5 Best Weather Radios for 2012
January 24, 2012
The top 5 best weather radios for 2012, (popular, with the least number of bad reviews coupled with the number of good reviews) as measured from Amazon statistical data are as follows…
# 1 First Alert Public Alert Radio
# 2 Sangean CL-100 Table Top Weather Radio
# 3 Midland WR-120B NOAA Weather Alert All Hazard
# 4 Midland WR-300 Weather Radio
# 5 Midland WR-100 Weather Radio
How did we determine what is the best weather radio? This year, not only did we look at the overall number of sales (popularity) and the total number of reviews (which reflect a product’s popularity), but we factored in the percentage of ‘bad’ reviews as a percentage of overall reviews.
The thinking was that the weather radio with the least percentage of poor reviews coupled with the overall number of good reviews would provide a better overall indicator of a product’s rating.
Good = 3, 4, 5-Star ratings
Bad = 1, 2-Star ratings
The ‘First Alert’ weather radio won first place while using this method with 100% ‘good’ reviews. Total: 120 reviews.
The Sangean CL-100 tabletop weather radio took second place with 94% good reviews. Total: 64 reviews.
The Midland WR-120B weather radio came in third with 91% good reviews. Total: 105 reviews.
The Midland WR-300 has been the most popular selling weather radio by far for several years and has 768 reviews, 87% ‘good’.
The Midland WR-100 has been the second most popular selling weather radio with 350 reviews, 86% of them are ‘good’.
Weather radios are not expensive, and can be life-saving insurance. As a prepper, I would not be caught without one.
Be Prepared. If you enjoyed this, or topics of current events risk awareness and survival preparedness, click here to check out our current homepage articles…
Similar Articles You Might Enjoy:
Winter Survival Insulated Outerwear
January 20, 2012
Winter survival involves keeping warm! When outdoors, we keep warm by adding a layer of insulation (in our coats and jackets) to trap body heat. Down is nature’s best insulator. Synthetic fibers are engineered to mimic down. Fleece is usually made from synthetic fibers although some wool still exists.
DOWN
The advantages of Down insulation are it’s light weight, it is compressible, has the most warmth for the weight, and is most durable.
The disadvantages of Down insulation are it’s insulation is lost if wet, it is slow to dry, and it is expensive.
Down garments make an excellent choice for dry, very cold conditions and are well-suited for moderate activity in dry weather.
SYNTHETIC
The advantages of Synthetic insulation are it’s water resistance, it is quick to dry, and less expensive.
The disadvantages of Synthetic insulation are its modest warmth and bulkiness.
Synthetics are a very good insulation choice if wet conditions are expected. It performs quite nicely in dry conditions too.
FLEECE
The advantages of Fleece insulation are it’s softness, it is breathable, stretchy, dries quickly and is less expensive.
The disadvantages of Fleece insulation are its modest warmth and most bulk.
Fleece is a good choice when insulation is needed during vigorous, highly aerobic activity. (Down and synthetic jackets/vests are best worn for moderate to sedentary activities.)
It sounds to me like having all three types of insulated outerwear is ideal, allowing for all weather conditions and levels of physical activity.
What is Down?
Down refers to the undercoating of waterfowl, including goose, duck or swan, consisting of light fluffy filaments (barbs) growing from a quill point but without a quill shaft. Goose down is larger, yet lighter than duck down making it the down of preference. Down is soft and three-dimensional, used to hold air at high altitudes and low temperatures with a minimum of weight.
Down gives approximately three times the warmth per ounce as synthetics. Far less down is needed by weight than other fillings, which means a much lighter, but warmer product.
Why do down products vary so much in price? An inexpensive product will be filled with immature down, which will provide little warmth, and will most likely collapse after relatively little use. Shortcuts in the cleaning and processing will have been taken, and this will often lead to odor problems. Overall, a “bargain” is usually a waste of money. A quality product will certainly cost more, but it will be warm and cozy and last for many years. Something that costs more but lasts 10 times as long is a better value.
If I lived anywhere in a northern climate, and was a prepper, I would definitely own a high quality down jacket for each of my family members. If you were ever without heat, something like this could save your life. Sounds like good insurance to me… There are plenty of outlets and retailers who sell quality jackets. Do your research and pick something good, that will last you a long time. As a side note, now that I have relocated and am living in a more northern climate, I will be looking for one of these too 
Be Prepared. If you enjoyed this, or topics of current events risk awareness and survival preparedness, click here to check out our current homepage articles…
Similar Articles You Might Enjoy:
Shoveling Snow Can Trigger A Heart Attack
January 13, 2012
The following statement is quite obvious and common-sensible to most, but it is worth reminding. That is, while the winter snow is upon us, shoveling snow can give you a heart attack!
