Cobra 2 Way Radio: emergency radio

Showing posts with label emergency radio. Show all posts

1/29/2012

Kaito KA009 - Portable radio - red Review

Average Reviews:
3.7 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)Kaito Electronics is a company to watch as they climb to the top. I was looking for a radio that works during emergencies, when there's no power. This little radio does so much more. Works on Solar, or by dynamo if you don't want to plug it in, or even if you don't want to use batteries, it has it's own internal NiMH battery charged by the Sun or your own cranking. This radio is truly portable and very convenient to carry. The reception is great and I wish all radios were made to this standard. It even has a super bright LED flashlight built right in! I originally bought 2 of the KA-009 radios in red. One for me, one for a present. After receiving the radio (super fast delivery to Hawaii) I realized I thought I was buying the one that allows you to charge your cell phone. That's the KA-009R. After speaking with Kaito Electronics they were very nice and exchanged the radio(I had to take care of the shipping). Unfortunately the KA-009R recharging radio only comes in black. I say this because I'm not one of those people who loves the color red, but after having the Red KA-009, I fell in love with it. It's not just red, it's a really cool candy apple red with metal flakes in the paint, like you'd see in a really expensive car paint job. I can't say enough about this product, I usually don't have the time to write recommendations, but this product is worthy. A well made product, and a great price, easy on the ears and wallet. This product(and a lot of others made by them) are truly "Green" products that are friendly for the environment. You won't find a product like this one anywhere else in the world yet, with the quality and price. It is very versatile and super light to carry. I take mine with me everywhere, and you should too. Every household should have one or more of these, great for emergencies and during non-emergencies. A must have, keep one in your car.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kaito KA009 - Portable radio - red

Product Description:
Stay prepared and informed with the KA 009 from KAITO. If the power goes out and batteries aren't available, the KA 009 can function for up to an hour with only two minutes of hand cranking or an hour's exposure under direct sunlight Its built-in generator means that even in the most desperate situations, you'll still have access to local news and information--as well as to news from around the world. The unit's 10-band tuning receives AM, FM, SW 1-4, TV 1/2, weather and aviation stations. AM:525 ------1700KHz; FM:88 ------108 MHz; WEATHER Band: 162.40 - 162.55 MHz; TV1:Channel 2 - 6; TV2:Channel 7- 13; Air Band (Aviation): 118 - 137 MHz; 4 Continuous short wave 4.00 to 26MHz (Covers most of the world stations). Accessories include AC/DC adapter, Earphones, Soft Antenna included and User manual.

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1/07/2012

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11/24/2011

Kaito KA009 4 Way Powerd Emergency Radio Black Review

Average Reviews:
2.8 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)I bought this radio not only as an emergency radio but also as a portable radio if I need it on a trip.I live in NYC, so there is no shortage of strong TV and radio stations.The radio came with an AC adaptor, earphones, and a small shortwave antenna which attaches through the earphone jack.As a bonus I also got a T1 shortwave antenna which can eiter plug into the earphone jack or attach to the telescopic antenna.The instructions were brief and gave specs and basic operating info for the radio.The external plastic case did not seem especially sturdy but it did not seem flimsy or slipshod either.The radio was otherwise fairly small and light and would not present a burden to carry around.

When I got the radio it was already partially charged.I ran the batteries down after a couple of hours, then tried the dynamo.After about 30 seconds of cranking, it gave roughly 30-40 min of radio play.The dynamo didn't feel flimsy and there was a certain amount of resistance when using it.The radio also comes with a solar cell, but anything short of direct sunlight will not operate the radio directly (according to the docs, it can still recharge the built-in NiMHbatteries).The radio can also take 3 AA batteries, or can use the AC adaptor to recharge the internal batteries and operate the radio.2 LED's show the internal battery status - green if the power is good, red if the power is low.A third LED lights for the tuner or when the dynamo is used.

The radio functions pretty well.AM/FM reception was good and gave me no trouble.It does not have stereo but that wasn't important to me.One nitpick was that a couple of the printed numbers for the tuner were slightly off, but otherwise no big deal.The TV tuner also worked pretty well. I got all the major VHF stations with very little effort except channel 5.There was a lot of FM interference on that channel and it was difficult to get a fix.As far as the other bands are concerned, I know very little about them so I can't say much.I got a few stations on the AIR band but most of it was static.For the weather band, I got a rather low but clear signal around the center of the band.Everything else was clouded by interference from VHF channel 7 and FM.For shortwave, I managed to get a few foreign language stations, but without knowing what to look for there was not much I could do.

