How to choose a radio

When choosing a radio receiver, it is recommended to be guided by the planned usage scenarios of the device.

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1. How to choose a radio: what to look for
   
2. The main criteria for choosing a radio
3. Top manufacturers

How to choose a radio: what to look for

The main criteria when choosing a radio receiver:

1. Type: portable or stationary;

2. Power (battery, battery, mains);

3. Antenna placement method: external or built-in;

4. Supported frequency range (FM, AM, LW, MW, VHF);

5. Adjustment method (digital, analog);

6. Acoustic characteristics;

7. Additional characteristics.

8. Device manufacturer is also important.

The main criteria for choosing a radio

Radio type

By type of placement, radio receivers are divided into portable and stationary. The first ones are intended for use on the road, at the cottage or at home - if the quality of reproduction is not important for the user. Such devices are usually inexpensive (from 300-400 rubles), compact size and impact-resistant design. The lack of a portable performance is the low sound quality, due to both the “not the best” radio wave reception and the established budget acoustics.

For lovers of high-quality, rich and realistic sound are stationary radio receivers - massive, large-sized devices with a good antenna and well-developed acoustics.

The main disadvantage of stationary radios is the relatively high price. They cost from 2-3 thousand rubles.

Power type

According to the method of power, the radio receivers are distinguished into two types - working on batteries, on a built-in battery or from a network.

1. Battery powered devices usually fall into the lower price range. Since the power consumption of such radios should be minimal, the developers reduce the current consumption - they put low-power antennas, speakers and other "stuffing". As a result, the sound quality becomes acceptable only in the immediate vicinity of the broadcasting station. Therefore, radio batteries are not recommended for purchase.

2. Radio receivers operating on an integrated rechargeable battery can be waterproof or complemented by high-quality acoustics. Therefore, if you need a portable device, you should pay attention to this technique.

3. The third power option is mains operation. Such radios can be equipped with the most powerful acoustic equipment and active antennas, which provide the best sound quality. However, they are not portable.

Antenna placement method

The radio antenna can be placed both inside the case and outside. To purchase recommended devices of the second type. Placing the antenna inside the case reduces its sensitivity, therefore, without interference, you will only be able to listen to radio stations with dense and stable broadcasting.

Telescopic external antenna keeps communication more stable. In addition, you can “wind up” the copper wire to it - and then the signal will become cleaner.This is important if you plan to listen to radio outside the city - for example, in the country.

Antenna active type, providing the most dense and clean signal, are rare, and equipped with radio receivers are expensive - from 10-12 thousand rubles. They are worth buying if you want to listen to stations broadcasting outside the usual range for terrain - for example, foreign ones.

Supported frequency range

The number of stations that can be heard on the radio receiver being used depends on the supported frequency range. There are five ranges:

1. FM. The usual frequency range for Russia and the former USSR. Almost all the stations available "at us", broadcast in the FM-band;

2. AM 20-30 years ago was widely distributed, today it is almost never used. In this range, few regional radio stations broadcast;

3. LW, MW. Rare ranges. It is not used in Russia, therefore foreign radio stations broadcast in it. A receiver that supports it should be purchased to listen to just such channels;

4. VHF The range with the maximum coverage area, but with a limited number of stations broadcasting in it.

Thus, FM receivers are recommended for purchase. But if you plan to listen to the radio in a place that is very far away (more than 20 km) from the nearest tower, you should pay attention to models that support the VHF range.

Adjustment method

There are two types of adjustment of the radio - analog and digital. The first involves setting the active frequency by electromechanical manipulations. The main advantage of the method lies in the fact that you can choose a range in which this or that station is better “caught”. A drawback - the choice of receivers with analogue adjustment is limited.

Digital adjustment has many advantages. Firstly, the automatic station search mode will help not to remember the frequency ranges of each of them. Secondly, the memory at the station allows you to quickly switch between them.

Unfortunately, with digital adjustment it can be difficult to tune in the stations in detail, especially if the frequency used by it is clogged with a garbage signal - but in the neighboring bands the sound is clear.

Thus, for urban use suitable receivers with digital adjustment, and for the country it is better to purchase analog devices.

Acoustic Characteristics

The most important acoustic characteristic of the dynamics of a radio receiver is power. The higher it is - the louder the device plays. But the battery life is reduced. However, many manufacturers deliberately overestimate the power of the speaker, and "45-watt" speakers in a relatively compact body fit.

The amount of speakers depends on the acoustic environment created by the radio. Of course, the method of the radio itself involves broadcasting in mono, but devices with two speakers create a more pleasant acoustic environment than with one. But the 2.1 radio configuration is not needed - unless, of course, they are not equipped with digital audio converters (MP3 support, etc.).

Additional features

Among the additional features that can improve the user experience of the radio, can be identified:

1. Playing music from external drives - flash drives, memory cards, etc. A useful feature if the radio is bored and you want to listen to digital audio from your music library. Of course, the receiver must have the appropriate connectors and slots;

2. Record radio stations. Purpose is self-evident. The best option for this function is a delayed timer recording - then you will not miss a program, podcast, or interesting interview. Record a station receiver can both on the built-in drive (and then its volume is important), and on the external one;

3. Water resistant. Important function for tourist radios;

4. Alarm clock. The radio is turned on at the specified time;

5. Bluetooth Designed to communicate with mobile devices.In this case, the radio works as an external speaker or hands-free headset.

Top manufacturers

The best radio manufacturers are:

1. Sony, Philips, Panasonic - produce high-quality radios of various types;

2. Tecsun - perhaps the best manufacturer of portable radios with a wide range of supported frequencies.

3. You can also mention the company Sangean, which produces high-quality stationary radio receivers belonging to the upper price segment.

In the following articles, our experts tell how to choose a vinyl player and secrets portable speaker selection.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.