It really depends on what you're looking to do with it.
If you just want to listen, any of those should be fine. If you want the option of calling for help, why not choose a ham radio?
Check this one out,
Yaesu
817ND. It receives most (not all though) frequencies in the range from the low AM and short waves up to the 400mhz. You can also use it to
transmit if needed. Power options are wide and varied too, from solar to AA batteries. It's really up to you.
It's next on my radio shopping list!
A little caveat though, it does require a license to transmit in a non emergency situation. They are easy to get though so do let that hold you back
from considering it.
Great minds think alike! I've got it's bigger brother, the 897ND. I love that thing, but I'm ready for some portable and QRP stuff on the beach and
in the mountains.
The radios made by those brands the OP mentions are great radios, but they're limited in what they can do, and the 817ND steps up the capabilities a
bit. It's smaller than some of the other options, and it's much more versatile.
I know the OP mentioned a budget, but a used 817 is affordable, I'd even set aside some money and pick up a new one with some extra power and antenna
options. It's worth it in my opinion!
I'm thinking a ham radio to. I would say you want to pick up SW, AM FM, CB, FRS/GRMS, the emergency and utility services in your area, aircraft and as
many amateur bands as possible. The only single radios that do this are ham radios. I have the Yaesu vx-8dr which is a little hand held that I like,
but its a bit expensive.
As an alternative you can mix and match radios. So you could get something like a Grundig mini400 to cover AM and SW (it also does FM) and a scanner
to cover everything else. Nice thing about this is that if one craters you still have the other.
G,day mate. The best radio to have is one that works.
Sorry mate the temptation was just too great.
I have a hand cranked portable radio, it never needs batteries
Oh well
hi ho hi ho
its off to the pub i go
its beer o'clock
its beer o'clock
hi ho hi ho
Mainly because it gives you the ability to talk to somebody else, even though it is a short distance.
There have been many good suggestions but this will have to be self powered, as I need to assume power is gone too, even generators power eventually
goes when the fuel goes, or if you have to be on the move and don't have a generator. A self-crank is a must.
edit on 2-1-2014 by Blue_Jay33 because: (no reason given)
Nope. In a survival situation I believe talking is very secondary to listening (especially the very limited transmitting that GMRS affords) because
you don't really want people to know you are there.
The model you are looking at doesn't do SW, CB, emergency services, amateur, etc.
You could get a scanner and a GMRS radio for chatting for the same price, cover many more of the critical bands and have way more functionality. More
portable too.
edit on 2-1-2014 by dainoyfb because: (no reason given)
If your interested in being able to talk as well as listen you should check out ebay for a nice old rig like a Yaesu FT-901DM
I used to have one of these... ssb cw am fm... sorry no super ssb but a nice set up for someone starting out...
your reception is only as good as the antenna you use and this tut is a how make antenna from nothing more than just a spool of wire... and a few
other do-dads but it's mostly low cost and you can string it between a couple of poles, trees or whatever ...
if you do decide to go this route you'll need an Elmer
Batteries can last a long time in radios, but if you don't have a hand-crank version, eventually, you'll be done. For a get home back, a battery one
is fine (Kaito), but for SHTF or a BOB, you want something you can crank.
Yeah I finally decided on this guy a combination of price and what it can do, a hand crank was a must.
I saw a review of this radio in a video in the pouring rain running and that helped me decide.
Not the best but it is packed with features and it is small and light.