Thru Hiking With A radio?

[WingedMonkey]

I use a Sony Walkman SRFM37W. Save the included headphones for biking and use ear buds for hiking. About $30 at Wally World. AM, FM, Weather. They use to pick up local TV but that stopped after TV signals went digital.

[CrumbSnatcher]

in 98 & 99 i used a manual(non digital) sony walkman am/fm on the trail
it was small and used 1 double A
alot of the digitals would skip right past stations you could pick up with the manual one. i remember one time laying in my tent, i picked up around 40 different channels/stations. Now i use a mp3 player for work & the gym thats chargable
but use a mp3 player thats run by 1 double A when im hiking, so i don't have to go to a library or hostel to recharge

[Different Socks]

On my 1992 thru, i carried a radio that was about 1/2 inch thick and the size of a credit card. I was chastised for having it, but when we got hit by a blizzard in the Smokies and I was the only one that knew it was coming, suddenly Walkmans and little radios started popping up everywhere.

[Freedom Walker]

My MP3 player has an FM radio so I have the options of listening to my own music selections or picking up a local radio station should there be one available. My biggest problem with this unit is that I will need a computer to recharge the battery. This would not be a problem on most section hikes because battery has around 25 hours of playing life. However it is paid for, so I will keep it for now.

[Mountain Wildman]

I've been looking at this little guy for a while now.. http://www.amazon.com/FR160B-Microli...=38S2APEKQTMA7 ..had something similar, though larger and heavier when living in a mud hut, thought the crank broke; the ability to listen to the radio, get weather updates, have a flashlight, charge up a cell phone, and not have to worry about batteries was very nice.

I had this Microlink FR160 radio and sold it. I took it on a couple trips, It weighs over a half pound and the dynamo crank does work but you would have to do a lot of work, After the charge was depleted, I never got it to play for more than 5 minutes and that was with a fair amount of cranking. The only real way to get a good charge outdoors is through the solar cell but it needs several hours of direct sunlight. On the trail, It would be virtually useless dead weight unless you have it exposed to constant sunlight.
I replaced it with this:
Sangean DT-200X FM-Stereo AM/FM Digital Tuning Personal Receiver



Uses AA batteries, Gets excellent reception, Has a clock, Speaker, Ear buds, Belt clip, Antenna, Auto shut-off and weighs 6 ounces.
If you love music like I do, It's worth the weight!!

[10-K]

Uses AA batteries, Gets excellent reception, Has a clock, Speaker, Ear buds, Belt clip, Antenna, Auto shut-off and weighs 6 ounces.
If you love music like I do, It's worth the weight!!

What they need to do is put all this stuff on a SPOT......

<I need to go do something - you know it's a slow day when you sit around and make wisecracks on WB.......>

[Grampie]

I have a tiny little radio that takes a single battery, has a wire with earpiece, and only weighs like a couple of ounces. I figured it would be great to use for weather alerts/emergencies. Think I found it at a dollar store

That's what I used on my 2001 thru. I brought it at Radio Shack for around $10. Glad I had it on 9-11.

[jlo]

I have a Sansa MP3 player that also has FM radio. Got it at Target. Don't know what it weighs, but is less than a square inch and so can't be much

[tf bear]

Eton FR150. Solar and crank plus you can charge via USB if availble. Listening to base ball games at night is a wonderful way to pass the time. Having the Weather Band is invaluble as well. Try and get that on your I pod. Extra flash light nice to have too. Oh and you can charge a cell phone with it if need be. I, leave the 8 oz of water behind to cary this baby.

[Nearly Normal]

Breaker 1-9 we got a bear in the grass taking pictures.

[88BlueGT]

You can stream Pandora on 3g though, so its not that big of a deal. I would say go for the smart phone if you can. Phone, GPS, journal (if you really wanted to), log, maps, radio, phone calls, the whole 9. Worth it.

[WI_Mike]

I recommend this one

But great discussion. Certainly seems like a good idea to have one. I wonder if even at the dollar store you could find a small portable radio these days.