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.