I would advise everyone reading this to take a good look at this solar hand crank AM/FM shortwave radio I’ve just picked up. Not only do you have the solar charging capability, but you also have a back up hand crank option if your solar power runs dry and it is night time. This device could potentially be the only means you have to receive updates and timelines for things returning to something that resembles normalcy.
In a grid down or SHTF scenario, one question that will be on everyone’s mind is when will this end. Many people will be totally in the dark, pardon the pun, when it comes to this question. There is a real likelihood that most people will be clueless, and the uncertainty might even drive some people crazy. Having an awareness of the current condition and state of affairs will be very important during times of survival. When you consider the advantage it will provide you mentally, it’s definitely not something to discount.
You might be wondering what a short wave radio is or what it’s good for. Short wave radio is fascinating. The signals actually bounce off the atmosphere and can travel thousands and thousands of miles. If we happen to be in a situation where nearly all communication is cut off, you can pick up transmissions from far distances away that can potentially provide you with updates. If you are in the U.S. like I am, you can assume that updates will be coming from the Federal government in Washington D.C. With a short wave radio you can pick up that signal from just about anywhere in the continent, maybe even Hawaii. The same holds true for Canadians trying to get a status update from Ottawa if you live in Vancouver.
You’ll be able to listen in to naval, aviation and military signals, which could provide some valuable insight as to the status of the situation. There are also signals that will transmit anonymous broadcasts that might provide you with information that can be valuable to you when things are uncertain.
