Good choice for my 78-year old Mom? All she wants to do is listen to the talk radio show, "Coast to Coast" at night. AM/FM reception in her condo is TERRIBLE (old condo, thick walls). It finally dawned on me that there are probably lots of stations that stream talk shows on the Web. She has WiFi. If I set it all up for her, do you this is the answer to her reception problem? I really don't want to get this if it's too hard for her to use. Can a non-tech person figure out how to change stations and such? I really want this to be a cool thing, and not a stressful, frustrating non-solution. Good choice for my 78-year old Mom? All she wants to do is listen to the talk radio show, "Coast to Coast" at night. AM/FM reception in her condo is TERRIBLE (old condo, thick walls). ... » Read More Good choice for my 78-year old Mom? All she wants to do is listen to the talk radio show, "Coast to Coast" at night. AM/FM reception in her condo is TERRIBLE (old condo, thick walls). It finally dawned on me that there are probably lots of stations that stream talk shows on the Web. She has WiFi. If I set it all up for her, do you this is the answer to her reception problem? I really don't want to get this if it's too hard for her to use. Can a non-tech person figure out how to change stations and such? I really want this to be a cool thing, and not a stressful, frustrating non-solution. « Show Less
662437
I love my squeezebox and my duet, but I cannot recommend them for a 78 year old. Now, I am 61, so no young tech hot shot, but it takesfrequent tweaks to keep these products working. There are 6 presets to make it easier for her, but even these require some finesse.It might be possible to try an auxillary antenna attached to her radio.
263393
I don't blame you for wanting to return it. Maybe return it and wait a few months, see if it improves.There are supposed to be "fixes" for WiFi, MySB, alarms, etc... in the just released SBS 7.4.2, but who knows.For audio quality I'd take the Boom any day! :)As for my Radio, it *never* loses connection to my WiFi (RED indicator), but I do get the occasional BLUE indicator (loses connection to MySB).My main issue is the "looks like it's playing but it is not" problem. Even then it is not as often as others have reported, for me anyway.I'm also running 7.5 beta and 7.4.2 beta so that may be why I don't have as many issues with the Radio as others, hard to say. I don't blame you for wanting to return it. Maybe return it and wait a few months, see if it improves.There are supposed to be "fixes" for WiFi, MySB, alarms, etc... in the just released SBS 7.4.2, but who knows.For audio quality I'd take the Boom any day! :)As for my Radio, it *never* loses connection to my WiFi (RED indicator), but I do get the occasional BLUE indicator (loses connection to MySB).My main issue is the "looks like it's playing but it is not" problem. Even then it is not as often as others have reported, for me... » Read More I don't blame you for wanting to return it. Maybe return it and wait a few months, see if it improves.There are supposed to be "fixes" for WiFi, MySB, alarms, etc... in the just released SBS 7.4.2, but who knows.For audio quality I'd take the Boom any day! :)As for my Radio, it *never* loses connection to my WiFi (RED indicator), but I do get the occasional BLUE indicator (loses connection to MySB).My main issue is the "looks like it's playing but it is not" problem. Even then it is not as often as others have reported, for me anyway.I'm also running 7.5 beta and 7.4.2 beta so that may be why I don't have as many issues with the Radio as others, hard to say. « Show Less
878685
Try using 107.9 as a frequency. It is a christian station but comes in crystal clear most of time for my xm.
177351
I think a person can connect to listed frequencies in their area. I never could. Not enough power. I finally got Verizon's wifi and it is worth it. Just don't download movies or music or the time is taken up. Doesn't matter about email and looking up things on the internet
2061214
I returned the radio after receiving. I live midway between LosAngeles & SanDiego (60 mi. either way). I could not get more than 2 stations. You need to live near a city for it to work. I cannot ans. your question. Buy via Amazon Prime and you can return very easy if not happy. Lots of bennies/w Prime.
709426
I live in a long valley. The antenna only worked in one location for us and that was not in the area where we have TV. I live about 10 miles east of San Francisco so many stations should be available. We decided to stay with comcast for now. Wish I could return my Walltenna. Charles
1266788
This particular untit did not work 100% for me. It worked better than other units I tried but not enough to keep it. It MIGHT work for you. It was one of the better units I tried. My issue is not hills but buildings around me. I also tried to amplify the signal....the channel did come in a little better but still didn't come in clear and unbroken. I did get all other channels really clear, just not the one local channel. However, This was not the only brand that would not get the channel. I tried four different brands, none successfully received the channel. I am still looking for one that will get all the local channels where I live .... I cannot use an outside antenna (I'm in a condo) so I have to find one for inside. This unit was the best of the one's I tried. I would suggest you try it....you can always send it back.
