New- SANGEAN ATS505P 16-BAND DIGITAL AM/FM STEREO SHORT-WAVE RECEIVER

New- SANGEAN ATS505P 16-BAND DIGITAL AM/FM STEREO SHORT-WAVE RECEIVER Review

CONVENTIONAL ROTARY TUNING; DIRECT KEYPAD ENTRY; CONTINUOUS ALL-BAND SHORT-WAVE COVERAGE; FINELY ENGINEERED TUNING FOR SIDEBAND; AUTO/MANUAL SCAN; 45 MEMORY PRESETS; AUTOMATIC MEMORY SEARCH & STORE; EXTERNAL ANTENNA & STEREO HEADPHONE JACKS; TONE CONTROL; DUAL TIME CLOCK WITH ALARM & ADJUSTABLE SLEEP TIMER; BACKLIT LCD DISPLAY; PORTABLE SHORT-WAVE ANTENNA; INCLUDES CARRYING CASE, EARBUDS & AC ADAPTER; BATTERY-POWERED OPERATION-REQUIRES 4 AA BATTERIES

American Red Cross FR250 Emergency Radio

American Red Cross FR250 Emergency Radio Review

American Red Cross FR250 Emergency Radio Feature

• Emergency radio is built to handle the elements, as well as a power outage
• Endorsed by the American Red Cross
• Tuning knob features a superimposed fine tuning control knob; hand crank can be used to recharge the built-in battery
• Tunes AM/FM and 7 shortwave bands, including weather radio
• Features emergency lights, plus a flashing beacon mode; cell phone charger

The Etón Grundig American Red Cross FR250 is one of Etón's American Red Cross branded emergency radios. With a dependable hand-crank power generator that powers the unit's AM/FM/Shortwave radio, built-in LED flashlight, cell phone charger and emergency siren, the lightweight and portable Grundig FR250 is an excellent and economical choice for anyone in the market for a radio that can be relied on in emergencies or in environments where there are limited power sources.

FR250 FR300 FR350 FR400 Hand crank Cell phone charger Emergency lights Siren AC adapter included Water resistant Tuning AM/FM, SW AM/FM, TV-VHF, NOAA weather AM/FM, SW AM/FM, TV-VHF, NOAA weather Size (inches, WxDxH) 6.5 x 2.5 x 6 6.5 x 2.5 x 6 8.75 x 2.25 x 4.5 8.75 x 2.25 x 4.5 Weight 1 lb. 3 oz. 1 lb. 4 oz. 1 lb. 4 oz. 1 lb. 4 oz. Power Crank, 3 AA, NiMH battery, AC Crank, 3 AA, NiMH battery, AC Crank, 3 AA, NiMH battery, AC Crank, 3 AA, NiMH battery, AC

Other models in Etón's line of emergency radios that we tested include the Grundig FR200, an entry-level shortwave radio that also includes a flashing LED light; the Grundig FR300, which includes the emergency features of the FR250, but offers television and weather station tuning instead of shortwave; the Grundig FR 350, a water-resistant variation of the FR250; and the Grundig FR 400, a water-resistant variation of the FR300.

Power When You Need It
At the heart of all of Etón's emergency radios, including the Grundig FR250, is an internal generator that recharges the internal Ni-MH battery pack and powers the radio, siren, and light. Also, by plugging your cell phone into the jack on the back of the radio (the FR250 comes with several cell phone adapters), you can use the crank to power your phone. In our test, after draining our cell phone of power, we recharged it using the FR250 enough to make a few calls. The rate of cell phone recharging will vary greatly depending on the cell phone and the state of its battery, but the FR250 can provide your compatible phone with power in a pinch.

Important Note: Until this year, Etón provided a package of several different cell phone adapter tips with every radio. In 2007, Etón began instead including a coupon for a free adapter for whatever phone you have. So, the first thing you want to do when you get the radio is fill out the card with your cell phone's make and model and send it in to make sure you have your adapter.

