We all know that range depends on receiver quality and this I have and is worth mentioning.
Has a 8" X 1/4" bar antenna same as GE super and Ccrane EP pro and the advantage of being waterproof for outside in all weather and white in color so no burning in the suns heat. Stays cool.
Worth considering. Your stations will have more range with this.
https://www.amazon.com/live/video/01f91d5a29ca4e9a82739597383dd952
That's pretty cool, never considered looking for a "shower radio" before but it makes perfect sense for in my boat. I see new ones a available in the $80-$90 range, but see a lot of used ones on ebay in the $30 range.
One thing that struck me was the label exhibits both 9 and 10 kz spacing..
@richpowers Some wrong info on the first video. This has not been discontinued and there's two models, this one and the bluetooth model which is the same radio but costs more. It is on Amazon and from Sangean America. Just posted videos for a look at it.
@mark Well I'd never pay $70 for a new one anyway, but I am considering a used $30 one which I presume is the older model without bluetooth
Personally I have never understood "shower radios" but for outside not affected by rain or snow or dirt is a very useful feature. I use 2 AA nickel metal Hydride rechargeable batteries in a D size holder.
Why you have a radio in a shower I don't understand. Especially when a shower is 5 minutes! But this is an excellent receiver. And overlooked as I mentioned.
There's also the H 205 waterproof but not quite as good on AM as it's smaller and the ferrite bar is only 4 inches.
How is the audio quality of the AM? I know some AM radios anymore are very narrow on the audio bandwith.
How is the audio quality of the AM? I know some AM radios anymore are very narrow on the audio bandwith.
Not to take off topic, but for a great sounding CHEAP radio, check out the MIPDIIT Portable AM FM/SW Radio with Bluetooth Speaker on Amazom for $14.99. For about a month now it's become my primary receiver- Why? because it has excellent sound quality and a full charge last me all day at about half volume. I'm actually thinking about buying another one in case this one goes out. Its definitely worth the $15
It's a larger radio, a tabletop with a larger speaker which helps to account for its improved sound quality.
Personally I have never understood "shower radios" ...Why you have a radio in a shower I don't understand. Especially when a shower is 5 minutes! ...
I dunno, but it reminds me of the toilet paper radios of the 1970s.. which might make more sense since it might take more than 5 minutes on a bad day..
@wefr It's decent but bandwidth could be a bit better. The best radio available now for AM audio quality is the Sangean MMR-99 with 3 bandwidth adjustments. Water resistant but not waterproof by any means. Good AM reception with very good audio. I have one of those too. There's always some trade off with anything. The weatherproof and longer range reception features and white in colour not black, is a plus that outweighs the 'small' sacrifice in other areas. Nothing is perfect. For example, the MMR-99 while being superb with audio quality and very good reception has drawbacks. The rechargeable battery is built inside and to replace it you have to take the whole thing apart, and when needs recharging you can't use it, down time. You have so many hours and now have to recharge again. I like user replaceable/accessible batteries so you can have an external charger and several batteries so no down time. In the middle of the CBS radio mystery theatre....battery gone!
@richpowers "I'm actually thinking about buying another one in case this one goes out. Its definitely worth the $15"
That's the problem. Down time needing charging all the time. Battery should be user accessible/replaceable to just swap with an external charger and some extras.
Wait, looked, and saw takes regular batteries or AC! Looks like a good deal for $14. I should keep that in mind for a radio to give out to a potential listener who needs a radio.
But for me $14 is $20 in CAN$ and shipping comes to $30 for me. But not a deal breaker.
@richpowers "I'm actually thinking about buying another one in case this one goes out. Its definitely worth the $15"
That's the problem. Down time needing charging all the time. Battery should be user accessible/replaceable to just swap with an external charger and some extras.
You can charge while it's playing FM or bluetooth but it causes too much interference on AM. Thus far I've had no "down time" frustrations over keeping it charged, a charge seems to last forever and even a 3 or 4 minute charge provides at least 20 minutes or more - never used the D batteries option. I haven't opened it up but even a non replaceable battery is replaceable. I bet it's one of those lithiums that look like an oversized A battery.(that's what's been in similar radios).
But for me $14 is $20 in CAN$ and shipping comes to $30 for me. But not a deal breaker.
$20 + $30 shipping would definitely be a deal breaker for me. I mean it's a great radio for $14 w/free shipping, but $50?? - forget it.
@richpowers No, $30 would be the total price with shipping to Canada. Two day shipping from Amazon .com. Amazon Canada doesn't have this model. But they have others. But I looked and noticed that it runs on regular AC with power cord and also regular D batteries. Just was a thought, don't know if I'd get it but my listeners just want regular portables that can work on A/C and they don't want to be bothered with recharging or batteries. And prefer a digital tuner to just go to the frequency. Retekess has some cheap but decent ones with digital tuning. To have listeners I need to make it easy for them and getting them radios, when they don't have one, gets me a listener when they wouldn't themselves go to Amazon and get a radio themselves.
The battery that you are mentioning is the 18650 lithium rechargeable one and yes if you are inclined you can open it up, see how it's done and replace it. But you said that the A/C operation actually recharges the battery not just power the radio? So the on board charger screws up the AM? That kills it for me.
@mark I'm glad that kills it for you because you could do better for $30 anyway.
But I have it on AM a lot, I mean like all night long continuously at about half volume, every night, that's with the internal battery - now I have no idea how long before it dies, but intend to replace it when it does - I have no interest using D batteries, well, maybe rechargables, but the point is I've been using it consistently for a month or two with 70% time for AM and 30% for the bluetooth and its actually my favorite radio as well as bluetooth speaker.
Granted, the several radios and speakers I've bought in the last few years have all been inexpensive under $20 each items. - So I'm not saying this radio is great, just that it's an excellent buy for $15 on Amazon