Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This AM/FM/TV/weather band radio is quite a bargain right now at $19.95 on Amazon from Kaito Electronics. It best use is as a small portable or as a table radio, but it is definitely not a pocket model in size (for reference it is about the same size as that of a KA1102 AM/FM/SW receiver). It is a PLL (Phase locked Loop) synthesized, fully digital radio with a nice speaker although somewhat limited in its bandwidth as discussed briefly later on below.
The radio has some synthesizer noise evident, but I have found that this noise is only significant for the weakest stations, especially on the AM band. As with all the other bands, TV audio reception on channels 2-13 is also very good. It is very well made and has numerous features found only on radios costing much much more (a rear stand for setting the unit up on a tabletop, a quite long telescopic swiveling antenna, a DX/local switch, timed backlighting (8 sec), a lock switch, an earphone socket (earbuds are not provided), an AC adapter socket (the AC/DC adapter is not provided), a standard external antenna jack (the antenna wire is provided), a clock that can be displayed with the radio both on and off, two alarms, sleep and snooze modes, FM monaural as well as stereo capability, but NOT manually switchable to help with receiving the weaker stations, manual digital frequency entry and stepped as well as automatic scanned tuning, 20 preset memories (10 each for FM and AM) for storing station frequencies, an automatic NOAA severe weather alert/alarm mode, etc,).
Thus, it is also a very good emergency weather radio since all 7 standard USA NOAA weather channels are preset in memory (with slightly lower available volume since the transmitters are limited to a detection range of ~50 miles with typically only 100 Watts of broadcasting power). The geographic stations within this range are extremely well received by this radio at their individually assigned broadcasting frequency for that area.
It is also a good radio for daily listening, however there are no treble/base controls so music is not as fine as it would be on more expensive radios, but it is certainly adequate for voice and some music listening. It doesn't come with either a carrying pouch or batteries (it takes 3 AA's which provide the power needed for the digital system) or anything else but the radio, a length of antenna wire and a brief, but readable manual. For the current price it is extremely well worth the money. It comes with a standard one year Kaito warranty according to another very reliable radio website. It is a good radio and I recommend it.
UPDATE: March 26, 2008-
Eventually I found that my unit had severe problems with overloading, i.e., a large degree of signal distortion that was especially obvious at moderate to high volume levels. This distortion was found to be prevalent on any station using the FM stereo circuit and this condition was especially obvious using headphones. Using just the internal speaker however this problem was far less noticeable, but still needed further scrutiny by the manufacturer. The unit's FM monaural reception was absolutely fine using either the headphones or the internal speaker however. Since there was no mechanism built into the radio to turn off the FM stereo circuit and instead just listen using the monaural mode, I sent my unit back to Kaito and they promptly agreed and sent it back to the factory overseas for repairs.
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Kaito KA2031 - Portable radioThe newly released Kaito KA2031 Digital Synthesized portable radio provides the most accurate drift-free tuning of all available radio stations for listening to radio talk and music shows on the AM/FM bands as well as up to the minute weather from your local Weather Band broadcasts. It can also give you real time weather alert even when the radio is off. With direct digit-entry operation and 10 direct keys for memory presets, this radio allows quick access to your favorite stations. There are twenty presets, 10 stations for AM and 10 for the FM.. One important feature of the KA2031 is the sleep/wake-up timer. With this feature, it is possible to not only have the radio turn off after a selected amount of time (10-90 minutes), but also to have the radio turn on at a preset time. This 3-band radio picks up FM, AM and weather channels. FM frequencies range between 87.6 and 108 MHz while AM frequencies range from 530 to 1710 kHz. You will pick up weather channels 1-7. Unlike some other radios with NOAA weather receptions, the KA2031 is pre-programmed with all 7 channels, from 1-7, so no more guess work when tuning in. You can listen to the radio via the speaker, or through optional headphones via the headphone jack. Whether through the built-in ferrite bar antenna or the telescopic FM and weather antenna, you are sure to receive the best possible reception. To power this sleek, ergonomic radio, use either an optional AC adapter or three AA batteries. Call toll free 866-524-8676 to order the AC adapter for this radio.
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