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>