It's a fun radio, typical of analog tuning it seems easier to find stations
than with digital in terms of searching through the dial.

Unfortunately, frequencies are rather narrowly spaced, so that it's also very
easy to pass by stations without knowing it.

Though I think that I would be able to rig something from the wrong size
batteries in the event of an emergency (i.e., put 2 D cells together with the
requisite plug and use the DC jack to power the radio), this would be time
consuming and impractical for many. The Crank feature is nice, certainly would
get the radio operating in the event of an emergency.

Go for it. Don't expect Drake level performance, but enjoy what it is.

Regards.



In article , "AbbN"
wrote:
Hi,

After this power failure I'm seriously thinking about getting one of these
since they only cost $50 here in Canada. I was lucky that my batteries in my
DX-398 and 400PE were charged up and that we didn't go too long without
power. I suppose back up batteries may be cheaper but I'd like to hear any
opinions anyone may have of this thing.


Never say never.
Nothing is absolute.

I tried one of these. I found the crowded dial a bit cumbersome, too. But it
does have a fine-tuning knob which is great and the frequency accuracy seemed
to be quite good.

It's recommended that the rechargable battery not be used until it's really
needed. Infrequent use of rechargables seems to shorten their lives.

I have so many things, radio and otherwise, that use the standard cells that I
believe I could go a long time with what's in everything and what I have as
spares.

I seem to recall a radio that had a clock drive in it that was woulnd up and
then drove the generator, thus not needing a battery. Weren't these things made
for the African bush?

Bill, K5BY

Actually, I don't know if the batteries are NiCad or NiMh, if the latter, I
don't believe that they have the memory problems associated with the former.

http://www.epinions.com/content_100988391044

The above link is truly a glowing review. The author discusses the use of the
rechargeable batteries on a daily basis.


http://windupradio.com/grundigradio+.htm

A retailer's page on the FR 200


It is a nice radio though. I've posted my comments before on the fact that the
radio feels like it was made by Fisher Price, but I mean that endearingly. The
plastic is relatively soft, and I think that the ability of the radio's shell
to survive a fall is enhanced by the materials that they used.

Regards.


In article ,
(WShoots1) wrote:
I tried one of these. I found the crowded dial a bit cumbersome, too. But it
does have a fine-tuning knob which is great and the frequency accuracy seemed
to be quite good.

It's recommended that the rechargable battery not be used until it's really
needed. Infrequent use of rechargables seems to shorten their lives.

I have so many things, radio and otherwise, that use the standard cells that I
believe I could go a long time with what's in everything and what I have as
spares.

I seem to recall a radio that had a clock drive in it that was woulnd up and
then drove the generator, thus not needing a battery. Weren't these things made
for the African bush?

Bill, K5BY

Never say never.
Nothing is absolute.