According to the product manual, to achieve 40 to 60 minutes of uninterrupted power to the radio, you must turn the crank at a rate of two revolutions per second for 90 seconds. In our test, after our initial 90 seconds of rigorous cranking, the FR250 powered right up and was still going strong with radio reception after an hour. At the hour mark, we briefly turned the flashlight on, and that too was at full force, with no perceivable drain on radio reception. In fact, the FR250 was still going strong 75 minutes after we recharged the battery pack. The FR250 can also be powered via an AC adapter which, to our dismay, is not included, or from three AA batteries, also not included. The dynamo crank tucks itself nicely into the side of the radio and offers little resistance as you turn the handle. (Don't let the cranking requirements frighten you! While it's true that a full 90 seconds of turning the crank can be tiring and may not be for everyone, we were able to recharge the radio with less than a minute of cranking and achieved over 40 minutes of continuous power.)

Design and Controls
At slightly more than a pound in weight, and with dimensions of 6.5 x 6.00 x 2.5 inches (WxHxD), the FR250 is designed to be tucked neatly into its handy nylon carrying case and stored in an emergency box, or packed neatly for a camping trip. A white LED light is set on the front of the radio, just to the side of the analog tuner. The light is designed to help you down an unlit stairwell or enclosed hallway in a pinch, but it is not directed or strong enough to help you much in a pitch-black forest or other open area. The FR250 also includes a red flashing LED light that can be used as a distress signal. The radio and light can be operated simultaneously, though of course at the expense of power.

The large tuning knob and other controls make the FR250 a breeze to use. View larger.

The hand crank generator tucks neatly into the rear panel. View larger.

An emergency light is located next to the tuning dial. View larger.

The FR250 includes a handy strap on the top of the radio for easy carrying, and the tuning and volume knobs are set to the side. The mechanical controls are extremely visible and easy to use. The volume control is a bit difficult to finesse, while the tuning knob, which features a smaller concentric fine-tuning control knob, is much easier. An earphone jack is set into the back, and the telescoping antenna tucks neatly behind the handle strap. The radio's 2.5-inch speaker is set directly in front and offers reasonable audio quality and excellent volume for the radio's purpose. The tuner itself is self-illuminated, though in a darkened environment it is still difficult to pick out the bands.

Tuning and Bands
The FR250 offers nine-band tuning -- AM, FM and 7 shortwave bands. As was the case with all of the Etón emergency radios we tested, our AM reception was outstanding; we were quickly able to tune into every station we searched for. Reception for FM was also very good, though there was some extra fine-tuning on some of the stations. Our shortwave reception, however, was a mixed bag. We tested in the early and late evening, searching for signals in the more heavily populated SW3 and SW4. While we found several signals during our test, honing in on them took a bit of finesse with the fine-tuning knob. And when we did find them, there was static and background noise with most of the signals.

It became clear during our testing that the FR250 is an emergency radio, with several outstanding and potentially life-saving features, including shortwave reception. Its shortwave functionality, however, is not its primary selling point. However, its emergency siren and lighting, and particularly its self charging functionality, are. So if you're in the market for an economical emergency radio, the Grundig FR250 more than fits the bill.

Pros

• Compact and lightweight; ideal for emergencies or travel
• Clearly laid out functions and controls
• Excellent internal power generator; handy cell-phone charger

Cons

• Tuning dial could be better illuminated for darkened environments
• Shortwave reception inconsistent
• Should include an AC adapter

What's in the Box
FR250 radio, mail-in coupon for cell phone charging adapter, nylon carrying case, and American Red Cross pamphlet. Stay informed and prepared for emergencies with this self-powered 3-in-1 radio, flashlight and cell-phone charger -- no batteries required. The Hand-Crank Power Generator gives you unlimited power for AM/FM Radio, 7 international shortwave bands, built-in flashlight, and cell phone battery life when you need it most. So the FR250 is not only perfect for emergencies, but also for camping, hiking, or anywhere you need to stay in touch.

