Accessory Review:
C. Crane CCRadio SW
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, London Ontario Golf

If you are a regular visitor to LondonOntarioGolf.com, then you already know that C. Crane is one of our favourite electronic companies. Now, following in the footsteps of the legendary CCRadio plus – widely accepted as one of the top-performing AM radios ever produced – C. Crane introduces the CCRadio SW.

In fact, I’m listening to this new radio as I write, and let me say right now, this is the best-sounding radio I have ever owned. Period. The CCRadio SW is much more than a high-performance AM Radio. It’s also a tremendous FM and (as its name says) Shortwave radio. And, it’s hard to imagine that any other radio of this class would perform any better, especially with a price tag of $149.95 US.

The secret to the remarkable AM tuning of the CCRadio SW is the built-in Twin Coil Ferrite AM antenna. A long-time aficionado of late-night talk radio, I’m able to pull in stations from across the northeast U.S. with remarkable clarity. I really like the sound produced by the 5-in. 5-watt, 8-ohm speaker, too. Right out of the box, both spoken word and music on both AM and FM blew me away with its clarity. C. Crane says the speaker “reproduces deeper bass than any portable of similar size.” We won’t argue with that statement.

Measuring 11.25 in. wide x 7.25 in. high (9 in. with a collapsing built-in handle) x 3.5 in. deep, and weighing 4.2 lbs. minus batteries, the CCRadio SW is manufactured at a similar size to comparable AM/FM/SW portables. However, this radio is anything from ordinary. Its frequencies range from 1711 to 30,000 kHz. There are 50 memory presets (10 per band). Main controls on the front panel include AM RF Gain, treble, bass, volume, band selector and a very sensitive tuning knob, plus a separate dial speed control (slow, fast and hold features). Y can choose either 9k or 10k tuning.

The LCD display on the CCRadio SW is large and easy on the eyes. In addition to frequency, the display shows signal strength, fast or slow dial speed control, both Timer A and Timer B and battery strength. A digital clock displays 12- and 24-hour readings. The alarm uses a buzzer or radio, and there’s a five-minute snooze feature. One of my favourite features is the sleep timer, with no less than nine operational settings: 90-, 60-, 45-, 30-, 15-, 10-, 5- and 1-minute, plus a continuous “On” setting. Another of my favourite features, especially when listening to late-night radio, is the lighted buttons feature. There’s a top-panel Light button, and a side-panel Key Light on/off switch, which can help you save battery power. Also on the right panel of the CCRadio SW is an AM Sensitivity switch (distant/local), and an FM/SW Antenna switch (internal/external). I find both FM and SW stations are pulled in just fine with the telescopic antenna.

A headphone jack, ground jack, control lock feature, dual RCA Stereo Line Output, and IF Output for input to computer are also included in the design of the CCRadio SW. Powering this powerful radio is a treat, too. There’s a DC input which also acts as an internal battery charger. You have an option: four “D” batteries, or four “AA” batteries. I use four AA batteries rated at 2600 mAh and, despite the long amounts of time I use the CCRadio SW, need to fully recharge them just once per week. C. Crane says a set of “AA” Alkaline batteries rated at 2500 mAh will provide about 30 hours of runtime when the radio is played at a moderate volume level, and a set of “D” Alkaline batteries rated at 14000 mAh will provide roughly 175 hours of runtime at the same volume level. 

The CCRadio SW has 1 kHz tuning on both the AM and SW bands. You can use this radio with the CCRadioplus Custom Step Down, as well as the DC Step Down Voltage Converter, plus the CCRadioplus Solar Kit. There’s an optional carry case, too, which sells for $29.95 US.

Whether you are a SW buff, love to listen to FM Radio during your work day, or fancy pulling in late-night talk radio while reading in bed, the CCRadio SW is for you. We rank this as the best-overall radio we’ve ever listened to, in terms of features, performance and listening clarity.

For more information on the CCRadio SW plus a myriad of offerings from C. Crane, visit the company web site, www.crane.com.