Free-Powered Radios, Part One
In this edition, we take a look at "Free Powered Radios, Part One."
I say "Part One", because to date I haven't received all the radios that I want to test and talk about. However, enough have come in, that I've already got some thoughts to pass on.
First, the term "Free-Powered": by this, I mean radios that don't have to rely either on AC power or conventional DC batteries in order to function. Instead, they get their power either from a hand-wound generator - which recharges an onboard set of Nickel Metal Hydride batteries - a solar panel that converts sunlight into electricity, or both.
Second, the radios themselves. At the time I'm writing this, I have five free-powered radios to choose from. Starting in order received, the first is an Info-Mate World Band Portable Model 837. It's an 11-band radio - AM, FM, Air, VHF, and shortwave - that can operate using solar, hand-cranked generator, batteries, 12 volt car adaptor, or AC adaptor. (This set came to me via Sun-Mate Canada; website listed below.)
The second is a Grundig FR200. This is a four-band set - AM, FM, and two shortwave bands - which can get power from its hand-cranked generator, batteries, or AC adaptor. (This set, along with the next two, came to me via Durham Radio; website listed below.) It comes with its own carrying case, and a built-in flashlight on the front panel.
The third is the Info-Mate 836. This is an AM/FM radio that is powered by solar, hand-cranked generator, batteries, or AC adaptor.
The fourth self-power unit is the GM713 Emergency Radio/Light. It's the Info-Mate 836 with a flashlight, handle, and three flashing red 'emergency' LEDs built in.
Finally, the fifth radio, which I received from FreePlay, is the FreePlay Ranger AM/FM receiver. I received the Coleman-branded Outrider; basically the same set, but coloured in pale grey and black, rather than Freeplay's dark green and black. This radio can be powered by its hand-cranked generator, solar power, batteries, or AC adaptor.
How I Tested Them
Now, this is the point in most articles of this type where the writer(s) reveals the tortuous processes by which they test the products they're writing about. In this way, they back up their claim to be authoritative on the subject they're covering.
Fair enough; trouble is, I don't have a test lab here. However, I do have some 40 years' experience as a radio afficionado. This means that the observations and judgements I'm about to provide may not authoritative, but they are from someone who's spent a lot of time twiddling dials.
What I did do with each set, over a period of days and sometimes weeks, was to use them. I used them running from their generator-powered batteries, and I used them with solar energy: either running the radio directly, or charging it for later use. (I avoided either conventional batteries or AC power; that seemed besides the point.)
In using the sets, I scanned across the bands, turned up the volume, fiddled with the antennas: in short, I used them as one might in real life. In one instance, we had a power failure where I used the Info-Mate 837 as my sole source of news.
Okay; enough disclaimer stuff: now onto my observations.
Two General Points
First, all of the free-powered radios worked more or less as billed. That is, they ran off their alternative power sources reasonably well.
Second, virtually all suffered from relatively thin mono audio. The radio that sounded the best was the Coleman/Freeplay: it's got a decent little speaker in it, and was quite listenable. Close behind was the Grundig FR200: it's sure not a Satellit 800, but the sound was reasonable. The Info-Mate 837 came third, with OK sound. However, both the GM713 and the Info-Mate 836 were tinny, and hard to listen to. In fact, my family complained when I had them turned on.
That these units aren't Surround Sound powerhouses is understandable: more power eats more power, and the whole reason these sets work is because they sip electricity sparingly. Still, one likes sound that's worth listening to, and so does my family.
Now the details.
Info-Mate 837
The Info-Mate 837 is built from Toshiba-made parts. As a result, its radio performance is reasonably good. Although the shortwave bands can be a bit tight, a sensitive touch can distinguish between stations. As well, the Air Band is useful for me, since I live near the Ottawa airport. Finally, I like the fact that the 837 charges directly to standard AA rechargeable batteries, which are easy to replace.
However, I have a few concerns with the 837. For one thing, the tuning knob is shaky, and feels weak when you use it. Opening up the set reveals why: the knob is plugged into a plastic stem that is only supported at the tuning end.
I remedied this problem by cutting a washer out of a margarine tub, and fitting it between the knob and the outside of the case. This gives the stem two points of support; eliminating the shake, while taking strain off the stem. Today, it feels solid. A second concern is the plastic used for the 837's tuning scale and back label.
I've run into this plastic before; it's a cheap variety that wrinkles up when exposed to direct sunlight. Of course, given that the 837 is a solar radio, it gets exposed to - you guessed it! - direct sunlight. This is how I learned about the problem, which jammed the set's tuning mechanism and rendered it useless.
The last time this happened to me - with an old Sangean 789 in the 1980s - I hacked a hole in the back of the radio, and attached a knob directly to the tuning capacitor. In this case, I removed the plastic sheets, placed them between paper, and flattened them using an iron. I then glued them back on place. So far, the problem hasn't occurred again; mainly, I suspect, because I used a lot more glue than the factory did.
Finally, there's the question of hand-cranked power. The Info-Mate's batteries don't get much of a charge from the onboard generator. During the black-out a few weeks back, I had to keep cranking the set every 15 minutes, or so it seemed. Eventually, I gave up.
Grundig FR200
I'll be frank: I really like this little radio. Granted, the pseudo-Desert Storm camouflage carrying case I can live without: it makes me feel like a Montana backwoods survivalist. But the FR200 is a nice little receiver. In fact, it fits the bill of the 'Ideal Starter Shortwave Set" for beginners.
What I like best about the FR200 is that it has a fine tuning knob, which is located on top of the main tuning knob. (The two work in tandem.) What this means is that you can actually tune through the FR200's relatively-packed shortwave bands with a surprising degree of precision. This is a very good feature, and one that other manufacturers should consider copying slavishly.
