Portable radios

[ngriffin]

My Walkman-style portable radio is just about dead, and I'm looking for a replacement. Must have FM, and AM is preferable, too. So far the best options I am seeing are several Aiwa models and one from Sony. This is primarily for walking, commuting on the bus, and the Y.

I have tried the Best Buy portable HD receiver, and was pleased with analog reception. Signal levels for HD varied enough that the mode switching was annoying. I'd consider one again if HD could be turned off.

Is there anyone taking the DSP features of the Tecsun and other Chinese radios and putting them in a smaller package?

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Digital tuned: http://www.ccrane.com/radios/pocket-radios/sony-srf-m37w.aspx

Analog tuned: http://dxer.ca/latest/55-sony-srf-59-reviewed

 

[spunker88]

I have the Tecsun PL-390 and it is an impressive unit doing FM, AM and SW. The bandwidth is user adjustable on AM/SW to 6, 4, 3, 2 or 1 khz. You can get the same DSP chip (SI4734) in the smaller Tecsun PL-360 if you want it more portable. Size according to Amazon is 6.3" x 1" x 2.1".

I have also been impressed with my Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player which has a SI4703. No AM at all and only headphones as an antenna and this thing is tiny 0.6" x 1.4" x 2.2". You can easily fit it in your pocket along with a pair of earbuds. I had to install rockbox on it to get some more DX friendly features like signal dbuV values and full RDS readout. Here is what the display looks like with Rockbox:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/197/20120223190848401.jpg/

 

[Tincap]

I've just picked up a Grundig G8 (Tecsun PL-300WT), which has DSP and is currently on sale at Amazon for $50, with free delivery (http://www.amazon.com/Traveler-Digi...XKF6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330044032&sr=8-1).

After reading the reviews, I chose the G8 to replace my cheap, but faithful, Grundig 1000a (aka Tecsun DR-910), as a small travel radio. The difference is night and day. FM selectivity is very good, separating stations which even my larger Sangeans struggle with. AM/MW sounds very good too, pulling in stations well. Although obviously not a AM/MW DX machine, such as my Sangeans, I'm impressed with the sound quality of the signals, especially through my head phones. As for SW, I was impressed at getting a very listenable signal from AIR (in Arabic, on 13640 kHz) this afternoon, but currently, I'm getting 'images', in the higher meter bands (EWTN on 2340 kHz, for example). There's no direct entry pad, but it holds 100 stations, per band (AM/FM/SW). The G8 is pocket sized (which is how I carried my 1000a), but has no clip, if that's what you're needing. Also gives time and has built in alarm, which is very handy.

More info on the G8, including dimensions, can be found here ~> http://www.etoncorp.com/upload/contents/307/Grundig_G8_specs_122210.pdf
http://www.etoncorp.com/upload/contents/307/G8_Manual_052009.pdf

Happy shopping!

~BG

 

[nocomradio]

My Grundig G3 is a pretty decent little unit. No HD, but AM, FM, SW and aircraft bands. If you turn off the backlight it gets pretty good mileage out of a set of batteries. I DX with it all the time and have been really happy. Its about a year old and has traveled quite a lot with no issues. Has a jack for an external antenna too.

 

[Icangelp]

The radios all mentioned are great, but are too big to put in your shirt pocket or clip them to your belt.

I have a Sony SRF-M37, a true minimalist receiver that fits into your pocket, and uses one AAA battery. It does have a very small ferrite antenna, and does use your earphones as its FM antenna, but it does a great job as a commuter/walker radio. No speaker. Earphones only. Also, no tuning dial.

Amazon, B&H & J&R were selling them when I bought mine a while back.

I got mine for under $27, shipping included, though I don't remember where. My opinion, but I don't think I would pay over $30 for it including freight.

Of course, you could go the garage sale route, and buy an old Walkman. I still use my Sony SRF-40 FM only model I bought back in the 80's.