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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum AM/FM Weather Radios |
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03/04/2015 07:44PM
I did a search of past posts on radios, but I would like some current info.
Here is my story first, then my question.
I solo canoe with my dog, and last June/2014 I was camped on Finger Lake, I hade a small AM/FM Radio with NOAA stations with me. This radio has no factory made antenna and only comes with head phones. I could not get many weather stations well and could only get WELY on and off.
I knew the weather was not supposed to be great that day, but packed up and headed out of camp anyway instead of sitting it out. I no sooner got to Thumb Lake when the wind and rain hit me. (Gusts to 40 MPH, this was the day that the Boy Scouts had to be rescued from Basswood Lake).
To make a long story short I paddled and portaged, (without swamping) and lined my canoe, while my dog walked on shore, about 6 miles total that day and managed to set up a fairly dry camp. (It was not safe to be canoeing that day, and I was on small Lakes)
Because of this limited radio, I was not paying the proper amount of attention to the forecast that I normally would. (IE: having to wear ear phones and no antenna)
Question,
What kind of radios do you use to get updates on weather in the BWCAW.
Here is what I want.
4 - 8 ounce AM/FM radio with NOAA stations, and an extendable antenna, battery powered. Price range 20 - 40 bucks. Any Ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Linden
Here is my story first, then my question.
I solo canoe with my dog, and last June/2014 I was camped on Finger Lake, I hade a small AM/FM Radio with NOAA stations with me. This radio has no factory made antenna and only comes with head phones. I could not get many weather stations well and could only get WELY on and off.
I knew the weather was not supposed to be great that day, but packed up and headed out of camp anyway instead of sitting it out. I no sooner got to Thumb Lake when the wind and rain hit me. (Gusts to 40 MPH, this was the day that the Boy Scouts had to be rescued from Basswood Lake).
To make a long story short I paddled and portaged, (without swamping) and lined my canoe, while my dog walked on shore, about 6 miles total that day and managed to set up a fairly dry camp. (It was not safe to be canoeing that day, and I was on small Lakes)
Because of this limited radio, I was not paying the proper amount of attention to the forecast that I normally would. (IE: having to wear ear phones and no antenna)
Question,
What kind of radios do you use to get updates on weather in the BWCAW.
Here is what I want.
4 - 8 ounce AM/FM radio with NOAA stations, and an extendable antenna, battery powered. Price range 20 - 40 bucks. Any Ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Linden
May the rivers be crooked and winding, and your portages lonesome, leading to the most amazing view.
03/04/2015 08:24PM
You may have found this in an old thread, but here's the one I take. It is only NOAA weather stations - no AM/FM.
Midland weather radio
It is small and light. The antenna does not extend very far. You have to find the right spot and turn just the right direction and . . . well I can usually get a station and forecast. I think the only time I didn't was on Alder lake.
I have heard of others making an antenna with wire.
Midland weather radio
It is small and light. The antenna does not extend very far. You have to find the right spot and turn just the right direction and . . . well I can usually get a station and forecast. I think the only time I didn't was on Alder lake.
I have heard of others making an antenna with wire.
03/04/2015 08:26PM
I've taken a weather radio that gets NOAA on Lake Superior. Remember none of them do truly local forecasts.
It's a good investment of time to learn to "read" clouds and wind shifts and temp trends. That gives you a good idea what's going on in your neck of the woods
I feel it's a mistake to trust a generic forecast
It's a good investment of time to learn to "read" clouds and wind shifts and temp trends. That gives you a good idea what's going on in your neck of the woods
I feel it's a mistake to trust a generic forecast
03/04/2015 09:33PM
Mine is actually a NOAA radio. Not AM/FM. We have had good luck with it on Lake Michigan. Hopefully it will work in the BW as well. Having it along doesn't mean we won't pay attention to the sky and wind. But it is an extra piece of mind.
