Intel gathering-radio

The vary first tool for gathering intel [information or intelligence] is a good AM/FM portable radio, what we used to call a transistor radio. Most people will aim first at something that runs off of 2 to 4 AA [double A] batteries. Ideally they would be rechargeable batteries. It would be good to have an external power source such as 110 plug in that would both run the radio while you were stationary and charge your batteries at the same time.

I have several of the small portable radios. One is called Xventure. I do not recall now where I picked it up from nor how much I paid for it. It is both AM & FM and the weather band. It will run off of the wall plug in, it has an internal set of batteries which will charge when the unit is plugged in. You can also insert 2 double A disposable or rechargeable batteries to run the radio. And you can charge those batteries via a hand crank dynamo which I really like as I can charge and run it for an extended period without the grid.  Lastly you can listen via ear buds or headphones which will save on power and keep others from hearing what you are listening to.

Another small radio that I have is from ‘safety cross’ it automatically scans for the next available station and locks onto it. It has an on off & volume control and it does NOT have an earphone plug which means that it will use more power and others will hear it. There is a plug in to charge your cell phone with the hand crank as you charge the radio itself. It does make noise with a siren which will attract attention. It also has a compass on the crank handle. Something that I really like about this unit is that it has a flashlight feature. The settings are LOW – 1 led, HIGH – 4 led and high blinking to signal for help.

The radio that I normally like the best is an energizer weather ready. This radio has a hand crank to power it. It has both AM & FM with a real tuner and a volume control. There is a plug for ear buds or headphones to conserve power and be quieter. It has a siren to attract attention. Lastly in has a flashlight with 2 basic settings, a single red led and 4 bright led bulbs. It is also the smallest of the 3.

In addition to being able to hear the news reports entertainment a battery operated radio is hard to beat. If you have a tin can to work with you will be able to tell direction with it. ;]  How is that? You may well ask. The tin can blocks the signal from behind and the sides and collect more signal from directly in front of it. How to do that? First tune in the radio to a good strong station and then put the radio inside. Now slowly turn around in a circle with the open end of the can level and pointing away from you. Most of the time, you will not hear anything. As you turn around at some point you will start to hear the station. When you have found the strongest signal, you can follow that signal until you find other people. Aircraft would consider this to be a ‘homing’ signal.

http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/cb-radio/