im new here i pop in to read as often as i can, even though i dont have much to add to the topics yet.

my problem is i live on a very small budget (and in a smaller apartment, so i cant store as much as id like to) .
but i need to buy a good crank radio for my bob, or for
home emergency use like NY`s last blackout.
im not too interested in solar power since it takes so long usually for minimal results.

im looking for widest range of ability and features (several sidebands esp. weather and police etc) built in light maybe? and sheer power to pull in a good signal anywhere above all else.

i`ve basically found a few that seem good but id like some advice from the board ESPECIALLY if you had good or bad experiences with these models.


1.kaito KA007 http://www.durhamradio.com/ka007.htm


2. grundig FR200 http://www.durhamradio.com/fr200-grundig.htm


3.freeplay or freeplay plus from ccrane...look nice but on the expensive side for me.


4.this one im already ordering
Innovage Outdoor Crank Radio (walkman sized for my everyday carrying and under $20)

thanks for all the help in advance, and 1 more question which i hope doesnt sound too ignorant here.

are there any crank powered tvs?
im thinking of a small walkman sized one to buy and carry, but eventually batteries do run out so a crank would be very usefull.

Hello and welcome to the forum first off.To answer your question,I have the Grundig FR200.I recieved it as a Christmas gift from my now getting equipped and prepaired wife.She got it at Radio Shack for $40.00.It is well built and works really good.The light is not very bright but its not a bad back up.Had my wife not given it to me I wouldn't have hesitated to buy it myself
BOATMAN
JOHN

I also have the Grundig FR200, bought at Target for $40.
Great reception for such an inexpensive radio.

I like the Grundig FR 200. I read a number of reviews at Amazon.com, they seemed mixed but I went ahead anyway. I figured you couldn't go too wrong for 40 bucks delivered to your door...

Results after the first week are pretty good on all bands, the radio surpassed my expectations. I'm able to get a few low power FMs that I'm on the fringe of without a problem, AM is AM, I get all the nearby "big" stations as well as the locals and the shortwave is pretty good for commercial high power stations, I can get a station in Maine I listen to on the weekend better than on my more expensive Panasonic with both using the attached whips.

The FM band does have some limitations, strong nearby signals can overload the radio a bit and appear in multiple places on the dial but this has not been an issue to me, I tune carefully and make sure I'm set at 93 if that's where I want to listen. The shortwave tuning is a bit touchy, careful tuning is necessary and the dial does have a bit of backlash, but it's not an issue for me.

Considering the cost of a Baygen crank/solar AM only from the "old days" which was also twice the size-I think it's a pretty good deal.

Available from Radio Shack or Amazon.com on-line amongst other places...

Good Reception! <- The radioman's salutation <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

What kind of antenna does the Grundig need or is best.

Yep, another vote for the FR200! Can't beat it for the money.

The Grundig comes with an external telescoping antenna that swivels and bends, which is adequate for FM. AM and Shortwave utilize an internal wirewound bar antenna like most pocket radios from the 70s and 80s. It is not great, but it will get decent coverage. Being a Licensed Radio tech for a living, I have attached a long wire to the AM input with excellent results, but it would take a fair amount of knowledge or trial and error for the novice to get to perform adequately. It really could've used an external antenna port. However, it has survived blizzard conditions outside at elk camp. I dug it out of the snow and it was working fine.

i tried to reply before but for some reason it wouldnt let me.

but i asked if thoxse who use the grundig fs200 if it also picks up VHF(145-175 MHz, Weather, Taxi, and Police)


because that was one of the main reasons i liked the kaito, i dont have a scanner and this would cut down on space too.

btw im guessing its a big no on the crank tv question ?

I used my Grundig FR200 in last summer's blackout in NYC. It worked great.

I also bought a smallish Sony SRF-M37V a while back. I like it a lot, especially the digital tuning (very accurate). In a size that's just as small as many other AM/FM radios, this radio give you the bonus TV and NOAA Weather bands. When it comes down to a need for info in an emergency, the more the better....right? Not bad for $25.

The Grundig will NOT pick up those bands.

Also, I swapped the bulb in my Grundig for a bright LED. Not as bright as the bulb but the batteries last longer with it. Its good enough to read with and to navigate a room in the dark.


Chris