03/04/2015 10:05PM
For the first time ever, we took 2 weather radios which were also a combo walkie talkie. I don't think we ever used the walkie talkie part, but it was good we had the NOAA weather station because our only watch on the trip broke so the fake radio voice was our only way to tell time every run thru the weather :)
We haven't and don't plan on taking anything AM/FM as their forecasts are normally not the best and never repeated. Get one that scans for NOAA stations and we never had an issue getting signal on our loop to the canadian border and back.
Like any of these. We had ours on a lot (checking time and weather) and never had the battery gauges move.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/telephones-communications/two-way-radios/abcat0804000.c?id=abcat0804000
We haven't and don't plan on taking anything AM/FM as their forecasts are normally not the best and never repeated. Get one that scans for NOAA stations and we never had an issue getting signal on our loop to the canadian border and back.
Like any of these. We had ours on a lot (checking time and weather) and never had the battery gauges move.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/telephones-communications/two-way-radios/abcat0804000.c?id=abcat0804000
03/04/2015 11:18PM
I use a Sangean like this one
Heres a video review
It's very light and gets excellent reception. You can get a waterproof pelican case that it fits in exactly to protect it.
Heres a video review
It's very light and gets excellent reception. You can get a waterproof pelican case that it fits in exactly to protect it.
"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
03/04/2015 11:40PM
quote LindenTree3: "I did a search of past posts on radios, but I would like some current info.
Here is my story first, then my question.
I solo canoe with my dog, and last June/2014 I was camped on Finger Lake, I hade a small AM/FM Radio with NOAA stations with me. This radio has no factory made antenna and only comes with head phones. I could not get many weather stations well and could only get WELY on and off.
I knew the weather was not supposed to be great that day, but packed up and headed out of camp anyway instead of sitting it out. I no sooner got to Thumb Lake when the wind and rain hit me. (Gusts to 40 MPH, this was the day that the Boy Scouts had to be rescued from Basswood Lake).
To make a long story short I paddled and portaged, (without swamping) and lined my canoe, while my dog walked on shore, about 6 miles total that day and managed to set up a fairly dry camp. (It was not safe to be canoeing that day, and I was on small Lakes)
Because of this limited radio, I was not paying the proper amount of attention to the forecast that I normally would. (IE: having to wear ear phones and no antenna)
Question,
What kind of radios do you use to get updates on weather in the BWCAW.
Here is what I want.
4 - 8 ounce AM/FM radio with NOAA stations, and an extendable antenna, battery powered. Price range 20 - 40 bucks. Any Ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Linden "
I was out at the same time, but on Knife lake. We were heading in as opposed to being already camped. We simply did not have a sufficient forecast heading in and got caught up in the weather. Had we been in, and then gotten the update I could see how having the radio would help. You just hang on instead of pushing through. Nasty storm, glad you made it!
03/05/2015 12:30AM
quote yellowcanoe: "I've taken a weather radio that gets NOAA on Lake Superior. Remember none of them do truly local forecasts.
It's a good investment of time to learn to "read" clouds and wind shifts and temp trends. That gives you a good idea what's going on in your neck of the woods
I feel it's a mistake to trust a generic forecast "
+1- In the BW-- you will either get a "West" forecast out of Ely or an "east" forecast from Gunflint Lake or Grand Marais. I have not got the Finland station in the S part-- but that doesn't mean it's not available. I know there is at least one signal boost antenna at Bogus Lake for the E.Side.
They stations cover huge areas--- link-- click on a station to see coverage areas -- and the forecasts are not very specific for that very reason-- however-- anything severe will be talked about in much finer detail. The good radios have an alarm you can set just for that function.
The forecasts 90% of the time will be updated between 4:00-6:00 both AM/PM. In certain circumstances with quick changing weather- they may make adjustments on the fly.
Wx Radios along with a small- portable weather station link I bring has made the difference for myself several times times on whether to go or hold down the fort. The altimeter/barometer also helps in fishing.
As far as what make/model of wx radio? Really no difference as long as the antenna is quality and has an alarm function. It can save your life- not only in the BWCA but even at home at night when your sleeping. Much like a PFD. The really good wx radios have S.A.M.E. technology (Specific Area Message Encoding), which pre-programs the device to receive only those warnings that apply to your local area. No need being woke up at 3AM in Crane Lake for a Severe Thunderstorm moving into Duluth (both ST Louis Cty--)--- SAME technolgy in portable
The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.
