I like the yaesu vr-500. As a communications receiver, it's a jack of
all trades master of none, but it still works pretty well for what it is
and it offers all the coverage and modes you are after in a diminutive
size. I find the biggest difficulty with this type of radio is antenna
as no single antenna will fit the bill. I have a couple of rubber ducks
for it and a wire on a bnc for hf listening. I still seek the perfect
antenna for it. Battery life on 2 aa's is decent as well. It uses the
3.5 mm jack, but is mono and not stereo.