1390002
Yes, if it's a bad station. I finally found a good one for my area, 88.1 FM. No more static.
29024
The reception in some areas may not be as good as others. if adjusting the length of the antenna hasn't helped trying wrapping a small piece of wire around the antenna and run it to a higher spot in the room. If that does not help they may be an internal issue such as the antenna connection itself.
1494413
This portable,handheld radio is very nice.I understand what your asking in your question and this is true it is pricey,however its worth it.This radio can't compete with most am/fm handheld radios alone,plus you have NOAA weather on this with an alert system.The other big plus is the reception,this lil yellow radio can pull in some real weak stations as well. I am very impressed with the AM stations @ night time that it brings in.FM is also good and if your outside or by a window your going to be happy with the reception.True its higher priced however you get what you pay for ,and in my opinion this this one nice radio to own. This portable,handheld radio is very nice.I understand what your asking in your question and this is true it is pricey,however its worth it.This radio can't compete with most am/fm handheld radios alone,plus you have NOAA weather on this with an alert system.The other big plus is the reception,this lil yellow radio can pull in some real weak stations as well. I am very impressed with the AM stations @ night time that it brings in.FM is also good and if your outside or by a window your going to be happy with the reception.True its higher priced however you get what you pay for ,and in my... » Read More This portable,handheld radio is very nice.I understand what your asking in your question and this is true it is pricey,however its worth it.This radio can't compete with most am/fm handheld radios alone,plus you have NOAA weather on this with an alert system.The other big plus is the reception,this lil yellow radio can pull in some real weak stations as well. I am very impressed with the AM stations @ night time that it brings in.FM is also good and if your outside or by a window your going to be happy with the reception.True its higher priced however you get what you pay for ,and in my opinion this this one nice radio to own. « Show Less
1892756
FM reception depends on tower locations in a rural area. My husband says AM talk radio holds a better reception from building to building compared to FM reception. But in the open fields reception for both is about the same depending on radio towers in your area. I've been purchasing 2 sony walkmans a year for my husband these past 15 Christmases and he uses the radio everyday (10- 12 hrs daily) 7 days a week 365 days a year. It takes a licking & keeps on sounding Awesome! Enjoy!
925985
It is very easy to turn the radio off and on, there is a button on the side , and changing the station is just as easy . So sorry about your Mom, but I think it will be easy for her.
93137
Good responses from other owners. Also consider whether the radio is getting the signal at all. In my case, it didn't work except on a wall facing Colorado --in my case, west -- and had a nearby window. Now it updates consistently withno problems. If I have it in any other location, it does't receive the signal and doesn't update.
2067674
I have found that the antenna used indoors does not work very well.I have heard the best way to receive shortwave is to set up a good antenna outdoors and run it inside.
676781
I live outside Detroit and I"ll get the local channels, approx. 15, but I have to move the antenna for some of them. All the stations are within 10 miles of my house and the TV is on my screened in patio. I expeced more from an amplified antenna. I also have a cabin in Michigans Upper Peninsula and when they switched from analog to digital broadcasting all the the stations that people could get with the rabbit ear antenna were lost and unless you had cable TV you would get nothing. If you wanted reception you had to buy a tower with a costly antenna and amplifier to get reception. Its obvious to me that the digital signal doesn't reach as far as tha old analog.Terry P I live outside Detroit and I"ll get the local channels, approx. 15, but I have to move the antenna for some of them. All the stations are within 10 miles of my house and the TV is on my screened in patio. I expeced more from an amplified antenna. I also have a cabin in Michigans Upper Peninsula and when they switched from analog to digital broadcasting all the the stations that people could get with the rabbit ear antenna were lost and unless you had cable TV you would get nothing. If you wanted reception you had to buy a tower with a costly antenna and amplifier to get reception. Its... » Read More I live outside Detroit and I"ll get the local channels, approx. 15, but I have to move the antenna for some of them. All the stations are within 10 miles of my house and the TV is on my screened in patio. I expeced more from an amplified antenna. I also have a cabin in Michigans Upper Peninsula and when they switched from analog to digital broadcasting all the the stations that people could get with the rabbit ear antenna were lost and unless you had cable TV you would get nothing. If you wanted reception you had to buy a tower with a costly antenna and amplifier to get reception. Its obvious to me that the digital signal doesn't reach as far as tha old analog.Terry P « Show Less
816097
In theory you can have ship to shore communications on some channels but under very limited circumstances. It should involve necessary communications that are germane to water navigation, not grocery lists or where you want to eat that evening. You can always tune in and listen anywhere.
1834291
Hi. I find that some days the reception is better than other days. Today, the reception is perfect. I would keep it plugged in and see if the reception improves and then you would have to accept that on some days you will have bad reception (which I know will be annoying).