Brandon writes:
Have you considered something like a Tecsun PL-390? Based on reviews here and elsewhere it looks like its the best of breed of the mini Tecsuns, and Amazon right now has it pretty cheap for $55 shipped (you'll play $70 on ebay for one in the US). It has selectable bandwidths of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6khz, the lower of which may help your reception.
I have been loving the 390 for more than a year and use it more frequently than my eton E1 or Sangean ATS-909x (both great radios, btw.) The selectable bandwidth is in fact one of the killer features; the other is the Easy Tune Method which in about 4 minutes will pull out stations that are not in any schedule. Astonishing to contemplate that in 2013 digital processing is available for $55! The radio has never disappointed. Best silly-but-fun features include a thermometer (I swl outside & while camping) and gen-you-wine stereo-oh-oh-oh output throught two, count 'em, two speakers. KUSC sounds pretty decent, believe it or not. When SWL-ing I usually use a longwire antenna tossed across a gutter.
Posted by: KI6H | January 04, 2013 at 04:47 PM
Well, Brandon, you've done it. I wasn't going to buy any more radios for a while. But at that price, and free shipping, and not having to go to the Post Office to pick it up, and in silver...well, why not?
Posted by: Mark Roberts | January 04, 2013 at 05:46 PM
I like my PL 390 too. For the last year it's been my everyday radio for talk radio, right by my seat in the Family Room. I've even started listening to short wave a little again, the ETM is so much more convenient than having to cross-check with printed or on-line lists to hear what's out there at any given time.
Another feature I really like is the Line-In (which my PL 380 lacks). The speakers really aren't that great for music, but for listening to talk podcasts via my Samsung Player, it's very convienient.
A huge bargain at $55.
Posted by: Ken K. in NJ | January 05, 2013 at 08:37 AM