Since there's not much experience on this board with this, I thought I'd post mine in case it's at all interesting for anyone.

I think it all depends upon what one wants radio for. I like it walking, hiking, backpacking and long stretches down a highway. Therefore I wanted a portable satellite radio, with a "car kit", and the ability to charge it at home. I found this refurbished with car kit and home docking for $81 including postage and bought it. I think that was a fluke, it's a very good deal. There are also very inexpensive radios out there. I also signed up for XM radio.

Setting it up is simple, and the damned thing "talks" to the satellite somehow to transmit it's serial number and receive back authorization.

There are an ungodly number of channels available, but some of the old-time radio I was expecting must be Sirius. The reception is good, though as a portable it does need the earphone/antenna I ordered but hasn't been delivered yet. It works well in the car just laying on the dash, and at home. The antenna which is necessary for indoors has a long cord, and is pretty sensitive. It picks up the signal in the middle of the living room. One can download a couple of megabytes of their own material, a book, songs, and listen at one's leisure, and can record the material listened to. There is political, news and weather content, too.

Navigation is straight-forward and simple, the screen displays choices. Channels are categorized in a number of ways and it's easy to find what you'd like.

So that's about it, for what it's worth. Probably not worth it if you don't spend longer periods of time driving, stuck in traffic, or away from civilization. Is worth it for someone like me.

Arf