Sangean Ats-909x-bk Professional Multi-band Am/fm/sw Receiver [black]

Sangean Ats-909x-bk Professional Multi-band Am/fm/sw Receiver [black] Review

Sangean Ats-909x-bk Professional Multi-band Am/fm/sw Receiver [black] Feature

• Features -
• 406 Memory Preset Stations
• ATS (Auto Tuning System) Auto Scan
• Five Tuning Methods - Direct Frequency Tuning, Auto Scan, Manual Tuning, Memory Recall and Rotary Tuning
• Large LCD Screen with Bright LED Backlight

Sangean' s "new" and much improve ATS-909X World Band FM-Stereo / LW / AM / SW / AUX PLL Synthesized Portable Receiver is the flagship of the Sangean line Receivers. It provides performance and features generally found in the more expensive table top communication receivers into a very compact and stylish package. For the monitoring professional who's on the go, the ATS-909X is the ideal choice! Featuring wide-band AM/FM coverage from long wave, medium wave, short wave, three programmable wake timers available, the clock displays even when the radio is tuning and has 42 world city times stored. The new enlarge LCD display also features a new bright white LED (higher brightness display), a signal strength, battery life indicator, AM Wide / Narrow filter, FM Mono / Stereo Selector Switch, SSB (Single Side Band): USB / LSB 40Hz /Tuning Step, AM RF Gain Control. And the amazing ease of operation, the ATS-909X provides up to 406 memory channels, so you can store all your favorite stations, whether they're on shortwave, local AM broadcast, or FM public service frequencies! Take the ATS-909X anywhere you go....and stay on top of the action! The DSP comes as standard (Digital Signal Processing) with the unit & includes a number of features which can significantly enhance reception through im-proved interference rejection. The ATS-909X will also display FM RDS / RBDS with PS, PTY, RT and CT features for station name and clock time in areas where this service is available. For everyday portable operation, use four "AA" batteries (not included). For operation from your home, choose the supplied AC-AC power adapter.

ETON Grundig YB400PE AM/FM Shortwave Radio

ETON Grundig YB400PE AM/FM Shortwave Radio Review

ETON Grundig YB400PE AM/FM Shortwave Radio Feature

• Receives AM, FM, continuous shortwave, and SSB (single sideband)
• Tuning via up/down buttons, auto-scan, and a numeric keypad
• High-quality circuitry and a digital PLL tuner
• Dual clocks allow you to track the time in two time zones
• Can be powered with the included AC adapter, or via six "AA" batteries

If you're in the market for a small, high-quality shortwave radio, the Grundig YB-400PE just might be what you're looking for. While the radio doesn't offer the spit and polish of newer models like the E10, or even the smaller E5, the YB-400PE has a solid track record for accurate tuning, durability and good features.

Design and Controls
Weighing in at one pound, five ounces ounces, and measuring 8 x 5 x 1.5 inches (W x H x D), the YB-400PE falls squarely in the portable radio category. While it's certainly not pocket-size, you can pack it in your suitcase with ease. The silver plastic case isn't awe inspiring, but it feels durable and ready to handle a few rough and tumble trips.

Most of the action can be found on the front of the unit, where you'll find a direct frequency entry keypad, as well as buttons for controlling the timer, auto-scanning, up/down station selection, band selection, memory control, and SSB mode.

On the left side of the YB-400PE you'll find a 3.5mm connector for an external shortwave antenna. Grundig generously includes a handy wind-up antenna that can be plugged in here to enhance signal reception -- although there is a telescoping antenna on the top of the unit. In addition to a power port and stereo headphone jack for FM listening, the side of the radio also sports an antenna gain switch that lets you choose between DX and local modes, allowing you to tone down excessively strong AM or shortwave stations if need be. When in FM mode, another switch selects FM stereo or mono modes. When in shortwave mode, the switch offers wide and narrow bandwidth selectivity. The narrow position offers maximum signal selectivity, while the wide position affords higher audio fidelity.

