My Work Radio...

WisePainter

My work radio.
Yes a "radio" not an iPod or a new fangled cell phone with the ability to play mp3's.
Nope, it is my work radio.
The first tool on the site and the last one off.
It has only 1 speaker and I bought it at WalMart 3 years ago for only $10.00.
Covered with more paint than the wherehouse in the back of a paint store yet I remember every job by the individual colors spattered all over the case.
The antenna is M.I.A. and the battery cover is also missing, it was out in the pouring rain and still works.
My work radio has been there when I was spraying lacquer at 3 a.m. all alone, and it was there when I was working a job far away from my home and family for days at a time playing the same familiar rock and roll from the 60's 70's and 80's.
Good old Zeppelin, the Who, ZZ Top, and of course the 5~10 over played Bob Seger tunes.


Hey you other contractors, don't even think about turning it down or changing the station!
I really don't care if you don't like what she is playing or how loud she is...she is mine.
My work radio.

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My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

Gus Dering

Most important tool on the job for sure.

I think you need a dog though

Celtic

I think I can fit every song by all those artists ~ with room to spare ~ on this little set-up:



..no commercials, no static....and BTW, I can't hear you - the sub-woofer cranks

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480sparky

I have an RCA shelf boombox that I got at WallyWorld for $40. Has a remote control, and the CD player can play MP3s. I can get about 450 MP3s on one CD recording in voice mode, which I can't tell the difference from higher grades on the job site anyway. Two CDs will last me at least a week.

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Site : the area or exact plot of ground on which anything is, has been, or is to be located.
Sight : The power or faculty of seeing; perception of objects by use of the eyes; vision.
Cite : To mention in support, proof, or confirmation; refer to as an example.

Celtic

If we are talking price....mine was FREE

Salvaged the speaker set-up from an obsolete computer...Mrs. won the iPod at a "Chinese Auction"

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Tinstaafl

Disclaimer: This is not pointed at the OP or anyone else in particular; it's just my personal philosophy.

My work radio is my brain. Someone once told me that those who need a radio, TV or whatever playing all the time are just avoiding having to listen to their own thoughts. Though I had never actually verbalized it prior to his saying that, I can't help thinking that's the case with most of the people I see who are dependent on such distractions. I'd rather focus more intensely on the task I'm involved in at the moment, or if it's somewhat robotic, spend the time figuring out how to solve problems with upcoming or concurrent tasks that need mulling over.

And if you work with even one other person, it interferes with job-related (or other) communication.

WisePainter

Disclaimer: This is a thread for people who enjoy the gentle distraction of a radio as they ply their trade on a daily basis.

Not you.

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My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

Sasquatch

I have to agree it is one of the most important tools on the jobsite. It helps, especially if someone is a craba@# and just turn it up to drown them out.

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"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy". - Uncle Red form the Red Green Show

BMAN

I love music but I have to turn it down when talking to my men or the customer, sometimes I like it off for an hour or so during the day. My Job rule is simple, no bigger than a clock radio with one speaker. If we are outside and i can hear the radio in the backyard when I am in the front yard its too loud and that is disrespectful to the customer and the neighbors.

Bkessler

After 16 years in the trade, my brain can handle taking a few hour longer lunch than my body, sometimes it comes in a few hours late and go's home early. But when I have something though provoking I have to turn it off. Even when I am driving and have to think I turn the radio off.

trptman

The radio is a nice way to pass the time. If I'm doing something where I need to be in contact with someone else, or if I'm doing something that requires a lot of concentration, I just turn it off.
Much of the time, doing work on a jobsite does not take all that much mental power.
I'm a fan of "talk-radio" (without veering into a political discussion here) and I find it much more mentally engaging listening to that than having silence. If I need to think about something else coming up while doing "robotic" work, I can just turn off the radio.

My radio resembles the OP.
I had to chuckle at the description of his radio, especially the part about the broken off antennae. I've had a couple of radio's like that.

Tinstaafl

I'll admit that I do carry a $10 cheapo radio in the truck; it's somewhere in there at the bottom of the pile. I dig it out once or twice a year when on an extended lonely stint.

ChainsawCharlie

I can't live without music.

Morning alarm is set to radio. It plays till I leave the house. Radio is on in the truck whenever I am in it.

Ipod while I work. I'ma landscaper, and work alone. The ipod earbuds are great. I put them in my ear muffs instead of my ears. I don't need much volume that way,and it's better for my ears.

XM radio for an hour or so after work while I unwind. Except when Jeopardy is on.

And finally, I have a speaker pillow to follow asleep to music.

PA woodbutcher

I use my dewalt radio/charger. It get real chitty reception, which is ok because we don't get but a few stations here in the mountainous, rural areas of Pa. I usually listen to my mp3 player also. I have 3 play lists. 1 country music, 1 classic rock and 1 general rock, which is mostly new harder rock. Depends on what I'm doing as to what I listen to. Framing and drywall is classic rock, roofing and bust ass work is something a little harder and faster and when doing finish work or trimming I listen to country.

Of course I always ask the customer if they mind if I play the radio and ask them if they have a preference of what I listen too.

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'The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.' - Ronald Reagan

bwalley

I do not allow radios on my jobsite, commercial or residential.

joasis

We have DeWalt job site radios, but a Milwaukee radio is my personal....and since I am now working o job sites aloe pretty much, I have it on the news or or classic rock station.

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camaroman2125

The first thing I set up when I'm working is the radio. I have 5 kids(never quiet in our house) so if I need to think about something I'm pretty good at drowning out background noise. Usually its set on a country station, but sometimes I'll get in the mood for some classic rock.

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SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

WisePainter

See post #7.

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My advice: Hire a real painter to do it.

world llc

my old boss (who was a painter) used to say work doesn't start (we don't start getting paid) til the radio is on....

English Roofer

I have a Dewalt radio and it is a must! i find it relaxing but will always keep it fairly low volume.
I listen to BBc radio 2 which is a national radio station here mainly listened to by the over 40's so that includes me!!!
Cheers
Dave

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' I can resist anything but temptation' Oscar Wilde

www.drroofing.co.uk