On May 2, 4:35 pm, "gthh" wrote:
"Geoffrey S. Mendelson" wrote in ...

I have an FR200. I bought it in 2003 when we thought Iraq would be sending
us
missles with chemical and biological weapons.

A wonderful portable radio it is not. It is a decent performer for an
emergency situation. As long as you keep the battery in good shape
then you will have no problems with it. Mine is on it's third battery.
They die from lack of use.

The FR-200 took a commonly available cordless phone battery. However the
cordless phones I have bought in the last few years took AAA NiMH
batteries
which don't fit.

I would be using the radio a few times a week at the very least. I will be
travelling throughout the world very soon, and I think batteries are the
scum of the earth; they're a huge waste of resources. It's something most
people aren't aware of, but it all adds up, and I don't mind the cranking. I
said cranking george, now Wa...


If you are worried about non-rechargeable batteries being the scourge
of the earth then why are you buying a radio made of plastic with
electronics made from synthesized materials using highly toxic
chemicals that runs on rechargeable batteries made from toxic
chemicals. When most recharbeable devices stop taking a charge the
unit usually gets pitched in the dump.

"Roadie" wrote in message
ups.com...
If you are worried about non-rechargeable batteries being the scourge
of the earth then why are you buying a radio made of plastic with
electronics made from synthesized materials using highly toxic
chemicals that runs on rechargeable batteries made from toxic
chemicals. When most recharbeable devices stop taking a charge the
unit usually gets pitched in the dump.

Quite a stupid post really, wasn't it?

Allow your mal-thought prognosis to consider:

I buy a radio made of plastic, toxic materials, etc etc, and use normal
batteries in it. The number of batteries it would use in its lifetime would
be a huge amount even with normal use.

I buy a radio the same, but that has an in-built replacable rechargable
battery, that will very likely last longer than the same batteries used
above. I can order a replacement for $5, and can send the old one back to
them for recylcing, which simply involves replacing the chemicals in it
safely (and that doesn't mean underground, it means they can be used to
contribute to a number of other products or applications).

The real bonus is also that I don't just use an inefficient method of
charging the battery (ie: a wall outlet!) as I'm using a hand-crank.

As a result of the low-current generated, the radio isn't fantastic. On AM
it's great, on FM it's great, on SW it's 'acceptable' for use with strong
stations. For the price, that's what I expect.

To those who are slightly interestede, the FR350 is the same technology
inside, except it's got 1 extra SW channel capable of receiving, and it's
waterproof to some extent.

Cheers.

Most people buy regular batteries at the stores and use them in whatever
devices,clocks,wris****ches,radios,you name it.When the batteries are
worn down,they put them in the trash cans/bags and the batteries,along
with other garbage/trash get set out front for the garbage trucks to
pick the garbage up and haul the garbage to the garbage dumps and the
batteies wind up buried down in the masses of other garbage.Some people
throw old batteries down on the parking lots,roads,sidewalks,just
anywhere they want to dispose of them.
cuhulin

On May 3, 4:05 pm, "gthh" wrote:
"Roadie" wrote in message

ups.com...

If you are worried about non-rechargeable batteries being the scourge
of the earth then why are you buying a radio made of plastic with
electronics made from synthesized materials using highly toxic
chemicals that runs on rechargeable batteries made from toxic
chemicals. When most recharbeable devices stop taking a charge the
unit usually gets pitched in the dump.

Quite a stupid post really, wasn't it?

Well, yes I agree. You should give more thought to the impact of what
you are suggesting before pushing the send icon.



Allow your mal-thought prognosis to consider:

I buy a radio made of plastic, toxic materials, etc etc, and use normal
batteries in it. The number of batteries it would use in its lifetime would
be a huge amount even with normal use.

I buy a radio the same, but that has an in-built replacable rechargable
battery, that will very likely last longer than the same batteries used
above. I can order a replacement for $5, and can send the old one back to
them for recylcing, which simply involves replacing the chemicals in it
safely (and that doesn't mean underground, it means they can be used to
contribute to a number of other products or applications)




The real bonus is also that I don't just use an inefficient method of
charging the battery (ie: a wall outlet!) as I'm using a hand-crank.