The radio also came with a white LED embedded in the side, with the on/off switch located just below it.The LED looked like a typical 5mm LED - not a Luxeon or Jupiter - which gave out a narrow flood of light and was adequate to light a short distance, or writing held close to the light.It otherwise wasn't as bright as a dedicated flashlight - my Infinity Ultra and Arc-P were significantly brighter, but it's good to have in a pinch if no batteries are available.

Overall, I found this to be a good emergency radio for its size, power and price with a good selection of useful options.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kaito KA009 4 Way Powerd Emergency Radio Black

Product Description:
The unit is a versatile emergency radio to keep in the trunk or take on your next camping trip. Although its performance on any given band is modest, it does receive an amazing number of bands: AM, FM, TV Audio channels 2-13, Weather 162.55-164.4 MHz, VHF high band 145-174 MHz and four shortwave bands (6-9, 9-12, 12-15 and 15-18 MHz).The versatile unit can be powered four ways: From 3 AA cells (not provided), via the built in solar cell, via the hand cranked dynamo generator (which charges the internal Ni-MH cells) or with the supplied AC adapter.Comes with earphones and antenna wire with clip.6.5x5.4x2.6 inches (166x138x68mm 477 g).

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8/25/2011

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8/11/2011

Uniden DSC-BK VHF Waterproof Marine Radio (Black) Review

Average Reviews:
4.2 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)All I can say is this is probably the best value for a DSC unit. It works great, and is very well made. It has a large, clear display and plenty of volume. Adding a flush mount kit will make it look like a professional installation in your console. If you want a radio that is simple to use and has all the safety features, I don't think you can beat the price!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Uniden DSC-BK VHF Waterproof Marine Radio (Black)

Product Description:
The Solara DSC VHF marine radio by Uniden is compact, sleek and submersible.It features a new design using the latest in die-cast construction and water-proofing.It has full DSC capability including distress and individual calling, as well as position reply, scan, instant weather access with weather alert.The submersible radio meets JIS7 standards of 1 meter for 30 minutes.The Solara DSC covers all USA, International and Canadian marine channels keeping you up-to-date with all the latest marine activity.Other features include: unique rubber grip microphone, large backlit display for enhanced night vision and 3-year water protection warranty.

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8/07/2011

Kaito Electronics Inc. KA500BLK Voyager Solar/Dynamo Emergency Radio - Black Review

Average Reviews:
3.1 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)I tested the KA500 along with several other self-powered radios for a project I'm working on in rural Sub-Saharan Africa.I found that the KA500 is a very capable shortwave receiver it's just not nearly as rugged as its competitors. Here are my thoughts:

What I like about the KA500:
- Solar Panel--the KA500 is one of the only portable shortwave receivers out there with a built-in solar panel. The panel is effective enough that it will power the radio (if in direct sunlight) without batteries and produce a reasonable amount of volume through its built-in speaker.

- The 5 LED reading lamp -- This reading lamp is impressive. If the batteries are fully charged, the lamp works for VERY long periods of time. I'm also an amateur radio operator and found that the reading lamp is bright enough that it lit up my large radio table.

- Good shortwave sensitivity -- For a self-powered analog radio, I was impressed with the shortwave sensitivity. I also found the AM broadcast and FM bands adequate/average.

- Good selectivity -- When a station is tuned-in well, you don't often hear adjacent signals.

- Good frequency coverage -- I like the fact that KA500 covers the NOAA weather frequencies, FM, AM and a very large portion of the SW spectrum (from 3.2 MHZ to 22MHz, missing only a little used piece between 8 & 9 MHz)

What I didn't like:
- Quality -- Though the radio feels solid in your hand, I found through my testing that the quality of the KA500 is actually quite poor. More than once, the tuning mechanism would slip and the needle would get stuck in the middle of the dial. The worst part, though, is the poor quality of the hand-crank mechanism. The dynamo and crank arm feel cheap. Well, they are cheap.After only a month of occasional testing--and with me being very careful with the hand crank--the dynamo started showing signs of failing. The crank became less fluid to turn and would rub the side of the radio chassis. One day, while slowly cranking, the crank arm just snapped in half. No more crank power.