03/05/2015 07:59AM
quote boonie: "You may have found this in an old thread, but here's the one I take. It is only NOAA weather stations - no AM/FM.
Midland weather radio
"
Yep, that is the same exact one I have been bringing in the last couple trips. Good radio for its size, weight and cost. Haven't ever had a problem picking up any stations, but I have had walk around a campsite until it could pick up a broadcast.
"It is more important to live for the possibilities that lie ahead than to die in despair over what has been lost." -Barry Lopez
03/05/2015 09:54AM
quote TomT: "I use a Sangean like this one
Heres a video review
It's very light and gets excellent reception. You can get a waterproof pelican case that it fits in exactly to protect it.
"
Great advice so far thanks everyone.
I have a Sangean at home and it is a great radio, I never thought about doing a search for a Weather radio made by them. I like the feature where I could use my head phones if I choose. Then if I am at a camp ground or camping with my wife she/others would not have to hear the racket.
I am a new member and this web-site continues to amaze me with its helpfulness. I guess it is time for me to contribute financially.
May the rivers be crooked and winding, and your portages lonesome, leading to the most amazing view.
03/05/2015 10:47AM
I'm not saying don't bring a wx radio but do know its limitations and never trust it above your gut feelings.
If you aren't feeling comfortable about travel...don't. Chances are on a better day you can cover a mile in just a few minutes rather than an hours battle.
If you aren't feeling comfortable about travel...don't. Chances are on a better day you can cover a mile in just a few minutes rather than an hours battle.
03/05/2015 11:08AM
quote yellowcanoe: "I'm not saying don't bring a wx radio but do know its limitations and never trust it above your gut feelings.
If you aren't feeling comfortable about travel...don't. Chances are on a better day you can cover a mile in just a few minutes rather than an hours battle."
I understand what you are saying Y Canoe and I totally agree. I have been a wildland firefighter for 25 years. With fighting forest/grass fires for those years, I have taken or taught ~20 fire fighting classes, many of which have some portion of weather forecasting in them. I try to read the weathers visual indicators as much as possible where ever I am. When on and off the job I use many weather forecast's and then usually come up with my own interpretation using all available sources. (these include Local forecasts from Radio, TV, Internet and also NOAA). On big fire incidents we have a Fire Behavior Analyst along with an employee right from NOAA assigned to the fire camp who gives us the forecast, and any updates over our hand held Fire radios. We still get surprised once in a while. A couple of those surprises have nearly cost me my life.
I am really not sure why I headed out on that marginal day, except I had already laid over a day on that lake, and I was sticking to my schedule. I knew it was going to be an iffy day. In the future I will use that days slide in my memory and hopefully it will tell me to stay put. It was a brutal day of Solo paddling with a 85 pound dog as first mate and none of it included a tail wind. (I nearly got dashed against some rocks coming out of the Eastern Bay of Little Beartrack where I took the full force of the wind when I hit the whole lake, that's where I kicked/coaxed my dog out of the canoe and started lining it) The cloud deck was about 150 feet and continuous, and It gave me little visual indicators of the wind I would be up against. I think the radio's forecast was fairly accurate (a little off on the wind speed) but I was not listening, either by selective/choice or the fact that I had to put my radio in some sort of contraption/like my coffee pot or on some funny angle on the fire grate to get any reception, all while wearing head phones. (Hence the reason for this post to find an different radio)
I am also a private pilot so I try not to get surprised by the weather but I sure was on that day.
May the rivers be crooked and winding, and your portages lonesome, leading to the most amazing view.
03/05/2015 11:12AM
quote LindenTree3: "I am a new member and this web-site continues to amaze me with its helpfulness. I guess it is time for me to contribute financially."
Good on ya.
And, we had a radio along once but the wind direction and cloud formations told us more.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra
03/05/2015 12:38PM
I've had good luck with the FM station in Ely. But I need a better weather radio.
