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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
recommend survival radio
- Thread starter R.H.Clark
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2007
- Messages
- 5,846
Okay, start off with the
Grundig M300PE- $30
For the price, if you aren't after a crank generator, this is it for "regular" emergency or EDC use. I've used one of these and it probably has the best built in antenna and is top5 on sound. And it does a LOT.
If it had a 24 hour clock and a hard wired antenna connector it would be perfect for it's bands and capabilities.
Grundig YB-300PE - $50
What it does that the above one doesn't- more bands, direct freq entry, scanning, memories, 24 hour clock, long wire antenna plug in. Comes with an external roll up antenna. If you don't mind going 13 ounces, it's got a lot of features that matter.
Sangean PT-633 $55
Good 9 band SW with standard AM and FM, analog tuning, dual timezone 24 hour clock.
Excellent receiver stages, limited mostly by not having the antenna connectors. (antennas are IMPORTANT).
Sangean ATS404
I love this one. It's $80, though, and if I was spending more than $50 I'd want SSB support....
14SW bands, 45 memories, manual or direct entry tuning, 24 hour clock and all the regular alarm functions all the above radios have.
ALL THE ABOVE RADIOS have a serious limit- along with most of the radios previously posted. They only get broadcast bands (and limited AM ham bands). Okay, if broadcast is all you want or need, and there's hours of fun listening on the shortwave bands. And real information from around the world. You NEED antennas to do well with this, but it's amazingly simple stuff to do. The m300PE is the winner for this segment due to cost and reception.
The above isn't exhaustive in survey, but adds to what has been mentioned.
If there's a serious crash, or emergencies where you may find yourself needing to listen to full rescue operations, or the only news getting out of a place is on SSB ham bands- you need a bit more capability. *IF* you have a license, you want one of these anyway, because then you can carry a small portable cheap low power transmitter for cw or ssb and you've got your receiver stage already.
If you don't have your license, get it
It's that easy. Then get the kenwood th-f6a and all your listening needs are covered. (the Yaesu doesn't get ssb, and that's important)
Next batch:
Sangean PT-80 $160
best buy for a consumer style SSB capable AM/FM/SW/LW receiver with good antenna support. Dual time clock, 24 hour clock, alarms, 45 memories, auto tune works well, external antenna jack (antenna included for that) for sw/lw.
This thing rocks. hard core. seriously.
The sangean ATS-909 is the end all be all for consumer style portables, though. extra tuning functions (like wide/narrow bandwidth switch to recuce interference) and programming make it a lot of radio. has manual entry AND a tuning knob. Of course, does SSB. Really sweet, gearnut radio. 2 pounds. $250.
Kaito KA1102- $80, best value for SSB
Includes rechargable batteries, ac adaptor (charges batteries), clock, 3 alarms, sensitivity settings, antenna jack for external antenna.
It does MOST everything the ATS-909 does, on a budget. I could take this out into the woods and do 95% of what I do from my radio shack at home in terms of listening, broadcast or ham. Accepts the standard roll up antenna with mini plug (3.5mm jack).
If you want a consumer style radio and you are going for more than the grundig M300PE, get this. it's small, too- about 4x6x1
But the end all be all is still the Icom R20- $500 and worth every penny. It's a handheld, 10 ounces, accepts regular options like removable battery packs, car charges, computer programming software. BNC antenna connector, you can hook this up to a CIA antenna farm with an antenna switch and hear everything. EVERYTHING. Actually, you have to buy the government model to hear EVERYTHING, the civilian model has a few bands blocked for legal reasons- like cellular. Oh, it does programmable priority alerts so you won't miss things
There's a yaesu vr-500 that does most of the same stuff for $300, but if I am going to spend Serious Money, I'll get the Icom. The yaesu will do more than well enough, though. It's a fantastic radio, and if I just couldn't go $500, but wanted more than the consumer style kaito, I'd get this. No regrets at all. (and i already have the programming software and cable)
notes: AM is the most common for broadcast on sw, but SSB is the most common voice mode for ham operators on SW and LW. There's a few AM beacons or emergency transmitters on LW, but most of what you will hear is SSB. This can be important, as much of the SAR or emergency services comms for extended areas of operation or large disasters will include a ham radio volunteer communications network.
