Mark S. Holden wrote:

The Palstar R30 is a very compact tabletop that can run on 10 internal AA batteries. People with fat fingers say the buttons are a bit too small or close together, but it's got a reputation as a simple radio that performs quite well. They run $575-$650
depending on if you get one or two Collins brand filters with it.

When I was looking for a better "portable", I looked for a Lowe HF-150 Europa - never found one. The regular HF-150's turn up used reasonably often. The HF-150 has appreciated in value over the last few years.

There've been a couple of discussions of the HF225 lately. That's
also a good candidate for portable operation. There was a battery
pack option that held 8 rechargeable C cells. You probably can't find
the battery pack around anymore (hell, you probably can't find too many
225's for that matter), but you can easily duplicate one with about $5
worth of radioshack battery holders.

You might find a used AOR AR7030+ for about $1,000. AOR sold a lead acid battery that could fit inside - I run mine off NIMH RC car battery packs - it's a very nice radio.

Otherwise, I'd go with the post '96 Drake SW8 over the Grundig Satellite 800 in part because the Drake has nice build quality, and in part because the Sat 800 is about the size of an "Urban Assault" boom box. A few years back there was a guy named Phil
who did a funny photo edit of a Sat 800 to show a built in microwave oven.

One of the reasons it was funny is the radio is large enough that you could almost believe it.

I wonder what the guys on "Pimp My Ride" could do with one.

Oz