wind up radio, page 2

reply to post by subfab

---

I mostly listen also. Have had some interesting qso's.

Call is AC8AI

I always have on the local repeater and 146.52 in the car. And I send cards for simplex on 2 M. I like cards.

Had a qso with a New Zealand station ( on 20 meters) at lunchtime from the car at work. Once with the ISS space station with a car full of scouts. Russia from Michigan on 30 watts (PSK31). Argentina from San Diego, on grey line propagation.

One youngster in Canada, qso on 20 meters. He had no cards or stamps so I sent him a few generic cards and some canadian stamps and he sent me a card back. I was his first qso on HF. Canadians are tight with da cards.

reply to post by Markive

---

a couple of radios that i like so far:

www.rei.com...

the manufacturer claims: 1 min. of hand cranking equals up to 30 min. of use.


also this radio:
www.amazon.com...=pd_cp_e_0/185-9810747-1295716

also this radio:
beprepared.com...
the kaito green voyager


-subfab

reply to post by subfab

---

I like all three.

CCrane is a good name. The one at REI just looks cool. And I like the green one also...

Let us know which one you get and how you like it.

I personally own the Freeplay FPR2S-GSW (I believe it's discontinued now). This is the one that Coast to Coast AM use to push by the CCrane Company.



My freeplay is about 6 years old and I use it on every investigation I go own (even though it's bulky). The Wind up Dynamo on these give you about an hours worth of radio after 40 winds. I have noticed that the louder you play it, the less time you have, which isn't a problem to just wind it up some more (So instead of an hour, you get like 40 minutes).

The quality of the sound because of the size of the speaker is surprisingly good.

reply to post by JohnnyAnonymous

---

it seems some of those older radios were very well made. i hear stories about the quality of the construction.


my wife gave me a REI gift card. so it looks like i'm going with the REI model. i plan on making the purchase this weekend.

my review will follow.

a couple of things i want to know about the radio are:

1. the claim from the manufacturer of one minute of winding equals thirty minutes of radio.
2. radio reception at my favorite camping/hiking spots.

what does everyone here at ATS want to know about an emergency radio?
i will try to address some questions when i tinker with the radio.

-subfab

reply to post by subfab

---

the radio is still playing. a fully charged battery lasts a long time. so far it's been five hours!
i switched between am - fm - wb. (weather band). i turned the flashlight on and cranked the radio up to full blast. a full charge battery lasts a long time in this little radio.

the reception is fantastic. every station i tried to dial in has come in.

so far it's a good investment. will test the hand crank later.

-subfab

reply to post by kawika

---

i let the battery drain.
i cranked the handle per instructions for one minute at 130cycles/min. i had very good results.
first test the radio stayed on for 22 mins of radio time
second test the radio stayed on for 44 mins of radio time
the third test the radio stayed on for 27 mins of radio time
the fourth test the radio stayed on for 32 mins of radio time

i didn't run the flashlight or the phone charger during the tests.

the reception so far has been outstanding. in a few weeks, when i get some time from work, i plan on taking it on some day hikes. test the radio's packability and reception up in the mountains of the pacific northwest.

i really like this radio. i like it so much in fact that i plan on giving some away as gifts.

the radio:
www.amazon.com...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335970552&sr=8-1

note: amazon has it listed for $53 USD. i purchased mine from a local REI store for $40 USD.

-subfab

reply to post by subfab

---

The Amazon page indicates it contains a "made in USA" radio chip. Does it say on the package where it was made?

I like how it looks. Looks well made.

The radio I use is an Eton redcross hand crank and solar powered. Bought it for camping and was able to charge my android with its USB port, while listening to Pandora on it.

Mine is a MICROLINK FR160, and cost $35.00. It has weather stations preprogrammed am/fm radio and led light.

It's just a basic model, and compact enough to fit in a cargo pocket or go bag. The link above will show the many available products of the survival radio type.

I've had it a year now and it proved rugged enough. If your looking for an extreme version just look for water proofed variants. But make sure it is proofed not resistant, as one can survive under submerged conditions and the other only rain.

Originally posted by kawika
reply to post by subfab

---

The Amazon page indicates it contains a "made in USA" radio chip. Does it say on the package where it was made?

I like how it looks. Looks well made.

nothing written on the packaging or instruction sheet regarding who made the IC chip.

-subfab

reply to post by subfab

---

Everything is Chinese lately. Probably designed here, main chip made here, assembled in China.

I wish they still made those wind up radios in Africa. Those seem like a great product.

reply to post by kawika

---

i took the radio to my favorite mountain spot. it's a wildlife sanctuary located between portland oregon and the pacific coast. there isn't any cell phone service there. at least my cell had no signal. the little radio was able to receive some of the local fm stations, a couple of am stations and a weather channel.

i usually take a book, a sandwich, a root beer and some fruit when i visit this place. i'm adding this radio in my picnic basket.

during the summer i plan on taking some day hikes around mt. hood. will try out the radio up there. so far, i'm impressed by this little guy.

-subfab

reply to post by Cyberwraith98

---

I agree. For the most part, if you have supplies it would be foolish to advertise that by transmitting. However, it might be good to have that as an option as you never know what might be helpful in an emergency. For myself, I would like to have radio capability so that I can communicate with my family if we become separated. In that case VHF line of site is good enough and can not be received much past the horizon.

But it also might be helpful to be able to listen on HF.

The Oldest and Most Incredible Weapons System...Ever. The ATLATL.
  Posted 4 days ago with 58 member flags

Unemployed? Hate Your Crummy Job? Start Producing!
  Posted 4 days ago with 35 member flags

*Every U.S Army Field Manual in one location*
  Posted 9 days ago with 22 member flags

How To Survive Being Homeless In America
  Posted 7 days ago with 17 member flags

I was attacked last night, and didn\'t know what to do!
  Posted 11 days ago with 16 member flags

Prepping the right way for true survival
  Posted 8 days ago with 15 member flags

Meat in the Wilderness - What\'s that smell?
  Posted 12 days ago with 13 member flags

Mental Illness--how the hell do they expect to make it? (Anxiety, Rage, Bi-polar, Ect)
  Posted 15 days ago with 12 member flags

Newest topics, updated in real-time:

Newest topics getting flags, in real-time:

Newest topics getting replies, in real-time: