Emergency radio: recommend one for under $100

brucaru · Apr 21, 2020

Which radio do you have and what do you like and dislike about it. Would you purchase the same radio again if not which radio do you wish you would have purchased. I’m trying to stay under $100. Thanks for any input.

Alan3413 · Apr 21, 2020

Baofeng comes to mind.

28Shooter · Apr 21, 2020

Kids gave me a nice one that came highly recommended by a number of their off-the-grid buddies out West. It's made by a company called "Running Snail" (Model MD-090) and it works off battery, crank, or built in solar panel. Nice size and easy to use.

brucaru · Apr 21, 2020

Does the Runny snail radio look like it will hold up to backpack storage and backpack carrying usage?

Occam · Apr 21, 2020

Are we talking about just receiving AM/FM/Weather, or are we talking about being able to communicate with other people?

28Shooter · Apr 21, 2020

brucaru said:
Does the Runny snail radio look like it will hold up to backpack storage and backpack carrying usage?

I personally would wrap it to protect it in a backpack but the folks who recommended it say they don't.

brucaru · Apr 21, 2020

Receive only

Rambler · Apr 21, 2020

Check out ccrane radio:

ccrane.com

Under AM/FM there are also many multi-band radios. They are not necessarily the cheapest but they are high quality and they know and standby what they sell.
They are running Mothers Day promos right now as well. The CC Skywave is similar to one I have, very small but a good receiver. Get on their mailing list; they still have a decent print catalog.

Johnconlee · Apr 21, 2020

I have a realistic dx 350 that receives am/fm great, better than the radio in my vehicle. It also has short wave settings. I use the dx350 camping and at work, runs for a long time on a few aa. I have a ge super radio that works great also. The ge is my kitchen radio that I use everyday. Both radios are battery or plugin and receive am from Michigan and New York most nights. Also no problem to tune in any dc station day or night. I would love to find the dx350 with a weather band, that would be my ideal radio.

Melnic · Apr 21, 2020

Is there a battery one that also has one of those hand crank power recharge to it? (AM/FM/Weather)

cstone · Apr 21, 2020

Get three and use the rest of the $100 to buy a few extra batteries. Next year upgrade the antennas. You could also buy them in a 5 pack or 10 pack if you are looking to outfit the family or put some in a stash/bag. I don't think there is a less expensive, better radio available today.

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5.../B007H4VT7A/ref=psdc_2230642011_t1_B00YMN0SCG

6-Pack · Apr 21, 2020

As much as I have a newfound “love” for Chinese products, the Baofeng radios have been pretty good for their price.

OnTarget · Apr 21, 2020

cstone said:
Get three and use the rest of the $100 to buy a few extra batteries. Next year upgrade the antennas. You could also buy them in a 5 pack or 10 pack if you are looking to outfit the family or put some in a stash/bag. I don't think there is a less expensive, better radio available today.

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5.../B007H4VT7A/ref=psdc_2230642011_t1_B00YMN0SCG

Wants wrong with the antennas?

Mark75H · Apr 21, 2020

I own a number of Baofengs and after using them for almost 6 months and comparing their ability to recieve to a better receiver, I have to say they are quite limited. This goes even with considerably better antennas than the stuff they come with. The iComms and Yeasus that cost 4 times as much really are 4 times as good because of better reception.

That criticism being made, I still use my Baofeng on a daily basis and just spent nearly $200 on binoculars rather than a Yeasu HT.

(sorry to OP for continuing the off topic)

Mark75H · Apr 21, 2020

OnTarget said:
Wants wrong with the antennas?

For $20 you can get an antenna that is dramatically better. On a $40 radio, you aren't going to get a $20 antenna.

Alan3413 · Apr 21, 2020

OP: Not sure of your requirements, but a Baofeng has an FM radio receiver built-in. It also covers NOAA weather broadcasts. It will also receive FRS, GMRS and other bands, although not shortwave. You can use it as a receiver, just don't transmit.

There's a bunch of accessories you can buy from it, ranging from antennas to high-cap batteries to chargers that fit your house/car/powerbank.

Of course, if you do choose to use it as a transmitter, you will need to get licensed.

K31 · Apr 22, 2020

You might want to check out https://swling.com/Radios.htm#UltraPortableRadios

brucaru · Apr 22, 2020

Thank you all for the good information

Sealion · Apr 22, 2020

I think someone in one of the Ham Radio threads, posted a video of a guy recommended various levels of radios, etc. He seemed knowledgeable, but what do I know.

This was his recommendation for a simple emergency alert/weather radio: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07HXKR...olid=1Q6BDQD4E0NPV&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

lazarus · Apr 22, 2020

Midland ER310 if you wants rugged radio with multiple charging options including crank. AM, FM and weather radio. Plus ultra sonic whistle and LED flashlight. $50.

You want communication also, go XT511 base camp radio. $99 has what the ER310 does (well, no whistle) and adds 5W GMRS radio for 2-way communication. Add in $50 for a pair of Baofeng or Retivis GMRS handsets and you are well covered.

Emergency radio: recommend one for under $100

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