Dials are provided on the right side of the YB-400PE for fine tuning and volume. The fine tuning knob is great for really homing in on those SSB broadcasts. You'll also find an SSB mode switch, as well as a tone switch, which lets you choose between bass and treble, but provides no adjustment for either one. We assume the switch is intended to enhance the lower or upper music ranges when selected, but the difference between the two settings wasn't that noticeable. In addition to AC power, the the YB-400PE can run off of six AA cells, which are not supplied. For the sake of comparison, the E10 and E5 models only require 4 AA batteries -- and they can charge rechargeable AA cells.

LCD Display
The G4000's backlit display is crisp and clear, with a clean layout that makes it easy to control the radio's tuning, clock, and timer functions. We do wish the backlight were a tad brighter, but this is a minor quibble. A separate space in the upper left portion of the screen is provided for the clock display so you can view the time and tune the radio at the same time -- a nice touch.

Selecting shortwave meter bands on the YB-400PE requires manually typing the meter band number with the numeric keypad and then hitting the meter select button. A more straightforward solution here, and one that is employed on the newer E10 and E5 units, would be to simply scroll through the meters with each successive key press of the meter select button. Fortunately, though, the radio's memory functions are easy to browse and recall on the display.

Tuning Options
Tuning the with YB-400PE is straightforward and simple, but it's important to note that -- once again, unlike the E5 and E10 -- this radio does not offer direct digital tuning. Instead, you get synthesized digital tuning. This means that the frequency readout is digital, but the radio actually uses an analog tuning mechanism. Some people do prefer the "feel" of analog tuning to direct digital.

The radio tunes AM, FM, shortwave, and SSB signals, and you can choose from auto-scan, manual up/down, or direct keypad entry modes. If you're new to shortwave, auto-scan will quickly become your friend. With it, we quickly made a lot of discoveries, and heard stations from all over the world -- although our limited language skills made it difficult to always know exactly to whom or what we were listening! We also tried some SSB tuning, which is designed to capture ham radio and two-way radio communications. SSB is notoriously difficult to tune, but with a little time and effort --(including standing outside for a good while -- we were able to pick up some faint signals).

The YB-400PE's memory system also deserves mention. With it, you can store up to 40 frequencies for later retrieval. Once stored, recalling all these memories is pretty easy, thanks to a fairly straightforward on-screen interface that lets you scroll through them. You can also directly enter the number of your stored memory -- if you keep a record of it.

Pros

• Solid construction, good sound quality
• Small enough to take anywhere
• Addition of SSB is a nice touch

Cons

• Somewhat useless "tone" switch
• If you're looking for the latest technology, look to the E5 or E10

What's in the Box
YB-400PE radio, AC adapter, stereo ear plugs, wind-up antenna, vinyl carry case, user's manual, operating instructions, and warranty card. The Grundig YB400PE, with its sleek titanium look, is packed with features like no other compact radio in the world. The YB400PE does it all; pulls in AM/FM-stereo and Shortwave, with continuous tuning from 1711-29,995 KHz. SSB circuitry allows for reception of Single Sideband two-way communications such as amateur radio (HAM radio).

