Coby CX-CB91 Radio: This is a small pocket-size shortwave radio which receives AM, FM, and seven shortwave bands. It has a digital tuning display and an analog tuning dial. This is preferable to digital-only tuning, as it is easier to locate stations and adjust the tuning correctly with the analog dial, while at the same time being aware of the exact frequency. It has a small signal strength indicator light as well as a sliding sensitivity control. As with many digital radios, a few AM stations can be received but AM reception is generally poor. FM and shortwave reception are both fairly good. It has been possible to receive stations in Germany, China, and Cuba with this radio, along with several domestic stations. It does not cover the entire shortwave range, but it does receive a substantial part of it in seven seperate bands. Sound quality is fair, but can be tinny at times. It runs on only 2 "AA" batteries, and also has a jack for DC power. The digital frequency indicated on the display is often slightly inaccurate on the FM band. It has a digital clock, and the radio can be set to turn on at a specific time. An advantage of the digital/analog tuning is that you can tune in AM stations which aren't at 10kHz increments, which is useful in some foreign countries where stations are located at frequencies like 765 and 1584kHz. Overall, a good radio to choose if you desire a shortwave receiver which is inexpensive and very small.

Sentry SC801 Pocket Radio: This is a very small FM radio with built-in flashlight. It runs on 2 "AA" batteries and only provides sound through the earphone jack. Reception isn't very good, but it might be fine if you just want to listen to strong FM stations. It automatically scans for stations when a button is pressed, and there is no manual tuning. The flashlight is surprisingly bright for its size. These radios are usually very inexpensive or provided as a free bonus item, so it is probably worth it just to have a very compact flashlight.

Borg Johnson HS912R Radio: This radio enables reception of ten shortwave bands as well as AM and FM. It has a built-in speaker, DC power jack, earphone jack, telescopic antenna, and wrist strap. It is not quite small enough to be considered a pocket radio, but the slightly larger size seems to improve its performance as compared to most low-end pocket shortwave units. It has good sound quality, not the tinny sound produced by some pocket radios. The slightly larger size also prevents it from tipping over easily. It uses 2 "D" size batteries, which gives it very long battery life. AM and FM reception are both fairly good. Shortwave reception is acceptable for a radio of its size (and price) although certainly not as good as the larger or more expensive models. The Borg Johnson HS912R can receive domestic SW stations and a few of the strongest international broadcasters (like China) reliably. The telescopic antenna turns a full 360 degrees. Reception does not change greatly when the radio is put down or moved slightly, which can be a problem with some small radios. The manufacturer's instructions are very minimal. Overall, the HS912R is among the best very inexpensive (under $20 new) shortwave radios, especially when considering its sound quality and battery life.

American SW Radio Stations

Reecom R-1650: This relatively small gray and white radio receives three bands, which include AM, FM, and NOAA weather. It has an SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) alert system which can be set to sound a siren when various types of natural disasters and emergencies occur. Reception is very good on all three bands, especially the weather band, which it receives better than any of the other radios I have used. It can be powered from 4 "AA" batteries or an AC power adapter. Some of the controls (which are all push-button digital) can be a bit complex, especially when you first start using the radio, so I would recommend buying one that includes an instruction manual. It has red, yellow and green alert level (statement, watch, warning) indicator lights, a large digital display which is lighted when buttons are pressed, and an alarm clock feature. The alarm can be set to two different times and has a snooze button. There is a telescoping antenna, as well as an external antenna jack. Other jacks include "Alarm Out" and "Audio Out". NOAA Weather Radio provides forecasts, current conditions, marine forecasts (in some areas) and other weather-related information. Overall, this radio would be best for someone who is especially interested in the weather band and/or lives in an area likely to be affected by natural disasters.

Radio Shack TRC-92: This handheld CB radio only transmits/receives on channel 14, and doesn't have a DC power jack or squelch control. The transmitting range is shorter than that of most CB radios. It has a volume control and a belt clip. It is larger than many FRS handheld radios, but smaller than most CBs. The main advantage of this radio is that it runs on a single 9V battery, rather than using 8-10 "AA" batteries as most portable CBs do.

Radio Shack TRC-239: This is a portable CB radio which can transmit and receive on all 40 channels. It runs on batteries or from the power jack, and has a built-in battery charger. The power jack allows you to use a cigarette lighter power cord. There is a HI/LO transmitter power switch for conserving energy when long-distance communication is not necessary. It comes with a removable rubber antenna, belt-clip, and wrist strap. There is a squelch control, which can silence the radio when nothing is being received. It has a digital display with lighted red digits and two indicator lights. Overall, it is good to have if you need a handheld CB with many of the capabilities of a mobile or base CB. However, a smaller and less expensive CB or other two-way radio may be appropriate for shorter-range communications. The Radio Shack model number is 21-1628.