don't plan to use PL-600 set to either SYSTEM SET CODE
rechargeable batteries at all, then it's a 28 or 29, as described below, and only
good idea to set SYSTEM SET CODE 29. with he included AC Adaptor/Charger.
To do this, see the section titled SYSTEM
SET CODES. This assures that the WARNING: Use only the included AC
battery strength indicator will display Adaptor/Charger to recharge Ni-MH
correctly for your non-rechargeable batteries. Use of any other device may
batteries. This is not a mandatory cause the rechargeable batteries to
procedure and the PL-600 will function overheat, become damaged and possibly
if it is not done. damage the PL-600. The built-in
safeguard system, described above,
PREVENTING BATTERY ACID
works only with the included AC
LEAKAGE
Adaptor/Charger. Damage caused to the
To avoid battery acid leakage, only use
PL-600 resulting from failure to observe
high quality alkaline, lithium or
this warning is not covered by the
rechargeable nickel-metal-hydride
warranty and voids the warranty.
batteries. Never intermix old with new, or
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
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
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
IN DISPLAY
10:50
20:25
25:20
50:10
ON
OFF
9kHz
10kHz
28
29
76
87 (factory default setting)
Rechargeable battery to be used
Normal AA battery to be used
Set the FM frequency range to 76-108MHz
(for Japan)
Set the FM frequency range to 87-108MHz
Ni-MH
76 108
87 108
SYSTEM SET CODE TABLE

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 time varies depending on the
charging, the PL-600 must be set up for milliamp-hour rating of the batteries. The
use with Ni-MH batteries and the correct charging circuit automatically senses the
charging rate must be selected for them milliamp-hour rating of the batteries and
to be charged. Ni-MH batteries are will charge them for the correct amount of
manufactured with specific capacities time. Charging time can take from 5.5
rated in milliamp-hours (mAh). These hours for 1000 mAh batteries to 13 hours
capacities vary from about 1000 mAh up for 2300 mAh batteries. The charging
to 2400 mAh at the time of this writing circuit will sense when the batteries are
(usually printed on the batteries). For fully charged and automatically go into
proper charging without damage to the trickle-charge mode, thus safeguarding
batteries, the correct charging rate must the batteries from being overcharged.
be set. To set the charging rate, plug in Disconnecting the adaptor/charger DC-06
the AC adaptor and turn the PL-600 off. from the PL-600 or pressing the
Then follow the instructions below. CHARGE ON/OFF button will also stop
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.
MEMORY AUTO-SCAN DELETING ALL MEMORY PAGE
CONTENTS
Memory Auto-scan enables scanning
through the memories within the selected 1. Press/release the FREQ/PRESET
button (11).
memory page. Each filled memory is
2. Press/hold the DELETE button (20) for
accessed for about 5 seconds, after
5 seconds and then release it. 'dEL'
which the scan moves on to the next and PAGE (45, 46) appear flashing in
used memory automatically, staying on it the display.
for about 5 seconds. This continues 3. Within 2 seconds, press/release the
indefinitely on the selected page until DELETE button.
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
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.
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.
CUSTOMIZING MEMORY PAGES
The PL-600 is configured at the
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.
WORKING WITH MEMORY continued
PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL

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 VOLUME, is located on the right side of
methods shown below. To turn it off, press the radio. To change the volume, rotate
the POWER/SLEEP button (1). the volume control knob. The tone control
(24), on the left side of the radio is
1. BATTERY SAVER/TIMER METHOD: labeled TREBLE/BASS. Use the position
Perform a quick, short press of the producing the sound that you like best.
POWER/SLEEP button (1). This turns the
radio on with 30 in the display and causes USING EARPHONES
the radio to shut off automatically after 30 Earphones/headphones with a 1/8 inch
minutes. The sleep timer symbol stereo plug can be used. Plug them into
, , also appears in the display. To the earphone socket (25) on the left side
change the automatic shut off time from of the radio.
30 minutes to the number of minutes-to-
play of your preference, use the UP or SELECTING FM, MW, LW OR
DOWN buttons (9, 10) immediately after SHORTWAVE
When listening to FM or shortwave, fully
turning on the radio. This allows selection
extend the telescopic antenna (5). It need
of 1~120 minutes of playtime before
not be extended when listening to MW or
automatic shut-off occurs. The number of
LW stations. After turning on the PL-600,
minutes that you last set is also used the
perform quick, short presses of the
next time the radio is turned on.
'FM/MW -ATS' button (15) to select FM or
2. TIMER-DEFEAT METHOD: MW. To select SW press the 'SW METER
This method defeats the automatic BAND' button (16). Each sequential press
minute timer and causes the radio to stay of the SW METER BAND button or of the
on until deliberately turned off, until the UP or DOWN buttons places the radio at
batteries drain or indefinitely if used with the beginning of a specific shortwave
an AC adaptor. Hold down the POWER meter band. The frequency digits (43)
button for about 3 seconds, then release. appear toward the center portion of the
Note that 'On' appears in the display and display. The local stations of the area that
that the sleep timer symbol does not you are currently in will be heard on MW
appear when this method is used. and FM, while shortwave stations from
around the world can be heard on SW.