CC SOLAR OBSERVER (BLACK) COBS

CC SOLAR OBSERVER (BLACK) COBS Review

CC SOLAR OBSERVER (BLACK) COBS Feature

• Solar with led flashlight
• Wind up emergency radio
• Good AM Reception

The CC Solar Observer is a C. Crane-designed, wind-up emergency radio with AM/FM and Weather Band. We made sure that it has good AM reception and an LED flashlight that is built into the end of the radio. It can be very important in an emergency to have a way get power to the radio. you can get power to the radio from many sources: 1.No sun, no problem. You can insert 3-AA alkaline batteries for power2.No alkaline batteries, still no problem. Crank the handle moderately for about 10 minutes for one hour of radio play or purchase AC adapter to charge battery pack. If AC adapter is purchased it is best to charge the battery overnight and then unplug.3.The easiest way is just put it in the sun. The radio plays for about the same number of hours the radio is in full sun. In case you're wondering, along with good AM reception, you also get FM and the Weather band - which comes in really handy if you're using the radio during a power failure. The CC Observer has a built-in 2-inch speaker, or you can plug in your headphones for private listening in stereo. We have included cell phone adapters for many popular cell phones and PDA's so you can charge them with the CC Observer. We are unable to supply adapters for any other models at this time. Certain models, like a Blackberry, can be charged but doing so requires vigorous cranking for a second or two to initialize the charge circuit on the phone. After that initial effort, you can crank it a normal pace. Included cell phone adapters: Moto V3 (Mini-B USB)Samsung N630 Nokia 2.0mm LG KG90 IPod

First Alert Emergency Preparedness Kit

First Alert Emergency Preparedness Kit Review

First Alert Emergency Preparedness Kit Feature

• Complete and compact emergency kit goes wherever you do, and might just save your life
• Comes with dynamo hand-powered, emergency AM/FM and short wave radio with water-resistant case
• Includes crank-powered flashlight that provides 5 minutes of light with 10 seconds of cranking, and can even charge cell phones
• Features full-sized, polar fleece blanket measuring 60 x 48 inches for complete coverage of up to 2 people
• Includes 61-piece, compact first aid kit with scissors, tweezers, bandages, wipes, tape, rubber gloves and more

The First Alert SEK-100 Emergency Kit with Emergency 3-Way Power Radio and Flashlight provides you with everything you need to stay safe and warm in virtually any emergency. The SEK-100 is a complete and compact kit that can go wherever you are, and won't just keep you comfortable when things go bad, but just might save your life some day.

The SEK-100 comes with the First Alert CR-100 Emergency AM/FM/Short Wave Radio that is as versatile as they come, with internal, rechargeable NiMH batteries that can be recharged by the included 4.5-volt DC power adapter. Additionally, this unit can be powered by its dynamo crank at any time, in any place, and can even run on three AA batteries (not included) for those times when you have no power source, and don't want to crank up your own charge. This emergency radio receives AM and FM bands for regular use, as well as including short wave radio with an ultra-fine tuning knob to locate the exact band you need.

The CR-100 is constructed with a water-resistant, rugged, high-impact plastic case that makes it suitable in virtually any environment. This unit features an emergency light for your darkest hour, a charging indicator so you know its working, and an earphone jack for use in both loud and quiet environments. What's more, this emergency radio also provides you with an accurate, and easy-to-read digital day and month clock so you are never without the time.

The SEK-100 also includes First Alert's CR-LED FireFly Crank Power flashlight which is sure to be your most popular flashlight. The FireFly utilizes three super-bright LED lights that will provide 12,000 to 15,000 MCD of illumination for years without burning out. This amazing flashlight is powered by a hand crank that provides five minutes of power with only 10 seconds of cranking, so you never have to buy batteries. What's more, the CR-LED features cell-phone charging capability that provides two minutes of talk time for every one minute of cranking, making it essential in the modern world. The FireFly is maintains its charge and power through its internal, 3.6-volt, NiMH battery, and includes a charging light so you know when it is working.

Finally, the First Alert SEK-100 comes with a full-sized, polar fleece blanket that measures 60 inches by 48 inches for complete coverage of up to two people. This blanket features folded, sewed edges for durability, and comes in a royal blue color that is easy to spot in an emergency. This kit also includes a first aid kit in a compact size that includes 61 pieces of vital hardware, such as scissors, tweezers, bandages, wipes, tape and rubber gloves.