Bands- the more you can receive, the more you'll hear. 90% of your short range ham emergency traffic will be in the 2m band on FM type comms, for example. And some of the lower band- 40 and 80 meter - stuff is going to be more important than getting broadcast FM in some types of emergencies (especially if you are listening to stuff happening outside your immediate area)
Antennas- these are what gather the waves. the more you can gather, the better. It's that simple. Built in whips are good to have, but it's the roll ups and the homemade long wires that are going to really get you going. the pocket rollup is a good start, but it's not hard to do better homebrewing something that will ride in the radio case along with the radio. it's just wire and connectors.
Grundig M300PE- $30
For the price, if you aren't after a crank generator, this is it for "regular" emergency or EDC use. I've used one of these and it probably has the best built in antenna and is top5 on sound. And it does a LOT.
If it had a 24 hour clock and a hard wired antenna connector it would be perfect for it's bands and capabilities.
Grundig YB-300PE - $50
What it does that the above one doesn't- more bands, direct freq entry, scanning, memories, 24 hour clock, long wire antenna plug in. Comes with an external roll up antenna. If you don't mind going 13 ounces, it's got a lot of features that matter.
Sangean PT-633 $55
Good 9 band SW with standard AM and FM, analog tuning, dual timezone 24 hour clock.
Excellent receiver stages, limited mostly by not having the antenna connectors. (antennas are IMPORTANT).
Sangean ATS404
I love this one. It's $80, though, and if I was spending more than $50 I'd want SSB support....
14SW bands, 45 memories, manual or direct entry tuning, 24 hour clock and all the regular alarm functions all the above radios have.
ALL THE ABOVE RADIOS have a serious limit- along with most of the radios previously posted. They only get broadcast bands (and limited AM ham bands). Okay, if broadcast is all you want or need, and there's hours of fun listening on the shortwave bands. And real information from around the world. You NEED antennas to do well with this, but it's amazingly simple stuff to do. The m300PE is the winner for this segment due to cost and reception.
The above isn't exhaustive in survey, but adds to what has been mentioned.
If there's a serious crash, or emergencies where you may find yourself needing to listen to full rescue operations, or the only news getting out of a place is on SSB ham bands- you need a bit more capability. *IF* you have a license, you want one of these anyway, because then you can carry a small portable cheap low power transmitter for cw or ssb and you've got your receiver stage already.
If you don't have your license, get it
It's that easy. Then get the kenwood th-f6a and all your listening needs are covered. (the Yaesu doesn't get ssb, and that's important)Next batch:
Sangean PT-80 $160
best buy for a consumer style SSB capable AM/FM/SW/LW receiver with good antenna support. Dual time clock, 24 hour clock, alarms, 45 memories, auto tune works well, external antenna jack (antenna included for that) for sw/lw.
This thing rocks. hard core. seriously.
The sangean ATS-909 is the end all be all for consumer style portables, though. extra tuning functions (like wide/narrow bandwidth switch to recuce interference) and programming make it a lot of radio. has manual entry AND a tuning knob. Of course, does SSB. Really sweet, gearnut radio. 2 pounds. $250.
Kaito KA1102- $80, best value for SSB
Includes rechargable batteries, ac adaptor (charges batteries), clock, 3 alarms, sensitivity settings, antenna jack for external antenna.
It does MOST everything the ATS-909 does, on a budget. I could take this out into the woods and do 95% of what I do from my radio shack at home in terms of listening, broadcast or ham. Accepts the standard roll up antenna with mini plug (3.5mm jack).
