weather radios?

kyhunt

kyhunt

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Mar 20, 2007
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Do any of you folks carry a small weather radio in your go to bags? If so any brands you would recommend?
 
I carry a CountyComm GP4L mini radio in my bug out bag. It has AM/ FM/ SW and a small external flashlight. I also have an additional external wire antenna that unreels and reels back up for a much better signal. It's about 3.5" x 2.5 x .83" in size, so it's small enough to fit in just about any pouch, pack, or bag. It operates on either AA or plug in 12V charger and will run for about 150hrs on a set of AA batteries. It has a speaker or you can plug in a pair of headphones. It's a great radio for a really good price, just under $30.
 
333rm said:
I carry a CountyComm GP4L mini radio in my bug out bag. It has AM/ FM/ SW and a small external flashlight. I also have an additional external wire antenna that unreels and reels back up for a much better signal. It's about 3.5" x 2.5 x .83" in size, so it's small enough to fit in just about any pouch, pack, or bag. It operates on either AA or plug in 12V charger and will run for about 150hrs on a set of AA batteries. It has a speaker or you can plug in a pair of headphones. It's a great radio for a really good price, just under $30.
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Same; I've got that whole setup rolled up in a Ziploc bag.

I know the OP specifically mentioned weather radios, but I think having SW is even better. If your local weather relay transmitter or whatever is down, you get nothing...With SW you can pull in stations from all over America and the rest of the world (with varying degrees of clarity).
 
I've got a Grundig FR200 (older model) - it gets AM/FM/SW1/SW2 worldband - also has a light.
It takes batteries, AC adapter, or hand crank... decent unit, light (with no batteries in it) and I figure it's a good investment.
 
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Not to hijack, but while we're on the topic. How well do these radios work in areas with absolutely no reception?

I had initially added one to my list of things I have to buy after getting stuck at home with no power for four days this winter, but crossed it off because I get no normal radio reception on the best of days.

Would it even be worth it to spend the money on one of these things?
 
I've got a gps with xm weather option. It's interesting, but not as useful as a radio. I'm only gettng the stripped version on a fairly cheap gps though. Looking into getting the service on better gear. Seeing a weather map is pretty nice
 
Psychopomp said:
Not to hijack, but while we're on the topic. How well do these radios work in areas with absolutely no reception?

I had initially added one to my list of things I have to buy after getting stuck at home with no power for four days this winter, but crossed it off because I get no normal radio reception on the best of days.

Would it even be worth it to spend the money on one of these things?
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That is what Short Wave is for. You can pick up short wave from almost anywhere you are.
 
Ham radio HT goes with me in the bug out bag, and the mobile is in the van. That will cover all NWS broadcasts, Skywarn, and one of the HT's will do FM for sure and I think mine will too.

Yes I am a General Class license.
 
333rm said:
I carry a CountyComm GP4L mini radio in my bug out bag. It has AM/ FM/ SW and a small external flashlight. I also have an additional external wire antenna that unreels and reels back up for a much better signal. It's about 3.5" x 2.5 x .83" in size, so it's small enough to fit in just about any pouch, pack, or bag. It operates on either AA or plug in 12V charger and will run for about 150hrs on a set of AA batteries. It has a speaker or you can plug in a pair of headphones. It's a great radio for a really good price, just under $30.
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i've got one of these on my wish list. just need to get some spare cash in my paypal account to get some goodies form CountyComm.

it seems like an excellent size, it runs on AAs and that's what i have most of in my packs and the little light isn't a make or break feature, but it doesn't hurt.

i think it just uses a mono earphone tho, not stereo headphones.

i've looked at other options, and this seems to be one of the better values for the price and size. the Eaton radios also seem decent and have the hand crank feature.
 
I have a Grundig GS350DL that I take camping, I also use it on work sites too.

I've been looking at the FR500 and the FR600 cause it can be powered by it's crank and the built in solar panel.
 
I have an ETON handcrank/batt power am/fm/weatherband w/ light & cellphone charger. Around here, a weather radio is a must. It is a great piece of kit, but is a bit large.
That CountyComm radio looks like a winner for my bag. Thanks for mentioning it!
 
Thanks for all the replies. The suggestion of the shortwave radio makes alot of sense also.
 
AZWaterRat said:
That is what Short Wave is for. You can pick up short wave from almost anywhere you are.
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Ok a dumb question. I dont know alot about shortwave just the little I have read on it. The main use of shortwave is for info/news correct?
 
Weather radios have a plus over other radios.
A true weather radio has an alert feature.
Your radio is set to the local weather band then placed in alert mode.
When NOAA transmits an alert it goes off like an alarm clock.
You switch to radio and get the news on your area.
Thet alert has helped me out more than once!
I use it on the camping and at home.
SW is also an awesome radio to have becuase there you can get info such as man made disasters, terror alerts etc. that are not broadcast o weather bands.

I carry the B&D WDR5B
AM / FM / WB / LED light / cell charger
Two power options crank/AAAx3
41mXYLdzc7L._SS400_.jpg


I have plans to get a GP4L from county comm but havent done it yet.
 
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