I know what you mean. While I was waiting for the epoxy coating to cure last fall, I ran my cheapo NQD hydro (wife calls it the poser Miss Bud). I could run that thing to the other end of the lake w/out any problems. And that radio is real cheap (prob $10 with the batts). Sure, it took 5 times as long to get there compared to my SV, but I could never do that w/ my stock........oh wait......"spec" radio because I kept losing the signal (and she never ran away).

However, there are those that are still running the original AM rdio w/out any problems too. Wait until we get a coronal mass ejection of like 2 or 3, then everyone will be complaining about their radios. But not those with a failsafe.

But I agree, a better stock radio. There also might be a contract invloved with using the radio for the production. We don't have, nor are we privy to all the inside intrinsics. No biggy to swap in a good, inexpensive radio. You already have to spend an extra $300-400 on packs and charger.