I have a Sony Walkman with non-powered computer speakers at my desk at work, & headphones somewhere. The external speakers require no extra power, and are easier to use in a group situation.

I also have a 5” AC/12V DC/ 10xC battery black & white television. This past February (2003), when the big Thursday snowstorm hit locally around 09:00, I found the TV to be more useful than the AM/FM radios I had available.

We were released from work around 10:00; for various reasons, I didn’t attempt to leave immediately. While still at the office, we used the TV occasionally, taking it to an external door in our area (we’re in a basement) for decent reception. The TV stations were reporting both weather & traffic, and were using the new TN Dept of Transportation cameras to good advantage, too.

When I finally did head home about 13:00, what was normally about a 40 minute drive in rush hour took 3 hours. I left the TV in the office, but in hindsight, should have taken it with me. As noted, the TV stations were giving far and away better traffic coverage than the radio stations, which were keeping to regular programming as much as possible. Had I brought the TV with me, I could have powered it from the 12V port in my truck, and listened to it as I drove. I was stopped enough I could have watched it a good bit, too.

Now, a 5” TV running on 10 C-cell batteries is heavy, & takes up too much space in a pack, but it’s what I have, & would have been more useful had I simply carried it to my truck & took off, than left it sitting at my desk. A radio with TV bands would have been more useful than the AM/FM stereo in my truck, based on my experience that day—especially if I could have powered it from the truck, as well, or had plenty of spare batteries. It's something I will consider in the next radio I purchase.

Having my scanner with me would have been even better, though locally, the police & fire departments have switched to trunked digital systems. I could have used it when I got to my home county. The scanner, along with a WeatherAlert radio, were invaluable at home in early May 2003 when the tornadoes hit. As someone else noted, the scanner provided real-time information from emergency personnel in my area.

Come to think of it, my scanner is capable of receiving some of the TV audio bands in our broadcast area. Hmmmm...maybe I'd better give carrying it in the truck a second thought.

Regards,

David