Radio Waves on Core Sound

Thanks to my most favorite now-grown-up crew members, the Dawn Patrol will surf the waves with a perfect radio. What a great surprise on Fathers day! 

Eton Emergency Radio Wave Receiver for AM / FM / NOAA Weather & Alerts


Small and light-weight, this is fine multi-purpose gear that pulls its own weight with a photo-voltaic solar panel, hand crank recharging, main rechargeable battery, optional secondary batteries (AAA), USB port for recharging cell phones, auxiliary audio input port, headphone port, optional charging with an AC adapter (not included), 4-led white or flashing-red flashlight, digital tuning of AM/FM/Weather, clock, and alarm clock.

Does it have a fold-out can opener, screwdriver, tweezers, knife blade and spoon-fork?  Well no, but it does remind me of a Swiss Army knife.

Hand cranking the dynamo for 90 seconds provides 15 minutes of radio play. Fully charged, by direct sunlight for 10 hours or by the optional AC adapter for 6 hours, the main rechargeable battery provides 10 hours of radio play --according to the user's guide.

While not water proof, this radio will be happy in our dry cabin and is small enough to fit inside any small drybag that offers about 6" x 6" x 2" of storage.

One of the things I like most about cruising and racing aboard Dawn Patrol is the time spent in natural sound scapes, or silence, away from the media. But there have been times when even the drone of robotic weather reports on our VHF handheld radios was a welcome sound: for example, when we were becalmed cruising on a hot day, or while racing when the sleep-deprived helmsman needed to stay awake during his turn at the helm. AM / FM will be much better, and is much appreciated.

Brilliant idea, Crew! Thanks!

(Perhaps the crew was inspired and informed by reading Steve Earley's blog, Log of Spartina (1), (2). Hey thanks, Steve. You're always an inspiration for sailing.)

--DWSB a.k.a. DAD.