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Travel DX pick

C. Crane CC Skywave SSB 2

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The pocket radio that never leaves the nightstand

Most travel radios make you choose: weather alerts or shortwave. The C. Crane CC Skywave SSB 2 refuses to. It packs AM, FM, shortwave, airband, NOAA weather with alert, and single-sideband reception into a package running on two AA batteries — the radio you buy for the go-bag and then use every night.

Multiband coverage with a DXer's heart

The band list reads like a much bigger radio's: AM, FM, shortwave from 2.3 to 26.1 MHz, the aviation band, seven NOAA weather channels, and SSB on shortwave (per the manufacturer's band chart). SSB is the prize — it decodes ham operators and utility stations an ordinary receiver can't. Five tuning methods, including direct frequency entry, let you hop bands fast.

NOAA alerts on the friendliest power source there is

The NOAA weather alert with alarm turns it into an overnight storm watcher, and two-AA power is the unsung hero: AAs are available in every gas station on the planet, so this radio survives blackouts that kill rechargeable-only models. Roughly 6 inches wide and ~10 ounces with batteries per retailer figures — jacket-pocket territory.

Who it's for, and who should skip it

It fits travelers, preppers, and shortwave hobbyists who want one radio doing both jobs: nighttime DX listening and storm-night monitoring.

Skip it if you want hands-free emergency power — there's no crank or solar, so the Midland ER50 or Sangean MMR-88 suit kit duty better. If shortwave bores you, the Sangean DT-400W covers the alert core for far less.

Pros

• AM, FM, shortwave, airband, NOAA weather alert, and SSB in one pocket unit
• Runs on two AA batteries — easy to resupply in any outage
• Five tuning methods with direct frequency entry
• NOAA alert doubles as an overnight storm watcher
• US company known for radio support and documentation

Cons

• No hand crank or solar — dead AAs mean a dead radio
• Pricier than most pocket weather radios
• No S.A.M.E. county-code filtering — alerts are tone-based
• Small speaker; headphones improve music listening

Specs

Frequently asked questions

What can I hear with SSB that I can't without it? SSB decodes single-sideband transmissions — amateur operators, some international broadcasters, and utility stations. An ordinary AM receiver renders these as unintelligible warbling.

Does it really run on just two AA batteries? Yes, and that's the design's strength: two AAs, available anywhere, keep every band alive through a prolonged outage.

Should I get this or the original CC Skywave? The SSB 2 adds single-sideband reception — the main difference. For AM/FM/weather only, the original covers you; for shortwave DX and ham listening, get the SSB 2.

Verdict

Six bands, SSB DX capability, and the unbeatable AA battery — no crank, no gimmicks. A genuinely capable multiband receiver that doubles as your storm watcher. Check the current price on Amazon: View on Amazon

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