Looking for a GOOD portable radio

[biggkidd]

We live way out from any stations. I had an OLD radio that did well for a long time but it died a few years ago. Since nothing I've tried has been worth a crap. I'm leaning toward something like this.


www.ebay.com/itm/392880153667



Do any of you have experience with job site radios?
We get terrible reception around here and I am HARD on stuff like radios. I'm tired of having cruddy reception and a radio I can't hear. I already have a couple of batteries.

[papaof2]

I've never used a job site radio but I'd guess their primary claims are:
tough case/controls
running on tool battery
lots of volume

Another consieration would be whether you can add an external antenna. Most radios are designed for urban reception - that is where most people are. If you're some distance out, a separate antenna - even 20 feet of wire tossed over a limb 10 feet up - can make a difference. If the radio doesn't have a connection for an external antenna, make that wire 30 feet and wrap at least 6 feet of it around the radio - circular wrap starting at one end and ending at the other like wrapping string around a hot dog.

IF you can find specs on sensitivity, you could compare the job site radios with a decent radio such as the Sangean ATS 505P (or its current equivalent). The Sangean is not a behind-the-seat class radio but it is battery powered and has AM/FM/Shortwave. It's a good in-the-house radio for a disaster but it won't survive in a toolbox.

[biggkidd]

Papa I looked a those and the reviews weren't all that good. Mostly people complaining about the sound quality, said they sounded like they was playing under blankets.

Ended up ordering the Milwaukee www.ebay.com/itm/353416465596 Added the square trade warranty so if I'm not happy with it it will go back.

[9idrr]

Been happy with my CC Radios. Managed to save one, and it's the model that recharges batteries.

[biggkidd]

Got the new radio in today, great shipping. Down side the radio is obviously used as it has a name on tape inside the Aux compartment and some mostly dead generic batteries for the clock and a few scratches in the finish. On the plus side it does get better reception than all the other newer radios I've tried here. It's nowhere near as good as my OLD radio was. Sound quality is WAY better than the rest! The aux port and charging port both work and for some odd reason my phone's hotspot actually works better inside the compartment than outside. Over all even though it is used I'm fairly happy with it so far. It's loud enough and clean sounding!

[papaof2]

Congrats on finding a good buy!

[biggkidd]

I did contact the seller about it being used.

Just checked my email and the seller already responded. They offered a $40.00 partial refund or I could send this one back for a full refund. I agreed to the partial refund and think their customer service is pretty good seeing as they came up with a passable solution in reasonable time.

Sound quality far surpasses my other radios. 

[papaof2]

Congrats again on finding a reputable seller ;-)

[biggkidd]

Thanks Papa

[willc453]

For a radio, went the Eton route. They come in different sizes, but NO batteries.....they're all hand cranked. They have an antenna, along with flashlight you can use and you're "suppose" to be able to hand crank it to recharge your cell phone via the usb port. Don't believe that bs because if you some how did actually recharge your phone, you'd have arms like Popeye's after he ate his spinach. I also like their hand cranked flashlights, once again with the usb option.

[biggkidd]

I have a Voyager Pro that's hand crank solar light etc. Only good thing I found with it is the mini solar panel does keep the battery charged. Sound quality and reception STINKS though.