Going Retro – Portable AM/FM Radios

For over 100 years, radio has been a reliable source of news, information, and even entertainment. With advancements in technology, especially the internet and wireless, many people have moved away from radio. Even though small, personal radios may not be as popular as they once were, they’re still a very efficient and inexpensive way to stay informed, especially during a crisis when other forms of communication may not be available. 

In this article, we look at C. Crane AM/FM, multi-band capable portable radios, and how these compact, handheld units can be used for maximum effectiveness during emergencies and everyday use.

 

Old Tech, New Life

When I was growing up, we didn’t have smartphones, personal computers, or the internet. We had one TV, a rotary phone (landline), and a few transistor radios. Besides newspapers, this was how we stayed informed. As a kid, I would spend hours with my personal transistor radio. I would listen to sports, news, and even the latest music. 

Luckily, portable radios are still around, and they’re way better than anything we had back in the day. Some of these newer radios can even provide a distinct advantage over more “modern” technologies, especially during a crisis. 

Here are some exceptional radios that we are adding to our survival gear:

CC Pocket

The CC Pocket (CCPKT) combines incredible features with a compact package and ease of operation. While it’s the smallest radio of the three, it’s an outstanding performer. Here are some of the features:

• Great Reception – Clear, high-quality sound for voice or music. Built-in speaker or use CC Buds earphones.
• Display – Lighted, battery and signal strength meter, sleep timer, clock, alarm.
• Bands – AM/FM, NOAA Weather w alerts. (Selectable narrow or wide AM filter.)
• Tuning Steps – 1, 9, or 10 KHz selectable.
• Power – Runs on (2) AA batteries. (Approximately 100 hours with earbuds, 80 hours with built-in speaker.)
• Extras – Lock switch, rubber-protected sides, removable belt clip, five 1-touch memory buttons (50 memories total), external FM antenna wire for improved reception. One-year warranty, lifetime tech support. 
• Size – 2.5” W x 4.25” H, 1” D. Weighs – 3.8 oz. (w/o batteries) 

CC Skywave

 

The CC Skywave (SKWV) is an amazing little radio for home or travel. Slightly bigger than the CC Pocket but with a lot more features and better sound. 

• Excellent Reception – Clear, high-quality sound for voice or music. Built-in speaker or use CC Buds earphones.
• Display – Lighted LCD, battery and signal strength meter, sleep timer, clock (12/24), alarm.
• Bands – AM/FM, Weather plus alerts, Shortwave (2.3-26.1 MHz) and Aviation Band. (Selectable fast or fine-tuning on all bands except weather.) Direct entry of a frequency, or auto scan, preset.
• Power – Runs on (2) AA batteries (approximately 70 hours with earbuds, 60 hours with built-in speaker.) or an optional AC adapter. 
• Extras – Lock switch, wrist strap, carrying case, CC Buds, fold-out stand. One-year warranty, lifetime tech support.
• Size – 4.75” W x 3” H x 1.1” D. Weight – 6oz. (w/o batteries)

 

CC Radio Solar

The CC Radio Solar (CCRS) is a small digital emergency radio for home or travel. While bigger (and heavier) than the CC Pocket and the CC Skywave, the Solar is a manageable size and the perfect grid-down radio, featuring various power options, including solar and hand-crank wind-up.

• Crystal clear reception, audio-tuned voice clarity.
• Bands – AM/FM, WX, NOAA Weather with alerts (Selectable fast or fine tuning on all bands except weather). Direct entry of a frequency, or auto scan, preset.
• Tuning Steps – 1, 9, or 10 KHz selectable. 
• Display – Lighted LCD, battery and signal strength meter, sleep timer, clock (12/24), alarm.
• Power – Uses (3) AA batteries (Approximately 35-50 hours), wind-up, solar (Approximately 50 hours w 3.7V lithium-ion battery), or USB. (Choose between two modes – “Miser” to conserve power and “High-Power” for superior performance.) 
• Extras – Built-in LED flashlight, Micro USB charging port & cable, USB out port (phone charging), durable UV resistant rubber case, audio line-in cable, headphone jack, five memory presets per band. One-year warranty, lifetime tech support.
• Size – 6” W x 3” H x 2.25” D. Weight – 1.1lbs. (Although heavier and larger than the other two radios, the Radio Solar features unlimited battery life utilizing the hand-crank wind-up or the built-in solar panel, along with a rechargeable 3.7V lithium-ion battery.

 

Wrap-Up

Having access to local/national news reports and emergency alerts may one day save your life. Keeping informed and having actionable intelligence can also help you make the best possible decisions during a natural or man-made crisis. Portable AM/FM radios can be an excellent way to stay informed, especially when other communication methods fail. These radios are inexpensive, easy to use, and don’t require any special license or training. Overall, they’re an excellent addition to your survival planning and gear.

About The Author

Richard is a practicing attorney, an urban survival consultant, writer, firearms enthusiast, and freedom loving American patriot. He’s the author of Surviving Doomsday: A Guide for Surviving an Urban Disaster, and The Quick Start Guide for Urban Preparedness. Richard’s books are available at Amazon and other fine retailers. You can connect with Richard on Twitter @SurvivingDoomsd

DISCLAIMER

The materials provided are for illustration and/or informational purposes only. Any use of the information contained in this article shall be solely at the reader’s risk.

Sources:

C. Crane Co

800-522-8863

www.ccrane.com