C Crane CCRadio Plus Multiband Portable AM/FM/Weather/TV Band Radio, Black

by C.Crane

Product Details

• Item Weight: 6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00007079A
• Item model number: CCP
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,769 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The ideal tool for listening to news, advice, entertainment, and sports, the second-generation CCRadio Plus portable radio offers unsurpassed AM radio reception, topnotch FM reception, and access to the latest information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather service. The CCRadio has long been the prime choice for enthusiastic AM listeners, as its speaker is specially tuned to the human voice, while its signal meter and fine-tuning knob ensure that reception is always at its best regardless of the distance. The result is AM clarity that far exceeds most radios, which typically sound distant and tinny. The FM reception is also solid, as is the NOAA service, which provides weather updates 24 hours a day. The weather radio also works as an "all hazards" information radio, letting you track significant weather events in your area, while the built-in weather alert sounds an alarm when weather emergencies are nearby.

Adding to the fun is a TV audio band, which receives the soundtrack for VHF channels 2 through 13. The TV band lets you keep abreast of your favorite soap opera, catch the local news, or listen to the audio footage of a televised baseball game--a nice option if the game isn't available on local radio. Additional features include five memory preset buttons with five memories per band (for a total of 20), an auxiliary input for connecting portable audio devices to the speaker, adjustable bass and treble controls, a display light, auto scan, and a stereo headphone jack. The radio even comes with a built-in clock with alarm and sleep timer modes, so you can locate the radio on your night stand or employ its alarm functions while traveling on the road.

The CCRadio Plus, which offers a variety of power options--including traditional alkaline or rechargeable ni-cad D-cell batteries, an optional solar panel, and a built-in 6-volt DC input jack--measures 11 by 6.5 by 4 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the Box
CCRadio Plus, AC power cord, user's manual.

Product Description

The original CCRadio has been the prime choice for ardent AM-band radio listeners. Now in its second generation, the CCRadio plus continues to offer listeners unparalleled AM reception with audio fine-tuned to reproduce the human voice. The CCRadio plus also has good FM reception, which you can listen to in stereo through the headphone jack (headphones not included). The built-in NOAA weather radio gives you updates 24 hours a day. The radio also includes a special Weather Alert that sounds an alarm to notify you of weather emergency updates. The radio is simple to use and has built-in clock, alarm, and sleep timer modes. Built-in 6V DC input jack and charging circuit allows you to run this radio via the optional solar panel while charging the optional NiCad batteries Color - Mica Black

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars CC Radio LCD update, February 13, 2005

By 

Ben (Schenectady, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: C Crane CCRadio Plus Multiband Portable AM/FM/Weather/TV Band Radio, Black (Electronics)

I last reviewed this radio after my initial purchase... almost one year ago. My original opinion (for the most part) hasn't changed. Compared to other portable radios, its reception capabilities (on AM) is above average. I DID however purchase a TERK AM Advantage antenna to use with it, because AM reception is really important to me. THAT makes a world of difference!! The TV & FM reception are good. The weather band does a fairly good job as well (depending on your location). Overall sound is good... but I wish the bass were a big stronger. Battery life is SUPERB!

Now for its downfalls. Similar to what another reviewer said, sometimes the station preset buttons have to be given a good "push" to change the channel.. (but they always work). I also wish there were jacks on the back for an external FM antenna AS WELL as an AM antenna. Last but not least........... another reviewer complained of an earlier model losing the digital display from time to time. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO MY RADIO. On several occasions, some of the digits have suddenly vanished! Then after a little while, they returned. It's VERY, VERY tempermental. It may go months with NO problems, then suddenly it'll act up for a day or so, then correct itself and be fine again. I was all set to return it to C Crane, then thought I'd wait to see if it did it again. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I've knocked my rating down to 3 stars following the "vanishing digit incident".

APRIL 15th UPDATE --- 2006

Late last Fall I became so frustrated with the LCD on this radio, that I called C Crane. They were familiar with this issue & gave me a repair # with intsructions to send it back to them. I did, & after about 6 weeks or so, it returned with a NEW LCD and has had NO problems since! The best thing of all...... they repaired it for FREE!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely FREE!!! So if I were you, still having this issue, I'd stop complaning and CALL THEM!

I would also like to also add a 4th star to my rating! ****

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Crane made it right - phenomenal performance in the replacement, May 30, 2005

By 

Charles G. Mcgaffin "NY Camper" (Ballston Lake, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: C Crane CCRadio Plus Multiband Portable AM/FM/Weather/TV Band Radio, Black (Electronics)

I had a repetitive problem with the CCRadio Plus and had returned it for repair. That repair was made at a cost to me as it was outside of the warranty period. The repaired radio failed in exactly the same manner, albeit in a much shorter time frame, and I reacted by tossing the radio and writing a rather negative, yet accurate IMO review. That review was read by a Crane Customer Service Rep over a year later and they offered to replace the original radio at no cost to me. I took them up on it and the new radio was received yesterday. Our boat goes in next month and I will be evaluating the radio once again during our weekend camping trips in the boat. Hopefully, they got it right this time in regards to fixing whatever generic problem was causing my earlier failures.

I have no idea what Crane did to fix the problem that I had experienced but to say they did is an understatement. The radio now seems to live forever on a battery load. We use it extensively each 3 day weekend on our boat and also for our two week stays in the islands. Reception is phenomenal. It's like a Timex - it just keeps "ticking". Only downside, and it is no fault of Crane, is the loss of my local TV station's audio due to the FCC mandated switch to all digital transmissions. I would buy another CCRadio Plus in a heartbeat were I to lose this one. Kudos to Crane - both their customer service and their technical staff.

For some strange reason, my computer will not allow me to change the rating - it should show 5 stars now. dated September 1, 2009

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Condensation affects LCD in CC Radio, July 19, 2005

By 

180pilot - See all my reviews

This review is from: C Crane CCRadio Plus Multiband Portable AM/FM/Weather/TV Band Radio, Black (Electronics)

I'm on my second cc radio since 1999, both have had LCD failures when using it in my camper. Other then that, it has been a fine AM and Fm receiver in the back country of Idaho, Montana and Northern California. It does not have the speaker quality sound of my GE Super III with it's larger 2 speaker system, but it will filter out more backgound noise on FM and AM stations. However the smaller size, clock, alarm, and WX band keeps the Super III at home and the CC with me.

After lengthy talks with C. Cranes techs today, they tell me high condensation has caused LCD failures in some observed conditions. Condensation in a camper closed up at night from ones breath is quite a problem, especially in the Winter or at high altitude with wide temperature changes. The LCD failures I've had are always in the Camper on battery power, after 3 or 4 days of camping. This last incident was in Idaho with a freak cold rain storm for two days in July. The radio when brought home seems to "heal" itself within a day, and the LCD works again. So the condensation theory seems plausable. C. Crane has also stated some LCD units had problems in some shipments of 2000, so they are going to replace the LCD in my out of warranty radio, with the later LCD, for free, after a call to them today, 7-19-05. 5 years later, what more could I ask for. Well, perhaps the new Mini CC, they tell me it will sound better than the cc with a smaller speaker, like a Tivoli Song Book.................

Footnote:

Researching LCD's in general, I found the following about them:

"Condensation at terminals will cause malfunction and possible electro-chemical reaction. Relative humidity of the environment should therefore be kept below 60%." Other sites mention limits of 10% to 80% limits with "No" condensation.

Perhaps those camping, or using the radio in other high condensation areas like a bathroom etc. Should consider radios with analog tuners. I now remember my LCD alarm clocks won't work at all below certain temperatures when camping in the Winter.