Sangean TB-100 TOUGHBOX FM/AM Aux Ultra-Rugged Digital Radio with Built-in Battery Charger, Green

I have some other Sangean radios, and I like the sound. It makes voices/words clear to understand. I don't listen to AM radio much, but I listen to K-LOVE, positive Christian station, and I want to hear the words!In my area, K-LOVE is on 88.9. When I received my fantastic Lunchbox radio yesterday, uh-oh, there was some static on 88.9. Well, my Sangean radios do a great job of receiving it, but it does require some antenna power. I put my fingers on the antenna and the static disappeared. I took them off, static came back, put them back on, static went away, etc.I don't need to move this radio around much at all. I have it plugged in and situated and I love it where it is. So, I fixed the static problem forthwith. I took a rather long piece of copper wire, wrapped it around the top of the antenna, and trailed it to a vacant corner of the room. No more static!I just adore the sound of this radio. I also adore the looks--it is my favorite color!I like the fact that it is simple. I want a radio. I want it to be digital, because tuning a non-digital radio is just not as convenient for me. I don't need to power other speakers with it (it has plenty of speaker power!), or hook up an MP3 player or whatever. I didn't even put batteries into it. I did open the battery compartment and look in. Didn't need a screwdriver to do that!!!Where you want a radio to listen to, have a bit of room to place it, and value solid, clear sound and durability, this is a great choice!UPDATE:I put this radio in a spot where I can listen to it at robust volume while grooming my Standard Poodle (that is a BIG job, and it must be done faithfully), and at soft volume while I sleep. Other times I turn it on at various volumes to keep that music flowing. It does me SUCH good. Helps the dog, too. We listen exclusively to KLove, and it really feeds my heart, mind, and spirit--and evidently the dog's, too.I have a very nice small Sangean right at the bed where I can set the volume so I can hear it but hubby can't, and we can both sleep. It has superior dynamics for understanding words, and that is VERY important to me with Christian music. No real bass, though.Well, this Lunchbox rascal has great sound with bass. I accidently discovered that I love the sound when I play both radios together. It's like a combination of stereo and increased sound range.Well, this radio still has the copper wire, still working great in that spot to keep 88.9 clear. I decided to order ANOTHER Lunchbox radio to put it in the kitchen and play at the same time as the same other model of Sangean that is in the bedroom. The new Lunchbox arrived yesterday.Well, first, it is easy-peasy to unpack, set-up, and operate--THANK YOU, SANGEAN!I don't need it to recharge stuff, hook up various devices, or the other things some Work radios do. I need exactly what this radio does, and exactly the ways it does them! I even ADORE the color! It is my favorite color.I was thrilled when I got the two radios playing together in the kitchen. Great, great, GREAT! It really feeds me in so many ways.And, must be the difference in exact locations, but though I had the copper wire and clipper all ready to wind that around the antenna and boost reception of 88.9--so far, no need at all!I am SO glad to have two of these radios, at opposite ends of the house! This is a great radio!

I bought this as a back-up emergency radio. I recently read a book "Surviving The End of the World As We Know It" and the author reminded me how important it is to have several radios of varying types in the event things go "off grid." So, when I was reviewing the types of radios that are out there, this model immediately caught my eye due to its purported ruggedness and durability. Little did I know, however, when I purchased this that I was getting far more than a good "survivalist" radio. Indeed, this is that, but it is also a certified piece of sculptural-design art, and going even further, buying this is a throw-back to the days of getting something simple, solid, utilitarian, and built to last. Manufacturing as Art.The dilemma I have is whether to buy a few more of these as collector's pieces. If I had the space to store them, I certainly would. I know for sure I'll be giving several of these as gifts.The main reason I felt motivated to write a review about this simple radio is for this reason: We need more simple products like this in this overly complex world of ours. DESIGN AND QUALITY PRODUCTION LIKE THIS NEEDS TO BE RECOGNIZED AND ENCOURAGED!!!! If I was the President I would invite the engineer who designed this to lunch at the White House so he could receive the recognition he deserves. I buy so much junk which comes with owner's manuals which take a weekend or longer to read. 90% of the features on these products I don't even use most of the time. And, frequently, most of this stuff (electronics in particular) doesn't last through the year. The thing ends up in our American landfills before the consumer even becomes fully familiar with it. Repairs?? Prohibitively expensive.With this radio you won't even need to read the owner's manual, which is nothing more than a small brochure. You screw the antenae in, you plug in the attached ultra-heavy-gauge cord (No AC adaptor here, folks!!! Praise the Lord!! I hate those things!!!) and you're good to go. Setting the stations is totally intuitive, and if you simply want to cruise the stations you just turn the sturdy, heavy knob. Just like the old days. Pure, utilitarian elegance.This "Lunch Box" radio is visually stunning and built like a brick outhouse. Solid in every way. Nice weight to it. I was going to pack it away for that Big Emergency, but this is so dinstinctive looking that I'm going to find some place to put it where I can show it off. I think it sounds great, and it immediately tuned in all the stations I normally listen to here in southern California without any problem.Some may want to label me a "Luddite"--a person who is repelled by advances in technology. There may be a kernal of truth in that assertion. I really do get exhausted with all the upgrades, updates, innovations, advances, and obsolescences inherent in this technologically revolutionary age. I just don't want to spend my best hours and my best years adapting to the gadgets of my era. But I think the true attraction I have to a product like this "Lunch Box" radio is this concept: Often, less is more. This simple, robust radio with its cheerful, strong design does everything I really need. I like knowing it will be around for a long time--probably longer than me.Many thanks to Sangean. You nailed it with this one.