I’m looking for a weather radio. I would like to keep it under $100. This would be used primarily on BWCA trips, mainly just for weather and an alarm clock. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

You'll find a thread here that discusses this topic extensively. But I've used Sangean DT-400W in the BW and it works great as a Weather Radio. It's also AM FM. I could only pick up MN Public radio on it but the reception was clear a day

Blatz: "You'll find a thread here that discusses this topic extensively. But I've used Sangean DT-400W in the BW and it works great as a Weather Radio. It's also AM FM. I could only pick up MN Public radio on it but the reception was clear a day"

+ 1. A very nice pocket weather radio. I did upgrade the antenna to a longer version. I keep it in a Pelican 1030 case. Store other small items in that case too.

I got the Midland pocket radio a couple years ago and has worked everyday of my trips. There is nothing fancy about it, it only picks up NOAA broadcasts. But it runs forever on 3 triple A batteries, its small and lightwight, and its cheap, so you’ll find out if you want a weather radio on trips without spending a lot.

The power switch sometimes likes to get jostled on, so I flip one of the batteries around to prevent battery drainage.

I use the same one as Minnesotian.

That seems about what I’m looking for but I would like one with an alarm.

Papa09: "That seems about what I’m looking for but I would like one with an alarm. "

Do you mean an alarm clock alarm? Or a severe weather alert alarm?

[Added minutes later] Oooops, sorry, just reread your first post. Yeah, the Midland does not have a clock/alarm.

One of the things I like best about that Midland weather radio is that when turned on it scans for the strongest weather station signal. So simple. With most others I've used you have to either enter or select the station or the SAME county number you want when setting it up. This setup process is simply not obvious - at least to me - so selecting a new channel in the field - without the instructions in hand - are a pain.

I absolutely love my Sangean DT-400W. Compared to the old Midland that was more for home use than camping it is superior in every aspect. I'm sure there are several great models but the Sangean and the old Midland are the only 2 I've used.

I have a Midland ER200. It is solar powered. It has a crank for in the dark charging. Has a light built in. Has usb connection. Has a button to push and goes right to the weather. Also has am and fm. No alarm.


State of Ohio gave it to me for having a tornado shelter. I have seen them for sale for $30-$60. I never even thought about taking it with me until this thread. Good idea.

C Crane pocket radio

boonie: "I use the same one as Minnesotian."

Same

This is a serious question so don't think I am trolling but what is the point of a weather radio, would you cut your trip off if you hear of a storm a few days out? If your 2 days in what are you going to do different if a storm is a day or so from potentially hitting? Some things are just out of your hands up there....

nooneuno: "This is a serious question so don't think I am trolling but what is the point of a weather radio, would you cut your trip off if you hear of a storm a few days out? If your 2 days in what are you going to do different if a storm is a day or so from potentially hitting? Some things are just out of your hands up there...."

I use it to inform timing. If wind is set to pick up late morning, I may break camp earlier. Or if weather’s set to kick up in the afternoon, I may look for a next campsite earlier. Etc.

nooneuno: "This is a serious question so don't think I am trolling but what is the point of a weather radio, would you cut your trip off if you hear of a storm a few days out? If your 2 days in what are you going to do different if a storm is a day or so from potentially hitting? Some things are just out of your hands up there...."

Yes, I have cut a trip short by a day when 8-10" of rain with serious wind was forecast in order to ensure we were able to exit on time, make the long drive home, and be at work when scheduled.

Also, like ParkerMag, I may decide when to travel and when to lay over.

Bad weather happens up there sometimes, and occasionally really bad weather.

I use it to inform me of wind strength and direction. If I hear that it is going to be calm in the morning and picking up to 25 mph out of the southeast in the afternoon, that means I’ll probably get on the water early, and start looking for a campsite in the early afternoon with a good windbreak from the southern winds.

Nooneuno,

We absolutely pay attention to the weather forecast. 30 miles in the park on big water we will definitely leave early or stay late if a big storm and/or high winds are predicted. Been there done that. BTW we left immediately in front of the major wind event June 2017 that killed a few people in BWCA. Short answer YES.

Parker, I’ve been looking at the C Crane. Is it as advertised or more specifically does it work well in the BWCA?

Papa09: "Parker, I’ve been looking at the C Crane. Is it as advertised or more specifically does it work well in the BWCA?"

It’s worked perfectly anywhere in the BW and Quetico I’ve taken it.

I have always just "winged it" in canoe country lakes and kept one eye on the sky. Curious for a guy who likes to plan stuff. I REALLY wanted a weather radio however on Isle Royale.........knowledge is king as they say.

I picked up the Sangean as per the advice of folk on the board. AM / FM weather radio looks to be quite sturdily built as compared to the cheap little Midland I purchased for $15. They probably both function efficiently as per weather however in the BWCA or Quetico. The Sangean is twice as heavy despite being small.

I will probably start bringing a weather radio on all my trips. Just hope I don't fall into the trap of listening to the AM/ FM to much. Out there to decompress!

mastertangler: "Just hope I don't fall into the trap of listening to the AM/ FM to much. Out there to decompress! "

I can't recall ever even switching mine to AM/FM - reckon that means I've avoided that trap! We turn it on maybe a couple times a day, cycle through the NOAA report (3-4 minutes?), then put it away.

nooneuno: "This is a serious question so don't think I am trolling but what is the point of a weather radio, would you cut your trip off if you hear of a storm a few days out? If your 2 days in what are you going to do different if a storm is a day or so from potentially hitting? Some things are just out of your hands up there...."

This happened to me with a group of 6 guys I was with. I listened to the weather and made the mistake of telling the guys the potential rain forecast. We all voted 4-2 and we pulled out two days early. That really made me mad that we left. I will never give the forecast out to others again. I worked hard to plan and prepare for a trip and it was cut short because of rain. Lesson learned.

I have my CCrane pocket radio with me. It works very nicely up there. It is basically the same radio as the Sangean radio. The guy that makes the Sangean radio split off from CCrane.

ParkerMag: "

mastertangler: "Just hope I don't fall into the trap of listening to the AM/ FM to much. Out there to decompress! "

I can't recall ever even switching mine to AM/FM - reckon that means I've avoided that trap! We turn it on maybe a couple times a day, cycle through the NOAA report (3-4 minutes?), then put it away."

You include the word "we"..........probably much easier to not even think about turning a radio on when your with others. I typically have been going solo as late (who can go for 20 plus days?) and I can see myself turning it on and seeing what I could pick up. But I will give it a whirl and evaluate after I get out.

mastertangler: "You include the word "we"..........probably much easier to not even think about turning a radio on when your with others. I typically have been going solo as late (who can go for 20 plus days?) and I can see myself turning it on and seeing what I could pick up. "

Good point - hadn't considered the solo/non-solo component. My only solo experience has been backpacking, but regardless, I can definitely see the temptation!

ParkerMag: "

Papa09: "Parker, I’ve been looking at the C Crane. Is it as advertised or more specifically does it work well in the BWCA?"

It’s worked perfectly anywhere in the BW and Quetico I’ve taken it. "

Thanks Parker! I think I’m going with the C Crane.

I'm another big fan of the Sangean DT-400W.

BnD: "

boonie: "I use the same one as Minnesotian."

+1


Same"