Radios

Radios at Night Owl

Four sets, and they are different animals. The Panasonic RF-P50 is the pocket one that goes to work in a bag; the RF-2400 is a larger table radio with a proper tuning dial and a telescopic aerial. Philips brings the TAR1509/00, and the Hisun set adds USB and SD playback so it handles your own files as well as AM and FM.

Decide first whether it has to work without the mains. A set that takes dry cells keeps the news going through a power cut, which is why many households keep one in a drawer; a mains set is the better buy if it lives on a shelf and never moves. After that it comes down to the dial, and analogue tuning is easier to nudge onto a weak station.

• Pocket and table models covering AM and FM
• One set plays USB sticks and SD cards alongside broadcast radio
• Telescopic aerials to pull in a weaker signal
• Small enough for a workshop bench, a bag or a boat

Related: Philips Radios · Panasonic · TV & Audio