- No Fine Tune control -- Kaito fits the whole SW1 and SW2 spectrum on a small dial. There were a few times I wish this radio had a fine tune control like the Grundig FR200.

BOTTOM LINE:
I sent my KA500 back and did not get it replaced. It's a shame, really. I loved the radio's features and overall performance, but was very disappointed with quality.

I could only recommend this radio to someone who plans on tucking it away and using it on rare occasions or someone who wants a basic full-featured radio but never plans on using the hand-crank.I'd also keep the receipt handy for the return (and buy from an authorized dealer like Amazon or Universal Radio).

For my purposes, I will be using the Grundig/Et

8/04/2011

Uniden Oceanus 25 VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio Review

Average Reviews:
2.0 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)While I liked the features for the price, including the hailer/loudspeaker function. I was dismayed to find that the interior of my display fogged up over about 2 years. After the warranty period had expired (by about a month with no "grace period"), I found that repair (it lost the receive function on all but channel 16) would easily approach the cost of a new unit.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Uniden Oceanus 25 VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio

Product Description:
Send and receive your location with a push of a button!
Performance and value combined with the right technology.The rugged Oceanus DSC is SUBMERSIBLE rated and ergonomically designed to feel right on any bridge.And, when the voyage is anything other than smooth, the durable rubber grip mic with built-in Quick Command One-Touch 16/9 key allows you to stay in command.Engineered to last, the Oceanus DSC operates on all USA/International/Canadian Marine channels, and offers Triple Watch Plus, Memory Scan and Weather Alert to make sure you never miss an important communique.Other features include: hi visibility backlit keypad with dimmer, unique quick command Mic. featuring instant 16/9, up/down channel select, scan activation and scan channel step through, full function DSC with position send, receive, all ships, urgency and emergency call, external speaker connection and instant one-switch public address.All this and an affordable price too.Uniden really delivers!

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7/27/2011

Audiovox GMRS7001 7-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Radio (Pair) Review

Average Reviews:
3.2 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)I recently purchased a set of Audiovox GMRS7001-2.We operated them side by side with the larger Cobra PR-4000 series radios.

As far as range and transmit power, they appear to be almost equal with the larger Cobras.However, the receiver appears to not be quite as sensitive as the Cobra, and the receive audio is a bit tinny with somewhat poor audio reproduction.The squelch and quieting are not nearly as good as the Cobra.On the GMRS side of the radio, the volume control is appropriate and balanced.

The weather radio works, as well as does the alert.The volume on the weather part is somewhat loud, and I fear overdriving and blowing the speaker.(I would guess the speaker has been engineered to take whatever the final audio amplifier puts out...)

On the whole, the Audiovox GMRS7001-2 gets the same range, but does not perform as well as the Cobra PR-4000 and PR-4250 radios.That being said, they are physically smaller, and only cost about half as much.

Which makes them, on the whole, an excellent value for the money.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Audiovox GMRS7001 7-Mile 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Radio (Pair)

Product Description:
Do you need an enormous seven mile range out of your 2-way radio?Would youappreciate the feature of having three Canadian maritime channels and seven NOAA weatherband channels? If so, then these radios might be just for you. Don't worry, Audiovox left thefeatures that you expect out of any other 2-way, like hands free capability, twenty-two channels(each with thirty-eight privacy sub-channels), a detachable swivel carry clip, a backlit LCDscreen, scan button, and full electronic channel and volume controls. The radios run on five AAAbatteries, and even powering a seven mile range, will run for fourteen to thirty hours. Rememberthat with this range, you'll need a FCC license. With the features listed above, one can see howthese radios would be ideal for skiers, hikers, hunters, and boaters. Order this twin pack and getout in it!
What's in the Box
Two GMRS70012 2-way radios, belt clip, a user's manual, and a 90 day parts and laborwarranty.

