Radio

[chris kennedy]

I'm looking for a AM-FM radio for work. It needs to be rugged and most importantly have digital tuning. All I see are either too fragile, too large or too expensive to be trashed on a job site.
Any one had luck with one under $100?

 

[iwire]

I have the DeWalt digital version.

It's 'OK' but to large for most times.

It does have an 'AUX' input that MP3 Players can plug into and it does charge batteries.

 

[chris kennedy]

I have the DeWalt digital version.

May I ask what you payed and how long you've had it?

 

[dezwitinc]

Radio

If you shop at the Orange store, they have the Milwaukee radio on sale for about $90.

 

[chris kennedy]

If you shop at the Orange store, they have the Milwaukee radio on sale for about $90.

Digital tuning?

 

[mdshunk]

Digital tuning?

Yes, that's the one I use too, but only because I have Milwaukee tools. It has an AUX input also for your iPod or MP3 player. From what I've read on the net over the last couple of years, the Bosch jobsite radio has the absolute worst tuner. Perhaps the most featureful radio, but the worst tuner. I find none of them, that I have worked around, to be especially good in the bowels of a metal building, but that's only natural. It helps to hang them from the bar joists with a scrap of wire sometimes, for better reception.

 

[chris kennedy]

I find none of them, that I have worked around, to be especially good in the bowels of a metal building, but that's only natural. It helps to hang them from the bar joists with a scrap of wire sometimes, for better reception.

The problem I have is that mechanical tuning plates are too heat sensitive for my area. I realize that deep inside a building I will still have problems. And I can't hang the radio with scrap wire because someone stole it all.:wink:

 

[iwire]

I find none of them, that I have worked around, to be especially good in the bowels of a metal building,

I agree, thats why I only said it was 'OK'.

At least the Dewalt can charge batteries (while at the same time reducing reception ), last I knew the Milwaukee only eats batteries.

 

[chris kennedy]

I have Bosch and Ridgid battery chargers. If I plug either into the same cir. the radio is in the reception goes to he_ _. Why is that?

 

[iwire]

I have Bosch and Ridgid battery chargers. If I plug either into the same cir. the radio is in the reception goes to he_ _. Why is that?

Chris I have no idea but thanks, at least now I know it is not just DeWalt chargers that do it.

At work I use a small electric room as a office. Even if the charger is on the other circuit which happens to come from an entirely different service transformer the charger kills the reception with the Radio about 8' from the charger. :-?

 

[mdshunk]

At least the Dewalt can charge batteries (while at the same time reducing reception ), last I knew the Milwaukee only eats batteries.

And all the rest of them too! DeWalt patented the charger in the jobsite radio, so they own that "technology". I don't own a blessed thing that is DeWalt, so their radio is of no benefit to me. The Milwaukee radio has a "piggyback plug" on the radio, so you can plug your regular charger into the radio plug. The radio does run off the batteries, though, if you want to go that route.

 

[iwire]

And all the rest of them too! DeWalt patented the charger in the jobsite radio, so they own that "technology".

Are you kidding me?

You can patent adding a charger to an appliance?

Well great move on DeWalts part. :roll:

I don't own a blessed thing that is DeWalt, so their radio is of no benefit to me.

I only chose the DeWalt as that is what the shop buys and what they have given me over the years.

 

[mdshunk]

I only chose the DeWalt as that is what the shop buys and what they have given me over the years.

Then they're the best tools, then. Free tools are good tools. I see a trend locally, and perhaps wider, for electricians to own their own cordless and their own Sawzall. I don't agree with that, but it might just be my upbringing. I think the electrician should be responsible for his own pouch tools, and whatever other little gadgets he thinks will make his life easier, but not power tools. Whatever.... if a guy wants to use his own, and he tears it up on the job, I'll gladly replace it. Some people just like their own brand preference for whatever reason.

 

[ceknight]

I'm looking for a AM-FM radio for work. It needs to be rugged and most importantly have digital tuning.

I don't worry much about the "too fragile". I worry more about "inviting walkoffs". I carry a small, cheap boombox-style portable radio I picked up at a local retailer. Plastic handle, decent sound. It's taken a lot of abuse yet I haven't seriously broken it yet, it's got some duct tape on it, and no one has been inclined to walk off with it.

More importantly, I can buy 2 or 3 of them for what the shiny, tough-looking Dewalt charger model costs.

 

[IllinoisContractor]

We also use the DeWalt radios. However we only use it because all of our cordless drills are DeWalts. It serves the purpose of charging the batteries as well as running off of the batteries when we are without power. We bought little MP3 players that fit into the CD holder. We just run a cord from the aux input into the CD case. The MP3 player is made by Sony. It's called the bean. It's really small. About 1" x 2". It holds close to 600 songs. Set it on random playback and you're good to go. Reception is no longer an issue.

 

[iwire]

I think the electrician should be responsible for his own pouch tools, and whatever other little gadgets he thinks will make his life easier, but not power tools. Whatever.... if a guy wants to use his own, and he tears it up on the job, I'll gladly replace it. Some people just like their own brand preference for whatever reason.

I agree entirely, it is also how its done where I work. Of course I am not an employer paying the bills.

Check out this employment ad

What a deal, residential apprentice $10 per hour plus piece rate 'Certified' residential Foreman $22 per hour plus piece rate and you only need;

Must have reliable transportation for use on job (a pickup truck is preferred)

Must have own hand tools and cordless drill.

Must accept any work assignment in San Diego County.

Must pass a pre-employment physical including a drug test.

 

[chris kennedy]

I carry a small, cheap boombox-style portable radio I picked up at a local retailer.

I have a $20 radio now. I'm telling you that heat is a real problem here. If I watch my $500 worth of cordless tools and my $600 worth of power tools, I'll keep an eye on my radio.
By the way Chris, I was born and raised in Syracuse. I came here in 1980 on vacation and never went back. Now I can't wait to get the he_ _ out of here,

 

[IllinoisContractor]

I agree entirely, it is also how its done where I work. Of course I am not an employer paying the bills.

Check out this employment ad

What a deal, residential apprentice $10 per hour plus piece rate 'Certified' residential Foreman $22 per hour plus piece rate and you only need;

Must have reliable transportation for use on job (a pickup truck is preferred)

Must have own hand tools and cordless drill.

Must accept any work assignment in San Diego County.

Must pass a pre-employment physical including a drug test.

San Diego? Do you think they verify whether the applicant is a legal resident of the United States of America? I only ask because I've heard that cheap, illegal labor is causing a problem in the southern California residential electrical contracting industry.

 

[mdshunk]

What a deal, residential apprentice $10 per hour plus piece rate 'Certified' residential Foreman $22 per hour plus piece rate and you only need;

Must have reliable transportation for use on job (a pickup truck is preferred)

Must have own hand tools and cordless drill.

Must accept any work assignment in San Diego County.

Must pass a pre-employment physical including a drug test.

At that point, the guy might as well be a contractor. I have a "lead man required tool list" that I've been confronted about from tiem to time, but requiring a man to use his own truck is a little over the top.

 

[chris kennedy]

but requiring a man to use his own truck is a little over the top.

Not if he's given a generous allowance.