muncybob wrote:
Actually I'm looking to pick up a replacement shortwave radio for my
dad...he likes to listen to BBC broadcasts but his old radio has died.
What am I looking for in a new radio for the occassional user?? Any
model suggestions out there?? Looking to stay under $150...thanks!

I don't know where you are but since you said $150 I assume you
are in the U.S. and not another place that uses dollars. :-)

Before you go out and buy him a radio, check out the availabilty of
BBC news from other sources. If you are in the U.S. many PBS stations
rebroadcast BBC news (your tax dollars at work) and they are easily
available over the Internet.

Since the BBC no longer targets shortwave broadcasts to North America,
(they don't want to compete with PBS who pays them), it may be a
better choice.

They are also on satellite 24/7 and since a cheap setup (Ku band dish, receiver
and instalation) is under $300 here, it may be a better investment being
a lot cheaper in many places.

If you do decide to buy a radio, there are lots to choose from. The Sony
7600 which has been made in many models for almost 30 years is a good
choice. You may be able to find a radio cheap or free on freecycle or
some of the other lists. The latest one sells for about $150 if you
shop around.

Note that a "modern" receiver may be too difficult for him to operate.
Some people are confused with lots of buttons, menus and settings, some
take to them.

The BBC is not a difficult station to receive when propigation is with you
and I would look for a radio with good sound and less features. Grundig
made a whole line of them from the 1950s until around 2000, but since
they were targeted at the European market, it may be difficult to find them
if you are out of Europe.

Geoff.

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