Hand crank radio/weather radio

[Luvoutdoors]

The other thread made me think of this. These are great to have around for extended power outages and ours has a flashlight on it too but it's not very bright.

[mikepond]

We have one at the house but its funny now that you mention it, we have never packed it for any of our trips outdoors. I guess we should get an extra few just in case. Better safe than sorry any day.

[Hayley]

Yes, definitely! Mine has a radio, light, and alarm on it, if necessary. I keep it by my window to charge and then take it with us whenever we go camping or such. It's come in handy during power outages and such as well.

[Refrigerator]

I use this brand.. Grundig Radios

[jason]

I keep one in my hurricane kit. Thankfully I haven't had the need to use it except for testing it every 6 months or so to make sure it still works.

[savvyninja]

Kaito Voyager makes a weather radio that has a hand crank and is solar powered. It also has a USB plug to charge cell phones and devices, plus it's water resistant. For around $50, it's a great buy.

[Lamebeaver]

I've found that you are unlikely to receive a signal once you get away from the major metro areas.

[Grandpa]

Originally Posted by Lamebeaver

I've found that you are unlikely to receive a signal once you get away from the major metro areas.

Agreed, even a car radio is staticy right here.

[Soldat]

I have one of them Grundig radios also. Hand crank & battery with light on it. Think I paid $39 for it years ago. I always take it with me. Batteries last for years. Cranking it kinda sucks so I use the battery option.

[ghostdog]

Originally Posted by Lamebeaver

I've found that you are unlikely to receive a signal once you get away from the major metro areas.

I rely on updated weather reports and forecasts in the longer backcountry trips. Many of the roads turn to grease and even 4-wheel drives cannot navigate them. I found what is know as an ultralight DX receiver, the Sangean DT-400W. I am not going to say it works anywhere but it has been tested by radio enthusiasts and found to pick up more and further away stations with no bleeding into one another than any other receiver sold in the USA. There is a Chinese model sold out of Hong Kong that does better but you have to order it direct. Anyway, my little receiver picked up a strong NOAA signal on Cedar Mesa. The same on Comb Ridge and I even found a very clear FM station out of Durango for some good even meal music. I have gotten a strong NOAA signal in the wastelands of the Painted Desert and in some extremely out of the way places in New Mexico. So that is the one I take backpacking when I know I'll need current weather updates. It has a seek function and 19 presets. It only uses two AA batteries but no handcrank like the larger Etons.