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7/24/2011

Kaito KA009R - Portable radio - black Review

Average Reviews:
3.0 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)Okay, I really do like this little radio and I am definitely happy I bought it!The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that I bought THIS model due to the cell phone charger, but in receiving this model, it did NOT have a charge set up for MY CELL PHONE the LG 8400 and that was the reason I bought it for $20 more than the other one.
I also bought the flashlight that cranks.I feel that this was a very worthwhile buy especially when you have several choices for power.I especially like that if the a/c runs out, you have AA batteries, solar and if all else fails.......hand crank power!This is a worthy buy!
Oh by the way, it is also a short wave radio so you can listen to the world when all of the lights are out and you are bored!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kaito KA009R - Portable radio - black

Product Description:
Stay prepared and informed with the KA009R made by KAITO. If the power goes out and batteries aren't available, the KA009R can function for up to an hour with only two minutes of hand cranking or an hour's exposure under direct sunlight Its built-in generator means that even in the most desperate situations, you'll still have access to local news and information--as well as to news from around the world. This radio is a newly released and improved version of Kaito's widely acclaimed emergency radio KA009, it has all the nice features that a KA009 can offer, plus it comes with six different adapters for charging cell phones, so you can use the radio to power up your cell phone to make important phone calls when the battery is out. The unit's 10-band tuning receives AM, FM, SW 1-4, TV 1/2, weather and aviation stations. AM:525 ------1700KHz; FM:88 ------108 MHz; WEATHER Band: 162.40 - 162.55 MHz; TV1:Channel 2 - 6; TV2:Channel 7- 13; Air Band (Aviation): 118 - 137 MHz; 4 Continuous short wave 4.00 to 26MHz (Covers most of the world stations). Accessories include AC/DC adapter, cell l phone charging adapters, Earphones, Soft Antenna and User manual included.

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7/10/2011

Midland WR-100 WeatherAlert All-Hazard Weather Radio Review

Average Reviews:
3.6 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)I'm posting this review in the listings for two supposedly different radios, because Amazon's descriptions are totally mixed up.
First, the Product Details section for the WR-100 says the model number is "MDLWEATHER." Yet, on the bottom of my radio, the model number is clearly WR-100. And the Product Description for the W-100 model references the WR-100B, not the WR-100.
Second, the WR-100C Product Details section lists the model number as WR-100, not WR-100C, and the Product Description references the WR-100, not the WR-100C.
Either Midland gave Amazon screwed-up product information, or Amazon screwed up what they were given. (Not to mention the radios look identical to me.) The only WR model Amazon lists for Midland that DOESN't seem to be screwed up is the WR-100B. Regardless, I don't know which radio is supposed to be which, and that's why I'm giving both the same review. And here it is:
I had no complaints with the radio itself ... while it worked. We bought it in April 2008 for the short period we lived in Kansas, and once I figured out how to program it, everything was good. For two years we used it, even after leaving Kansas. As far as I know, we didn't miss any alerts during that time. But two weeks ago, we had the first tornado-producing storms blow through central Illinois, and we didn't get one peep out of the radio ... not even an alarm telling us it wasn't receiving. When I tried changing the channels for the NOAA broadcasts, all I got was a piercing squeal on every channel -- no reception whatsoever. So that evening, Friday, April 23, I emailed NOAA and Midland at the same time, to find out (a) if NOAA was having trouble with their broadcasts and (b) to find out whether Midland could shed any light. I didn't expect to hear back from either of them until the following Monday, and I was right; NOAA got back to me Monday morning: no problems with their broadcast, so it had to be the radio.
To the date of this review, Midland has not responded to my email. I had to telephone them that Wednesday to get an answer out of them. After 20+ minutes on hold, I finally got a live person and described the problem. It took the "customer service" rep less than two minutes to tell me I had to buy a new radio because the audio chip in the old one was fried. No "sorry about the inconvenience," no "when did you buy it," nothing. Didn't even try to sell me another Midland radio! Wow, that's some confidence in your product, eh? And by the way, I didn't mention to him that I'd also sent an email, so why have they still not responded to it? Not quite the worst customer service I've ever received, but pretty dang bad. If you're not going to answer emails, why put the address on your site?
As for the quality of the radio, wouldn't you expect ANY radio you bought to last more than two years? I don't know what the standard lifetime of a weather alert radio is, but to me, two years seems a little short for something that only gets used when a weather or civil alert is issued. Not the best indicator of quality, IMO. If someone has more details on alert radio life expectancy, I'd be interested in reading it.
A couple more details you might find useful:
I swapped emails with the NOAA rep several times. One of the things I found out is that my atomic clock, which has an outside receiver, doesn't affect alert radios. It was one of the things I thought about when we first noticed the problem with the radio. So if you're concerned about that, don't be.
Lastly, I asked the NOAA rep what alert radio he would purchase if he were buying one for himself. Let's just say that Midland was not on his personal short list, even though they are on the NOAA "approved" manufacturers list. 'nuff said. I bought a First Alert and a Reecom -- one for the bedroom and one for the rest of the house.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Midland WR-100 WeatherAlert All-Hazard Weather Radio

