That sounds like a good deal at $40.  The Yachboy 400 I was mentioning is comparable to the Sony 2010, but it is a bit more compact and the clock is usable.

At 12:01 PM 2/20/02 -0500, you wrote:
>I like the little RadioShack DX399 that I bought on sale for $40 ... I think
>regularly, it's $80 or so.  It has direct keypad entry of everything and
>includes LW and FM.  With headphones, FM reception is in stereo.  The radio
>does not have SSB, but if your friend is more interested in overseas
>broadcasters than in hams, this is no problem.  It's very small (about the
>size of a largish paperback book) and comes with a carrying case and AC
>converter.  The only negative that I've found so far is that it's a real
>battery hog.  It used 3 triple A batteries and I suggest buying
>rechargeables.  It probably can't compare with some of the really fine
>radios like the Sony 2010, but it's the best $40 radio you'll ever find and
>even at normal retail when not on sale, it's still a very nice piece of
>equipment.  I'm very glad I bought mine.
>
>--
> Walt Smith - Raleigh, NC
> [log in to unmask]