This Optimus radio receives five bands, including AM, FM, TV sound, weather, and shortwave. The shortwave band covers 3.8-12.5MHz and the TV sound band covers analog TV channels 2-13. Tuning is entirely digital. The FM, TV, and weather band reception is good, while SW and AM reception are fair. The Optimus 12-808 has switches for tone (high/low) and sensitivity (DX/local), and has frequency memories for each band.

There is a light button for the display and a stand which can be folded out from the back of the Optimus 12-808, along with a snooze button, alarm & sleep timer features, and a digital clock. It runs on 4 "AA" batteries and there is a DC power jack. Two optional "AAA" batteries can be added to back up the time and frequency memories. Buying an adapter (so that it can be plugged in to an electrical outlet) is recommended. This receiver was/is sold at Radio Shack stores.