C Crane
CC Skywave SSB
Best portable radio for travelers and emergency preparedness enthusiasts.
The CC Skywave SSB 2 is a versatile portable radio, ideal for travel and emergency preparedness. It offers extensive band coverage, including AM, FM, NOAA Weather with Alert, and VHF Aviation frequencies. Its Single Side Band (SSB) capability ensures reliable long-range communication with precise 10 Hz tuning. Key upgrades include an enhanced Shortwave antenna jack, a micro-USB connector for charging, and an improved speaker for better audio. Enjoy up to 65 hours of battery life with two AA batteries, plus convenient features like a clock, alarm, and sleep timer.
$169.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
8
/ 88
#8 in Radio Scanners
Price vs Category Average
-68%
Below average
Weight
6.
/ oz (without batteries)
Who it's for
- Radio hobbyists tracking amateur, utility, and marine communications
- Frequent travelers needing a compact, long-lasting portable radio
- Listeners wanting comprehensive access to aviation and shortwave bands
Who should skip it
- Audiophiles seeking rich, full-bodied sound for music playback
- Operators requiring precise, stable tuning for weak signal reception
- Users prioritizing rugged, premium materials for heavy-duty field use
Performance breakdown
Band Versatility
Covers an impressive range of frequencies for such a compact device.
SSB Precision
Ten hertz tuning steps provide exceptional clarity for long-range signal monitoring.
Portability
Lightweight design makes it an ideal companion for travel and emergencies.
Battery Efficiency
Sixty-five hours of runtime ensures reliable performance during extended off-grid use.
Audio Fidelity
Improved speaker clarity is a welcome upgrade for voice-heavy radio broadcasts.
Interface Intuition
Digital display and memory presets make navigating complex bands straightforward.
Key Specs
Weight
6 oz. (without batteries)
Dimensions
4.8" W x 3" H x 1" D
Input Power
AC Adapter: 5V DC 1 Amp (not included), Batteries: (2) AA (not included)
Audio Output
0.5 Watts
Speaker Specifications
1.5", 8Ω, 0.5W
Frequency Coverage
AM: 520 - 1710 kHz, FM: 87.5 - 108 MHz, Shortwave: 1711 - 29999 kHz, Aviation: 118 - 137 MHz
Weather Band Channels
7 NOAA channels
Internet Radio Capability
false
Features
- Wide band coverage in a compact design
- Reliable long-range SSB communication
- Precise SSB tuning to 10 Hz
- VHF Aviation band with memory channels
- Enhanced external antenna support
- Convenient micro-USB charging
- Improved speaker for clearer audio
- Extended battery life for travel
What customers say
The C Crane CC Skywave SSB is highly regarded as a benchmark portable radio, especially for travelers and radio enthusiasts. Its core strength lies in exceptional versatility and robust performance, particularly the inclusion of the Single Sideband feature for clear reception of utility and amateur broadcasts. Users value the multi-band functionality covering AM, FM, Shortwave, and Air band, making it an indispensable travel tool. The design is praised for its compact size and intuitive interface, ensuring ease of operation despite advanced capabilities. While the internal speaker is adequate, the radio’s superior performance and feature density consistently outweigh minor critiques regarding tuning precision. Overall, this device offers outstanding value for serious listeners seeking powerful, reliable, portable reception.
Know before you buy
SSB allows you to listen to long-range communications, such as amateur radio operators, maritime traffic, and international broadcasts that standard AM/FM radios cannot pick up. The 10 Hz tuning precision ensures you can dial in these signals clearly.
Yes, the CC Skywave SSB includes a dedicated VHF Aviation band covering 118–137 MHz, allowing you to monitor local air traffic communications.
No, the radio does not include an AC adapter. You can power it using two AA batteries or by connecting your own 5V DC 1 Amp USB power source.
The radio features seven NOAA weather channels and an alert function. When enabled, the radio will automatically sound an alarm if a severe weather warning is broadcast by your local station.
The radio features an enhanced shortwave antenna jack designed to improve reception. While it works with many external wire antennas, you may need a standard 3.5mm mono plug adapter depending on your antenna's connector type.
You can store up to 400 presets across the various bands, making it easy to quickly jump between your favorite AM, FM, Shortwave, and Aviation frequencies.
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