Wind up/Solar powered Radio
 

I am thinking of getting a Solar powered and wind up radio to take with me next year on my trip to Mongolia and back to the UK, has anybody used one on trips and are they ok?
I am assuming i will need FM, AM and SW

We bought a Tesco one back in 2010, it has probably done over 50,000 miles with us now. Just stick to wind up, I don't think solar are worth the hassle.

thanks Bruce

green credentials
 

Ever keen to keep my green credentials going I bought one of these a few years ago wind up radios - buy online for a great price


What a ball ache. The solar bit is useless and 20 minutes of serious winding gets you 5 mins of radio play. The torch is good though even if it is a little heavy!
I was initially looking for a long wave wind up radio but could not find one small enough, light enough at a price I thought was worth it.


Hope this helps if, you find a good one post the details and I will take a look at it.


GM

Emergency Dynamo Radio - Charcoal Orange

I've got one of these, $30aus, about 17 quid. Works fine, though prob no more than 30mins of play per wind-up. I haven't put it to use in loads of different places yet, but it seems like you don't have to get too far from a reasonable sized town before you can't really pick up many or any stations. Though that might be less of a problem in Europe where towns are closer together than here in Australia.

I too purchased a wind up radio from Tesco a few years ago to take on my travels. I agree, it takes forever to wind it up to any acceptable level. It might be an OK idea if there is absolutely no alternative but if I were to want a radio again for travelling I'd just buy one that takes batteries. The batteries can be bought very cheap in advance of your trip and they take up no room in your luggage.
Whether the wind up option is suitable I suppose depends where you're going. Are you really likely to be miles from civilisation for an extended period? Or is your interest based on the 'green' credentials of such a device?

No I was not thinking about the green side of things I was thinking more about the not carrying or trying to get more batteries for one
Caps

I was also thinking about not having to take batteries and it seemed like a good idea at the time. Take a look at this link and then make your own mind up.
Why are dynamo radios and torches a bad idea?


Also I have found that if you are in any remote areas you will need long wave to pick anything up at all. The BBC world service can be accessed from many of the most far flung places on earth with a long wave radio. Any submariners on here will tell you the British nuclear subs use them, if they cannot access the world service on long wave they are to assume London has been hit!


This may help if you are in Europe or Asia.
European and Asian Longwave Stations


I am sure there must be other lists for the rest of the world.


Hope this helps


GM