I don't normally "review" products. But this little gizmo sure caught my attention. Well enough for me to buy one.



It's put out by Etoncorp ( http://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=345556 ).

It's an AM-FM radio with a decent built-in 3 LCD lamp. The item that actually caught my attention was its built-in Weather Radio feature. In addition, it is powered by both a crank and solar cells, and has an earphone jack.



Now, the Weather Radio doesn't have an "alarm" feature, but does receive the regular "7" frequencies used by Environment Canada
( http://www.msc.ec.gc.ca/msb/weatheradio/transmitter/mapping/weatheradio_mapping_e.cfm?region_id=-10058 ). It's interesting to realize that Algonquin Park weather is also carried on FM frequencies also, and that weather radios are also being featured in "walkie-talkie" radio sets.

The radio tuner bears the seven American NOAA "numbers" which translate as follow ...
1 .. 162.400
2 .. 162.425
3 .. 162.450
4 .. 162.475
5 .. 162.500
6 .. 162.525
7 .. 162.550

Testing the radios reception capabilities of the radio's Algonquin frequencies will have to wait for my next Algonquin trip. However, I have noticed that in my backyard in Aurora, the Toronto frequency is noticeably affected by the Oakridges Moraine and surrounding buildings. Algonquin hills may have the same effect, requiring careful alignment of the 10" telescopic antenna, plus an ear glued to its little loudspeaker. When I took it with me to a nearby soccer field, the reception improved dramatically.

I suspect that an open lake aligned with the frequency's transmitter will result in clear reception. It's worth noting that the staff who reads the weather reports, articulate their words very clearly. I found the forecasts details pertaining to wind directions, velocities and their changes over the days to be of particular relevance to canoe trippers.

Barry Bridgeford
(Aurora ON)
http://www.ABRweb.ca

Barry:

I bought something similar at a store in Whitney (crank radio only) as I forgot mine at home and wanted to listen to my Sens play that evening.
I was camped on Pinetree and my radio reception was pretty good. But
the crank didn't last very long and I threw it out a few years ago.

Give us some feedback about yours once you can Algonquin field test it.


Bo

I've found that location means a great deal to the reception.....on our trip into Kingscote, we could clearly get the local FM station, but that was it. I was using solar and crank power.

Foxco
Somewhere in the
Georgian Triangle
Ontario

That's funny - this is the device that my brother was going on and on about all weekend. He couldn't stop playing with it... until it broke. The thing lasted a whole week! back to Canadian Tire...

Hi Barry;

Back in Aug 2008 you said "Testing the radios reception capabilities of the radio's Algonquin frequencies will have to wait for my next Algonquin trip"

I couldn't find anything further on this. Have you posted anything on it?

Rob

I went up to the park late in September, staying at the Wolfden and day-hiking in the park. I forgot to take it! I haven't been back yet this year. Sorry!

Barry Bridgeford
http://www.AlgonquinAdventures.com
http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

Barry, I'm also curious about this radio, particularly the weather report feature.

Does the weather report only issue local reports (ie I'd only receive reports for where the radio is located)? The other question is what wind details does it provide? This is really the main info that I'm more curious about.

How many pennies does the radio cost and where can it be purchased?

Each weather radio transmitter broadcasts local weather. In other words, you get weather reports for Algonquin while you're in the park, but not for Montreal. The reports are about 10-15 minutes long and are quite detailed with short term and long term forecasts including marine forecasts for waves and wind.

I've been able to receive the weather radio forecasts everywhere I've tried in southern Ontario (Killarney Park and south). However, I'm sure there would be some spots where the radio signal is shielded by cliffs, etc.

Weather radios with alert capability (digital SAME) can alert you of a weather emergency in your area, e.g. Severe Thunderstorm Warning, Tornado Watch, etc. There are three SAME alert areas in Algonquin: West, East and entire park. You set the number (CLC code) in your radio for the alert area you wish to follow. For more info on Weatheradio Canada visit http://www.msc.ec.gc.ca/msb/weatheradio/index_e.cfm .

I have a weather radio which is bundled into a handheld 2-way radio with both marine and GMRS/FRS bands. I like it because it's waterproof to JIS7 standard (under up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes). Cobra HH425VPhttp://radioworld.ca/product_info.php?cPath=119&products_id=3047

I took a very basic am/fm radio on my recent solo. I had no trouble picking up weather reports from radio stations, including CBC Kingston, Sudbury, etc. Mind you the best reception was at night and at the top of the Crow Lake Lookout but it was a pretty basic radio set up.

I just got this little unit for Father's Day and plan to take it into Rosebary next week. Will report out on the reception when I'm back..

AM radio is a handy thing to have on any trip. At my workplace lightning is the enemy. I figured out a way to track lightning storms using the AM band.

I plotted where the transmitter locations for AM stations in a wide radius around my work. I live in Niagara Falls, as such I plotted stations from Toronto (North), Hamilton and St.Catherines (West) Niagara Falls, Buffalo NY (south) and Lockport NY, (East).

The radio at work is left on a empty frequency (sound turned low). The empty frequency will be your warning that there is lightning in the area. Electrical storms from any direction will be detected.

Once detected, I flip to the different perimeter stations to determine where it is coming from.

Here is a common scenario I deal with at work.

Wind from the west, lightning detected on an empty frequency.
I first put the radio on 1150am Hamilton hear crackling.
I then put the radio to 610AM St. Catherines, no crackling yet.
I leave the radio tuned to 610AM until the storm progresses to 610's transmitter.

When I begin to hear crackling on 610AM I know it is time for me to seek shelter.

After the storm passes I tune to 1340 AM Lockport NY.

Once the crackling has ceased on that frequency I quickly tune to my perimeter stations to make sure there is nothing else coming my way.


For information on the location of radio transmitters in Canada follow this link.
http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/index.html

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/lightning/index_e.html?id=ON-GL#mapTop

I like that weather service as well. However, it is forecasting rain for the first four days of my five day trip next week! I'm thinking there is still lots of time for the weather to settle yet.

"re

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/lightning/index_e.html?id=ON-GL#mapTop"

I am aware of the website but it is only updated every hour and does not predict anything.

It tells you after the fact about lightning activity. In my area the storm may have passed by 59 minutes ago before it is shown on the website.

The nature of my job requires me to know beforehand when lightning is imminent.

Using the regular weather forecast I could find out that, "sometime today there may,or will be lightning". Unfortunately for me that doesn't narrow it down enough.

The method I mentioned gives real time info as to where the lightning is and when it has passed

This little radio worked like a charm. I've never listened to weather bads before but I could pick up the Algonquin Park forecast (and only that one) quite well. I could also pick up the CBC from London though I didn"t listen to it much (until the third day of rain). I think it's a pretty neat little unit and will bring it again next time. Didn't have any trouble with durability of cranking to re-charge.