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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum My New Weather Radio |
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08/31/2013 10:54AM (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I have been using an Eton crank weather radio for the last five years or so and has worked well enough. I made an extra antenna our of a piece of solid copper wire than I soldered an alligator clip on both ends that I can clip to the antenna and hang the other end on a tree branch or run along the ridge line of the tarp to get better reception.
When listening to the weather band, you need to crank it quite often to keep it charged. I mention to my son during our May trip that I’m getting tired of cranking all the time, but I could not find a small battery operated AM/FM/Weather band radio.
I have an early June birthday and got a card from Ethan that my combination birthday/father’s day present was on the way but not here yet.
Here is what he got me.
Ambient Weather WR-090 Emergency Pocket
It is just a little bit bigger than a deck of cards and while I do not think that it is as heavy duty as the Eton, I got better reception with this radio than I ever did with the Eton radio. I stored it in a small Rubbermaid container with my evening cigars. It was so nice not having to crank. It uses AAA batteries and I always have a few spares for my head lamp, but I did not need them on my last trip.
Here are a couple of pictures to show the size difference.
When listening to the weather band, you need to crank it quite often to keep it charged. I mention to my son during our May trip that I’m getting tired of cranking all the time, but I could not find a small battery operated AM/FM/Weather band radio.
I have an early June birthday and got a card from Ethan that my combination birthday/father’s day present was on the way but not here yet.
Here is what he got me.
Ambient Weather WR-090 Emergency Pocket
It is just a little bit bigger than a deck of cards and while I do not think that it is as heavy duty as the Eton, I got better reception with this radio than I ever did with the Eton radio. I stored it in a small Rubbermaid container with my evening cigars. It was so nice not having to crank. It uses AAA batteries and I always have a few spares for my head lamp, but I did not need them on my last trip.
Here are a couple of pictures to show the size difference.
KevinL
08/31/2013 03:36PM
I haven't taken a radio of any type to the BWCA, but when I see something this small it makes me interested.
So I'm assuming the you just clip your antenna wire to the top of the radio's antenna.
You don't need to have a direct connect with radio's antenna? I guess its like when we had to take turns holding on to the old rabbit ear TV antennas. I'm wondering if a ball of tin foil would do the job.
Does have the auto weather alert function or does it have to be turned on all the time ?
So I'm assuming the you just clip your antenna wire to the top of the radio's antenna.
You don't need to have a direct connect with radio's antenna? I guess its like when we had to take turns holding on to the old rabbit ear TV antennas. I'm wondering if a ball of tin foil would do the job.
Does have the auto weather alert function or does it have to be turned on all the time ?
Old Scout
08/31/2013 04:23PM
quote OldScout48: So I'm assuming the you just clip your antenna wire to the top of the radio's antenna.
Does have the auto weather alert function or does it have to be turned on all the time ?"
Yes, I just pull the antenna out and clip wire it to the top and then usually clip the other end to a tree branch.
Yes it does have to be turned of for the auto alert function. I do not leave the radio turned on for the alert feature. I read some of the reviews online and people were mad because it runs the batteries down. Think that someone said they got about 40 hours of on time doing this before it ran out of juice.
They also sell a kit that allows you to plug into the wall outlet or attache to computer for power by USB if you wanted to use this function.
KevinL
08/31/2013 08:17PM
quote KevinL: "quote OldScout48: So I'm assuming the you just clip your antenna wire to the top of the radio's antenna.
Does have the auto weather alert function or does it have to be turned on all the time ?"
Yes, I just pull the antenna out and clip wire it to the top and then usually clip the other end to a tree branch.
Yes it does have to be turned of for the auto alert function. I do not leave the radio turned on for the alert feature. I read some of the reviews online and people were mad because it runs the batteries down. Think that someone said they got about 40 hours of on time doing this before it ran out of juice.
They also sell a kit that allows you to plug into the wall outlet or attached to computer for power by USB if you wanted to use this function. "
So the antenna extends out. I thought it was fixed like the walky talky antennas
Old Scout
09/01/2013 05:19PM
quote OldScout48: "How long is your copper wire antenna extension? What gauge, solid or woven."
I'm thinking that it is 12ga. Cant tell for sure now without cutting an end off to measure the bare wire. It is solid wire and 10' long.
KevinL
09/01/2013 05:31PM
quote MHS67: "I use a Midland on fishing and canoe trips. Thanks"
Same here. It got such good reception that I put away my copper wire antenna.
The business of life is the acquisition of memories. In the end that's all there is. ___Mr Carson (Downton Abby)
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