Portable Radio Suggestions?

M

maury

Joined
Sep 24, 2000
Messages
606
I need a recommendation for a portable AM/FM radio to listen to while I work out. I have tried several cheap sets (even several “name” brands) and find that sound quality is spotty, stations fade in and out and the supplied earphones either are uncomfortable after a while or just sound lousy. And I really do like listening to radio stations rather than digital recordings.

Ideally, I’d like a receiver that clips to my waistband rather than an “armband” type; good reception inside a steel framed building and really good sound quality. I also prefer wearing a headband type of headset (rather than earbuds).

If anyone can suggest a specific brand and model # that would be great.

OK, that’s my wish list: any suggestions most welcome!
 
Check out Sangean. Although made in Taiwan, they produce some of the highest quality small radios. There are about 20 models to choose from. The one I have had for more than 10 years was used at a job where it ran 8-12 hrs a day and it still works fine. I ran ni-mh batts to save money. Look at skull-candy for headphones.
 
If you can find a copy, there's a book called "Passport to World Band Radio" that rates various portables. I'm sure I've seen a website or two that does the same thing, like RadioIntel.com.

Sangean always has highly rated radios, as does Kaito, but getting something in that form factor that does great AM inside a steel building may take some doing.

And as jw2n points out, quality headphones and or earbuds are easily found
 
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are you listening to am or fm? or both? what about world band?

If looking just for am/fm, sony eton/grundig, and kaito all make some pretty highly regarded miniature type receivers. A little larger than that is the Grundig G6 (E6 for Eton) which I have and like very much. The G6 is still pocket size, about 3 x 5, but larger than the smaller offerings. And, perhaps the highest regarded currently manufactured portable world band radio, the Kaito 1102 is also well worth checking out but a good bit larger, around 4 x 6 iirc, and not really pocketable.

BTW, I just got a copy of Passport to World Band today and they appear to regard the Kaito 1102 as pretty much the best balance of features found on any radio costing less than $300+.
 
Thanks for the suggestions: guess I should have been a bit more specific about listening preferences. Gotta confess that I like to listen to talk radio while I work out. Occasionally some music, but mostly talk. That means mostlly local AM (I am in the center of New York city, so there's plenty to choose from).

My work out clothes don't have pockets large enough for a radio, so it would have to be something that can clip to waist band.

I would also figure that I would have to buy headphones seperately.

So?
 
I've read several reviews around the net, places like eham.net, stating that sangean makes generally great products that have a built in self destruct feature (that's pretty much word for word from one review) that could go off at any time from 6 mo to 4 years.

That being said, I seriously considered their DT-400w but decided against it as I was wanting world band. ETA: Also, check out Radio Shack if you have one near you. Used to be they'd let you play with the radios, let you decide which best suits you. I imagine it is still the same.
 
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I found a Sangean ATS-803A that I love. It's a discontinued model, but still easily found if you fish in the evil bay. I got tired of radios that sounded bad, and had horrible reception. I've been completely happy this radio. I've even thought of buying another and stashing it just in case.
Bob
 
roughedges said:
I've read several reviews around the net, places like eham.net, stating that sangean makes generally great products that have a built in self destruct feature (that's pretty much word for word from one review) that could go off at any time from 6 mo to 4 years.
Click to expand...

Having owned several Sangean radios, I must say that they are a terrific product.

Great build quality and great performance.

You can read hundreds and hundreds of reviews on their various models, going back several years -
and even check "review aggregate" sites like wize.com and testfreaks.com - the consensus on Sangean is overwhelmingly positive.
 
Couple of comments. For one, being inside a steel building somewhat shields your radio since a lot of the broadcast signal is 'grounded,' deflected, or absorbed by the building frame and shell. And, if you have a miniature or small 'pocket' portable, the antenna is also very small and often internal. Such antennas/radios are poor performers outside strong signal areas. You likely need more antenna, what's called 'capture area' for weaker signals.

Second comment. Be careful about buying really old solid state radios. It was learned a while back that miniature elecronic components, resistors, capacitors, etc., change value and degrade as they age so reliability can become a factor. Component degradation wasn't near as much of a problem back in the vacuum tube days (other than tubes getting 'gassy' over time) because the components were much larger and a lot sturdier built so less value change over time. These days the components are really tiny.

I have seen some headband small radios advertised that have a longer antenna inside the headband. You might check the outdoors/hunter mags for that type. Could solve your problem.
 
rifon2 said:
Having owned several Sangean radios, I must say that they are a terrific product.
Click to expand...

I of course believe you and have heard much the same. However, I just thought I'd report all that I read while researching portables recently. Several reviewers have said the same thing about C Crane's recently manufactured radios as well and, I believe, they are made in the same factory as Sangean.
 
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