Alternatively for around $80 I would consider the Sony ICF-SW35. Very easy
to operate, good audio, very good on batteries and operates well in
saturated radio signal environments.

"Li Changchun" wrote in message
...
Have the gang pitch in and spend the extra dough for the Sony SW-100S. It
is the smallest and best pocket radio AND with a sych-detector as well as
SSB.
Uses 2 AA batteries.

This is what Passport said about the SW100 - "Don't leave Langley without
it!"

"Conan Ford" wrote in message
3.159...
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.


Consider that there is probably a lot of radio interference in Iraq,
with
a
lot of encrypted, military broad spectrum HF traffic. Now, you don't
want
a crap radio in this situation, like a Sharper Image radio or some piece
of
**** radio from Radio Shack for $20. You're going to want a dual
conversion radio, like the Sony ICF-7600GR or Yachtboy YB-400PE. I have
a
Degen 1103 myself, it is a decent radio, but it is also finacky. I
would
not want to have to use it out in the desert, with dust getting into the
battery compartment when I have to open it to pull the batteries for a
reset. I would recommend the Sony ICF-7600GR as it and the Yachtboy are
about the same, but the Sony also has Synchronous lock on AM signals.
If
you must, get the Yachtboy YB-400PE (Eton G4000A is the same) but don't
go
lower than that.