I’ve got some credit at REI- one of those patronage-dividend things. Unfortunately, I’ve got a lot more camping and hiking gear than I’ve been able to use for awhile. I’ve been fishing around for something worthwhile to use the credit on.<br><br>Following my own “urban survival” advice about having a battery-powered radio at work (other than the tiny one in the UPSK itself, which I’d rather reserve for use on the move), I’ve been eyeing the Grundig YB300 PE shortwave/am/fm. Mind you, REI doesn’t have a huge selection of such things- no YB400, no better SW receivers, no other SW brands.<br><br>This has other advantages- it can be dropped in a briefcase or pack, it could be useful during business travel (which may well be coming up) both as SW and clock/radio… and I’ve been disappointed in the SW performance of one of my Baygen/Freeplay crank radios, so I’d like to have at least on decent SW receiver.<br><br>Does anyone more familiar with these things than I am (practically anyone with an interest, I expect) care to offer any comments on this make/model?<br>

Starting about July, you can receive your entire REI dividend credit in cash. Then you can get what you really want. But how can you possibly have all the camping/hiking gear you need? That is like reaching the end of the Internet. Surely there is one more knife....

I understand.. and I may go that route... but I've been burned that way before. Around about July, unless there's something pressing, I tend to think I'll just let it sit there until Christmas shopping season. If I don't get to an REI then (and I usually don't), then a couple of weeks later- poof! It all reverts to REI. That's happened more than once, with small amounts.<br><br>For that matter, if you don't want to wait until July, you don't have to. Buy one small item in the store, use the coupon, and they give you the balance of the dividend in change.<br><br>The problem with camping and hiking gear is not so much that I have EVERYTHING (though I must be getting close- the garage is packed) as REI's selection. It takes about a half hour to drive to the nearest one- then they never have any shoes that fit (no widths), the packs and tents are too garish, a third of the stuff in the catalog is not in stock, etc. etc.<br><br>And, of course, there is always one more knife on the list- never mind that there must be 200 around here already- but it's seldom one of the ones that they carry. Their selection is pretty limited, and seems to have been chosen with one eye on the PC police. With knives, it's also hard to conscience paying 40 percent or more over internet prices.<br><br>In fact, I've killed the credit card (not my membership) that generates practically all of the dividend, so this is very likely the last year it will be a question. And I am intrigued by the YB300.<br>

I have had a similar Grundig receiver for about three years now and I am very happy with the performance. Granted, it is not as sensitive as my Yaesu HF tranceiver but for all around SW broadcast reception it is just fine. I can receive the BBC, Deutche Welle (Germany), Radio Netherlands, etc. from the east coast with just the telescoping antenna. It also has a good FM receiver and the AM reception is acceptable as well (my radio uses an internal bar antenna for the AM band as opposed to the whip). <br><br> If you think you will need better SW reception then you can attach about 20 feet or more of stranded copper wire from Radio Shack to the antenna and hang it out the window or over a tree limb.<br><br>All in all, I think you will be happy with the radio.<br><br>Chris

Apologize an italian guy.. :)<br>what is that REI?<br><br>I'm sorry not to be able to give an help: my Grundig SW radio has 30 years! (I've a father that is an electronic fan like me.. )<br><br>mac

Recreational Equipment, Inc.<br><br>Hope that helps!

In the 'bang for your buck' stakes you should look at the Sangean ATS-909. Very well featured, including all band coverage, including lower side band and upper side band in SSB mode, a large memory available on all frequencies, rotary digital tuning, plus 'direct dial-in' frequency. Hard to find a radio of this size [ about the same size as the old Grundig Yachtboy ] with so many features for such a good price. [ I have no commercial or other ties with Sangean].<br>The downside of the ATS is that it is microprocessor controlled, which means it can eat batteries [ AAs ]. But as a 'bang for your buck' receiver, it has built a good reputation over recent years among the SWL fraternity.

>>In the 'bang for your buck' stakes you should look at the Sangean ATS-909<<<br><br>Will do. REI doesn't carry them, so it won't be as convenient a deal if I go that way. How many bucks go "bang"?<br>

Sorry, I should have been more clear.<br><br>As Tom helpfully pointed out, REI is Recreational Equipment Incorporated (and he provided a link). It's a nation-wide US chain of outdoor stores and catalogs that give discounts and rebates on purchases to members- and membership is for life. They also have a Visa card that earns points for other purchases, that turn into store credit at the end of the year.

