As a radiophile, it's not surprising that no modern radio floats my boat like the vintages (good luck competing with my Panasonic RF-888, especially on AM sound) but because I can't repair the oldies and because I have no patience for analog tuning, I like to have a good digitial around.
After 3 or 4 tries, I go to my current favorite the C.Crane CCRadio-SW Radio. The sound is not as warm as my Boston Acoustics, but I like the C.Crane's portability, long FM antenna, and rechargeable D batteries.
I also like that I can crank up the volume knob less than half-way, as I did yesterday while playing with the girls in the backyard, and sound gets LOUD.
I don't like that the memory system makes you scroll upwards and go through every station, but I've learned to live with this.
The CCRadio-SW is old product, meaning it's been around for 4 years or so, but to date it has no competition in the portable field radio category. And I don't expect anything to emerge in 2012, but I'd love to be wrong.
Just want to say Happy New Year to all in the Herculodge, and say thanks to you Jeff for keeping the site going in the midst of your busy life with work and "the girls." Best wishes to all in 2012.
Posted by: Ed S. | December 31, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Ed, thanks to you and a dozen others I can keep this site going. The girls are entering their Terrible Twos.
Posted by: Jeffrey McMahon | December 31, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Me, too! Thanks to Jeff for keeping this going, and thanks to all for your contributions in 2011. Have a great 2012 and happy listening.
Posted by: Keith Beesley | December 31, 2011 at 03:52 PM
Jeff,
Just wanted to wish you & your family a Happy New Year. This site is one of my daily go-tos to get info about radios and stuff like that. It's because of this blog I have picked up some of my now favorite radios. I got the Grundig S450DLX for Christmas & I was nervous because I had one of the earlier ones back in February...But this one is fantastic! The display on FM is spot on now, and the I can get one of my favorite FM stations that about 50 miles away from me with no problem. The AM band is free from all the tuning hash the earlier one had. The one I have now was built around July 2011 if I am reading the serial number correctly. The SW is great as well. The only beef I have is the AC adapter is a little noisy, but on batteries it's great. I can live with that as now that it's my new bedside radio, I usually fall asleep to the local station playing Coast To Coast AM, and the noise is only perceptable when chasing weak stations. For that I usually run on battery power anyway, to reduce any interference from the AC line. Anyway I hope your holidays were good and looking forward to see what goodies 2012 brings...
Matt
Posted by: Matt Wilson | December 31, 2011 at 04:50 PM
Thanks, Keith. Also thanks to you, Matt. I should post your important info on the newer batch of S450s.
Posted by: Jeffrey McMahon | December 31, 2011 at 06:02 PM
Jeff
I too find myself coming here 2 or 3 times a day just to "see"...
Thanks for a great blog.
My son turns 2 on Jan 10th, so I am going through alot of the same things you are with your daughters (age-wise anyway).
Here's to you, and your family for a very prosperous and happy 2012!!!
73
KB0RTQ
Dan
Posted by: Dan | December 31, 2011 at 06:40 PM
Jeff - Happy New Year to you and your family. And thanks for your blog. You have developed a nice, active community of radio enthusiasts.
Regarding the CCRadio-SW, I think mine has very good sound, with pretty deep bass for such a small unit when the bass control is adjusted appropriately. The midrange is clear and the treble is not bad either. The reception on AM and FM is very good. As far as the presets go, most often I don't use them, because it's pretty fast getting from one end of the dial to the other with the tuning knob -- certainly much faster than with an analog radio like the SR III. Also, the CCR-SW doesn't drift like my SR III does. I like that the CCR-SW can run on either D cells or AA cells -- I use some old Maha PowerEx NiMH AAs, and they last for a couple of weeks, using the radio about 45 minutes to an hour per day. I have two sets, and I charge them externally in a Maha charger. With newer NiMH AAs, I'm sure I would get even more run time.
Posted by: Gary | December 31, 2011 at 07:15 PM
Gary: I've had my CCR-SW for about a month, and I too love the sound. I haven't even programmed any memories since I find it as easy as you to tune around quickly - the Q Tune button is very nice to switch SW bands quickly. I am using 1500mah AA's and listen to the radio as I fall asleep with the 90 minute timer. I can get a good week and a half to 2 weeks as well.
Overall, a great radio for what I use it for.
Posted by: Dan | December 31, 2011 at 07:24 PM