| First, is the Etón FR360, an emergency crank | | | | continuous backlight option. Equipped with an alarm |
| radio. This radio can be powered by four different | | | | clock with a snooze button, AM/FM tuning, the |
| sources, including its own crank-driven internal | | | | date and time, 7 preset weather channels and an |
| generator which charges the internal Ni-MH | | | | automatic switch from AM/FM to the pertinent |
| batteries. It will also run on standard AA batteries | | | | hazard alert, this radio is an all-in-one, attractive |
| and on a USB power adapter, though that must | | | | unit for your nightstand. Amazon, epinions and all |
| be purchased separately. The Ni-MH batteries can | | | | have numerous positive consumer reviews of this |
| also be charged with solar power, which is the | | | | product. The prices are comparable with the |
| fourth power source. This is the only radio with a | | | | Etón FR360. |
| 'can't fail' emergency lifeline in the event of a | | | | The number one handheld weather radio is the |
| natural or other disaster. It has a built-in LED | | | | Oregon Scientific® WR 602. The only power |
| flashlight, USB cell phone charger and flashing | | | | source for this radio is a rechargeable battery |
| white and red beacon and it will receive both AM | | | | pack and it comes with a charging dock and a belt |
| (520-1710KHz) and FM (87-108MHz) standard radio | | | | clip. You can choose home or travel mode to |
| broadcasts, as well as those from the NOAA | | | | extend battery life and it has a signal strength |
| (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), | | | | icon with a signal loss indicator. There are 3 levels |
| all 7 channels. The down side of this radio is that it | | | | of messages, though you cannot program your |
| does not utilize SAME (Specific Area Message | | | | choice of alerts. This weather radio will receive all |
| Encoding) technology that allows you to program | | | | U.S. Emergency All Hazards warnings and EAS |
| a code or codes that will only alert you to your | | | | (Emergency Alert System) notifications, warnings |
| local areas or those you wish to hear, such as a | | | | and forecasts. You can also use the SAME |
| family member's locale. | | | | technology in order to program 9 different |
| This radio has been highly rated by consumers | | | | locations and it will receive all of the NOAA |
| through Amazon and Cabela's and is also available | | | | reports. The pricing on this handheld model will be |
| through the Red Cross and Grundig. If you | | | | slightly higher than the other two top-rated |
| subscribe to text alerts for local weather | | | | weather radios, though it can be found at many |
| warnings on your cell phone, it may well be the | | | | of the same retailers. The consumer reviews for |
| only radio you will need in an emergency. The | | | | this product are positive overall, the biggest |
| mid-range pricing on this radio is around $50 and | | | | downside being its power limitations. But, its small |
| can be found at some retailers for as low as | | | | size makes more power options impossible and |
| $39.50. | | | | many customers are drawn to its small size and |
| The best weather radio overall is the Midland® | | | | lightweight body when it comes to fitting it into a |
| WR-300. This unit is powered with the AC | | | | backpack or suitcase. |
| adapter, which is included, or by 4-AA batteries, | | | | A weather radio can be an invaluable resource |
| which are not included. It has SAME technology, | | | | during the spring storm season, the late summer |
| which allows you to program 23 counties, giving | | | | hurricane season, late fall ice storms and winter |
| you complete control over the weather alerts | | | | blizzards, though many people only think of getting |
| that you receive. All hazard alerts are color-coded | | | | them when bad weather threatens their area. Plan |
| to be easily recognized, and are displayed on the | | | | ahead and be prepared. There is absolutely no |
| blue backlit LCD screen. The LCD screen has a | | | | substitute for being informed. |