SIGNAL STRENGTH AND BATTERY You can also select LW by press the
STRENGTH INDICATOR 'FM/MW/LW' button (15). Before using
LW, you should activate the LW function
When the radio is turned off, the upper via the SYSTEM SET CODE, see the
left corner of the display (6) shows battery SYSTEM SET CODE TABLE.
strength. When the radio is turned on, the
antenna symbol (38) and the 1-5 scale NOTE: If you are new to shortwave, see
shows relative signal strength. the special shortwave sections later in
this manual.
4 BASIC RADIO OPERATION
SL EEP
6 WORKING WITH MEMORY
At the factory, the PL-600 is set up with numeric keypad to enter the page or
use the tuning knob to change the
10 pages of memory (from 01~10), each
page.
page holding 50 frequencies plus 100 3. Press/release the PAGE button to
frequency memory in P0. This enables finalize the page change.
storing of 600 frequencies into memory.
Memory setting of 01~10 can be changed ACCESSING WHAT IS STORED INTO
and tailored to your personal needs or MEMORY
can be left as is. When first learning to There are three ways to access what has
store stations into memory, we suggest been stored into memory: Direct Memory
using the factory setting. To change the Access, Manual Memory Search and
factory setting, see the section Memory Auto-scan. These three methods
CUSTOMIZING MEMORY PAGES. When are described below. When the memory
working with memory, the term PRESET page and memory preset numbers
appears in the display under the memory appear in the upper right corner of the
numbers. display, as it will in the descriptions below,
the radio is in MEMORY ACCESS MODE.
This mode can be exited any time with a
STORING STATIONS INTO MEMORY press/release of the FREQ/PRESET
1. Turn on the radio.
button (11).
2. Tune to the desired station.
3. Press/release the MEMORY button If you first need to change memory
(18). Note that the memory number
pages, see the previous section,
digits, labeled PRESET (46) flash in
the upper right corner of the display. SELECTING/CHANGING MEMORY
The memory page number, labeled PAGES.
PAGE, also appears, but does not
flash. DIRECT MEMORY ACCESS
4. Within 5 seconds use the numeric Use the numeric keypad to key-in the
keypad to enter the memory number memory number. For example, if the
that you wish to store the station into. desired radio station is in memory
For memories 1-9, enter the numbers number 01, just press '0', then '1', and it
as 01~09. will go to memory 01.
5. Within 5 seconds press the MEMORY
button, or wait 5 seconds. This finalizes MANUAL MEMORY SEARCH
storing into memory and after a few Manual Memory Search enables manual
seconds, the upper right corner's searching through the memories within a
display returns to show the clock. memory page, as shown below:
SELECTING/CHANGING MEMORY
1. Press/release the FREQ/PRESET (11)
PAGES button.
To select/change memory pages:
2. Use quick, short presses on the UP or
1. Press/release the PAGE button (12).
DOWN buttons or use the tuning knob
The page number flashes in the
to search through the memories.
display.
2. Within 3 seconds, use either the UP or 3. Press the FREQ/PRESET button when
DOWN button to change to the page of finished.
your choice. Alternately, use the
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 frequency.
earphones/headphones. To hear FM in
DIRECT FREQUENCY ENTRY
stereo, press the FM STEREO button When the desired frequency is known, it
(14). ' ' will appear in the display. can be entered via the numeric keypad
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
Most WM, LW and Shortwave frequencies
neither in North America nor in Japan and
are designated in kilohertz (KHz), e.g.
just purchased the PL-600. It is already
810 KHz or 9475 KHz. All FM frequencies
set-up in the factory for use.
are designated in megahertz (MHz), e.g.
Inside of North America, AM stations (MW
102.9 MHz. To enter such frequencies,
in the PL-600's display) are spaced in 10
just enter the frequency using the
kHz tuning steps, you should change it
numeric keypad (17).
refer to the instructions CHANGING
SYSTEM SET CODES. Sometimes Shortwave frequencies are
The FM frequency range may be different designated in megahertz (MHz). If you
from that used in North America, e.g. like encounter such a shortwave frequency
that used in Japan, 76-108MHz. To make and it has less than three digits after the
these changes, see the SYSTEM SET decimal point (e.g. 15.10 MHz or 6.92
CODE TABLE and the instructions MHz), then use the following method to
CHANGING SYSTEM SET CODES. enter it.
However, if there are three digits after the
TUNING IN STATIONS
There are four ways to tune-in stations, decimal point (e.g. 15.110 MHz or 5.975
described below. They are Manual MHz), use the method described
Tuning, Auto-scan Tuning, Direct previously.
