Do You Need a Radio in the Woods?

In a remote area, a radio may be your only means of receiving news and information. Mobile telephones will likely not have service, and if there is no mobile service there will also be no Internet or e-mail. A radio however picks up signals broadcast through the air, so your only concern becomes finding a signal that is strong enough to receive. In addition to being a source of news and information, a radio can serve as a source of entertainment helping boost morale for those spending long periods of time in remote areas away from human contact.

Here we will consider radio receivers (transmitters and setting up a communication network we will look at in a future post.)

When choosing a radio to take with you into the back-country you should look for a radio with multiple bands (AM/FM/SW). Some radios also contain a WX band which consists of weather channels in the United States and Canada. In the United States and Canada this is certainly very handy, but of little value in other countries.

You will need to power your radio, so having a hand-crank and solar recharging option is essential. Battery power both from rechargeable batteries and standard AA or 9V batteries is important. Additionally, having headphones allows you to keep the volume low, thereby conserving battery power. It is also important to look for a radio designed to be used outside, with a ruggedized, water resistant, case.  Many radios designed for outdoor use can also be used to charge other devices such as your mobile telephone or flashlight. The radios themselves also usually contain a lamp providing some light for your tent or shelter at night.

Is a radio an essential tool for your camp? No, perhaps not, but it is nice to have and adds little weight to your pack. You might also consider caching a radio and a few batteries in your bug-out location should you decide that a radio is something that you would like to have in your camp.

Two radios that I like for back-country use are the EtonScorpion II (AM/FM) and the Kaito Voyager (AM/FM/SW). Both the Eton and Kaito contain the WX weather band. I also include a Sangean Short Wave Antenna to help pick up those weak and distant stations.