It works when plugged in.  I got the AM and FM to work.  I am not one bit familiar with radios, so I have no idea if the other bands work, but I would assume they would since AM and FM work fine.   There is a battery compartment.  However, there was some battery acid leakage, and when I tried to put regular batteries in, it didn't work.  However, it may work if you can clean off the acid.  In any case, it works when plugged in.