{"id":8040,"date":"2013-12-08T08:55:57","date_gmt":"2013-12-08T12:55:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=8040"},"modified":"2013-12-15T09:19:56","modified_gmt":"2013-12-15T13:19:56","slug":"swling-coms-2013-holiday-shortwave-and-radio-gift-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/12\/swling-coms-2013-holiday-shortwave-and-radio-gift-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"SWLing.com\u2019s 2013 Holiday Shortwave and Radio Gift Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"gift-wrap\"<\/a>One of the most popular posts on the SWLing Post each year is the annual Holiday Radio Gift Guide<\/a>. I started this annual post in 2010 when I realized that it would be easier than answering an in-box full of individual emails from people seeking the perfect shortwave radio for their friend or loved one.<\/em><\/p>\n

In the following, you’ll find a handful of select radios I recommend for the 2013-2014 gift-giving season. I’ve arranged this selection by<\/strong> price<\/strong>, starting with the most affordable.<\/p>\n

For the benefit of those with less radio experience, this quick guide is basic, non-technical, and to the point<\/strong><\/em>.<\/strong> For more comprehensive reviews, please consult our Radio Reviews<\/a> page.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Updated for the 2013-14 holiday season on 08 December 2013.<\/em><\/p>\n

Simple, affordable and portable<\/h2>\n
\"The<\/a>

The Shouyu SY-X5 mechanically-tuned, DSP portable radio. (Click to enlarge)<\/p><\/div>\n

ShouYu SY-X5 ($29)<\/strong><\/p>\n

You can’t buy a lot for $30 US these days, but I’m here to tell you that you can buy a unique, portable AM\/FM\/shortwave radio with a built-in MP3 player called the ShouYu SY-X5. \u00a0I made a full review of the SY-X5 earlier this year; in short, it surprised me<\/a>. While this little radio’s receiver can’t compare to the others on this page performance-wise, it is still very respectable. The MP3 capability is worth the price. You can load a microSD card full of your favorite music (or shortwave radio recordings<\/a>) for days of listening!<\/p>\n

Indeed, the audio from the built-in speaker is superb for a radio this size. Th SY-X5 can be powered from multiple sources (a rechargeable built-in battery pack, AA batteries, or via USB power cable).<\/p>\n

Since the ShouYu SY-X5 is only available from eBay sellers in Hong Kong, you need to allow at least two or three weeks shipment time from the seller. You might ask if they offer an expedited option.<\/p>\n

Click here to search eBay for the ShouYu SY-X5.<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

Other considerations include the Degen DE32<\/a>\"\" (review here<\/a>) or Degen DE321<\/a>\"\" (review here<\/a>). Note that the Degen DE321 lacks an MP3 player.<\/p>\n

Self-Powered Shortwave Goodness<\/h2>\n
\"The<\/a>

The Tecsun Green 88<\/p><\/div>\n

Tecsun Green 88<\/strong><\/p>\n

In each issue of the holiday guide, I like to feature at least one self-powered radio. \u00a0Why? Because if you’re ever been left in the dark due to a natural disaster or extended power outage, these radios become invaluable.<\/p>\n

The Tecsun Green 88 is not only self-powered, but quite a capable little analog shortwave radio. \u00a0It has a nested fine tuning control on the tuning knob, an easy to read display and will give you about 40 minutes of listening time (at moderate volume levels) from two minutes of cranking. The LED lamp on the front makes an excellent flashlight and reading lamp. Again, to my knowledge, this radio is only available from sellers in Hong Kong on eBay, so allow extra shipping time.<\/p>\n

Click here to search eBay for the Tecsun Green 88.<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

Some other self-powered radio options you might consider are the Eton Rover<\/a> and the Eton FRX2<\/a>, though note that they both have NOAA weather radio channels instead of shortwave<\/em>. A very useful feature, though, for weathering winter storms.<\/p>\n

Portable & powerful shortwave receivers<\/h2>\n
\"The<\/a>

The Tecsun PL-660<\/p><\/div>\n

The Tecsun PL-660 ($100-110 US)<\/strong><\/p>\n

With the introduction of the new Tecsun PL-880<\/a> this year, retailers have dropped the price of the PL-660; you can now find them between $100-110 US.<\/p>\n

The PL-660 is an all-around excellent receiver with great sensitivity, selectivity and all of the features to please a casual listener or the experienced DXer. For a full-featured radio, the operation is so simple an owner’s manual is barely needed. The PL-660 covers the entire shortwave radio spectrum, LW, AM (medium wave), FM and even has an AIR band (to monitor aircraft communications).<\/p>\n

Purchase the Tecsun PL-660 from:<\/p>\n