Frequency Entry and Fine Tuning. 1. Enter the frequency using the numeric
keypad (17).
MANUAL TUNING
2. Press/release the 'Enter' (20) button.
Quick, short presses of the UP/DOWN
buttons (9,10) enables tuning up or down TUNING KNOB
frequency. The TUNING knob control (28) is located
on the right side of the radio. Use it to
AUTO-SCAN TUNING
'fine-tune' stations or as you would a
Pressing the UP or DOWN buttons (9, 10)
tuning knob.
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
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 For a timer to turn on the radio, it must be
display. The radio will play the station activated. A timer can be
stored into timer memory and shut off activated/deactivated with the radio on or
automatically when the playtime counts off. To activate the timer, press/release
down to 00 or until you turn the radio off the TIMER A or TIMER B button. The
with the POWER/SLEEP button. The timer symbol will appear in the display. To
'snooze' feature can also be used (see deactivate a timer, press/release the
section titled USING THE SNOOZE TIMER A or TIMER B button. The timer
FEATURE). symbol will disappear from the display.
There are three methods to set the timer.
They are almost same as the clock set. USING THE SNOOZE FEATURE
You can set Timer A or B separately.
When the timer activates and turns the
radio on, the timer activation symbol (36)
STORING A RADIO STATION INTO appears flashing in the display. While it is
TIMER MEMORY flashing, press/release the
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.
PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL

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.
4. Within 5 seconds, press/release the
as a 24-hour format clock.
'Time' (2) button, then use the tuning
There are three methods for setting the knob to set the minute.
5. Within 5 seconds of finishing,
clock.
press/release the 'Time' (2) button or
CLOCK SET METHOD 1 UP AND wait until the clock digits stop flashing.
DOWN BUTTONS: You can also set the clock when you turn
on the radio. When the radio is on, the
1. Turn the radio off. The clock digits
appear in the center of the display (34). clock digits appear in the upper right
2. Press/release the button labeled 'Time' corner of the display. Set the clock
(2). The clock's HOUR digits flash in referring to the 3 methods above.
the display, within 5 seconds, set the
hour using the UP/DOWN buttons SETTING THE TIMERS (USE AS
(9, 10). WAKE-UP ALARM)
3. Press/release the 'Time' (2) button
again, the MINUTE digits flash in the The PL-600 has two, independently
display, within 5 seconds, set the programmable timers, timer A and B,
minute using the UP/DOWN buttons enabling the PL-600 to turn on and play
(9, 10). the radio for an alterable period of time
4. Within 5 seconds of finishing, and then turn off. The playtime can be
press/release the 'Time' (2) button or selected from 1~90 minutes. The timers
wait until the clock digits stop flashing. can be used as wake-up alarms. After
setting a timer and a playtime, store a
CLOCK SET METHOD 2 – radio station into timer memory and
NUMERIC KEYPAD: activate the timer. See the next sections
titled STORING A RADIO STATION INTO
1. Turn the radio off. The clock digits TIMER MEMORY and ACTIVATING /
appear in the center of the display (34). DEACTIVATING THE TIMER.
2. Press/release the button labeled 'Time'
(2). The clock's digits flash in the NOTE: A radio station must be stored into
display. timer memory. If this is not done, there
3. Use the numeric keypad to key-in the
will only be static once the timer is
time in 24 hour format. Within 5
seconds of finishing, press/release the activated.
'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.
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 two-
appear 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
communications, transmissions are often
USING THE BANDWIDTH BUTTON very short and sporadic. Also, most two-
The BANDWIDTH button (14) is used way communication uses relatively low
when listening to WM and SW stations. power, 50 to 1000 watts. The amateur
Its purpose is to help minimize radio operators are easiest to find, best
interference. The preferred setting is results are experienced when using an
WIDE, which provides best audio fidelity. outdoor shortwave antenna such as a
Use NARROW when there is dipole.
interference. W or N will appear in the
display. Follow your radio's instructions on how to
engage its SSB feature. Shown next are
USING THE PL600'S SSB (SINGLE some selected frequency ranges on
SIDE BAND) FEATURE which SSB communications can be
SSB enables listening to shortwave found. All frequencies are shown in
signals using the single-sideband mode. kilohertz.
This mode is used for a variety of signals
including amateur radio and other two- AERONAUTICAL SW FREQUENCY
way communications, Morse code, RANGES (USUALLY USB)
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.
MARITIME SW FREQUENCY RANGES
(USUALLY USB)
BASIC RADIO OPERATION continued
2850-3155
3400-3500
4650-4750
5480-5730
6525-6765
8815-9040
10005-10100
11175-11400
13200-13360
15010-15100
17900-18030
21870-22000
23200-23350
4063-4438
6200-6525
8195-8815
12230-13200
16360-17410
18780-18900
19680-19800
22000-22720
25070-25110
PL-600 OWNER'S MANUAL