Product Description:
Stay up to date on all the latest weather, hazard, and civil emergency information with the Midland WR-100B monitor. Capable of receiving seven National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association (NOAA) channels--each of which receives emergency advisories on tornadoes, floods, severe thunderstorms, civil danger warnings, and more--the WR-100B is a must for people who live in high-risk weather areas, such as the Southeast or Midwest. Plus, the seven NOAA channels offer coverage for roughly 93 percent of the U.S., so most people are well covered regardless of where they live.

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6/30/2011

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5/28/2011

Crank Radio with 3-WAY Power Review

Average Reviews:
3.0 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)Radio features seem to work as advertised except for the weather radio portion.Great for emergency radio for when the power goes out, which is why I bought it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Crank Radio with 3-WAY Power

Product Description:
SIMA FIRST ALERT ER CRNK

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4/15/2011

Uniden Solara DSC VHF Waterproof Marine Radio (White) Review

Average Reviews:
4.7 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)I picked up this radio "rebranded" by a marine retailer.
I've found it works very well. I was also able to connect a handheld GPS to it with very little effort.
The power selection feature is nice for not blowing away anyone near you. The DSC feature is nice for getting the location of family members in others boats.
I really like the one touch "distress" feature, although I've never used it. When connected to a GPS, it will send your location to the Coast Guard. Good for me since my wife doesn't speak english.
I have nothing negative to report other than the mic cannot be removed. However, there is a remote mic available separately.

I would like to include instructions for connecting a serial connector to the included accesory cable (for the GPS) but amazon doesn't allow this. Maybe you can "search" for it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Uniden Solara DSC VHF Waterproof Marine Radio (White)

Product Description:
The Uniden SOLARADSC 25 Watt Full-Featured VHF Marine Radio has been designed to give you a rugged, reliable instrument that will provide you with years of trouble-free service. With proper care and maintenance, your marine radio could outlast your present vessel. The full features and flexibility designed into this quality transceiver will prevent it from becoming obsolete regardless of changes in craft or geographic locations.
The technical excellence of this marine radio is demonstrated by the multiplicity of uses the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has approved it for. The Uniden SOLARADSC 25 Watt Full-Featured VHF Marine Radio can receive all US and International marine channels with 16 instant channels and 10 weather channels. The LCD screen makes the SOLARADSC easy to read, and the front-mounted speaker offers vastly improved sound quality. The SOLARADSC is acceptable for compulsory use on recreational boats, vessels subject to the Great Lakes Radio Agreement or bridge-to-bridge requirements, general pleasure and commercial vessels, and certain land stations in marine service.
The SOLARADSC has a solid-state design with conservatively rated, rugged components and materials compatible with the marine environment. The transceiver utilizes a number of gaskets, sealing rings, waterproof membranes, and other sealants, creating an effective waterproof housing that protects the electronic components of the radio. Look no further for a marine radio. The Uniden SOLARADSC will meet all your communication needs on the water.
What's in the Box
Uniden SOLARADSC 25 Watt Full-Featured VHF Marine Radio, microphone hanger, mounting bracket, spare fuse, and user's manual.

