This radio is easy to use, and sounds great.  Coverage of the shortwave spectrum is very good.  You also get sideband tuning, which you'll need if you want to hear HAM radio operators.  Off the built in telescoping antenna I get more strong stations than I have time to listen to.  With the supplied aux. antenna, reception is noticably improved.  It comes with ear-bud headphones, AC adapter and the aux antenna.  It also has AM and FM reception.  FM is stereo with the headphones, and is very good quality.  It has 2 built in clocks (believe me, you WANT that!!) 40 memories, and doubles as a clock radio small enough to use when traveling.  This could be considered an entry level radio, but it is sensetive enough that you won't "out grow" it for a very long time.