Imago Metrics: FR_ <title>Imago Metrics: Radios

Introduction to :First Level Personal Preparedness:Communication Devices : Radios

		Radios, a subset of Communications Devices, are discussed in the section- First Level Personal Preparedness because advance warning of eminent danger is deemed an essential aspect of preparedness and mitigation. Small, handheld radio receivers allow the citizen to become informed of an event that is in progress or to receive official warning of an eminent danger. This type of portable access to broadcast news and information should dispel any doubts about the realness or degree of an eminent threat, the type of threat as well as offering instructions regarding response and recovery from an event that has just occurred. Depending on the nature of the threat, the probability that helpful information will be available from radios ranges from somewhat probable to highly probable. Given that the radios that we've cited in this section are all capable of receiving signals on several bands- AM, FM, TV /Weather & SW-A high level of probability exists that a station would be broadcasting information about an important event. The key advantages of these small radios are Pocketability & Handiness. We highly recommend that you keep a radio and batteries at close hand when traveling- especially where A/C powered broadcasts of news and information may be unreliable. A quick tutorial on Radios is available in the section > Understanding and Using Radios
Radios & Accessories
	CountyComm - GP-4L Retail Price- $22.00 Retail Source- http://www.countycomm.com Dimensions- 3.4" X 2.55" X .83" Weight - 85 Grams not including batteries Power Source- 3-4.5 Volts DC via side jack (no adapter included) 2 each "AA" batteries Frequency Range- FM 76-109 MHz MW 520-1740Khz SW 5.20-18.30 MHz SW1= 49 Meter Bands 5.20 - 6.20 Mhz 41 Meter Bands 7.10 - 7.30 Mhz 31 Meter Bands 9.45 - 10.45 Mhz SW2= 25 Meter Bands 11.01 - 12.05 Mhz 21 Meter Bands 13.60 - 13.80 Mhz 19 Meter Bands 15.10 - 15.60 Mhz 16 Meter Bands 17.55 - 18.30 Mhz Sensitivity- FM < 10 microV MW-AM < 1 microV/Meter SW-AM < 30 micro V Speaker- 40 mm in diameter, 4 Ohms, .25 watt Antenna- Earphone Jack 3.5 MM, Earphones Included Clock- 12 Hour Format with Wake Up to Radio Alarm Accessories Included- Earbud earphones / Instruction manual Comments- An ultra small 4-band radio with a speaker sound quality that belies its diminutive stature. Using the included earbud headphones improves that quality even more. An accessory Compact Antenna is available that plugs into the headphone jack to improve reception of AM & SW signals. Considering that it includes a built in regulated LED flashlight, the GP-4L would have to be the smallest and least expensive radio of its type on the market.An excellent (English Only) instruction manual is included in the package. Though the analog channel selector dial is tedious for everyday use, it's not a bother for emergencies or occasional use at all. This radio is allegedly a standard issue item with the US Diplomatic Corps stationed overseas. It's Not Water Resistant or Water Proof. Recommended
	Sangean DT-300-VW Retail Price- $79.95 Retail Source- http://www.ccrane.com Dimensions- 4"X2.35"X.75" Weight - 3.6 oz W/ Batteries Power Source 2 x AAA Frequency Range- TV Audio Channels 2-13VHF FM (via earphone). AM (Mono) Weather Band Frequencies (WX)Mono 0-9 Sensitivity- Unknown Speaker- 1.1" 4ohm impedance Antenna- earphone or plug-in extension Earphone Jack 3.5 MM, Stereo Earbuds Included Clock- 12 Hour Format with Wake Up to Radio Alarm Accessories Included- Earbud earphones / Instruction manual/Trailing Antenna & Belt Pouch Comments- An ultra small 4-band radio with a speaker sound quality that belies its diminutive stature. Excellent AM/FM digital receiver. Acquires weather band frequencies and local TV stations that broadcast on VHF channels 2-13. A digital LCD displays the frequency or station you're tuned to and also serves as a clock. A handy auto-scan feature makes it easy to find stations, and you can establish up to nine presets on each band the radio can access. A button on the front let us switch to mono mode to reduced static from weak FM signals, and a switch on the top can lock the unit so that inadvertent button presses don't change the station or turn the radio off. Using the included earbud headphones improves that quality even more. Amplified headphones really make a big difference. Headphones augment the built-in antenna, and without them it's difficult picking up up any stations if in a basemen. Accessory extension antennas are highly recommended. User pre-selected settings are lost when batteries are changed Features include: • PLL Synthesized Receiver • Digital Alarm • Auto Scan • Auto Memory Preset • LED Tuning Indicator • 36 Memory Presets • Manual Scan • Low Battery Indicator • Digital Clock • 1-180 Minute Timer • All Preset Auto Scan • 90 Minute Auto-Shut Off It's Not Water Resistant or Water Proof. Highly Recommended
	Etón/Grundig Mini 300PE Retail Price- $30.00 Retail Source- http://www.etoncorp.com Dimensions- -1/2”W x 4-1/2”H (not incl. 2-1/4” stub ant.) x 3/4”D (70 x 102 x 19 mm) Weight - 4.5 oz. (128 g) - Not Including Batteries Power Source- 3-4.5 Volts DC via side jack (no adapter included) 2 each "AA" batteries Frequency Range- AM, FM-stereo and 7 shortwave bands (49, 41, 31, 25, 22, 19 and 16 meters) Sensitivity- Unknown Speaker- 40 mm in diameter, 4 Ohms, .25 watt Antenna- Internal ferrite bar antenna for AM (MW) reception Telescopic antenna for FM and SW reception Earphone Jack 3.5 MM, Earphones Included Clock- 12 Hour Format with Wake Up to Radio Alarm Accessories Included- Earbud earphones / Instruction manual Other Features- • Available in 5 case colors • Analog tuning with digital frequency readout • Clock, alarm and sleep timer • Digital display shows frequency, time, sleep time and symbols for sleep timer and alarm activation • Rotary volume control • Earphone socket • Telescopic antenna for FM and SW reception • Internal ferrite bar antenna for AM (MW) reception • Includes carrying case, earphones and batteries Comments- A small handheld 4-band radio with a speaker sound quality that is best in its class. Its oversized telescopic antenna provides great AM/FM reception. We cannot over emphasize just how great the sound is from this small receiver. The word 'Grand' springs to mind .Naturally, the sound is also grand when headphones are plugged in. Use a clip on Antenna extension to boost the AM & SW reception. It's Not Water Resistant or Water Proof. Highly Recommended
Radio Accessories
	CountyComm Compact Antenna Retail Price- $9.99 Retail Source-http://www.countycomm.com Dimensions- 3.3" Diameter, .65" thick Weight- 1.7oz Comments- The GP-4L Shortwave Antenna is a simple long wire (16' long) antenna that will improve the reception on the short-wave bands for most any portable short-wave radio including the GP-4L. The coil of wire just clips right to the telescopic antenna or plugs right into the mini audio-out port. When you are finished using it, you simply wind it up on it's own neat coil. Perfect for travel. This will really open up the short-wave bands for your listening enjoyment. For best results, position the Compact Antenna outside a building and oriented directly upwards (perpendicular) to the ground. Use as much of the 16' to capture the maximum in reception. An accessory clip adapts the mini-plug into a clip that attaches the antenna. This frees up the mini socket for use with headphones. Highly Recommended	ABOVE: Right, plug directly into 1/8" mini > audio out port for improved reception ABOVE: use the included clip adapter to free up the audio port