I kind of like the idea of getting this Sangean CL-100 since it is not super heavy, and it has jacks for some kind of external mega antennas. But, a little too big, not really rugged, and I'd worry about my antenna being some kind of lightning rod.
I kind of like the idea of getting this Sangean CL-100 since it is not super heavy, and it has jacks for some kind of external mega antennas. But, a little too big, not really rugged, and I'd worry about my antenna being some kind of lightning rod.
03/05/2015 12:49PM
Others are correct that the weather forecast you get from Grand Marais on Lake Superior may not be exactly the weather you'll get deeper in the BW. I've had forecasts that didn't quite happen, but usually they have been fairly accurate. I decided early on that I didn't want AM/FM radio to listen to, just weather. If you are only going to use it to get a forecast once a day, battery life is not an issue, so I didn't need a larger heavier one with a crank. Used for a few minutes a day, 3 AAA batteries will last a long time. The Midland one is about the size of a deck of cards and probably weighs just a few ounces with batteries.
03/05/2015 01:02PM
quote boonie: "You may have found this in an old thread, but here's the one I take. It is only NOAA weather stations - no AM/FM.
Midland weather radio
It is small and light. The antenna does not extend very far. You have to find the right spot and turn just the right direction and . . . well I can usually get a station and forecast. I think the only time I didn't was on Alder lake."
I have that exact model and it is terrific. I've used it all over the BWCA already and never have trouble getting a clear signal. The big windstorm that came through last July was predicted by the forecast on this radio starting 2+ days out (although we left the afternoon before), so you would definitely know if something big was coming. It also has the alert feature for warnings that come up in real-time or at night, but I haven't been out in severe weather with it yet so I haven't tested that.
“Once destroyed, nature's beauty cannot be repurchased at any price.” - Ansel Adams
03/05/2015 01:15PM
I have a little Oregon Scientific hand held that I have had for at least 15 years. Uses AA batteries and I have never had an issue with it. It is digital and scans for weather stations. Sometimes, you have to hold it up in the air at just the right angle. I am sure this model is out of production and cannot speak for the current models, but I am very happy with mine. It was a minimum investment that has given me great returns.
03/05/2015 01:27PM
We never had trouble getting NOAA stations on our little Midlands walkie talkies. Plus you get the area weather observations every time thru. In Duluth, it's 50 and sunny, in Grand Marais, it's 45 and foggy, in Ely it's 63 and partly cloudy.
Tonight, a chance of thunderstorms, mainly south of Duluth. Tomorrow, northwest winds 5-10, chance of rain 30%. The current time is....12:23. (we heard it a lot when listening for the time)
Everything gets more specific if severe weather is involved. AM/FM stations don't always care, get something w/ NOAA stations.
Tonight, a chance of thunderstorms, mainly south of Duluth. Tomorrow, northwest winds 5-10, chance of rain 30%. The current time is....12:23. (we heard it a lot when listening for the time)
Everything gets more specific if severe weather is involved. AM/FM stations don't always care, get something w/ NOAA stations.
03/05/2015 02:43PM
quote cyclones30: "We never had trouble getting NOAA stations on our little Midlands walkie talkies. Plus you get the area weather observations every time thru. In Duluth, it's 50 and sunny, in Grand Marais, it's 45 and foggy, in Ely it's 63 and partly cloudy.
Tonight, a chance of thunderstorms, mainly south of Duluth. Tomorrow, northwest winds 5-10, chance of rain 30%. The current time is....12:23. (we heard it a lot when listening for the time)
Everything gets more specific if severe weather is involved. AM/FM stations don't always care, get something w/ NOAA stations. "
:) HaHa, yeah, that's it - I can just hear that voice in my head right now too. What's that guy's name . . .? :).
03/05/2015 03:21PM
quote boonie: "quote cyclones30: "We never had trouble getting NOAA stations on our little Midlands walkie talkies. Plus you get the area weather observations every time thru. In Duluth, it's 50 and sunny, in Grand Marais, it's 45 and foggy, in Ely it's 63 and partly cloudy.