As a result of the low-current generated, the radio isn't fantastic. On AM
it's great, on FM it's great, on SW it's 'acceptable' for use with strong
stations. For the price, that's what I expect.

To those who are slightly interestede, the FR350 is the same technology
inside, except it's got 1 extra SW channel capable of receiving, and it's
waterproof to some extent.

Cheers.

On May 2, 1:17 pm, "gthh" wrote:
Hello,

I have found a couple of SW radio models that I like, that are purely for
portably temporary use. I am aware of their limitations, however I was
looking to see if anybody on the group had any similar products that may
suffice.

I am considering the FR250 and FR350 manufactured by Eton (linked with
Grundig now).

I have ordered the 350 online, and have bought the 250, so have had a chance
to play with the 250 for now. SW reception is mediumly-okay considering the
size of the unit, and cheap components. The 'light', siren, and built-in
phone charger are gimmicky, but useful when I may require them in the
wilderness.

I find the FR250 a bit bulky, and although the FR350 has not arrived at my
door yet, I'm expecting it to be more comfortable, but with foibles. Lack of
intricute tuning for starters, coupled with no carrying strap, 'flash light'
button in a stupid place (cranking could make it go on for example).
However, the actual position of the light makes it good for a torch, but
then you can't see illuminate the dial I'm guessing, argh!

These things aren't great, but I feel are pretty acceptable considering it's
a wind-up radio primarily after all. I want FM/AM/SW and ideally (living in
the UK) LW Longwave too.

I can't find a unit that has that and is acceptable in size and price! The
only one I can see is the 'freeplay summit' (www.freeplayenergy.com), and
it's just too bulky, which is a shame.

Any recommendations? Smaller is better, but cranking is a necessity.

Thanks for reading, not the best bed-time read I imagine...

Gthh (My full name acronym ;-)

The Grundig windup radios are decent for catching AM & FM stations and
will work on shortwave although the tuning is not precise as I'm sure
you know. I think you will find that the performance is about
comparable between small analog multiband receivers like yours. I
would enjoy it for what it is.

We use ours as an emergency radio so it sits fortunately. To be
honest if you are looking to do much shortwave listening I would get a
small portable with precise tuning and much improved performance like
the Degen DE1103.

The first original Freeplay wind up AM FM Shortwave radios were made in
Africa and they were/are good radios.I read an article about them around
15 years ago.The article said the Freeplay radio factory moved from
Africa to China and the quality of the radios then went down
hill.Somewhere around 12 - 13 years ago,I saw a wind up Freeplay made in
China radio sitting on a shelf in a Hudsons discount store in
Brandon,Mississippi. (about 14 miles East of me) If I remember,I think
the Hudsons store price tag label on the radio said $45.00.Naturally,I
passed on by.
cuhulin

On May 2, 8:20 pm, wrote:
The first original Freeplay wind up AM FM Shortwave radios were made in
Africa and they were/are good radios.I read an article about them around
15 years ago.The article said the Freeplay radio factory moved from
Africa to China and the quality of the radios then went down
hill.Somewhere around 12 - 13 years ago,I saw a wind up Freeplay made in
China radio sitting on a shelf in a Hudsons discount store in
Brandon,Mississippi. (about 14 miles East of me) If I remember,I think
the Hudsons store price tag label on the radio said $45.00.Naturally,I
passed on by.
cuhulin

Try the Freeplay Plus, which is a really nice emergency radio that
also doubles as an everyday set. The NiCad batteries can be charged
through a crank, a built-in solar panel, and an optional AC adaptor.
It has also has a detachable LED light that can a real bonus during a
power failure. One incredibly nice thing about the Freeplay Plus is
its large speaker, which actually improves the quality of SW sound.
This single-conversion radio lacks the hum that's usually present with
PLL double-conversion circuits. Its audio quality is smooth and
pleasant, and while it may not be a DX machine, the Freeplay Plus does
a good job for program listeners. Build quality is also excellent .
CCrane.com often has it for sale in the $89 range.