Posted: 7/12/2011 4:56:45 PM EDT
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I've gotten my 70+ year old grandparents into prepping somewhat. In preparation for the upcoming hurricane season they would like to get Weather Radios for the entire family.
Looking for sturdy well built radios with AM/FM and all of the NOAA channels. They'd also like for them to have a hand crank. Any suggestions would be great, so I can get them to stop being such worry warts. I told em when the zombies come they've already failed cardio so it won't matter 
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I have a Eton FR600 that works great. Hand crank works fine...
You can even use it to charge your cell phone, etc... http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=519 |
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I have the same one. Works good, so far-just haven't figured out the the SW stations or what to listen to on there. Quoted: I have a Eton FR600 that works great. Hand crank works fine... You can even use it to charge your cell phone, etc... http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=519 |
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Quoted:
Hand cranks are almost always junk Quoted for truth. Sangean CL-100 Uses AA batteries as back-up. There is no reason not to have an ample supply of fresh batteries on hand. |
I have one of these Midland weather radios. AC w/ battery back up. One can program it to alert you for different weather problems according to selected counties in your area. We couldn't hear the tornado sirens out here so we bought this. Works great, and gives a peace of mind. It can warn you for a lot of disaster stuff like tornados, storms, floods, civil emergencies, etc.
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I wouldn't rely on the hand crank. Lots of things can/do go wrong.
You'll want a radio that takes SAME codes, so it can be programmed to only go off for events in your county. You can go a step forward and get a radio that allows you to customize what it alerts you for (alert for hurricane warning, don't alert for special weather statement, etc). Google "Weather Radio Alert Codes". Anyway, the best consumer weather radio on the market is made by Reecom. They make two versions, one with AM/FM, one without. These radios are amazing, but they have one down side. They have a 4xAA backup, but it will not charge. Solved by keeping 4 extra AAs around 
Also, YouTube is your friend. There are a lot of demonstrations and reviews of different weather radios on there as well. |
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Strange. I thought I posted on this already..
I have the Radio Shack Emergency Radio +Weather Alert+LED Flashlight (very low output but works in an emergency)+USB output to use as a phone charger. It runs off the hand crank, AC adapter or 3 AA batteries. When cranking or plugged in it charges the rechargeable battery. Also, the rechargeable battery is user replaceable (see photos - it is the green item in the battery compartment). It can also be placed in alert mode for weather warnings. Catalog number is 20-108. I've had it a couple of years now, and it has proven itself several times during some really bad weather...  
ETA - I posted in the linked thread up top. Old age is getting to me - LOL... |