

My office at a community college in California is not close to a window and has 2 computers, a printer, other machines, and thick concrete walls, the kind of slabs that were used 50 years ago. As a result, the environment is laden with interference and is a radio reception nightmare. AM is especially problematic. No matter, I keep 2 radios in the office and sometimes listen to Internet radio. The two radios I keep in the office are the Tivoli Songbook Three, which I found through an Amazon vendor for 65 dollars three months ago. Since I listen mostly to 88.1 KJAZZ and 91.5 KUSC (classical), I'm good shape as the Tivoli Model Three grabs these stations with confidence. Occasionally, the signal will fade, however, and I'll have to adjust the tuner slightly. While the Model Three gets strong AM at home, it doesn't get AM very well in the office at all. Even the strong signal from KFI 640 is hampered considerably and makes listening unpleasant. So I have a back-up radio, the GE Superradio III (also called the RCA RP 7887 Super Port Radio), which I purchased for $37 with free shipping on Amazon 3 years ago. Truth be told, the big clunky Super Port Radio, with its inaccurate tuning dial, delivers big sound (nothing close though in fidelity to the detailed, crisp Model Three) receives both AM and FM stations better than the Tivoli. I use the Super Port when I want to listen to AM. In terms of looks, though, no one likes it. I get a lot of traffic in the office--colleagues, athletic coaches, students, and they are all drawn to the Tivoli and comment on how beautiful it is. That it lacks the "grabbing power" of the cheap looking Super Port is of no matter to them. The Tivoli has the "gotta have it" factor whereas the high performing Super Port is the dowdy maiden who sits alone in a corner at the dance.

Comments