If you want a consumer style radio and you are going for more than the grundig M300PE, get this. it's small, too- about 4x6x1
But the end all be all is still the Icom R20- $500 and worth every penny. It's a handheld, 10 ounces, accepts regular options like removable battery packs, car charges, computer programming software. BNC antenna connector, you can hook this up to a CIA antenna farm with an antenna switch and hear everything. EVERYTHING. Actually, you have to buy the government model to hear EVERYTHING, the civilian model has a few bands blocked for legal reasons- like cellular. Oh, it does programmable priority alerts so you won't miss things
There's a yaesu vr-500 that does most of the same stuff for $300, but if I am going to spend Serious Money, I'll get the Icom. The yaesu will do more than well enough, though. It's a fantastic radio, and if I just couldn't go $500, but wanted more than the consumer style kaito, I'd get this. No regrets at all. (and i already have the programming software and cable)
notes: AM is the most common for broadcast on sw, but SSB is the most common voice mode for ham operators on SW and LW. There's a few AM beacons or emergency transmitters on LW, but most of what you will hear is SSB. This can be important, as much of the SAR or emergency services comms for extended areas of operation or large disasters will include a ham radio volunteer communications network.
Bands- the more you can receive, the more you'll hear. 90% of your short range ham emergency traffic will be in the 2m band on FM type comms, for example. And some of the lower band- 40 and 80 meter - stuff is going to be more important than getting broadcast FM in some types of emergencies (especially if you are listening to stuff happening outside your immediate area)
Antennas- these are what gather the waves. the more you can gather, the better. It's that simple. Built in whips are good to have, but it's the roll ups and the homemade long wires that are going to really get you going. the pocket rollup is a good start, but it's not hard to do better homebrewing something that will ride in the radio case along with the radio. it's just wire and connectors.
Last edited:
Koyote
Thanks for all the info.It's a little overwhelming for me though.
What would be your choice for information needed in the event of a nuclear or biological attack? I'm not looking for an EDC, just something to help keep my family safe in such an event.I would like the option of a crank power source.I would also like to spend under $100 if possible, though I would go higher if it ment much better quality or features I really need.
Thanks for all the info.It's a little overwhelming for me though.
What would be your choice for information needed in the event of a nuclear or biological attack? I'm not looking for an EDC, just something to help keep my family safe in such an event.I would like the option of a crank power source.I would also like to spend under $100 if possible, though I would go higher if it ment much better quality or features I really need.
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2006
- Messages
- 4,012
I've had a little Grundig City-boy 30 for years.
.
Although primitive it works well enough. For casual use I've got a tiny anonymous thing about a third the size, running from a single AAA. I thought it would be useless as it was a free promotional thing from Bacardi. Surprisingly it has hung on in there.
For domestic use I've got a Sony something-or-other in one nest and a Roberts radio something-or-other in the other. I couldn't decide between them. Roberts has a fantastic reputation here but the Sony looked as good to me. They are both about half a keyboard in size. I couldn't be specific than that at the moment as I couldn't put my hand on either. Usually, I get radio over tinternet, but I do have a roof top pole feeding into an old analogue Kenwood KT-2030L tuner.
Although primitive it works well enough. For casual use I've got a tiny anonymous thing about a third the size, running from a single AAA. I thought it would be useless as it was a free promotional thing from Bacardi. Surprisingly it has hung on in there.
For domestic use I've got a Sony something-or-other in one nest and a Roberts radio something-or-other in the other. I couldn't decide between them. Roberts has a fantastic reputation here but the Sony looked as good to me. They are both about half a keyboard in size. I couldn't be specific than that at the moment as I couldn't put my hand on either. Usually, I get radio over tinternet, but I do have a roof top pole feeding into an old analogue Kenwood KT-2030L tuner.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2007
- Messages
- 5,846
the kaito ka1102 and a 6 volt solar panel ($30) would be a really good choice. Hand crank 6 generators are also out there as stand alone units. But this might be something to work towards and look at for later. There's an amazing number of ways to get power these days.
What I'd suggest for regular am/fm/sw use if the eton FR-400 (or 350) and a couple Eton fr-150 radio/flashlights- that's broadcast FM/AM/WX only, but tiny and easy and cheap. I have kids, so I know it'll go easier if I have more than one. (In fact, Leif has a hand crank flashlight of his own and a tiny AAA radio, I'm going to give him the old fr-250 for a fall holiday gift when I upgrade the bike ditch kit to a 400)
so- short easy answer, the fr-400 for crank. with some 150s around just in case.