Eton FRX5 Emergency Weather Radio | Photo Mountain Weekly News
I’m happy to say that the Eton FRX5 Emergency Weather Radio is that high-quality NOAA weather radio that is great for the home, office, or car. It’s also great for camping/hunting trips and other outdoor excursions.
NOAA Weather Radio
I put the Eton FRX5 wind up weather band radio through the paces as soon as I got it. I tested all of the bands – AM, FM, and NOAA Weather – and they all have excellent reception. The weather stations came through fine and the audio was crisp and clear on the local AM/FM stations. Sure, awesome audio quality isn’t exactly the reason to buy an emergency radio, but it’s definitely a nice side benefit.
When you set the Eton Weather Radio “Alert” function to on, it automatically broadcasts NOAA emergency weather alerts for your area. S.A.M.E (Specific Area Message Encoding) technology makes this even more effective. It customizes alerts to your specific location.
How to Power
One of the best things about the Eton FRX5 is its four power options. The primary one is its rechargeable lithium battery. It can also be charged with a solar panel (takes about five hours), AAA batteries, and a hand crank. The hand crank is especially effective and charges the radio up quickly. Five minutes of cranking produces up to fifteen minutes of power. It’s always surprising how far a little elbow grease can go.
Another useful feature of the Eton FRX5 Radio is its ability to charge smartphones, tablets, and similar devices. The 5V 2.1A USB output makes for fast charging by any of the power methods. You basically charge your phone via a battery dump from the radio’s rechargeable battery pack. Just recharge the radio battery and then plug in your phone. This means that you don’t have to sit there cranking the hand crank the entire time.
Compare Prices
-
Amazon US$4.91ViewAmazon.com Price: $4.91 (as of 09/22/2023 20:09 MDT) Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
-
Best Buy$99.99View
A number of additional features help the Eton FRX5 stick out from other emergency weather radios on the market. These include a digital display and alarm clock, headphone jack, and AUX-input so you can listen to your own tunes. I was particularly impressed with the LED flashlight feature. It’s a good backup plan for finding your way in the night. The glow-in-the-dark locater and illuminated buttons also help for nighttime operation. The FRX5 even comes with a flashing red emergency beacon for use in super serious situations.
Overall Impression
The Eton FRX5 Emergency Radio ($99) is a solid emergency weather radio in every regard. It is rugged, rechargeable, and reliable – all characteristics that are essential in emergency situations. It broadcasts AM/FM/NOAA bands and has four power options including high-efficiency solar panels and a hand crank.
Keep this radio in your home, office, or car and be safe and prepared if and when an emergency strikes. Better yet buy one for a loved one.
Related Articles:
Hello, my package mentions batteries to arrive with item, no batteries, my port piece doesn’t not plug into my cell phone. I received this item for my retirement/in 2017. I had no reason at the time to explore, NOW ITS NO Good to me!!!!
On the FRX5 can the AM and FM channels be saved to a specific channel?
Arlene,
I have not really used the FM/AM as much. the FRX5 is our dedicated NOAA weather radio for the office. Anytime storms are coming we turn this thing on.
Where on the FRX5 is the compartment for the AAA batteries?
On the bottom
Do you know by any chance how do you change the rechargeable batteries in FRX5? I guess in a few years they will be gone and need replacement
Sarge.
There is a plastic screw on the bottom that accesses an area that holds replaceable batteries. You will need a screwdriver or the end of a butter knife to open. Typically I leave mine a window getting the solar charge as the main power source. Thanks for reaching out.