Shortwave with a Hand Crank! | Grundig FR-200 Emergency Radio Test & Review

In this video, I evaluate a Grundig FR200 Emergency Radio with built-in wind-up dynamo generator. Frequency bands include AM 530 - 1710 kHz, FM 88 - 108 MHz, and two bands of Shortwave 3.2 - 7.6 MHz & 9.2 - 22 MHz. It powers from a wind-up dynamo hand crank that charges a NiMH battery, or alternately from a 4.5V DC power adapter, or three AA cells.

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From the user manual:
The FR200/FR200G AM/FM/Shortwave Radio is fully portable and with many functions and features:
• Receives AM, FM, and international shortwave broadcasts
• Receives continuous shortwave frequency coverage from 3.2-22megahertz, which includes the 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, 31, 41, 49, 60,75 and 90 meter bands
• Incorporates fine-tuning control knob superimposed on the main tuning control knob
• Operates on power from four different sources:
1) From the built-in rechargeable Ni-MH rechargeable battery that takes charge from the dynamo crank and from an AC adaptor (AC adaptor only included with FR200G Model);
2) From 3 AA batteries;
3) From the AC adaptor alone (AC adaptor only included with FR200G Model);
4) From the dynamo crank alone, even with no battery pack installed• Includes built-in emergency flashlight
• Plays quality audio from the 2 1/2 inch speaker
• Incorporates all built-in antennas: telescopic antenna for FM and shortwave, and internal ferrite bar antenna for AM

IMPORTANT NOTE: If using an AC adaptor rated higher than 80-100 milliamps, or one other than that included with the FR200G, do not allow it to charge for more than two hours and unplug the AC adaptor after charging. If using such an AC adaptor to continuously power the radio, unplug the internal rechargeable battery.

External Power / Rechargeable Battery. Plugging an AC adaptor into the DC 4.5 V socket on the back of the radio will provide power for operation and will charge the Ni-MH battery pack. To play the radio, set the POWER SELECTOR switch to the DYNAMO ADAPTOR position. The Ni-MH battery pack will charge with SELECTOR switch set in any of its positions.

AA Battery Operation. This radio is designed to operate on three AA batteries (not included). Alkaline batteries should be used for longest playtime. Install the batteries by removing the battery compartment cover and following the battery polarity diagrams imprinted on the underside of the cover. Remove the cover by simultaneously pressing on the indentation labeled OPEN and pulling it down toward the bottom of the radio. Turn the radio on by setting the POWER SELECTOR switch to the BATTERY position. NOTE:if an AC adaptor is in use, the AA batteries are switched off automatically.

Dynamo Power. The Ni-MH battery pack can also be charged by turning the dynamo crank following the instructions below: 1. Switch the power selector to the POWER OFF position. 2. Turn the dynamo-crank vigorously either clockwise or counter-clockwise. The red charging LED will be lighted during charging. NOTE: It can be charged while the radio is playing, however it does not charge as efficiently, thus reducing playtime. With hand-crank dynamo charging, radio operation time depends on the number of turns and time per turn. On the average, 60-90 seconds of vigorous cranking results in about 40-60 minutes of radio play at low volume, without light use. If the light is on while playing the radio, the radio playtime will be dramatically reduced. The light will always result in the Ni-MH battery discharging at a faster rate.

Emergency Operation. Even if no power source is available, including the Ni-MH battery pack, the radio and the light can still be operated by continually turning the dynamo crank. Set the POWER SELECTOR switch to the DYNAMO ADAPTOR position.

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