NOTE TO AUSTRALIAN BUYERS: These radios are sourced from North America and references to monitoring and weatherband radio advice may not apply to Australia.  The FM and AM functionality should not be an issue as they are a world wide standard. The fact it is digital suggests ABC radio (either AM or digital), widely relied on for fire, cyclone, flood advice emergencies in Australia, should work fine reception availability assumed. The ability in extremis to manually re-charge the radio and small USB devices including mobile phones offers comfort during extended periods of mains power interruption. This radio offers an end to the anxiety of your phone going flat with all the social and safety consequences which would follow.

This is an excellent weather-alert radio. To warn you of severe weather, it detects signals 24 hours a day from climate-monitoring centers throughout North America and issues an immediate alert if hazardous conditions are approaching your region. As soon as an official watch, warning or advisory is issued, it displays a scrolling message across the screen and flashes a color-coded LED indicator. You can choose to receive an audio signal in the form of a voice announcement or siren for any of the weather alerts. In addition, the radio’s digital AM/FM tuner has weather-band channels that carry local forecasts.

The rechargeable 2600mAh lithium-ion battery stores enough power to run for up to 24 hours of continuous radio play, or to charge a cell phone or other small electronics in an emergency (2.1 amp output). The battery is recharged using the crank-operated internal dynamo or the integrated solar panel. You can also use the included USB cable to draw power from a PC or a standard USB AC power adapter (not included). About 7" × 5 3/4" × 2 1/4", the radio has a built-in LED flashlight, a red flashing emergency beacon and a frosted LED array that gives a soft, diffused light. Rugged, weather-resistant and Bluetooth compatible, it is a reliable way to be warned of adverse weather.

In Canada, the Meteorological Service of Canada provides weather bulletins on the Weatheradio network (canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/weatheradio). In the U.S., weather information is broadcast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (weather.gov). Check for availability of service in your area.

ILLUSTRATION OF THE DYNAMO MANUAL RE-CHARGING FUNCTION