Of the 51 items on our checklist, only a handful appear in every one of the 24 national guides. A radio that works without mains power is one of them, alongside water, a torch, first aid, medication and cash.
Why a radio, when everyone has a phone?
Mobile masts have backup batteries that last hours, not days. In a long power cut, data goes first, then calls. Broadcast radio keeps working: transmitters have generators, and the public broadcaster in most countries has a legal duty to carry official warnings. Your phone may still get cell broadcast alerts while the network lasts, but radio is how you hear what to do next.
Power options
| Type | Good | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Hand crank | Never runs out | A minute of cranking gives only a few minutes of listening |
| Solar | Charges itself by day | Slow, and useless in a dark winter week |
| Batteries | Simple, reliable | Needs a spare set; lithium AA keep for years |
The best emergency radios combine all three, with a built-in battery you can also charge by USB. Many add a torch and a USB port to top up a phone, though cranking enough to charge a phone takes a long time.
What to look for
- FM and AM. FM for local stations, AM (medium wave) because it reaches further. Some countries' long-wave emergency services have closed, so check what your broadcaster uses.
- DAB+ is now the main digital standard in several countries, including Norway and Germany. A DAB+ radio is a plus if your country is switching off FM.
- Standard batteries (AA or AAA), so you're not stuck with a dead internal cell.
- A headphone jack saves power at night.
Know your frequencies now
Write down the frequencies of your national public broadcaster and your regional station, and tape the note to the radio. Test the radio when you check the rest of your kit, twice a year.