Hello Oz-bargainers
Im on the Lookout for a portable digital radio. Money isnt a issue!
Id ideally like it to play both AM & FM!
I dont even know where to start, there is so many out there.
Thanks guys!
Portable Digital Radio
Wayne88 on 14/09/2013 - 11:52
Comments
Almost every AM radio has FM too.
Yes but DAB+ radios with AM are rare. Pay attention to the context. If you are talking about old analog radios sure, but that wasn't the question here.
Oh really? see i don't know much about DAB+.
Id probably want something the size of a book for outdoors!
I bought this one when it was on sale and am happy with it. It's typical of what you can get.
http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/114042
Most DAB+ radios also receive FM. Think carefully about what other requirements you have, size of speaker, volume output (e.g. are you going to use it in a noisy area), normal AA cells or proprietary rechargeable pack, headphone socket, line out socket, alarm, etc? Then do a search on the web. Also go to DSE or Good Guys and try their demo units.
Some of the small radios don't work all that well in your pocket and the antenna will break off in a pocket so you can fix that by putting a bit of electrical wire around the antenna.
Also some of their speakers are weak.
If you can find a Kaitec HR-218, highly recommend you buy it. Batteries last much longer in it than any of the many, many radios I have owned. Bought mine in Adelaide at a cheap imports shop on Chambers Street, near Marion Road, Adelaide. No luck on eBay, just checked.
there aren't many DAB radios with AM unfortunately. I was doing a recon before the Ashes so i could listen to the cricket. Sangean seems to be the best of them. Bush has a few, but they're big units.
Personally I found the DAB signal was very patchy & being digital it cuts in & out, which is really annoying. I live less then 10km from Melb CBD on a hill. I wanted AM for when DAB wouldn't work.
In the end I decided it was easier to use an old Android phone + TuneIn app over wifi - more stations, in digital & no signal problems. If I'm out & about I use TuneIn over 3G which works a treat too & doesn't use much bandwidth. Or my trusty 15yo old $10 Am/FM radio.
Both AM and FM in the same unit is going to be hard, but why? All the AM stations and more are also on DAB+. Just be sure you have DAB+ reception in your area.
Perhaps if you narrow down your requirements? What do you want to do with it? Do you want something like a personal radio with earphones? Do you want something the size of a book for outdoors? Do you want a bigger one to move between living room and the kitchen? Portable means different things to different people.