The CC Skywave
Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, David, who writes with the following inquiry:
I really enjoy the SWLing site. It’s great and you guys have such good reviews and information!
I’m looking for a radio and one thing I have not seen on the site is a “features” type breakdown when you could limit the radios by the features you’re looking for. Maybe I missed it???
I’m looking for a portable radio (option to run on batteries, rechargeable, etc.) that has SW/AM/FM and the NOAA bands (perk if it has SAME) and has an Aux In so I can play music from my phone/whatever on it.
This will be a radio that I can take camping, to parks, have in the car for trips, gatherings, etc. I’d like it to have enough speaker that music is enjoyable, but not such a large form factor that it’s impossible/silly to lug around when needed.
Does such a thing exist!? Any recommendations? Thanks so much.
Good questions, David! I like your suggestion about a master feature list for comparing portables. If I have the time someday, I might try to put something like this together (else, perhaps, a Post contributor can volunteer for the job?).
To answer your question…
You’re certainly looking for a “Swiss Army Knife” of a radio. The only model that comes to mind is the C.Crane CC Skywave. I published a full review of the Skywave a couple years ago and can whole-heartedly recommend it. (Click here to browse our archive of Skywave posts.)
The C.Crane CC Skywave
The Skywave ticks every box on your feature list–it is even capable of SAME weather alerts! It’s also an excellent performer and my favorite compact travel radio that’s currently in production.
The only item missing on the Skywave is an audio AUX-in port, but I can’t think of any other radio on the market that comes closer to meeting your wish list than the Skywave.
SWLing Post readers: Perhaps you can help? Please comment if you can recommend a portable that meets all of David’s criteria. I may very well have overlooked a model. Obviously, the two features that make this search more challenging are weather radio and an an AUX-in port. Please comment with your suggestions!
It would be nice if the CCrane radio had a BFO but even so, it’s a great little receiver. One feature I love is the 1 KHZ tuning steps and audio filters. It has helped me pull out weak signals next to strong ones. I haven’t had such a feature in a radio since the Uniden CR-2021. Thank-you, CCrane, for including those two DXing tools!
Hi
Check your “short list” at eHam net Reviews.
I also Concur in getting a small inexpensive “emergency” radio or scanner on Ebay for Weather.
I am an advocate of the Sony ICF 2010 ($300) and And Radio Shacks DX 440 “Copy” ($50). I also have a Sangean ATS-909X ($130) that performs quite well. Prices are Ebay “Used”
Please Note: Our choices for this wiki may have changed since we published this review video. Our most recent set of reviews in this category, including our selection for the year’s best shortwave radio, is exclusively available on Ezvid Wiki. Shortwave radios included in this wiki include the tecsun pl-360, kaito voyager pro ka600, kaito ka550, tecsun pl880, sony icf-sw7600gr, tivdio v-115, c crane cc skywave, sangean ats-909x, and eton field grundig. Most Recent Picks: https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-shortwave…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDSiOol6420&t=58s Published on Apr 7, 2017
Check out Yahoo Group ultralightdx for their Best Radio Shoot out which is focused on bees MW in a physically small Form Factor
Also check out the TVDIO V-115 which adds play and record MP3
$17 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TRRS #1204 – TIVDIO V-115 With SW and Audio Record ($17)
user/hamrad88/ Published on May 23, 2017 I saw the video below on Joshua’s channel and he was very excited about the multi- function radio. I had to get one myself to try. To summarize it in a word, “Amazing”. Here is a link to his channel. The dongle on the end of the lanyard plugs into a slot on the back near the antenna to act as a kick stand.? ? https://www.youtube.com/user/joshua19…
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn1An3RF1pU&t=40s
TRRS #1206 – TIVDIO V-115 Multiple Function SW Radio user/hamrad88 Published on May 23, 2017 I decided to go ahead and start my review of this radio. More shows to follow. Support my shows
Please Note: Our choices for this wiki may have changed since we published this review video. Our most recent set of reviews in this category, including our selection for the year’s best shortwave radio, is exclusively available on Ezvid Wiki. Shortwave radios included in this wiki include the tecsun pl-360, kaito voyager pro ka600, kaito ka550, tecsun pl880, sony icf-sw7600gr, tivdio v-115, c crane cc skywave, sangean ats-909x, and eton field grundig.
Most Recent Picks: https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-shortwave…
Category Howto & Style License Standard YouTube License
I have built a database online using Airtable that lists radio, price and all features. I got a lot of my data from different websites. Jay Allen’s site was a huge help.
Kaito KA1121?
http://swling.com/db/2011/01/kaito-ka1121-or-degen-de1121/
Though I think you’d be much better off with a Skywave and a dedicated Weather Radio …
The Sony ICF-SW100S shirt pocket portable comes to mind. That is, if you can find one without broken clamshell ribbon cables. Still though, my Swiss Army Knife radio is the Kenwood TH-F6A amateur radio handy talkie. Just check out what that thing can receive, and transmit! AM, FM, FMWB, FMNB, CW, USB, LSB, from LW to 1.3GHz! And the new D-Star TH-D74, coming out, is suppose to do all this, and with digital voice D-Star capabilities. Just my take.