American Red Cross SolarLink FR500 NOAA Emergency Weather Radio

If you are looking for an emergency radio that doubles as a desktop radio, alarm clock, weather radio, shortwave radio and is portable, this is the model you want to check out.

The American Red Cross SolarLink FR500 does it all. This compact design with a digital alarm and frequency readout has a small footprint at only 7.5 inches wide by 2.5 inches deep. It has on-board rechargeable Ni-MH batteries that can be charged using using the amorphous solar array on the top of the unit, by using the hand-crank dynamo generator, from a standard optional 5 volt DC adapter (not included) or from 3 optional standard AA batteries (not included).

The FR500 analog frequency dial with a digital display. It covers standard AM (520-1700 KHz), FM (88-108 MHz), all 7 NOAA emergency weather bands plus shortwave bands. The shortwave frequencies are a nice feature if you want to tune into what the world is saying. It is loaded with other emergency features, such as a built-in bright white 4 LED flashlight (great for signaling for help or navigating in the dark) and a siren.

It is important to make sure that any emergency weather radio covers all seven NOAA emergency weather bands. Different geographic areas in the USA use different frequencies. Many inferior models only cover a single band. The FR500 also includes an important weather alert function that can be set to notify you through NOAA broadcasts when dangerous weather is approaching.

The FR500 emergency radio also includes standard digital clock and wake-up alarm features. This model can be used just like a nightstand clock radio in the bedroom or as a counter top radio in the kitchen. But when an emergency strikes, you can pick it up by the built-in handle and take it with you without worrying about whether or not the batteries work.

All of this is built into a compact unit that fits easily in any backpack. The dimensions are only 7.5 inches wide by 2.5 inches deep by 8 inches in height.