Tecsun PL990 Digital Worldband AM/FM Shortwave Longwave Radio with Single Side Band
- AM, FM, longwave, shortwave and SSB bands
- 108 MHz frequency listed
- MP3 player from a MicroSD slot
- 3 watts speaker output, stereo
- 1 lithium ion battery, included, 5 volts of direct current
- 3.5mm audio output and **MicroSD** slot
- LCD display
- 7.5"L x 1.25"W x 4.5"H, plastic body
Last refreshed Oct 2, 2026 · Based on the Amazon listing and published specifications, not hands-on testing.
A portable worldband radio with shortwave, longwave and single side band reception plus an MP3 player. The listing gives no weight and no memory-card size limit.
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ASIN: B08KL77Q4HModel: PL990Category: Shortwave Radios
Overview
A shortwave listener or traveler gets a battery-powered receiver that tunes AM, FM, longwave, shortwave and single side band, with a digital LCD readout. A MicroSD slot plays MP3 files, and the audio output feeds earphones.
Choose it for wide band coverage that includes single side band, plus MP3 playback from a card. The limit is a thin listing: weight, antenna details and card capacity are missing, and the frequency is one figure rather than a range for each band.
Who it's for
A hobbyist chasing distant stations, a traveler wanting news on several bands, or a listener who likes music from a card will use the wide band coverage. Buyers who need stated water resistance or a confirmed range for each band should look at models that give them.
Pros and cons
- Covers shortwave and longwave
- Single side band reception
- MP3 playback from MicroSD
- Stereo output to earphones
- Weight not listed
- Only one frequency figure given
Performance notes
Single side band reception decodes amateur and utility signals that ordinary AM circuits cannot make clear, and shortwave carries distant stations by bouncing off the upper atmosphere. Results therefore depend on the time of day, the antenna and the location more than on the radio alone. The speaker is small, so earphones are the better way to hear weak signals.
Where it stands among shortwave radios
- #4 most-searched brand and model of the 8 shortwave radios lines we track (by search demand, not sales).
From the specs of the 13 shortwave radios we list; not a test result.
Specifications
| Brand | TECSUN |
|---|---|
| Model | PL990 |
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 7.5"L x 1.25"W x 4.5"H |
| Capacity & performance | |
| Speaker Maximum Output Power | 3 watts |
| Audio Output Mode | Stereo |
| Power & efficiency | |
| Power Source | Battery Powered |
| Voltage | 5 volts of direct current |
| Construction & materials | |
| Enclosure Material | Plastic |
| Color | Black |
| Compatibility & installation | |
| Compatible Devices | Earphone |
| Hardware Interface | 3.5mm Audio, MicroSD |
| Warranty & support | |
| Radio Bands Supported | AM, FM, Longwave, Shortwave, Single Side Band |
| Other details | |
| Tuner Type | AM, FM, SSB |
| Display Type | LCD |
| Frequency | 108 MHz |
| Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion battery, included |
| BuiltIn Media | Owner's Manual |
Closest rivals on specs
Retekess V115 Shortwave Radio- Frequency 108 vs 1080 MHz (-90%)
- Voltage 5 vs 220 volts (-98%)
- Speaker Maximum Output Power 3 vs 2 watts (+50%)
Frequently asked questions
What power does the Tecsun PL990 use?
It is battery powered, with one lithium ion battery included and a voltage of 5 volts of direct current. A charging cable is not named.