Hand Crank Powered Radio

stanley_white

stanley_white

Joined
Nov 28, 2001
Messages
770
Having just gone through the blizzard of 2010 (55.9 inches in my area) of course I am thinking about next time.

In a loss of internet / phone / power scenario I was thinking a hand crank powered emergency radio would be of value to get updates etc.

Is there a model anyone would recommend?

-Stan
 
I would take a look at Grundig FR-200
fr200-s-1-lg.jpg


I havent used this model,but have had many Grundig radios in the past,
all excellent.
 
I have the FR-200 too and it's a good one.

Hopefully Koyote will chime in, as he is very knowledgeable about these and I believe he recommends the Kaito's.
 
Also interested in this. I've seen a lot of these in stores over the years, but have yet to see one that really catches my eye. Anyone know of a waterproof one?
 
I bought an ETON Solarlink FR-600 Red Cross model. It's the most expensive one they make, they have a few others that are cheaper just without a few options. It's hand-powered, solar powered, battery powered, or rechargeable battery powered. You can plug in your cell phones and charge them also by use of the unit. It picks up SW, AM, FM, and NOAA w/ all alerts and weather. It also has an LED flashlight on the side that's pretty bright for emergency use. I would definitly recommend one to anyone, or one of the other models. They are a great emergency radio and offer a bunch of power options and it includes the rechargeable battery pack.
 
i have the old version of this Eton and it works great....hand crank, solar, and usb charge...i tested it out last year on every trip and i let it run on the lowest volume all night while I slept and it lasted around 16-24hrs depending on if I let it charge a little in the sun at all....the solar won't do much but it will lengthen the charge if you are running it during the day....not sure if it is waterproof but I keep mine in a zip-lock just in case

https://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=916255

ARC160R_Selector.jpg
 
I keep an Eton FR-150 in my car (trunk bag). At home I have a Sony portable that runs on 4 AA batteries and has weather band and shortwave receivers. I have a good stockpile of AA batteries and if I run out I can go to the Eton.
 
I have had and used a grundig fr-200 for about 7 years now, still works great, just used the other night , we had a small power outage, . It has been on many camping trips, power outages and out on boats/ canoes.

I recomend it 100 %


cya
jimi
 
There are 2 kinds of crank radios. one charges a set of batteries/capacitor, the other stores the energy in a regulated spring, as it unwinds it turns basically a generator that powers the radio, the latter seems to work best for the money and are usually built better.
 
I have the Kaito Voyager model (comparable Grundig is the 400 Model I think), Cranks smoothly. Also charges Cell Phones and picks up SW Freq's.

I would rec getting one with several diff Weather band settings as depending on where you live you may only get one. And try and skip one that has TV setting as I don't think that freq will work in the Digital age (but I could be wrong).
 
I'll reccomend the Grundig FR200. I've had mine for years, well worth the $45 or so I paid for it. I've dropped it a few times pretty hard and it still works.

If you do decide to get one, make sure the light is the newer LED, not the older incan bulb. Actually I think they don't make them anymore, but there are lots out there on ebay.
 
The problem with most of the widnups is frequency drift and very SMALL analog dials.

the Kaito KA-011 is the only good digital SW capable dynamo powered radio I've run across. and it's SUPERB. We have some of the grundig/etons and they are fine for the kids fiddling around with the flashlight and weather bands, but if you want really decent reception and have a SW station guide in case things fail locally, the KA011 is the ideal go to.

For a non dynamo, if you have another emergency crank battery charger, the KA1103 is just about the best book sized radio I've owned. Even gets SSB! it also has an actual jack for external antenna. I use it as a base station SWL and backup ham band ssb receiver.
**edit: nobody, this is probably what you are looking for :)


For reference, I haven't ever bought direct from kaito:

http://www.kaitousa.com/KA011.htm
 
BayGen Freeplay.....last May, 4 days without power after a massive storm and never had to open a pack of batteries.

All of mine are over 10 years old this year, and have been used countless times after storms and such, and never had a problem with one.
 
T. Erdelyi said:
There are 2 kinds of crank radios. one charges a set of batteries/capacitor, the other stores the energy in a regulated spring, as it unwinds it turns basically a generator that powers the radio, the latter seems to work best for the money and are usually built better.
Click to expand...

Can you recommend a specific brand / model that operates via the regulated spring?

Thank you.

-Stan
 
stanley_white said:
Can you recommend a specific brand / model that operates via the regulated spring?

Thank you.

-Stan
Click to expand...

+1 would like to know if anyone is making "regulated spring" type ones now???

Older Baygens do, 2 of mine have it and the 3rd is the newer that has the "Dynamo" style that charges the capacitor.

From what I have seen, the regulated spring style ones are a disappearing breed.

Also, if you can find one that has a solar panel in the top, that not only powers the radio, but charges the capacitor, those are worth getting!
 
koyote said:
The problem with most of the widnups is frequency drift and very SMALL analog dials.

the Kaito KA-011 is the only good digital SW capable dynamo powered radio I've run across. and it's SUPERB. We have some of the grundig/etons and they are fine for the kids fiddling around with the flashlight and weather bands, but if you want really decent reception and have a SW station guide in case things fail locally, the KA011 is the ideal go to.

For a non dynamo, if you have another emergency crank battery charger, the KA1103 is just about the best book sized radio I've owned. Even gets SSB! it also has an actual jack for external antenna. I use it as a base station SWL and backup ham band ssb receiver.
**edit: nobody, this is probably what you are looking for :)


For reference, I haven't ever bought direct from kaito:

http://www.kaitousa.com/KA011.htm
Click to expand...

Koyote,
If you could only have one kaito which one would it be?

My wish list and what I would use it for would be:

  • Weather radio during camping - so it needs multiple power sources
  • Radio in a situation where power is out and cell reception and TV/Radio is out (I was there during hurricane Rita while living in TX)
  • Ability to pick up multiple different type of radio signal.

You may have already mentioned it in one of your suggestions, but I thought I would ask which one it would be if you could only have one.
Thanks
 
DiverDn said:
Koyote,
If you could only have one kaito which one would it be?

My wish list and what I would use it for would be:

  • Weather radio during camping - so it needs multiple power sources
  • Radio in a situation where power is out and cell reception and TV/Radio is out (I was there during hurricane Rita while living in TX)
  • Ability to pick up multiple different type of radio signal.

You may have already mentioned it in one of your suggestions, but I thought I would ask which one it would be if you could only have one.
Thanks
Click to expand...

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.
 
333rm said:
I bought an ETON Solarlink FR-600 Red Cross model. It's the most expensive one they make, they have a few others that are cheaper just without a few options. It's hand-powered, solar powered, battery powered, or rechargeable battery powered. You can plug in your cell phones and charge them also by use of the unit. It picks up SW, AM, FM, and NOAA w/ all alerts and weather. It also has an LED flashlight on the side that's pretty bright for emergency use. I would definitly recommend one to anyone, or one of the other models. They are a great emergency radio and offer a bunch of power options and it includes the rechargeable battery pack.
Click to expand...

I picked one up on clearance at Bass pro shop.... Great little radio :thumbup:
 
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