In our current age of instant information, going off the grid where there is no cellphone coverage can be a welcomed break from being constantly bombarded by news. Sometimes, however, a little bit of news and weather reports can be both fun and useful. The best and most affordable way to get news while out of cellphone range is with a radio broadcast receiver.

The CC SkyWave made by C.Crane is one such radio. Not only can it receive your typical AM/FM radio broadcasts, but it can also receive regional weather forecasts transmissions on the weather band, international shortwave news broadcasts, and HF ham radio communications. One of this radio’s coolest features is its ability to let you listen in on aircraft communications on the the aviation band. This capability sets this radio above and beyond its competition as you will not find many shortwave radios that include the ability to receive air band transmissions.