On a recent trip to the local radio shack to pick up a 12v cig lighter extension cord (yep, they have ‘em); I walked past this little thing and just couldn’t resist. Beginning to learn all about radio and looking towards a ham license in the short future, I figured it’d be worth the $30 to pick it up and see what’s out on the shortwave bands.

It’s a pretty nice little radio, very very basic but manages to pick up FM, AM, and SW just fine. Has a turn knob but displays digitally, the frequency you’re tuning. It’s a little rough to get used to but if you can move your finger in 1-micron increments you’ll be alright. Tuning is very sensitive and tends to drift ever so slightly, but again if you can make 1-micron adjustments with your thumb, it is not all that bad.

Comes with a large whip antenna, clock, alarm & sleep functions and a digital display. The ONLY thing I don’t like about it so far is the lack of a backlight to the display.

I’d say for $30 it’s not too bad of a deal, this one I think will eventually end up in my emergency kit, or with my traveling or camping gear – a place for which it’s perfectly suited.

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