Hello Ma'am.

Unfortunately it is difficult to combine portability in the sense you
mean with good performance. Also I have found that short wave radios do
not function well in most workplaces with their fluorescent lights,
computers, and other sources of interference. Short wave signals are
generally exceedingly weak and modern office equipment is especially
electrically noisy.

That said, there are two well-made radios that I would recommend. I own
several units of both models so I have a great deal of experience with
them.

They are both Sonys - the ICF-SW35, which can be purchased for $90.00
or less (often around $75.00) and the ICF-SW7600GR, which costs about
$130.00 - $160.00. These radios are both superior performers within
their price range and would offer excellent reception in proper
listening venues.

Whether your husband's workplace "qualifies" as a good listening venue
is something only you and he can judge.

If you choose to buy one of these Sonys, I strongly recommend that you
do NOT buy on eBay. Buy from a reputable dealer who will assist you if
there are any problems whatsoever. My first recommendation is Universal
Radio, an excellent dealer, though their prices on these two radios are
at the high end. A less expensive dealer is J&R Music World in New
York. There are also a few Yahoo! dealers which sell these radios at
fairly low prices.

My radios are between seven and three years old and the ICF-SW35's, for
example, are kept in my cars' glove compartments all year 'round. They
are robust - they'd need to be to "survive" in such conditions. Yet,
whenever I place their batteries in them, they work flawlessly. My
ICF-SW7600GR's are also very well constructed; I feel that this model
is the best small portable currently being manufactured.

Both are very easy on batteries; no AC-adaptor is necessary (or
desirable). I personally use rechargeable NiMH batteries which make the
running costs in the long run exceedingly low.

The major difference between the two are the presence of a synchronous
selectable sideband circuit on the '7600 (I know you have no idea what
that is, but take my word for it: it is good) and that the '7600 has a
keypad for directly entering frequencies which the '35 does not. Unlike
some other people however, I do not find the lack of a keypad to be a
detriment to the operation of the ICF-SW35. Its image-rejection is
superior to that of the '7600 (this is good, also). Both of these
models have many "memories" which allows the owner to "store" a great
number of "favored" frequencies.

I believe your husband would be pleased with either and who knows - you
may find that you enjoy listening as well!

All my best wishes,

Joe