Uuuuh, why don't you trust the windup radios. Have you had problems
with one? The Baygen radios have been used in Africa for a long
time. Over how long a term were you planning to use the radio.

In the case of an emergency evacuation, how long a term you would
need to use the radio would depend on the type of emergency. As to
trusting the wind-up radios, I have read reviews on the internet from
people that have had the crank handles break, and the generator fail
for some reason or other. I could understand the argument in favour of
having one in a shelter setting. But if you are on foot or bike
because of vehicle breakdown or some other reason, and you had to
carry everything on the backs of you and your family, then you have to
become very choosy as to what you would take. Would you want the wind-
up analog radio? Or a better radio, a digital. Same size or even
smaller and lighter then the wind-up?

Do you realize that solar chargers take a long time and that you need
sun or light for them to work. That may not be very practical in a
real emergency.

The newest solar cell technology readily available to the civilian
market, is the thin-film, roll-able,or flexible foldable solar cells.
It actually uses some sort of nano-technology. I bought a 6.5 watt
folding flexible panel at a sale promotion for $79.00. Two days later
it was $129.00. The larger more powerful panels cost much more. These
solar chargers take up little room in relation to their power output.
http://www.21st-century-solar.com/mm...Code=21stsolar
And the new batteries available are a real improvement. Look at
the new Panasonic INFINIUM batteries, (in Canada they are Panasonic R2
Technology batteries), or the Sanyo Eneloop batteries. These new
batteries in AA, and AAA size, in combination with a charger that will
charge several at time with the new solar cell technology is just the
thing to keep our family going in an emergency. Our FRS/GMRS radios,
flashlights, and our am/fm/sw, and our weather alert radio, will keep
running. You don't need the sun every day if you only listen a few
hours a day at reduced volume. And the new solar chargers charge
pretty quickly. Big improvement over older solar chargers.
A lot of the newer electronics in vital areas of our countrys is
more resistant to EMP then it was years ago. (Although the old tube
and valve technology was resistant.) Better shielding, Tested under
simulation, and better, resistant technology, (such as fiber optics.)
Keep a small radio in an improvised Faraday cage.

Cato