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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.



 
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08/31/2013 11:52AM  
Sounds interesting. I also have an eton and it works fine for weather updates when the power goes out here. I use a Midland on fishing and canoe trips. Thanks
 
08/31/2013 01:39PM  
I agree the Eton's reception sucks. I do like it though for the occasional FM listening and no batteries needed keeps me stuck to it.
 
OldScout48
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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 ?
 
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.
 
OldScout48
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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
 
08/31/2013 11:02PM  
quote OldScout48:
So the antenna extends out. I thought it was fixed like the walky talky antennas"

Yes the antenna extends out 8" or so.
 
OldScout48
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09/01/2013 03:24PM  
How long is your copper wire antenna extension? What gauge, solid or woven. No reason to reinvent the wheel.

My radio is on it's way.

Thanks
 
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.
 
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.
 
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