go to ebay for a used radio. you can get an older multi-band radio for
that price. get an older analog type radio with the linear dial. you can
get a higher quality radio with better performance than a new $20
digitally tuned radio will have. then while you are listening and
learning about shortwave you can save for a $100 digital radio. by the
time you have saved you will know enough to really appreciate the
digital difference. great deals are out there for a patient buyer. i
have several $100- plus radios that i bought NEW for less than $50. in a
years time radioshack will close-out an expensive radio for half price
or less. in the end you can have more radio for less money while still
enjoying your larger and nicer (even if older) analog set the whole
time!

I tend to agree with the thrift store approach for this one, it may take
a few weeks of searching but when out and about stop in to local
Goodwill and Salvation Army - you'll get a great radio and help others
at the same time. I recently scored a Zenith Trans-Oceanic Royal 3000-1
for $19. Schwweeet! While your at it, rummage for some thrown away TV's,
depending on thier construction many have flyback transformers, newer
ones have switching power supply transformers that have #24 wire that
can be unwound and make a great inexpensive starter antenna. I got 65'
of #24 from a TV transformer once.

Tim H

bluemind wrote:
I have $20 maximum and want a cheap radio. From what I've read so far
my choices are between Jwin, Coby and B+H. Which is best? I know none
of those are 'serious' sets but I have to start somewhere. TV audio
would be nice, and battery life is a consideration too. I live in the
boonies of WV, and will be happy if I get a good BBC signal. Thanks for
the help.

Inferior, and inexpensive junk, will do nothing but frustrate you.
Save-up a few bucks, and get something decent. Thrift stores might yield
a buried treasure. Just exercise a little patience, maybe utilize an old
coffee can for a "piggy-bank". Darren





http://community-2.webtv.net/DEMEM/L...mes/page2.html

Thrift stores are the way to go. Does anybody know of any thrift stores
that sell their radio stuff through the internet?

learned & unlearned,
-Robin

"The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to
unlearn." -Gloria Steinem

Calendar of Zine Expos -
http://www.freewebs.com/robinscalendarofzineexpos

I have $20 maximum and want a cheap radio.

Not to be flippant but... Get a paper route and save up a few clams.

Seriously. Otherwise you would have wasted your hard earned $20.

I agree.Checking out ebay first is a good choice.
cuhulin

AM and FM radios are common, and cheap. Listening to shortwave s a
fussier and more fickle proposition. It actually takes some pro-active
effort to make shortwave listenable. Inferior radio sets will only
further exacerbate your quest for alternative programming. Money can
make it happen for you. The Kaito 1101 is the cheapest well-working
shortwave that I know of. Darren





http://community-2.webtv.net/DEMEM/L...mes/page2.html

this would be a good buy for about $15 !

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

here is an unbiased review your perusal
http://www.radiointel.com/review-kaitowrx911.htm

Mr. Spock of Vulcan