Tonight, a chance of thunderstorms, mainly south of Duluth. Tomorrow, northwest winds 5-10, chance of rain 30%. The current time is....12:23. (we heard it a lot when listening for the time)
Everything gets more specific if severe weather is involved. AM/FM stations don't always care, get something w/ NOAA stations. "
:) HaHa, yeah, that's it - I can just hear that voice in my head right now too. What's that guy's name . . .? :)."
The guys voice is "TOM"- or "Paul" and to be = there is the occasional "Donna" and for our Spanish speaking friends there is "Javier". Paul and myself go way back. :O)
Voices heard on NOAA weather radio--
The two loudest sounds known to man: a gun that goes bang when it is supposed to go click and a gun that goes click when it is supposed to go bang.
03/05/2015 03:52PM
I have this radio this radio, but in red. It goes with me whenever I go camping. The antenna is easily damaged, I bought extras from the company.
Its an Eton FR150/160.
Its an Eton FR150/160.
When a man is part of his canoe, he is part of all that canoes have ever known. - Sigurd F. Olson, "The Singing Wilderness"
03/05/2015 05:13PM
quote caribouluvr: "quote boonie: "You may have found this in an old thread, but here's the one I take. It is only NOAA weather stations - no AM/FM.
Midland weather radio
It is small and light. The antenna does not extend very far. You have to find the right spot and turn just the right direction and . . . well I can usually get a station and forecast. I think the only time I didn't was on Alder lake."
I have that exact model and it is terrific. I've used it all over the BWCA already and never have trouble getting a clear signal. The big windstorm that came through last July was predicted by the forecast on this radio starting 2+ days out (although we left the afternoon before), so you would definitely know if something big was coming. It also has the alert feature for warnings that come up in real-time or at night, but I haven't been out in severe weather with it yet so I haven't tested that."
I have a Midland similar to this one, if not a bit smaller that I've been using for two years now. I also received the weather report in the afternoon out of Fort Frances for that nasty late-July storm. I was in the Pickerel Narrows on a small island site. My new tent fly had leaked a couple days prior, so I was using my CCS tarp as the fly. I spent some extra time that evening putting extra guylines on the tarp and tent. The storm hit in the middle of night. Huge wind gusts, loud and bright lightning strikes all over, sideways rain, pinecones raining down all over. If I hadn't been ready, I probably would've had a trashed tent and tarp.
So I find these simple small radios well worth their weight.
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are -- Teddy Roosevelt
03/05/2015 06:49PM
Again thank you all for the great intel on this subject.
I am kinda leaning on the WR-090 or the Sangean DT 400. Not sure yet, The WR-090 is about 20 bucks and has a factory antenna as compared to the Sangean which is about $50 and has a noodle antenna. I will decide in a few days.
There are great stories on this thread as to why some people, including me want to travel with a weather radio, the 2014 July windstorm reports being one of them. I'm not sure why I was caught off guard last June, but it may be partly because the weather was not supposed to be an (Oh Sh-t Day) just a tough day all in all so the NOAA stations did not make a big deal out of it.
Since I am a solo paddler things get another degree tougher for me on marginal days, besides that, you have no one to bounce information off of to give you a reality check as to, or not stay in camp/lay over.
After 5 days out you only have the voices in your head and your imaginary friend to talk to :-)
Thanks again
Linden
I am kinda leaning on the WR-090 or the Sangean DT 400. Not sure yet, The WR-090 is about 20 bucks and has a factory antenna as compared to the Sangean which is about $50 and has a noodle antenna. I will decide in a few days.
There are great stories on this thread as to why some people, including me want to travel with a weather radio, the 2014 July windstorm reports being one of them. I'm not sure why I was caught off guard last June, but it may be partly because the weather was not supposed to be an (Oh Sh-t Day) just a tough day all in all so the NOAA stations did not make a big deal out of it.
Since I am a solo paddler things get another degree tougher for me on marginal days, besides that, you have no one to bounce information off of to give you a reality check as to, or not stay in camp/lay over.