Next, I like the FR200's performance - with the built-in whip on shortwave, I've received both Radio Australia and Radio Finland, which isn't shabby - on all four bands. As well, the audio is listenable, given the small speaker size.
The FR200's also has a solid generator crank, and the onboard light is good enough for reading close to the radio, or using to look for a fuse box. I also like the set's styling: it's been done up to look like a 1950s-style communications-style receiver. Finally, I like the fact that the rechargeable battery section uses a cordless telephone battery pack. It's easy to replace, and besides, it doesn't take up the regular battery compartment.
Downsides? Add a solar panel, and this radio would be unbeatable.
GM713 Emergency Radio/Light and Info-Mate 836
As I mentioned earlier, these two free-powered radios use the same radio stage. The difference is that the GM713 also has a built-in flashlight, and three LEDs which can be set to flash red.
Pros: both the GM713 and 836 charge easily in sunlight. As well, their AM/.FM radios are functional. Meanwhile, the GM713's flashlight, although not too bright, is useful.
As for the flashing LEDs? I'm not sure what these are supposed to be for. I can't imagine that they'd give off enough light in a forest, to attract much attention. But still, they're there.
Cons: the radios in the GM713 and Info-Mate 836 use finicky direct-tune dials. This means that the band markers are on the dials themselves, while the space between stations is minuscule. As well, the audio is tinny and somewhat harsh. In short, these are not easy radios to use, and certainly not radios that you'd rely on for regular listening. Finally, the GM713's and 836's rechargeables are built-in; you can't get at them to replace them. That's a problem, because even rechargeables need replacing eventually.
Coleman Outrider/Freeplay Ranger
Right now, I'm vacillating between this radio, and the Grundig FR200, as my favourite. However, if the Coleman/Freeplay came with shortwave as well, it would match the Grundig in my book. Even without the flashlight.
The reason: the Coleman/Freeplay is a nice solid radio. The tuning and volume knobs have heft, and work smoothly, which the back-mounted crank is solid and strong. Meanwhile, the case is covered in some kind of rubber: it feels like it would take a pounding, and keep on playing. Even the top-embedded solar panel looks durable.
In short, the Coleman/Freeplay is the most rugged portable I've seen in a long, long, long time.
Then there's the audio: the Coleman/Freeplay sounds great. Granted, it's in mono and the sound's more treble than base (thanks to the small speaker), but the Coleman/Freeplay is pleasant to listen to. In fact, every time I have to go to the basement to do some chore or another, I take it with me for company.
The Coleman/Freeplay also tunes decently, with enough separation between stations to allow trouble-free one-handed operation. Reception is also good, as it is with the FR200.
My only beef? The Coleman/Freeplay's rechargeables are built-in; you can't replace them. To me, this is serious: as I said before, even rechargeables have to be replaced eventually.
Radio Addict's Rankings
Okay: there's no way that I can equitably say 'this set is best, while this one is the worst. They're different enough from each other - both in cost and features - that such a comparison wouldn't be fair.
However, what I can do is give you rankings based on overall usability, which to me is what a good radio is all about. Based on this criteria, the Grundig FR200 comes out on top. It's the best combination of band coverage - AM, FM, and shortwave - performance, and practicality. The FR200 wins on this last point not because of its flashlight, but rather because its rechargeables can be replaced without taking the radio to pieces. This said, this radio sorely needs a built-in solar panel as a second alternative power source. Still, at Canadian $49.95/US$39.95, the FR200 is the best value for performance, and for the money.
Coming in a close second is the Coleman/Freeplay. As I said above, if it had shortwave, this Outrider/Freeplay would be tied with the Grundig FR200. And if it had removable rechargeables, the Coleman/Freeplay would beat it.
Third is the Info-Mate 837. Despite problems with the tuning stem, plastic, and its hand-cranked recharging, this radio does have its good points. In particular, the 11-band coverage, including Air, makes it useful to me.
Fourth is the GM713: mainly because it has the built-in flashlight. And at the back of the pack is the Info-Mate 836. Of the two, I'd pick the GM713, because it offers more while costing less (if you buy it in US funds).
So do these radios have a purpose? As entry-level self-powered sets, yes. However, I'd recommend spending a few dollars more, and getting the Grundig FR200.
What's Next?
In a future edition of the Radio Addict's Corner, I'm hoping to have reviews of the Freeplay Plus - an AM/FM/shortwave radio with a detachable LED flashlight with 6' of cord. I'm also chasing down the Sony ICF-B200 AM/FM windup radio, and the Philips AE1000 AM/FM windup radio.
As well, future editions will look at Truly Small Personal Radios - down to the size of a self-contained earplug! - plus indoor amplified antennas (both radio and TV).
Until then, this is the Radio Addict, heading back to his receiver-packed corner.
For More Information:
Coleman Outrider/Freeplay Ranger:
available at www.coleman.com
$49.00 US
GM713 Emergency Radio/Light:
available online at www.shortwavestore.com
$39.00 CAD
$24.95 US
Grundig FR200:
available online at
www.shortwavestore.com
$49.95 CAD
$39.95
Info-Mate AM/FM Model 836:
available online at
www.shortwavestore.com
$39.00 CAD
$26.95 US
(I don't know why this and the GM713, which appear to have the same radio, are the same prices in Canadian dollars, and different in US. However, for the money, the GM713 makes more sense, because it has all of the 836's features plus the flashlight and flashing red LEDs.)
Info-Mate World Band Radio Model 837:
available online at
www.safetyproductsunlimited.com
(US$89.95)
www.sun-matecanada.on.ca.
(Canadian $119.99)
Safety Products Unlimited also has a digital version of the 837 available for US$110.00. I'll have to see about getting a copy, to test it..
Disclaimer: Prices and products may change at any given time unbeknownst to us.