Sherman wrote in newsh4u51hj8oj4spi81nsq72oohkh0l2vkeu@
4ax.com:

My friend's brother is going into the US armed forces, probably to the
wars. What's the best radio to give as a goodbye present? Not too
expensive but a good soldier's radio.

A Sony 7600GR, for around $150. A very good radio, with very good AM
reception--has synchronous lock, which helps with inteference.

Also get him a program guide. There are a lot of broadcasts directed at
the middle east, like the BBC, VOA, and many others.

This is an interesting read:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/ne...11-boots01.htm

Scripps Howard News Service September 11, 2003
American troops forced to buy own wartime gear

By TARA COPP & JESSICA WEHRMAN

Last Christmas, Mike Corcoran sent his mother an unusual Christmas list: He
wanted night-vision goggles, a global positioning system and a short-wave
radio. Corcoran, then a Marine sergeant in Afghanistan, wanted the goggles
so he could see on patrols. They cost about $2,000 each.
......
Corcoran got all the items on his Christmas list, including the $2,000
goggles. The short wave radio was meant for entertainment, but he ended up
hearing messages urging jihad, and he picked up intelligence from enemy
fighters.