After 5 days out you only have the voices in your head and your imaginary friend to talk to :-)
Thanks again
Linden
May the rivers be crooked and winding, and your portages lonesome, leading to the most amazing view.
03/06/2015 09:09PM
quote TomT: "I use a Sangean like this one
Heres a video review
It's very light and gets excellent reception. You can get a waterproof pelican case that it fits in exactly to protect it.
"
We use this radio too and have been very pleased with it. Also use it to listen to ball games when sitting around the fire...
03/06/2015 10:33PM
I take a Sony AM/FM/Weather radio along, looks like
this
It has worked great except for last year on Lower Pauness, couldn't get a weather radio signal. Works off the headphone cord as the antenna. No matter direction or how i held the cable, couldn't get a signal.
this
It has worked great except for last year on Lower Pauness, couldn't get a weather radio signal. Works off the headphone cord as the antenna. No matter direction or how i held the cable, couldn't get a signal.
03/07/2015 08:08AM
quote gsfisher13: "I take a Sony AM/FM/Weather radio along, looks like
this
It has worked great except for last year on Lower Pauness, couldn't get a weather radio signal. Works off the headphone cord as the antenna. No matter direction or how i held the cable, couldn't get a signal."
This is the exact one I was using up to last year. It was not cutting the mustard for me hence the reason for this post in the first place.
I did find out that if I put the receiver/electronic part in my jetboil pot or on some funny angle on the fire grate, or hang it on a tree branch, I could change (hopefully increase) its ability to pick up stations. I've had similar issues with it picking up stations in other places in the BW. Even on Insula I had to play around a lot with it to get WELY. (Maybe its just getting old)
May the rivers be crooked and winding, and your portages lonesome, leading to the most amazing view.
03/07/2015 08:13AM
I have taken a few of them over the years.
I have a crank up ETon scorpion that works ok but you have to be winding it up all the time. Weather function is good, but you need to point it just right in some spots to get a station. It is about $50.00
I also have taken a small Sony radio. $29.99. Good over all in finding AM/FM and weather stations.
I just bought a CCrane pocket. So far this is a great little radio. The reception is outstanding with this one on all channels. Battery life with the speaker is 25 hours, with earbuds it is 75 hours. It I just a few bucks more than you wanted to spend but it is worth it. CCrane Radio
I have a crank up ETon scorpion that works ok but you have to be winding it up all the time. Weather function is good, but you need to point it just right in some spots to get a station. It is about $50.00
I also have taken a small Sony radio. $29.99. Good over all in finding AM/FM and weather stations.
I just bought a CCrane pocket. So far this is a great little radio. The reception is outstanding with this one on all channels. Battery life with the speaker is 25 hours, with earbuds it is 75 hours. It I just a few bucks more than you wanted to spend but it is worth it. CCrane Radio
"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD
03/07/2015 08:25AM
I scored an Eton radio on clearance and it works great as a weather radio and little crank flashlight. Haven't been wowed by its AM/FM capabilities, but that's not why I bought it. FM has worked while close to Ely but once you get out of range no music.
I have thought about bringing a piece of copper wire as an extension (it is nice to listen to some classic rock while you lounge at camp on a hot summer's day, having fished and swam in the morning, just eaten lunch, are playing a game of cribbage and anticipating a nap to stay out of the hot sun for an hour or so...), but haven't gotten around to it yet. The circumstances where I actually want FM radio come about pretty rarely, so it's not been a priority for me yet.
I have thought about bringing a piece of copper wire as an extension (it is nice to listen to some classic rock while you lounge at camp on a hot summer's day, having fished and swam in the morning, just eaten lunch, are playing a game of cribbage and anticipating a nap to stay out of the hot sun for an hour or so...), but haven't gotten around to it yet. The circumstances where I actually want FM radio come about pretty rarely, so it's not been a priority for me yet.
03/07/2015 08:31AM
quote LindenTree3: "quote gsfisher13: "I take a Sony AM/FM/Weather radio along, looks like
this
It has worked great except for last year on Lower Pauness, couldn't get a weather radio signal. Works off the headphone cord as the antenna. No matter direction or how i held the cable, couldn't get a signal."
