I've been acquiring and using more hand-powered tools lately, as part of long term preparedness. I make a point to use them instead of powered tools so that 1) I know how to use them effectively, 2) I know that they work, and 3) to get a little bit of extra exercise.


Back to the OT, I have a Kaito KA009, and it's pretty decent. It has multiple power sources and many bands, so it's quite flexible. I mostly keep it charged using the AC adapter, and the internal batteries will hold a charge for a very long time. The solar panel is pretty small, but in direct sunlight it does seem to work, albeit slowly. The dynamo part works too, but that wouldn't be my choice for extended listening, just to get periodic updates. As for reception, the FM/TV/AIR/WB/AM are all good, but the SW is pretty marginal. I'm sure that if I set up an external antenna, it would pick up more stations, but otherwise there's not much in SW to hear.