Sound Advice: RadioShack retro radio a blast from the past

Don Lindich, Tribune News Service on Mar 4, 2026

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RadioShack Portable Retro AM/FM/SW 3-Band Radio: This week I have a blast from the past from RadioShack, a brand that needs no introduction. RadioShack stores once graced most every shopping mall in the U.S., with almost 8,000 stores in 1999. Since then RadioShack has moved online and been through several ownership and corporate structure changes, but the brand soldiers on. This week's featured product will appeal to many of us old enough to remember the glory days of RadioShack.

I get quite a few emails from readers lamenting the lack of good, basic and affordable radios for everyday listening. Most of the Bluetooth speakers with radio only have FM. The RadioShack Portable Retro AM/FM/SW 3-Band Radio is something I have not seen in a very long time. It's a radio with an extendable whip antenna for good reception, a big, easy-to-read tuning dial with AM, FM and shortwave bands, and an appealing sub-$40 price. It has modern features like Bluetooth, TF card playback and batteries that charge via USB, but you buy it because it is a radio that is easy to use and enjoy.

Though the radio has cool, colorful styling and is full-featured, it is not a luxury product. (Not that anything RadioShack was ever luxury!) It is made of hard, but high-quality plastic and the sound quality is not what I would call high fidelity for music reproduction. Given the $39.99 price, it is absolutely fine. All that many people want is an AM/FM radio with good reception and clear voice reproduction, and beyond that the shortwave band and other features are a bonus. Use the Portable Retro Radio in the garage or outside while working or relaxing, grab it by the handle and take it fishing or to a tailgate party, or use it to stay informed during emergencies. It can be recharged easily with a power bank or portable power station when the power is out. And of course you can still use it as a Bluetooth speaker with your phone or tablet. radioshack.com

Q. How long can I run an HDMI cable? I want to keep my equipment out of sight in a closet, and fish a cable through a wall to my television. I think I need at least 20 feet, accounting for turns and leaving a bit of slack for connections.

—J.T., St. Paul, Minnesota

A. Back in the day when 1080P was the highest resolution video signal, you could reliably send a signal about 25 feet over a high-quality HDMI cable. Please note that high quality does not mean high end or expensive. You can find excellent 25-foot HDMI cables on Amazon for under $30.

If you are running a 4K video signal with Dolby Atmos audio (and today, you almost certainly are) then sending the signal 25 feet with a conventional HDMI cable is a bit more dicey. With 4K signals it is best to keep HDMI cable runs to 15 feet or less. You might be able to get away with a conventional high-speed HDMI cable, but using an active optical cable (AOC) will nip reliability problems in the bud. Then you will only have to fish the cable through the wall once, and not do it over when the ordinary cable does not work reliably.

Monoprice is an industry stalwart that played a large part in driving down the cost of high-quality cables. Monoprice has a 24-foot AOC HDMI cable for $109.14, and a 65-foot version for $145.54. Spend a bit more now, and avoid headaches later. monoprice.com

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