This is the exact one I was using up to last year. It was not cutting the mustard for me hence the reason for this post in the first place.
I did find out that if I put the receiver/electronic part in my jetboil pot or on some funny angle on the fire grate, or hang it on a tree branch, I could change (hopefully increase) its ability to pick up stations. I've had similar issues with it picking up stations in other places in the BW. Even on Insula I had to play around a lot with it to get WELY. (Maybe its just getting old)"
You can sometimes boost the FM performance by attaching about a 1meter wire to the "ground" of the headphones (picture below). I have the same Sony SFRM-37W and it will pick up WELY with the longer antenna. But, I have had zero luck with this radio for weather as well.
03/07/2015 08:56AM
Odd as it sound I have a set of two way radios. It has a built in weather radio that did work where we camped. We bring them anyway while camping with more than one canoe (fish updates mostly, and to track younger party members) so the weather is a bonus.
03/07/2015 09:19AM
quote Savage Voyageur: "I have taken a few of them over the years.
I have a crank up ETon scorpion that works ok but you have to be winding it up all the time. Weather function is good, but you need to point it just right in some spots to get a station. It is about $50.00
I also have taken a small Sony radio. $29.99. Good over all in finding AM/FM and weather stations.
I just bought a CCrane pocket. So far this is a great little radio. The reception is outstanding with this one on all channels. Battery life with the speaker is 25 hours, with earbuds it is 75 hours. It I just a few bucks more than you wanted to spend but it is worth it. CCrane Radio "
Looks very similar to the Sangean on this thread. I like the sleep mode. My Sangean at home has that option.
Does this radio have an external antenna?
I am not seeing an external antenna with this radio and the specs do not say anything about it either.
So my concern would be its ability to pick up stations out in the booneis. Have you tried it in the Sticks yet? If so how is the reception?
May the rivers be crooked and winding, and your portages lonesome, leading to the most amazing view.
03/07/2015 10:21AM
quote LindenTree3: "quote Savage Voyageur: "I have taken a few of them over the years.
I have a crank up ETon scorpion that works ok but you have to be winding it up all the time. Weather function is good, but you need to point it just right in some spots to get a station. It is about $50.00
I also have taken a small Sony radio. $29.99. Good over all in finding AM/FM and weather stations.
I just bought a CCrane pocket. So far this is a great little radio. The reception is outstanding with this one on all channels. Battery life with the speaker is 25 hours, with earbuds it is 75 hours. It I just a few bucks more than you wanted to spend but it is worth it. CCrane Radio "
Looks very similar to the Sangean on this thread. I like the sleep mode. My Sangean at home has that option.
Does this radio have an external antenna?
I am not seeing an external antenna with this radio and the specs do not say anything about it either.
So my concern would be its ability to pick up stations out in the booneis. Have you tried it in the Sticks yet? If so how is the reception?"
Two options included with this radio for a external antenna. First one is the earbuds wire and the second one when using the speaker is a antenna wire that plugs into the earbud slot. This way you will never have to worry about breaking the antenna off with a wire. I also like the idea that not light posted with the wire antenna. I have not tried it out in the sticks yet but all the reviews say it is very good for reception. CCrane has a good reputation for quality radios.
"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD
03/07/2015 10:31AM
quote neutroner: "Odd as it sound I have a set of two way radios. It has a built in weather radio that did work where we camped. We bring them anyway while camping with more than one canoe (fish updates mostly, and to track younger party members) so the weather is a bonus."
Good feature in a two way radio is a weather feature. I have a Motorola talkabout that has weather on it. I had it set for weather alerts on trip and it went off giving me a warning of a approaching storm. We bring two way radios some trips to communacate between fishing spots/canoes or when searching for campsites.
