Best portable under $400: (Easy)

Eton E1 - Make sure you get a new one with a warranty. There are
quality control problems, but when you get a working one, you get the
best portable ever.

If you are considering used tabletops, you should easily be able to
get an R75 (a really good radio) easily and maybe an earlier R8-series
Drake (an even better radio) if you look around awhile. A Palstar R30
is an interesting cross between a tabletop and a portable without a
lot of bells and whistles, but very, very sensitive.

If you want to buy a new tabletop, it's very hard to beat the R75 at
about $600. A new Drake will cost a whole lot more.

Mike
Louisville, KY