Useful radio suggestions

[niftyflix]

Hello guys, hands-on EDC-type suggestions welcomed. I want to include a small radio in my emergency kit. Objective is picking up broadcasts, not two-way communications. I definitely need FM and would like digital, but I'm aware that it often means poor battery life.

My expectation was that I'd find some modern equivalent of the coin-sized SInclair X1 FM radio earphone I had 20 years ago. I found a couple for sale in the US, but no writeups and anyway nothing importable.

Second-best would be a pocket-sized box with a solar panel, and ideally an output that would let me charge other stuff. I'd rather not have a crank handle, since they add a lot of bulk. Once again, not much this side of the pond.

Third-best would be some small battery-powered device. I guess AAA batteries would make for easy recharging. (I think the CountyComm radio looks fantastic but don't want a device that needs a mains charger.) I can see offerings from four or five different makers on Amazon but would appreciate any recommendations or warnings.

Best, N.

 

[Broch]

I bought one of these for the missus to take down to the hut when she goes down on her own. USB chargeable with about 11 hours on a full charge, DAB & FM, Bluetooth (receiver only, i.e. you can play your phone music through it).

So far, all she's done is tune in a few pre-sets. Sound is reasonable from such a small device and it will slip into a pocket.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07S9DNBTP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[niftyflix]

Thanks Broch. I like Majority, having owned another of their products for years. Keen to hear any other suggstions?

 

[billycoen]

SportsDAB5

Pocket-sized and portable, the Sports DAB 5 is the stylish personal DAB/DAB+/FM radio perfect for listening on the go. Buy your Sports DAB 5 now.

www.robertsradio.com

 

[niftyflix]

Thx Billy. The writeup on the Roberts is that the older FM-only version was excellent and the DAB version is OK. I'm havering about DAB; I'd miss Radio6 but this is an emergency radio...

 

[photonician]

the CountyComm radio looks fantastic but don't want a device that needs a mains charger.

AFAIK the countycomm GP-5 worked off of AA batteries, although it did have an inbuilt NiMH battery charger.

The countycomm radios were based off the Tecsun PL-3 series of radios, which seem to be a bit more readily available in the UK than the countycomm versions. I can't say I'd recommend the Tecsun PL-365 (that the Countycomm GP-5 was based off of) for an emergency radio: there are a lot of poorly labelled small buttons and it is quite complicated to use for an emergency radio.

Edit: I've just realised that countycomm have brought out a newer version, called the GP7, the GP5 was the version before that, which was AA powered.

 

[Broch]

Thx Billy. The writeup on the Roberts is that the older FM-only version was excellent and the DAB version is OK. I'm havering about DAB; I'd miss Radio6 but this is an emergency radio...

One problem is that in some remote areas (including some of the hills around here) we can't receive digital radio, so the FM function is a must IMO. Ideally it would include MW & LW.

 

[niftyflix]

Thanks all esp. Photonician. I wasn't aware of the older GP5. An AA-powered version would suit me well. If you're not keen on the Tecsun, would you recommend anything in the same line? Best, N.

 

[photonician]

Thanks all esp. Photonician. I wasn't aware of the older GP5. An AA-powered version would suit me well. If you're not keen on the Tecsun, would you recommend anything in the same line? Best, N.

No worries! If I'm honest, I'm not that familiar with the other Tecsun PL models, a quick look online suggests that their other models seem to share similar controls (slightly easier to see and use on the larger models, I'd hope) and features (like the automatic tune feature, which was pretty cool on the shortwave bands). The bigger ones are pretty expensive new however, and I think targeted more to radio enthusiasts... I haven't got any other good recommendations sorry!

 

[nigelp]

I’ve been tempted by this radio to take backpacking and on overnight trips where I want to listen to the news and weather: Goodmans site

The battery looks to be a mobile phone type and you can get replacements or spares: Bl battery

 

[Nice65]

Miles does one at his survival shop. Nice old fella, happy to ship uk.

Survival Shop at EndTimesReport.com

 

[SCOMAN]

The Tecsun radios are good and take AA’s. I use an Xhdata radio

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B077Z2P28F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

EDCGEAR sell some of the radios Countycomm sell, they’re out of stock at the minute https://www.edcgear.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=CCN10

a quick search for shortwave radio on eBay gives lo of result. Nevada radio in Portsmouth had these

Tecsun PL360 pocket size multiband radio | eBay

Using DSP technology to give excellent sensitivity, selectivity & S/N ratio. FM Stereo reception via stereo earphone lead. Several tuning mode: ATS Auto scan tuning & Manual tuning mode. Black Colour Portable Multi Band radio.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Broch]

a quick search for shortwave radio on eBay gives lo of result. Nevada radio in Portsmouth had these

Tecsun PL360 pocket size multiband radio | eBay

Using DSP technology to give excellent sensitivity, selectivity & S/N ratio. FM Stereo reception via stereo earphone lead. Several tuning mode: ATS Auto scan tuning & Manual tuning mode. Black Colour Portable Multi Band radio.

www.ebay.co.uk

That's the kind of thing I would consider as an emergency radio

 

[Danceswithhelicopters]

How about windup. I have an older blue 3 band model with no DAB and it works a treat in the kitchen. 20 years old at least.

This appears to be the new version complete with torch.

Sony

 

[TeeDee]

Bump to this.

Looking for a larger unit - but only if they can actually do ( as opposed to just purport ) the following well

1) Wind Up charge

2) PV Charge - Edit with the increase of cheaper flexible smaller PV panels I mean that it now makes more sense to have a separate Panel and radio as opposed to combining the two in a badly performing unit.

Any other functions useful but not essential

Battery bank
Accept power input other than batteries
Small emergency torch


There seems to be ALOT of radios out there aimed at the emergency radio market and I suspect many are doo-doo - I would rather pay strong money for a unit that is durable and does definitely work as opposed to take a chance on some tacky placky POS that just badly operates.

Suggestions? Even if difficult to source ( so needs shipping from a different country )

Tired of looking at the offerings on Amazon as it seems to be radio roulette.

 

[TeeDee]

Or surprised none seems to include Mesh based comms.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Not bad for a tenner.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Personal-Receiver-Rechargeable-Earphone-01-Black/dp/B07R4XJ1W7?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JwIMEksTLhIE7X6pJvcgOO7DpiXZca-xheb_CGN5X9C-il-9MEgVsECdQZbCfsnW1U2wluMRR4W-veJtnpbP0fQwu1PUI6JspsB8ecCY4EMnnbHpYxwaStrGgdPKxUOvOIGxOV1H0uubvtKhNVSMLlOXFKEHUuXJje4xPXeAc6DovdGqj6liOxiJatT1Jxgz4-bw1_vGS4iJ3weXIfWQjgSlA3OCFwMIx18me9keSL0.9BxS7U0Fdas2qSw9R-Dg-Nkt8-tuxaflTG04vrS5hR4&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mini%2BFM%2BRadio&qid=1737803185&sr=8-3&th=1

 

[stonepark]

I got similar recently, £23 from eBay, large solar panel (so no windup), changed OEM 1200mah 18650 for a 3400mah.

 

[Watch-keeper]

I'm with SCOMAN on this one.
I have a TECSUN PL330 and its excellent (FM,MW,LW and SW) and has ok sound quality for its size.
Its tiny but really does a good job and being so small and light it isn't a burden to carry around.

 

[Jared]

Or surprised none seems to include Mesh based comms.

Surprised no one has considering the plethora of ESP32 SI4732 based radio recievers, and the ESP32 SX1278 lora transceivers.

Whilst screen looks pretty good, poor UI is it's major drawback to longterm use.