Looking for an ultralight radio with AM/FM/possibly shortwave or weatherband. I found this review and think either the Grundig G1000A or the Tecsun R9702 might be best choices (not the smallest on the list but alot better clarity that the slightly smaller models). Does anyone have a better idea before I pull the trigger.

Be sure to look at Sangean. The DT-400W has weather. I don't own it but have the SR-3, which is only 2 oz but still has a speaker.

cheers,

I use a G1000a every night on my bed stand. You can discern some slight static or dirtyness at all times. It does good at Am Fm and the shortwave is good for its size. At 8 or nine ounces, I really wouldn't carry it.

I personally think any radio is just overkill, thus non lightweight. HOWEVER, if you really wanted to, I used to have this flashlight with a AM/FM radio combo. It was pretty sweet now that I think about it. I dont remember the brand name, but if I can I find that thing again I will post it up for ya. I am pretty sure I bought it back in elementary school for the PTA catalog program thing.

I think crickets , frogs , owls, birds and critter noises are the best radio. Iknow there the lightest as I dont have to carry them. I get to get away from civilization. I do have a barometric weather function on my watch. it seems to be very reliable in predicting precip coming in. Happy trails

Well said! I can only add to the list - the sound of wind in the pine trees...

I only bother to take one on longer trips and even then, it usually stays in the pack. But again this year I was reminded why I like to have one--presuming I'm somewhere I can get a signal.

On day three of a weeklong high Sierra trip an unexpected storm front appeared with clouds, plunging temperatures, wind, and sleet and snow flurries. There had been nothing like this in the extended forecast the morning we left.

Being days and several passes away from the trialhead, we wanted to know what to expect before either heading farther along the planned route, hunkering down where we were, heading for lower altitude and the shelter of woods, or bugging out.

As it turned out we couldn't get a forecast for another day and a half, when we found out the storm wouldn't get any worse and would be over in another day.

Another trip, a different scenario. Again days from the trailhead, we began to experience heavy smoke and ash, indicating a big fire in the area. Since the smoke seemed to be coming from the general direction of our trailhead, we wanted to know whether we'd be hiking into a wildfire if we stayed on route. A news report identified the fire's location as a couple canyons beyond the trailhead, so we decided we could safely hike out early (there's little fun camping in choking smoke).

So a small radio is an imperfect resource in the mountains, but can be a big help in making the right decision.

When you are solo in a one man tent and it gets dark at 6 PM and you have four hours to listen to crickets, you soon find a radio to be a good thing. My radio is AM/FM/SW so I have always been able to get something. Sometimes it is not what I would choose if given a choice but it usually beats four hours of staring at the tent ceiling.

I am not saying you should not take a radio if you want one.However after dark alone . Hmmm a candle and a book to read works for me. We are al individuals. Amen.

It is interesting because I read a lot at home but I find it physically uncomfortable to read in a tent. I find it uncomfortable to read in a prone position and I have trouble sitting up very long without a back rest.

I stuff clothes in my sleeping bag stuff sack for a pillow. My eyes arnt what they used to be so the candle is a bit of exageration but the headlamp does work well for me. I have consoidered taking my mp3 but just cant make myself do it! I would rather hunt Sasquatch! Happy Trails

I can't say it's the best choice, but I just picked up an Eton Microlink FR160. Crank/solar powered, but the cell phone charger is iffy...you have to keep cranking it to charge the phone.

For power, I really want a solar charger to stick on my pack and charge my emergency phone.

* AM (520-1710 KHz) & FM (87-108MHz)
* NOAA weatherband – all 7 channels
* Built-in 3 white LED light source
* Powered by solar or dynamo both of which charge internal Ni-MH battery
* USB cell phone charger (USB cable not included)

THE GPL-4 and GPL-4L is rated to play 150 hours on a set of batteries (I can confirm that from my use).

The problem is the on/off/led slide switch is easy to leave in the wrong position which will run down the batts... And it is has no lock to freeze the station to where you want it, any bump of the tiny tune knob takes it off frequency...