Most heart attacks from shoveling snow result from heavy physical exertion causing trauma to coronary arteries, which ruptures plaques that cut off blood flow.
The burst of start-and-stop effort and the fact that many people shovel without warming up first, attribute to the danger of heart attack.
The exertion involved in shoveling can rupture plaque and cause heart attacks, particularly in those with a family history.
Lower the risk by reducing sudden exertion. Warm up first – start shoveling slow and easy. Shovel early when snow is lighter, and take breaks. Be aware of your level of exertion and heart rate.
Even though most folks have a snow blower, there’s still shoveling to be done around edges, stairs, and other places that the snow-blower won’t go. So be careful, take it easy, and survive!
Be Prepared. If you enjoyed this, or topics of current events risk awareness and survival preparedness, click here to check out our current homepage articles…
Similar Articles You Might Enjoy:
When Is Ice Safe?
December 8, 2011
When is ice safe? There really is no sure answer. Ice should never be considered safe. You can’t judge the strength of ice just by its appearance, age, thickness, temperature, or whether or not the ice is covered with snow. Strength is based on all these factors — plus the depth of water under the ice, size of the water body, water chemistry and currents, the distribution of the load on the ice, and local climatic conditions.
Some facts about ice
New ice is usually stronger than old ice. Four inches of clear, newly‑formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially‑thawed ice may not.
Ice seldom freezes uniformly. It may be a foot thick in one location and only an inch or two just a few feet away.
Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often dangerous. This is especially true near streams, bridges and culverts. Also, the ice on outside river bends is usually weaker due to the undermining effects of the faster current.
The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process. The extra weight also reduces how much weight the ice sheet can support. Also, ice near shore can be weaker than ice that is farther out.
Booming and cracking ice isn’t necessarily dangerous. It only means that the ice is expanding and contracting as the temperature changes.
Schools of fish or flocks of waterfowl can also adversely affect the relative safety of ice. The movement of fish can bring warm water up from the bottom of the lake. In the past, this has opened holes in the ice causing snowmobiles and cars to break through.
For New, Clear Ice Only
2″ or less – STAY OFF
4″ – Ice fishing or other activities on foot
5″ – Snowmobile or ATV
8″ – 12″ – Car or small pickup
12″ – 15″ – Medium truck
White ice, sometimes called “snow ice,” is only about one-half as strong as new clear ice so the above thicknesses should be doubled.
How to check the ice thickness? One way is to use a cordless drill with a 5/8 inch wood auger bit. It won’t take long to drill through the ice to check the depth. Use a tape measure.
Other things to keep in mind when checking ice.
Ice is seldom the same thickness over a single body of water. It can be two feet thick in one place and one inch thick a few yards away due to currents, springs, rotting vegetation or school of rough fish.
Vehicles weighing about one ton such as cars, pickups or SUVs should be parked at least 50 feet apart and moved every two hours to prevent sinking. It’s not a bad idea to make a hole next to the car. If water starts to overflow the top of the hole, the ice is sinking and it’s time to move the vehicle!
(Data sourced from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources – I figured that those in MN certainly ought to have good information about this!)
Be Prepared. If you enjoyed this, or topics of current events risk awareness and survival preparedness, click here to check out our current homepage articles…
Similar Articles You Might Enjoy:
New US Ground Water Map Reveals Severity
December 1, 2011
New maps of groundwater and soil moisture produced by NASA are currently showing unusually low groundwater storage levels in Texas. The map color blue shows wetter-than-normal ground water conditions and a yellow-to-red color spectrum shows drier-than-normal conditions.
The latest groundwater map, released on Nov. 29, shows large patches of maroon over eastern Texas, indicating severely depressed groundwater levels.
The maps are distributed by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and are publicly available on the Drought Center’s website.
The record-breaking drought in Texas that has fueled wildfires, decimated crops and forced cattle sales has also reduced groundwater levels in much of the state to the lowest levels in more than 60 years…
The maps offer farmers, ranchers, water resource managers and even individual homeowners a new tool to monitor the health of critical groundwater resources.
“Over a long-term dry period, there will be an effect on groundwater storage and groundwater levels. It’s going to drop quite a bit, people’s wells could dry out, and it takes time to recover.”
Source: NASA News
States with an excess of ground-water
California, Idaho, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine
States with less than average ground-water
New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Georgia, North and South Carolina,
States that are borderline with less than average ground-water
Montana (southwest)
Colorado (west, south)
Arizona (south)
Michigan (northern, and upper-peninsula)
It appears that more than one-third of the US is lacking groundwater at this time, some areas quite severely.
Fresh water is becoming more and of a valuable commodity as time progresses and demands increase due to numerous factors including population expansion and industrial usage. Weather conditions of course will radically alter conditions over time, if persistent. a.k.a. drought.
Looks like the ‘blue’ states are ahead in the water department at the moment… thanks to mother nature.
