Hand Crank Powered Radio

I have small sony world band, I don't remember the model. I have been looking into getting rechargable AAs and a solar charger, my reasoning is I can use the batteries and charger for other things as well. Chris
 
koyote said:
This is not ad copy. I just get excited about my radios.

Any of these, in two groups.

KA1121
KA1103

These two are NOT dynamo powered, and you have to provide AC, DC, or battery sources. The battery life on both is good, on the 1103 is REALLY good. With a 12 volt gel cell hooked up to a 5watt "battery saver" solar panel you have weeks of power topped up at all times (you can run a fairly long wire off the solar panel and keep the battery inside) or you can keep a few extra sets of batteries or whatever.

Advantages: size and weight of both is incredible considering the features. When I say book sized I mean small hardcover, nearly into paperback size.

Features- you can listen to nearly anything and everything. SSB included. External antenna jacks. The 1103 has a complicated (at first) interface but can do anything- from timed charging of the batteries to auto on off and lots of memories. And then there's the MP3 player in the 1121!!! nice.

Disadvantages: you will have to consider power. The 1103 has a complicated user interface until you get used to it. takes a couple hours. You have to set battery charging time. sound on the 1103 is a bit weak in a noisy shop or ham shack. with headphones it's clear and crisp, though.



KA2100
KA011

If SSB is not important and you want the best concert quality sound, best FM distance (DX) hunting, just all around best portable (NOT POCKET SIZED) radio for under $150, this is a really good radio. Does everything you want it to do, except SSB. Everything. Generally, people without attachment to name and special case trim will say it is the equal of the $300-$500 Grundigs. Nice machine.

The KA011 is the only dynamo powered radio I'm going to mention, because it's the only SW/MW/AM/FM/WX digital dynamo radio I've run across that performs. It's really good, and if you are worried more about batteries than SSB, it's going to do it for you. Good reception, decent (not fantastic, but decent) sound.


When a 2100 class machine with HD comes out, I'll wait in line for it.


Now, what do I actually take for my one radio when I'm working an op or going hiking or prepping our kit for a chain-storm? The 1103.
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Great information, thank you very much.
John
 
I have a couple of the Eton FR300's and they work real well, and are pretty damn tough..
Im guessin the Eton and Grundigs are the same thing...? They look identical.
 
anewrnn said:
Is that local news/info?
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ssb is single sideband. it just so happens that some of the AFRTS (armed forces radio and television service) and a *few* other stations have SSB broadcasts. it can sometimes cut through static for reasons that I won't get into yet-

SSB is mostly used, though, by ham radio operators. And if there's big worldwide bad juju, and you want news, playing scanner detective on the ham radio HF bands might be a good thing to be able to do.

And I'm a ham, so I use it sometimes when I need a bigger split or I'm listening to two nets or something. (That makes sense, I promise)

It's something that - if you learn abotu it and want it- you won't be satisfied without it. And if you learn about it and DON'T want it, you will have a wider range of acceptable radios :D
 
anewrnn said:
Whats ssb

Is that local news/info?
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This is one of those questions where, if you have to ask, then you probably don't need it.
FWIW, it stands for single sideband. Used mostly by hams to transmit more efficiently. Outside of hams (who'll likely have capability to both receive and broadcast in such modes), most folks will never need a receiver with such capability.
 
Back to the OP, I have a couple hand crank radios. The older is a Grundig/Eton model that does AM/FM/ and some shortwave, all by needle and dial tuning. Runs on batteries or crank charger. Audio is OK for a radio of this type. Tuning of the shortwave bands is mostly guesswork with this kind of setup, but reception isn't all that bad. Also has a LED flashlight that's reasonable.

My wife got a newer Eton FR160 as a xmas gift. It does AM/FM/weather. Has simple LED flashlight, uses no batteries, runs by crank generator and/or solar panel. It also has a USB port for charging cell phones. The radio works OK, lower audio quality and poorer sensitivity than the older model. Crank generator works well, and the radio sips power, which means not a lot of cranking need be done.
 
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