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4/12/2011

Kaito Electronics Inc. KA500GRN Voyager Solar/Dynamo Emergency Radio - Green Review

Average Reviews:
3.6 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)KAITO KA500 VERY VERSATILE
If considering the Kaito KA500, you want ahighly portable radio that does it all.I did.I wanted a radio with versatility in (a) sources of power input and (b) radio signals received.
Public radio served me well weathering Hurricane Katrina's aftermath with a plain boom box.But what if things get dicier?My solution was to put together a disaster/camping/survival pack.And I needed a radio.
I settled in on the Kaito KA500, because nothing else came so close to providing abundant sources of power and station signals.Internet searchings I did indicated sales to military, a good sign.I bought one with the optional antenna you reel out for 23 feet.Here's what I found.
FEATURES
1.Multiple sources of power:It's powered by 3 AA batteries you buy, or crank to charge the built-in Ni-MH battery pack, or use solar panel on back with tilting hinge for charging the battery pack, or connect computer USB to charge the battery pack, or use the AC adaptor to charge the battery pack.
2.Multiple sources of signals:AM, FM, all 7 NOAA weather channels on crystal (NOT analog knob) tuning, SW1, and SW2.
3.Bonus features beyond these basics:White LED flashlight, red flashing LED emergency signal light, 5-LED reading light built into the reverse side of the solar charging cells so it tilts up and down to adjust, and ear bud earphones.These LED light features are powered as is the radio, so they can work with multiple sources of power with no filament bulbs to burn out.The KA500 also includes a USB output jack with wire that fits onto five different cellphone and personal electronic devices to charge them, and all these items come with the unit.
4.Optional features:Long 23 foot antenna you can string out and clamp to the stick-up antenna that reels back into a closed spool 3 inches in diameter, AC adaptor, USB cable for charging the KA500.
EVALUATIVE REVIEW OF FEATURES
1.Sources of power
a.Before putting in any bought batteries, I cranked the radio up for about a minute, and the small light on the front said it was fully charged.It ran for 10-15 minutes without any problems receiving an FM station before I put in the store-bought batteries.
b.The store-bought batteries worked fine.
c.I have not yet used the solar charger, nor ordered the optional AC charger, nor ordered the optional USB charger that charges the battery pack.I have no reason to believe any of these would not work, as everything else has worked.
2.Sources of radio signal
a.FM signals came in fine.The output is mono but quite acceptable.
b.AM signals also came in fine, the usual many signals.
c.SW bands pulled in a lot of stations, somewhat more clearly than AM (I did this testing at night).I got perhaps half foreign language stations, mostly Spanish.
d.NOAA weather was great in another city, mediocre but intelligible here on the Gulf Coast.A separate knob is devoted solely receiving just the seven weather stations, which are received digitally using crystals.
3.Tuning and sound
a.The tuning knob worked fine, as did all other controls.
b.Sound quality was OKWhen MPB public radio played some vintage Earl Skruggs it was pleasant over the small built in speaker.The earphones actually added some bass.I count decent sound as a bonus, as I did not buy the KA500 for excellence of sound quality.I bought it for getting any intelligible signal under duress.
4.Bonus features
a.The LED flashlight does what one LED does, the same as the one on my keychain and 1/3 as bright as the three on my cap clip-on light.
b.The red flashing LED worked well.It is likely visible for an unobstructed mile or more, probably farther over water.
c.The reading lamp is a real jewel.I turned off all my lights and tried to read.Reading was easy, so this radio can also be a good tent light, has a strap up top.
d.The long antenna boosted reception a bit, not greatly.It improved marginal signals.
CONCLUSION
The Kaito KA500 gives me amazingly versatile sources of power and radio signals for its price.The bonus features make it real bargain.If you want an emergency portable radio of modest price, the best chance of powering up under duress, the widest variety of signals of practical use in a disaster/camping/survival situation, plus a bunch of bonus features, I'd say the KA500 is your best bet by far.
HINTS
1.Keep the bubble wrap the radio comes in and tape the flap shut with duct tape for protection in your pack.Put it in a gallon glad bag and you're set.
2.If preparing for emergencies, online resources offer a lot.I liked:
a.Doug Ritter's many recommendations and supplies.He has set up a foundation "Equipped to Survive" and truly has his heart into survival oriented outdoor gear.You can even download his survival sheet free on that foundation website.You can also spend about a half hour reading the details about his Pocket Survival Pak, which I bought on Amazon.You can spend another half hour reading why he included the items he did in the pak and how he selected his survival instructions.You gotta love this guy.
b.Good survival manuals sold by Amazon, Wiseman's usually topping rankings.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kaito Electronics Inc. KA500GRN Voyager Solar/Dynamo Emergency Radio - Green

