Like you say, stone simple to use. And when I do use it, folks comment on how good it sounds. They're always amazed when I tell them it's a ca 1975 crystal set. So, does 'improved' equal 'better'?? Naaah.. But, the Admiral is attracted by the 'red button' on the new radio - hit it and out goes a distress call with your GPS location.
Know what you mean about the car radios. Twice a year I have to spend a half hour resetting the clocks in our two vehicles. Do I really need a radio with a clock? I don't think so.. Considering neither one keeps very good time - but that's another issue. Worst clock in the house is the one in the microwave oven - d..n thing's plugged into the wall - why can't it keep time. Wall oven does OK. Very few 60 cycle clocks in our home - a couple of battery quartz (one is excellent) but most are pendulum or balance wheel clocks (most striking) - probably half a dozen that I wind on Sundays plus the Cuckoo that needs attention twice a day.