I'll admit that I'm a tad bit predjudiced in that I happen to like radios that `glow in the dark' and help keep `the shack' warm. (Mainly Hallicrafters, a couple Nationals, and few `others'. {GRIN!} ) Unfortunately because of both current size and room restrictions my `babies' are in storage and I'm currently using radios that are full of those danged `three legged fuses'. {WAN GRIN!}
Currently my *portables* consist of a SONY ICF-2010 and a GRUNDIG Satelitt 800 whilst my `desktop' `workhorse' is a DRAKE R8. I'd recommend the SONY for portable use, because of it's size and features, if you can find someone who's crazy enough to sell it. The GRUNDIG, which is considerably *bigger* than the SONY, is also an *awesome* `portable?' and would also somewhat `substitue?' for a `desktop' even though it doesn't have all the features that most `desktops' have.
I'd agree with Linsay about the ICOM R-71 if you cannot bring yourself to afford getting the DRAKE R8 though, IMNSHO, I think the DRAKE is a better radio. {VB GRIN!}
Just an `Olde Fart's' 2¢ worth. {CHORTLE!}