Product Description:
The Kaito KA500 Voyager is the next generation emergency radio. It comes with all the features that you need in an emergency situation. The KA500 packs in a multi-band AM/FM and shortwave (SW) radio, 7 NOAA weather channels, five LEDs adjustable reading lamp, a multi-function LED flashlight - the super bright LED flashlight can be Bright Color or Red Color for normal or emergency use. All these features can be operated indefinitely without external power thanks to the high quality hand crank AC brushless generator. The solar panel powers the radio by itself and charges the built-in batteries as well. To maximize the sunlight, the solar panel is tiltable with at any angles to face the sunlight to receive the energy during daytime. Furthermore, it can be used with 3 AA batteries allowing you to play the radio the old fashioned way, plugged it in an electrical outlet with the optional power adapter, or charged it from an external USB power source. The Kaito KA500 is a perfect radio for any emergencies and disasters. So put one in your household emergency kit and it will be ready for you to use in any emergency situations or get one for your families and friends.Weather Band -7 NOAA Weather Channels - PLL crystal control circuit for stable reception Weather Alert -To be activated by weather alert signals5 LEDs reading lamp for camping and emergency use White LED flashlightRed LED blinking for emergency alert 6 Ways of Power -Dynamo Cranking Power -120 turns per minute cranking will power the built in Ni-MH battery pack with strong current and voltage / Solar Panel Power - under the direct sunlight, the solar panel will power the radio with no question /AA Batteries -You can use 3 normal AA batteries to run the radio with maximum reception (optional) / The built-in Rechargeable battery pack - the Ni-MH battery pack will run the radio for over 12 hours when fully charged / AC adaptor charge fro

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4/05/2011

American Red Cross FR1000 Voicelink Hand-Crank AM/FM/NOAA Weather Two-Way GMRS Clock Radio with Flashlight, Siren and Cell Phone Charger (White) Review

Average Reviews:
2.9 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)No question, this radio "looks good", seems like strong construction, and has quite a list of features.Yes, the flashlight, siren, and SOS beacon work well. The NOAA Weather channels seem to work, depending on your location.The GMRS/FRS radio performance is dismal.But most important to me as an emergency source of information - this unit fails its primary function: AM/FM radio reception.AM reception is nearly non-existent, and I live near very powerful AM stations.FM reception is very weak and includes a lot of static which I have never heard before on FM.Yes, I have tried the AM/FM radio bands in numerous locations - home, lake, mountains, flat lands.Little or no reception.One would think that with a digital display of radio station call signs that you could precisely tune in stations -- not so.For $150 - $200 and with a reputable name like ETON/Grundig, I expect MUCH more and much better performance.Like nearly all things these days, these units are made in China - so I believe ETON needs to look into their quality assurance process to ensure they are using top quality components and that assembly is complete.I have returned my unit - makes no sense at all to keep a radio which costs $150 but will not even tune in AM and FM radio stations.Also, I see many identical and similar reviews now across the internet - "pretty, feature rich unit; but very poor radio performance".I would advise against purchasing this unit until such time ETON acknowleges the problem and fixes it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: American Red Cross FR1000 Voicelink Hand-Crank AM/FM/NOAA Weather Two-Way GMRS Clock Radio with Flashlight, Siren and Cell Phone Charger (White)

Product Description:
Self-Powered Hand-Crank AM/FM/NOAA Weather/2-Way GMRS Clock Radio with Flashlight, Siren and Cell Phone Charger. Stay connected with the Voicelink FR-1000. This emergency crank radio combines two-way radio with GMRS technology, built-in flashlight, cell-phone charger and access to weather channels to prepare you for any emergency situation. Get prepared and get connected with the Voicelink FR-1000 today.

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2/18/2011

Midland XT511 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Emergency Crank Radio Review

Average Reviews:
3.8 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)I have to think that there is tremendous quality control variability with this radio based on the wildly different reviews.

I'm a radio geek and have been collecting radios for the last 40 years.When I saw the ad for this Midland I just had to have it.I thought it would be a perfect addition for my camping adventures.The radio seems to be totally loaded with just about anything you would need.It has a GRMS/FRS 2-way radio, an AM/FM radio, a weather radio, a clock with alarm and even a 3 LED flashlight.Add to this the fact that it runs on both alkaline and a wind-up rechargeable battery!Wow.