From memory I think Radio Shack may be Sangean agents. Yes, I have found a link: <br>http://www1.shore.net/~dmoisan/faqs/sangean/ats909faq.html<br>That should give you a fair comparison. Again, from memory, the ATS 909 is around $250 your money, may be even less.

Thanks- I'm reading up on it, and quickly found one for $240... still, that's a big jump from the YB 300 PE at $80...

You probably noticed from the Sangean FAQ that the Radio Shack DX-398 is the same exact radio. Radio Shack occasionally has these on sale. I got my DX-398 locally for $149 (yes, $100 off) back in November. It's a great radio.<br><br>I should also add that it's very efficient with battery usage, and I have also run it directly off of a 5W solar panel.<br><br>

Thanks- I did notice that they were the same unit (ain't the web great?) but the list price was the same, when you subtract a couple of accessories that are not included.<br><br>Comparing the two units, it's obvious that the Sangean has a lot more features going for it than the Grundig... for 3 times the price.. but that isn't the only question. There is also the question of whether I'd ever get much, or any, real use out of those features.. my thought was to be able to listen to SW, maybe have another source of entertainment on business trips, not really to pick up yet another hobby.<br><br>$149 puts it in a very tempting range, though, much more comptetive. I'll have to start checking the RS flyers again. Probably won't happen until the next Christmas season, though..

PL : Buy as little as one share of Tandy Corporation (Radio Shack) stock, and each year a month or two prior to Christmas, they send a coupon for 10% off of any one purchase (may include multiple items).

<br>I was pretty much in the same boat as you, looking for a sub $100 radio, but found this one at $149, and couldnt pass it up.<br><br>The user interface is very nice on the 909/398. Try to play with the radio you choose first. A radio that you like, you will use. A radio with a strange volume and freq controls will be a pain to use, and it will collect dust.<br><br>

Looks like RS might just have closed them out- or maybe they're just out of stock, it's not clear:<br><br>http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FLYER&category%5Fname=FLYER%5F001%5F002%5F008%5F000&product%5Fid=20%2D228<br>

Thanks to you and Tom for the explanation of REI: sometimes I've some difficulties with the acronyms you use: they are only used in US...<br><br>However, I don't know if you already know these links, but they are comparisons of SW receiver.<br>Maybe are useful,<br><br>http://www.dxing.com/rx/rxindex.htm<br>http://www.vectorbd.com/sw_review.html<br><br>hope it helps,<br>mac

Mac,<br><br>Try:<br><br>http://www.acronymfinder.com/search.asp?<br><br>John<br>

Being a Ham radio operator, I often get to play with all sorts of radio equipment. I recently purchased a Yaesu VR-500 reciever. For $249, I don't think I could have done much better. It recieves everything from 500kHz - 1300mHz (less the cellular band) and it can recieve just about any mode of transmission (AM, FM, WFM, USB, LSB, CW). At only slightly bigger than a pack of cigarettes, it's the perfect balance between size/weight and features. From a very technical standpoint, there are better radios out there if you are a serious shortwave listener, but none this compact and useful. <br>I have used this while camping, and since it can pick up all of the 'Family Band' radios, it can let me know if there are other campers in the area. It's nice to know who's roaming the woods with you.<br>For about half as much money, you can get an Icom IC-R2 wich has the same reception frequencies, but only AM and FM modes. <br>I had looked into the Sony and Grundig radios, but I found that they didn't compare to the Yaesu. Things such as 1091 memories and all mode reception are worth the price in my eyes. Then again, I suppose that I am slightly more than an average user of these kinds of things. <br>If you are looking for something simply to pick up weather stations and AM broadcast stations, then go as cheap as you can. But, if you are looking to actually have a radio that you could use in an emergency situation (Ham radio operators have a nack for getting involved in those kinds of times) then I suggest you get something that will let you listen in on EVERYTHING. Ham radio bands are regularly used for emergency replacement of telephone services and the like. <br>Hope this helps, just my $.02 worth.<br><br>-Hawk

<br>Just a heads up, the Radio Shack DX-398 (aka Sangean 909) is on sale at Radio Shack until the end of June for $149 ($100 off). Might be limited to stock on hand, so call around.<br>

Thanks, I will check it out starting tomorrow.