Just got my Lee Valley flyer-they have a wind-up/solar radio that also recharges cell phones! and the price isn`t bad at 39.50.
Does anyone know a good source for walkie-talkies in Edmonton?
I think Canadian tire still caries them. On a semi related note Ikea sells some solar charging led reading lights that will also charge AA's.
http://m.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/art/90154371/
"Beets, Blacksmithing, Bow hunting"
You can always check out the Source as well. They usually stock a couple brands from 26km to 50km multi-channel, with NOAA bands.
Canadian Tire actually has a couple models of GMRS handsets on sale this week.
I may just head out and pick up this one tomorrow...
Ok for kids. 35km, really? Not on a good day on open ocean.
I just need one to let my daughter in the tree house know to load her rifle-lol. If I get two sets they can all communicate right?
No problem for that task. At $20 each an ok deal.
Ok for kids. 35km, really? Not on a good day on open ocean.
Oh ya, I know all about the range issue with these radios.
They are more for group travel, VERY local comms, and of course the weather channels are a bonus.
There are 2 types of frequency bands available in this type of radio. FRS and GMRS. Many radios have a combination of these frequencies. FRS radios can have a maximum of 1/2 watt output power. GMRS on the other hand have a maximum of 2 watts output in Canada but they are still limited to 1/2 watt on the frequencies they share with GMRS. In the US however GMRS are allowed up to 5 watts output in a handheld on the GMRS frequencies but still limited to 1/2 watt on the shared channels. IMHO it would be best to get the US versions of this radio if this is the type of radio you are looking at. They are easily available on ebay or from other online distributors.
http://gmrs.ca/
JAB
Costco has a wide variety of FRS/GMRS radios and often has crank radios in-store.
"It's better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret"
I have 2 sets of these and in town I get 1 km tops.
Jab wrote "In the US however GMRS are allowed up to 5 watts output in a handheld on the GMRS frequencies"
+ "IMHO it would be best to get the US versions of this radio" = 😉
Jab wrote "In the US however GMRS are allowed up to 5 watts output in a handheld on the GMRS frequencies"
+ "IMHO it would be best to get the US versions of this radio" = 😉
Good timing on this one. I have small set supposed to be good for 10 miles over hill and dale. It works great here on the farm where its easy to get lost going around a corner. I was going to buy another set for when the the kids are home, but now I will wait and have hubby bring a set from the US which is where the first pair came from. Hadn't thought about there being a diffence.
You might try this link if you are interested in a US-spec radio
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=gmrs+radio&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=
Transmission on 5 watts requires a license in the US, and may exceed Canadian standards. However, in the case of a genuine (life-threatening) emergency, most radio regulations are waived.
The sum of the intelligence on the planet is a constant; the population is growing.
For the battery charging side of things I went solar. You can find 1.8 watt solar panels that go on sale at Can Tire for $10 from time to time. Go to a toy store (I got mine at Radio shack about 12 years ago) and get an 8, AA battery holder usually used as a spare 12V battery pack for electric remote control toy cars or trucks. Make sure there is a diode between the battery pack and the solar panel to prevent the solar panel from discharging the batteries when the sun isn't bright enough, often the solar panel has a diode built in.
Make sure you get the polarity between the solar panel and battery pack correct when soldering in a connecter. I soldered an extra pair of VOM wires on the battery pack for easy VOM testing to determine the state of charge. With good sunlight you can charge 8 batteries in a day at a rate slow enough to avoid damaging the batteries. NIMH batteries in this set up CAN be overcharged 😮 so attention is required to avoid damaging the batteries. With the solar panel unplugged, 10.4V is a full charge on 8 NIMH batteries.
For charging AAA batteries, I would suggest a 1watt solar panel charging 8 batteries in series would be a better idea to avoid charging too fast in good sunlight. Again, overcharging will ruin NIMH batteries so keeping an eye on voltage is important.
Than= I’d rather be rich than poor.
Then= I first became hungry then I ate.
There = She is there now.
Their = They have their things.
They're = They're going to the mall.
To = They came to the house.
Too = That's too bad.