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