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These days you can never be too prepared. While we Gadget Gals are fervent advocates of high tech, we've also been through enough blackouts to know it can be very handy to have some "low tech" solutions on hand. Whether it's a bad storm swooping into your neighborhood and knocking out the electricity or some other problem of modern life cutting off the juice, one of the new emergency radios now being offered in stores can prove to be an invaluable way to stay in contact with the outside world.

Obviously the greatest thing about them is that you don' have worry about batteries, for with a few rotations of the hand crank that is conveniently (and permanently) attached, you'll get over an hour of radio time. And if your family is anything like mine, not needing batteries to run an emergency device is key since the only thing that's usually left when I need to find a battery of a certain size - emergency or no emergency - is the wrapper.

Cognizant of that, last summer after searching and searching for an appropriate birthday present for my husband, I came across a Grundig's Emergency Radio. At less than $50, I thought it was a bargain I couldn't pass up. When my husband first unwrapped it, I could tell he was thinking, "Now what am I going to do with this?" But then he began to tinker with it and let's just say it hasn't seen the inside of a closet or a drawer since it came out of the box.

While no emergencies have yet arisen, he says it's a good feeling to have it "just in case." The truth is that he has it sitting on his desk and can't resist cranking it up from time to time. This little "old-fashioned" shortwave gets good reception for both AM and FM stations, too. The radio also works on three AA batteries and can be charged ahead of time (no cranking) with an AC adaptor that comes with the radio. My husband, however, prefers to crank it up, which recharges the battery pack inside the radio. Then he settles back and tunes in stations all over the world.

The Grundig's Emergency Radio is small - 6.75"X5.75"X2.25" and weights 24 ounces. For some reason, it seems much smaller than its reported dimensions. For example, when you pick it up, you expect it to weigh much more. It comes with a handle on top, a two-inch speaker, an internal and external antenna, a traveling case, and a jack for earphones. (Earphones do not come with the radio.) There's a built-in flashlight you can put to use in emergencies, and because it is an emergency radio, the case is "splashproof," with the exterior made of water-resistant ABS plastic.

You'll find if you check around that Grundig's Emergency Radios come in yellow and gray. Sites that carry them may only offer one color, and there seems to be slight differences between the models. If you are interested in purchasing one, check the sites below and also do an online search for emergency radios. There are other types besides the Grundig that you may want to look at. For our use, Grundig's Emergency Radio has been just fine. My husband keeps it "tuned up" so that it will be ready when we really need it. But seriously, this little radio, or one like it, is something every family should have as part of their "low tech" emergency preparations.

Additional Information

Grundig Emergency Radio
Magellan's
http://www.magellans.com
$49.85

Other places to check for emergency radios:

The Energy Alternative
http://www.theenergyalternative.com

Sharper Image
http://www.sharperimage.com

Safer America
http://www.saferamerica.com