Digital verses analog radio

[Sarah-Kate]

Hi there,

Having read through the topics regarding radios. I thought it best to start at the beginning by buying a simple am/fm radio receiver so we can tune in to emergency broadcasts.

Have read about the Degen and Duronic which both seem like a good option.

My question is, should we be looking at analog or digital radios? In a crisis will a digital radio find it hard to tune in to a faint signal? Will the signal be in digital only? What other questions should we be considering before buying?

Really appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks
SK

[ChefSimon]

I've a simple Duronic wind-up/Solar analogue radio which is brilliant.

Personally speaking I prefer analogue over digital for percisely why you've said; you can turn into weak signals.

In an emergency situation a weak signal is going to be better than no signal. You'll be able to pick out the gist of the message.

The advantage is you've also probably got an AM broadcast built in.

[Yorkshire Andy]

What he said ^


One thing to remember with wind up radios they need regular winding or the little rechargeable battery will discharge and die.. and stop accepting a charge...

been there done that killed a couple..

I still prefer my radio to have a dial over a seek button again it lets you dial in (litterally) to a weak signal

i have a radio similar to this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Radar%C2%AETEC ... adio&psc=1


ok it uses batteries but AA's are easy to get / keep a stock of at home... if your panicking over the end of civilisation generators and battery banks will only keep a radio on the air for so long......

if you want you can get solar battery chargers

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Camelion-20003 ... harger+aaa

[Deeps]

What he said ^


One thing to remember with wind up radios they need regular winding or the little rechargeable battery will discharge and die.. and stop accepting a charge...

been there done that killed a couple..

I still prefer my radio to have a dial over a seek button again it lets you dial in (litterally) to a weak signal

i have a radio similar to this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Radar%C2%AETEC ... adio&psc=1


ok it uses batteries but AA's are easy to get / keep a stock of at home... if your panicking over the end of civilisation generators and battery banks will only keep a radio on the air for so long......

if you want you can get solar battery chargers

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Camelion-20003 ... harger+aaa

You can use any solar panel that has a usb connection (pretty much all the smaller camping ones do) and usb powered chargers, both for AA/AAA and the 18650/14500 types. They can also be used to charge any device that's usb compatible giving you a bit more flexibility.

[Sarah-Kate]

Brilliant guys, thanks very much. Really narrowed the choice down. Much easier decision to make now...

[Sarah-Kate]

Hi Guys

One more thought. My husband told me about the possibility that analog may be switched off. Have you heard this? If so does this change things for preppers radio?



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... years.html

[easy rider]

I can't help 're digital analogue . I personally bought a degem de 13, it doesn't cover Long wave though and I'm sure I read somewhere it doesn't cover full bandwidth for full uk European radio stations .

It's a solid very compact and excellent radio ,excellent reception on all stations.
I have several old fashioned battery powered radios around for home use too with long wave.
I don't have digital either. In power outages even radio stations if they have their own back up generators will only run as long as they get fuel.
If you do choose a radio with built in nihm battery for its solar or crank bear in mind once you connect it use it you will have to maintain its charge every know and then to preserve battery.mine is left unused uncharged and disconnected until I need it at some point as already mentioned.
My primary aa lithium batteries are used in it at present.

Hope this helps some

[Citizen H]

Hi Guys

One more thought. My husband told me about the possibility that analog may be switched off. Have you heard this? If so does this change things for preppers radio?



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... years.html

Hello Sarah-Kate,

Ive messed about with radios for years, broadcasting as well as receiving, I have a Clansman and theres a very wide range of channels / frequency's to listen into (Ive also dabbled with delter FM channels) my thoughts is when and if it goes wrong any form of broadcasting with whatever means will take place and the two main frequency's I would home in on would be AM and VHF, I still have a CB radio in the shed which will come into its own.... one day.

[Sarah-Kate]

Hi Citizen H,

I see what you mean. If all fails. CB and am probably the way to go.

What if it's a simple blackout or natural disaster that we may want to listen in to the local information.

Thanks
SK

[Sarah-Kate]

Hi All,

In case anyone else is interested I found this article. Not conclusive but gives a analog/ digital crossover threshold in 3.4.3 section.


https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... ons_1_.doc

Cheers
SK