What's in the Box
First Alert CR-100 emergency AM/FM and short wave radio with dynamo crank, CR-LED FireFly crank power flashlight, polar fleece 60 x 48 inch blanket, and 61-piece first aid kit. First Alert Emergency kit with everything you need to stay safe and warm in an emergency

American Red Cross FR400 Emergency Radio, White

American Red Cross FR400 Emergency Radio, White Review

American Red Cross FR400 Emergency Radio, White Feature

• Emergency radio with water resistant housing
• Endorsed by the American Red Cross
• Hand crank can be used to recharge the built-in battery
• Tunes AM/FM, seven NOAA weather alert channels, and TV channels 2-13
• Features emergency lights, plus a flashing beacon mode; cell phone charger

The Etón Grundig American Red Cross FR400 is one of Etón's American Red Cross branded, weather-resistant emergency radios. With a dependable hand-crank power generator that powers the unit's AM/FM/TV/Weather radio, built-in LED flashlight, cell phone charger and emergency siren -- all surrounded by a sturdy, weather-resistant casing -- the lightweight and portable Grundig FR400 is an excellent choice for anyone in the market for a radio that can be relied on in emergencies or in environments where there are limited power sources.

The FR400 is small and portable enough to go wherever life takes you.

Housed within its weather-resistant body, the Etón FR400 includes a two white-LED light source, and a flashing red-LED light source, as well as an emergency siren so that you can not only find what you are looking for, but others can easily find you. As an added convenience, this unit features a 3.5-millimeter earphone jack, a fine-tuning control knob super-imposed on the main tuning control knob for achieving the maximum in station clarity, and a built-in cell-phone charger with a 3.5-millimeter output jack and multiple adapter tips for charging select models of Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson phones. This Etón FR400 weighs only 1.5 pounds, and measures 8.6 x 4.5 x 2 inches (W x H x D).

Other models in Etón's line of emergency radios that we tested include the Grundig FR200, an entry-level shortwave radio that also includes a flashing LED light; the Grundig FR250, a shortwave radio that also includes a flashing LED light, cell phone charger and siren; the Grundig FR 300, which includes the emergency features of the FR250, but offers television and weather station tuning instead of shortwave; and the Grundig FR 350, a water-resistant variation of the FR250. While the FR400 shares the same features and performance of the FR300, its sturdy, weather-resistant casing and design modifications give it a distinct edge in emergency situations that's well worth the extra cost. (FR250 FR300 FR350 FR400 Hand crank Cell phone charger Emergency lights Siren AC adapter included Water resistant Tuning AM/FM, SW AM/FM, TV-VHF, NOAA weather AM/FM, SW AM/FM, TV-VHF, NOAA weather Size (inches, WxDxH) 6.5 x 2.5 x 6 6.5 x 2.5 x 6 8.75 x 2.25 x 4.5 8.75 x 2.25 x 4.5 Weight 1 lb. 3 oz. 1 lb. 4 oz. 1 lb. 4 oz. 1 lb. 4 oz. Power Crank, 3 AA, NiMH battery, AC Crank, 3 AA, NiMH battery, AC Crank, 3 AA, NiMH battery, AC Crank, 3 AA, NiMH battery, A

Tuning and Bands
The FR400 receives FM radio via a built-in telescoping antenna, AM via an internal ferrite bar, all seven NOAA weather channels plus an Alert function, and even picks up TV1, TV2, and VHF channels 2-13, so you can listen to your favorite television programs without a TV. As was the case with all of the Etón emergency radios we tested, our AM reception was outstanding; we were quickly able to tune into every station we searched for. Reception for FM was also very good, though there was some extra fine-tuning on some of the stations. Because weather broadcasts are based on VHF, line-of-sight channels, and because we are slightly out of range of the nearest weather transmitter in our region, we were not able to test the radio's weather reception. Television reception, happily, was quite another story. Though some stations took some finessing of the tuner before we were able to hone in on a strong signal, most of the reception was loud and clear.

