Sangean PT-10 AM/FM Stereo LW/SW Shortwave World Band Travel Radio Review

I am a die-hard "small SW radio" fan and 'news junkie'. Will not buy the $1.- American newspaper when I can have the news free. Also, I will not acknowledge that ever since the Cold War is over, propaganda transmissions on SW (in English) are "over and out". HOWEVER, when you are in (Central) Europe, (North) Africa, Central and South America and you do not speak the local Arabic, Hungarian, Russian, Japanese, Hindi, and Urdu these little radios will keep you connected to the BBC or other English Language News.

PROS:
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Sound: very good for this size.

FM sensitivity very good. I compared to the Sangean ATS 909 -- Sangean's top of the line. However for weak stations, annoyingly dependent on antenna position.

AM sensitivity good (not outstanding).

SW "haphazard". Good on 49m and 31m bands. On 19m and 16m I could not pick up some stations which came in loud and clear with ATS 909.

LW: I could not test in the US. Past experience with other Sangean radios in France and 'Eastern Block' was only "mediocre".

The accuracy of the dial is exceptional! I could actually use the numbers on the dial to retrieve a SW, AM or FM station.

Cons:
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I did not like the design. The leather case is press-buttoned to the radio. Looks cheap, klutzy and ugly (with or without the case). The competition (e.g. the small Kaitos) looks and feels far more elegant.

Unfortunately, the mechanical built puts this radio in the "Chinese $25- to $35.- class".



Buy it here now!