Hello,

I took along a C Crane battery powered pocket radio on my May solo trip out of Sawbill, and got virtually zero weather band reception the whole week, even when camping in the Sawbill campground. I tried everything including adjusting the antenna and sitting the radio inside my aluminum windscreen for the stove, but zero luck. FM and AM reception was great, but go figure, they don’t really give weather info anymore, and the stations were too far away to be relevant. I get excellent weather band reception at my home in Kansas.

Has anyone else had this issue? Any better radios out there to try? I really would have appreciated a simple daily weather update while setting camp or leaving in the morning.

Yes same results with my CCRANE radio. I now use my Garmin InReach Explorer to get daily weather reports. A weather report up in the BWCA might be from Grand Marais, or Lake Superior weather. Totally different weather than inland 50 miles. I have received broadcasts of Viking, Brewers games up there on AM band. I only listen with earbuds. You might be able to get WELY when you’re up there. Good weather from them if you can get it.

What I use. It weighs about 3 oz with batteries. Always get a WB signal. Last used on the Border Route (EP 25 to Grand Portage) a few weeks ago - no issues.

I've always used the Sangean DT-400W without issue in both Quetico and the BWCAW. It's compact and lightweight, especially with lithium batteries.

I bought a Baofeng UV-5R for $18 on Amazon and it’s been amazing. The rechargeable batteries last forever and it doubles as a walkie-talkie if your friend has one. Just remember that the weather frequencies are different in the Ely area than they are on the Gunflint Trail. This is a slam dunk purchase. Gets Am & FM as well. It’s nice to have the robot man as a familiar voice to give you the forecast and keep you company on a long solo trip.

plander: "What I use. It weighs about 3 oz with batteries. Always get a WB signal. Last used on the Border Route (EP 25 to Grand Portage) a few weeks ago - no issues.


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+1 this one. Good reception and lightest option available

I have a C Crane pocket radio and got decent but not great reception on at least one band each day out this summer out between Tuscorara and Gunflint on the east and Little Sag and beyond on the West. It varied between receiving a band that was more Grand Marais-Lake Superior-based and the Ely-based band. My unit has a light wire plug-in antenna but I got the best reception using the ear phones and holding the unit up high with the ear phones wire as the antenna. Have been considering a swap so thanks to posters for the ideas.

Picked this one up before my last trip. It was the first time I had a radio along with and it performed perfectly, was nice to have the reports!

Hi Heath!, I am from your area, we live between Wichita and Clearwater. We have good luck with the Sangean 400 that was mentioned, although we sometimes have to move around and/or tie the antennae up high for good reception. The InReach is also great, if you have one. There are other Satellite communicators that offer weather.

I read somewhere once, that weather radio wants to have a 6ft antenna. You can make an antenna extender from an alligator clip and 3-4ft of wire to attach to your existing antenna to make it 6ft. It apparently doesn't even have to make an electrical connection with your antenna - just be attached (the Sangean DT400W antenna is insulated.

Anyone know what the rangers use? I'd bet that would be a good one to get.

I have and use the Sangean DT 400. Has been good for weather band but not great for anything else. Can get 1 station now and again on Iron Lake. Wonder if one of these others isn’t worth a try as a backup? We also carry motorola 2 ways with NOAA, so radio/news/twins games would be the goal.