Sadly, none of the functions work very well.Both the AM and FM reception are very subpar.AM reception could only receive the strongest stations and they bled over adjacent frequencies.Many stations that I could pick up on a cheap pocket radio could not be picked up on this radio.FM was worse, only picking up a couple of very powerful local stations.

Weather band worked, but only barely.I was able to pick up many more channels on a little Grundig/Eton wind-up.

FRS/GRMS radio functions were similarly mediocre to poor.

Cranking was more awkward than on other emergency radios that I have used including those by Freeplay and Grundig.

On a positive note, the LED flashlight is nice and the clock/alarm is also a nice feature. You also get a lot of accessories, including an external mic, both car and AC chargers and a carrying strap.

Overall, I was disappointed by this radio.The fact that others like it suggests to me that there may be a lot of variability between radios.However, in general, I would pass on this radio.There are many inexpensive GRMS/FRS radios that would do a better job.If you are looking for a good emergency broadcast band radio check out those made by Freeplay or Grundig/Eton.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Midland XT511 22-Channel FRS/GMRS Two-Way Emergency Crank Radio

Product Description:
The Midland XT511 Dynamo 22-Channel GMRS Emergency Crank Radio with NOAA All Hazard Weather Alert and AM/FM represents the state-of-the-art in high-tech engineering, for a compact package that is big in both performance and sound. Skillfully constructed with the finest components, the Midland GXT850 is built with all solid-state circuitry mounted on a rugged, printed circuit board to provide you with reliable and trouble-free performance for years to come.
The Midland XT511 radio provides you with seven GMRS/FRS, seven FRS (Family Radio Service) and seven GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) channels, for a total of 22 UHF channels. Additionally, the XT511 comes with 121 privacy codes to lessen interference or eaves-dropping, as well as all 10 NOAA weather channels and a NOAA weather alert function. This powerful radio has an easy-to-read backlit LCD display that shows status information at a glance even in difficult lighting, and is operated by large easy-to-use dials and buttons on the front, providing quick access to important features and push-button communication. More than just an emergency radio, however, this unit provides you with an AM/FM radio for entertainment, a clock with an alarm clock function, and a three-LED flashlight for illuminating your way at night.
The XT511 radio is full of convenient features such as five separate call alerts that identify incoming calls from your group, and a e-VOX function with three selectable sensitivity levels for voice-activated, hands-free operation. This radio also features a channel scan for locating active channels, and a keypad lock so you don't accidentally change your settings. This unit provides both High and Low power settings so you can choose to maximize transmission distance or save your power. The XT511 also acts as a base station for big outings by providing you with a built-in charger that allows you to charge other Midland radios, so you are never without the power to communicate in the wild.
Midland's XT511 radio is constructed to be water resistant, so it can be used in most any environment, and has a dynamo power crank to recharge its batteries without access to electricity. This radio runs on a Midland rechargeable NiMH battery pack that can be recharged while in the radio, or can be powered by alkaline batteries in an emergency, with a battery source switch to change between the two. The XT511 comes with external jacks for a speaker/microphone/headset option, and a USB cable to charge your cell phone as well. The Midland XT511 pack comes with the radio, as well as a rechargeable NiMH battery pack, an AC wall power adapter, a DC power adapter, an accessory microphone. This radio comes in a stylish black and silver color scheme, and is backed by a manufacturer's three-year warranty.
What's in the Box
XT511 radio with dynamo power crank, rechargeable battery pack, AC wall power adapter, DC power adapter, accessory microphone, user's guide and warranty information.

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2/10/2011

Motorola T9680RSAME 2-Way FRS/GMRS Radio Pair Review

Average Reviews:
4.0 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)We bought these based on the 20 mile range for a recent move.They were really helpful for chatting while on the road.

The drawback is that I have no idea where the ideal conditions really work.We tried these out in FL (very flat) at just a few miles and they didn't work.Since the grocery store locally is just a couple of miles away and my wife has a pay as you go cell phone, we had hoped these would replace day to day cell phone use, but so far no such luck.For short range, I recommend, but don't expect to get 20 miles.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Motorola T9680RSAME 2-Way FRS/GMRS Radio Pair

Product Description:
With a range of up to 28 miles, the Talkabout? T9680RSAME uses both FRS and GMRS frequencies, providing more channels. iVOX hands-free communication without the need of an audio accessory

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