Power When You Need It
At the heart of all of Etón's emergency radios, including the FR400, is an internal generator that recharges the internal Ni-MH battery pack and powers the radio, siren, and light. Also, by plugging your cell phone into the jack on the back of the radio, you can use the crank to power your phone.

Important Note: Until this year, Etón provided a package of several different cell phone adapter tips with every radio. In 2007, Etón began instead including a coupon for a free adapter for whatever phone you have. So, the first thing you want to do when you get the radio is fill out the card with your cell phone's make and model and send it in to make sure you have your adapter.

In our test, after draining our cell phone of power, we recharged it using the FR400 enough to make a few calls. The rate of cell phone recharging will vary greatly depending on the cell phone and the state of its battery, but the FR400 can provide your compatible phone with power in a pinch.

The Etón FR400 is extremely versatile, and can be powered by up to four different sources, including: the included AC adapter, three AA batteries (not included), the built-in rechargeable Ni-MH battery which can be recharged from the AC adapter or by hand, and the dynamo hand crank which not only can recharge the built-in battery but provides power even when no battery is installed.

According to the product manual, to achieve 40 to 60 minutes of uninterrupted power to the radio, you must turn the crank at a rate of two revolutions per second for 90 seconds. In our test, after our initial 90 seconds of rigorous cranking, the FR400 powered right up and was still going strong with radio reception after an hour. At the hour mark, we briefly turned the flashlight on, and that too was at full force, with no perceivable drain on radio reception. The dynamo crank tucks itself nicely into the side of the radio and offers little resistance as you turn the handle. (Don't let the cranking requirements frighten you! While it's true that a full 90 seconds of turning the crank can be tiring and may not be for everyone, we were able to recharge the radio with less than a minute of cranking and achieved over 40 minutes of continuous power.)

Design and Controls
At 1.5 pounds, and with dimensions of 4.5 x 8.75 x 2.25 inches (HxWxD), the FR400 is made to be tucked neatly into its handy nylon carrying case, ready to be stored in emergency box, or packed neatly for a camping trip. A white LED light is set on the side of the radio, just above the tuning knob, allowing you to use the FR400 like a flashlight. A red flashing emergency light is also included. This placement is an improvement over the designs of the FR200, FR250 and FR350, all of which place the emergency light on the radio's face. But similar to those radios, the light on the FR400 is only designed to help you down an unlit stairwell or enclosed hallway in a pinch, and is not directed or strong enough to help you much in a pitch-black forest or other open area. The radio and light can be operated simultaneously, though of course at the expense of power.

The large band selection knob and other controls make the FR400 a breeze to use.

The rear connections are protected by rubber seals.

On the left, the hand crank, on the right, a flashlight, and tuning and volume knobs.

The mechanical controls of the FR400 are extremely visible and easy to use. The volume control is fairly easy to finesse, and the tuning knob, which features a smaller concentric fine-tuning control knob, offers much greater control. A sealed 3.5 mm earphone jack is set into the back, and the telescoping antenna tucks neatly behind the handle strap, and the telescoping antenna tucks neatly behind the handle strap. The radio's 2.5-inch speaker is set directly in front and offers reasonable audio quality and excellent volume for the radio's purpose. The tuner itself is self-illuminated, though in a darkened environment it is still somewhat difficult to pick out the bands.

Pros

• Compact and lightweight; ideal for emergencies or travel
• Clearly laid out functions and controls
• Excellent internal power generator; handy cell-phone charger

Cons

• Tuning dial could be better illuminated for darkened environments

What's in the Box
FR400 radio, card for free cell phone charging adapter, nylon carrying case Improved technology, functionality and versatility, the FR400 is ideal for emergencies. The FR400 provides you with a water resistant radio, LED lights, and cell phone charger when you need it most. Using the Hand-Crank Power Generator, charge the internal rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack in times of need. With NOAA weather channels and TV-VHF channels, you have easy access to weather forecasts and can listen to TV shows while away from the set.