"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD
05/16/2018 05:46PM
3 year old thread but I was researching radios and I bought the Midland HH50, received it today. Just my luck, new batteries, then again new batteries. Alert beeps but not picking up any transmission :( I contacted the seller and will await for response. cost me $25 which is no big deal but it's still $25 out of my pocket. 382 positive reviews on the product, I asked for an exchange because I believe in it. I was staying away from the am/fm types and enjoy the sounds of nature. When I hear back from them will update you.
PS, thank you to everyone for sharing all their opinions on gear, keeping me up a many nights. Coldfeet
PS, thank you to everyone for sharing all their opinions on gear, keeping me up a many nights. Coldfeet
05/17/2018 06:13AM
coldfeet-
I have not used mine at home, but in the BW I have to extend the antenna, then get properly "oriented" - facing just the right direction with as good a view of the sky as possible. I have only not been able to get a forecast once - on Alder Lake.
I have not used mine at home, but in the BW I have to extend the antenna, then get properly "oriented" - facing just the right direction with as good a view of the sky as possible. I have only not been able to get a forecast once - on Alder Lake.
05/18/2018 05:10AM
Thanks old-salt
boonie, I have read many of your posts and buttheads, appreciate your opinions.
I'm going to try one more set of brand new batteries, how old are they really in the store, i'm not to sure?
Have permits for August 14 put in and want to get my ducks lined up. Plenty of time but I'm getting anxious for my first trip there. As of now, solo.
boonie, I have read many of your posts and buttheads, appreciate your opinions.
I'm going to try one more set of brand new batteries, how old are they really in the store, i'm not to sure?
Have permits for August 14 put in and want to get my ducks lined up. Plenty of time but I'm getting anxious for my first trip there. As of now, solo.
05/18/2018 07:57AM
coldfeet: "I bought the Midland HH50, received it today. "
Hiya Coldfeet,
Sometimes with my Midland I have to wait about ten to twenty seconds before the radio picks up the broadcast and I can hear anything. Sound doesn't come out right away.
Hope it works out for you.
"It is more important to live for the possibilities that lie ahead than to die in despair over what has been lost." -Barry Lopez
05/18/2018 08:13AM
boonie: "You may have found this in an old thread, but here's the one I take. It is only NOAA weather stations - no AM/FM.
Midland weather radio
It is small and light. The antenna does not extend very far. You have to find the right spot and turn just the right direction and . . . well I can usually get a station and forecast. I think the only time I didn't was on Alder lake.
I have heard of others making an antenna with wire."
+1 I have one of these and it works really well and is very small and light.
05/18/2018 12:28PM
The lithium batteries have a really long shelf life. If the batteries work in something else, it's not the batteries. Go outside, clear view of sky, extend antenna, turn volume up, you should at least get static ;). Otherwise you probably have a lemon that needs returned.
06/11/2018 03:48PM
old_salt: "I have a LaCrosse model #810-805. It is small, lightweight, AM-FM-WB, even has a flashlight. It has an extendable antenna and good reception. Runs on 3 AA batteries. I like it."
Have you used this radio in northern Quetico?
06/14/2018 03:58PM
I just got this one to replace the old beat up one that always gave me spotty reception...
Reception on the new one is heck of alot better... Plus it runs off of battery, crank, and solar... I have not played with it as of yet to see how well it actually works as a charging unit for other electronics..
Reception on the new one is heck of alot better... Plus it runs off of battery, crank, and solar... I have not played with it as of yet to see how well it actually works as a charging unit for other electronics..
A Møøse once bit my sister.
06/19/2018 07:54AM
: "old_salt: "I have a LaCrosse model #810-805. It is small, lightweight, AM-FM-WB, even has a flashlight. It has an extendable antenna and good reception. Runs on 3 AA batteries. I like it."
Have you used this radio in northern Quetico? "
I have the same model and have got good reception throughout the Q and BWCA. Can also get French forecasts in northern Q.
06/28/2018 09:32PM
I just bought the C Crane CC Pocket Radio and I really like it. I compared it against all of the radio's that I have today and it received distant stations better than all of them. It weighs 3 1/2 ounces w/o batteries and has an external antenna. I just wired up an extra long external antenna that I will try tomorrow.
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