I am looking for sources where I can purchase a new AM/FM/SW radio
that can record to a cassette tape by being preset to programmed
frequencies. The radio must be able to be preset to go from one band
to another and to record automatically (similar to the way a VCR
functions). The best answer would be a source in Canada.

Dear brudenell,

I don't have an answer to your question.  But, for years, I have been
using my VCR to record radio shows.  My VCR is plugged into my
reciever, and some VCR's (I have had 4 different ones over the years,
and only 1 didn't have this feature), can be set to station 00 or
"Line" where they can pick up the radio audio from the reciever.  It
works great, and gives me 6 hours of radio shows.

I hope that helps.
pba

The Sangean 818ACS or 818CS does most of what you want, but it won't
let you present the stations in the way you can with a VCR.  But you
can preset a single station (AM, FM and shortwave), then set the
recorder to start when you want.  The model is widely available, it
appears.
http://www.ccrane.com/sangean_818cs.asp
http://windupradio.com/shortwave/sangean818cs.htm
http://www.exoticarms.com/Pages/Catalog%20Pages/SAN-818cs.html

Good luck!

Searching on Google for "radiovcr" I found this page:

http://www.geocities.com/richleebruce/radiovcr.html

That discusses many ways of doing this, you might want to take a look
and see if they answer your question.

Everything on the Internet seems to be assuming that you want to just
record one show when you can't listen to it. So it's all about timing
just for a single radio channel, not using pre-sets to record
different channels.

There's a company "Command Audio", http://www.commandaudio.com/ , who
claim to have a patent that covers "cover the audio aspects of
consumer devices and services that store broadcast media for playback
at the consumer's convenience". It's a shame ofcourse, but this could
be the reason why no such device appears to exist yet. They are likely
asking for too much in license fees. It appears "Command Audio" might
have been acquired by another company this summer, probably adding
even more delays before the technology becomes available in consumer
products.

If you have Cable-TV that also carries the radio stations you want as
audio-channels you can use a normal VCR or PVR (Tivo etc).

Apart from that the only other solution I can find that'll solve your
problem is to use a computer with a radio-device. You can for example
look at this URL:

http://www.simplyradios.com/acatalog/Home_USB_Radio_140.html

For a combination of hardware and software that does exactly what you
want, but only for FM. (And it's a UK based company..)

http://www.hauppauge.com also have a device that can do FM recording,
you might be able to find this in local computer stores.

Thank you everyone for your comments and helpful suggestions.  I find
it hard to believe that in this world Grundig or another major name
such as Sony does not have a radio product that would function similar
to a VCR. Orakel-ga's comments may have identified the reason. All of
your efforts are very much appreciated!

Here's an odd piece of equipment: the Reel-Talk RT-101 is an unusual
item that might suit your needs very nicely, but it is no longer
manufactured, and I could not find a used unit for you. I found some
(outdated) information on this interesting device, which was
specifically designed to tape lengthy radio talk shows:

"Is Art Bell keeping you up at night?  Do you miss your favorite talk
radio shows while at work?  Don't lose sleep and don't quit your job. 
Instead buy the Reel-Talk RT-101 AM/FM talk show recorder.  This 
AM/FM radio features a special built-in longplay mono cassette
recorder (non-reversing).  It uses standard cassette tapes, but
records and plays them at one quarter speed (.0469 inches per second).
 You can therefore record up to 3 hours on each side of a 90 minute
cassette tape (or 2 hours on a C-60).  Once you have programmed the
unit, it automatically turns on to record a program and turns off. If
you record the same show every day, the timer will operate every 24
hours so you won't need to reprogram the unit.   Other refinements
include: digital readout, digital clock, 4 inch speaker, bass boost,
auto stop tape mechanism and built-in condenser mic.  The tower design
6.25x12x6.25 inches (160x300x160 mm) fits anywhere.  The unit operates
from 110 VAC 50-60 Hz or six D cells. Three AA cells are required for
memory backup."

Geocrawler Archives: 3-Hour Radio Recorder
http://www.geocrawler.com/archives/3/519/2000/3/100/3495216/

Check out http://www.jp.aiwa.com/products/audio/2001/cdp/csd-el300_e.html

for one made by AIWA.

Found this in http://www.geocities.com/richleebruce/radiovcr.html

I think that this is what you're looking for... http://www.radioprogramrecorder.com/

Thank you craigengineer-ga, qpmz9999-ga & pinkfreud-ga you are each on
the right track and I appreciate your assistance!

Brudenell

Though this does not answer your question specifically, I hope you
will appreciate the solution I found while pondering the same dilema a
few months ago.

I listen to National Public Radio in Ohio regularly (90.5 WCBE), but
cannot listen to their BBC broadcast nightly because it occurs at
midnight.  I purchased a USB radio for my computer, specifically the
D-LINK DSB R100 for around $30 that comes with software that allows
timed FM radio recording to WAV file.  It works similar to a VCR but
needs a computer to function.

You can find this product for sale here:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=28435
$29.95
"D-Link even included software that allows you to record your favorite
programs or music to the MP3 format for playback whenever you want."