Be Prepared. If you enjoyed this, or topics of current events risk awareness and survival preparedness, click here to check out our current homepage articles…
Similar Articles You Might Enjoy:
Survival Preparedness for Winter Weather
November 22, 2011
Winter Weather Preparedness
Here are a few tips to be prepared for big winter weather storms this year.
Before the winter storms hit, check the following preparedness items for your home…
- food supply
- your ‘everyday’ needs that you have (medical? other daily needs?)
- LED flashlights
, and/or LED lantern
(LED’s last longer)
- portable AM/FM radio
- NOAA weather radio
- plenty of extra batteries (Lithium batteries
last longer)
- another source of heat
, in case you loose power
- portable cook stove
, and a percolator
(for you coffee drinkers)
- warm sleeping bags
that are rated for cold weather
If you are going to hit the roads this winter, make sure you let family and friends know where, and which route you are going to take, and be sure to have a plan (and supplies) just in case you get stranded.
If you have travel planned, at a minimum, it’s a good idea to have some or all of the following items in your car.
- blankets (for each person), and/or sleeping bags
- food supply (calorie-dense, at least a day’s worth, food bars are good…), and water
- flashlight and extra batteries
- road flares
- snow shovel
- road grit-salt-sand to help get out of a slippery situation
- tire chains (if applicable to your geographical location)
- ice scraper for windows
- extra windshield wiper fluid
- always have outdoor winter wear (either stowed or on your person)
- portable NOAA weather radio
to stay up to date on any warnings or advisories
- portable CB radio, some come with NOAA channels and quick access to emergency ch.9
- always keep plenty of gasoline in your tank
- you can also purchase a pre-assembled emergency kit
If you enjoyed this, or topics of current events risk awareness or survival preparedness,
click here to check out our current homepage articles…
Similar Articles You Might Enjoy:
Basic Supplies for a Winter Snow-Storm Power Outage
November 4, 2011
Here are a few of the basic items that you may want on-hand while in ‘survival mode’ during a winter snow-storm power outage situation. These are very minimal considerations, but they at least should provide a small amount of comfort inside your home, and will hopefully get you thinking about other items to have on hand.
These 5 survival items can be purchased for less than $200 and will provide enough heat to be comfortable in a room, enough light for the dark, a means of cooking for food, and the taste of percolated coffee in the morning.
Mr. Heater Buddy 4,000-9,000-BTU Indoor-Safe Portable Radiant Heater
During the winter, the immediate concern will be heat. This particular heater will safely and effectively provide plenty of heat for a room. You will have bigger problems if the outdoor temperature remains consistently below freezing while at the same time the power outage lasts much longer than a day (pipes will begin to freeze and may rupture), but this heater will provide a first level of defense for a short term survival situation.
GASONE Portable Gas Stove
This portable butane stove will do the job. I like the fact that it’s flat and will support a heavy or fairly large pot, whereas some other portable stoves are upright and precariously support a pot or pan. This is one of the portable stove’s that I own, and I have been very happy with its performance. I also recommend the Coleman dual-burner stove, but it is larger, and more expensive. Be cautiously aware that a Coleman-type stove / propane stove will build up carbon-monoxide and should be used outside. Butane though, like the one listed above, is OK for in home.
Farberware Classic Yosemite Stainless Steel Percolator
How many of you have thought of this one… most coffee drinkers use ‘drip’ coffee-makers to make their coffee – which require electricity. So, to make that cup of coffee with a portable gas stove, you will need a percolator.
Rayovac Sportsman Xtreme 300-Lumen LED Lantern
This LED lantern is compact, and will provide many hours of battery-efficient light. I’ve owned this model for years and it has served well.
Dorcy 180 Lumen High Flux LED Cyber Light Flashlight with Batteries
Of the many flashlights that I own, this Dorcy flashlight is amazingly bright and is a great value for the money. I really like the design of this one, as a general purpose home flashlight.
OK, so, what else should you have on hand for a short-term winter snow storm power-outage emergency?
Should go without saying, but, of course you should have an adequate supply of food. Be sure to keep some ready made canned food ‘meals’… things like canned stews, chunky soups, ravioli, chile, spaghetti and meatballs, things like that.
It would be a good idea to have a cold-weather sleeping bag. Instead of sleeping under your normal blankets, a good cold-weather sleeping bag will keep you much, much warmer at night.
Since your electricity is out, how about reading a book or two while you sit in front of your cozy Mr. Buddy Heater…
If your power outage lasts much longer than a day, and if it is very cold outside, you will need to take your survival mode to ‘Level 2′, which will require that you have more supplies than the the basics listed above. But, that’s for another post…
If you enjoyed this, or topics of current events risk awareness or survival preparedness,
click here to check out our current homepage articles…
Similar Articles You Might Enjoy:
