at http://community.ubid.com/misc_asp/GenCategoryFrame.asp?categoryID=30118 I happened to see solar radios (that will use a battery backup). They are at an auction site, list price $22.00. Have one and they are wonderful. Have ordered from UBID and find them to be great, they will take a credit card and ship immediately.

-- NANCY (HAYSandCO@aol.com), September 29, 1999

Answers

Does it have crank and flashlight and ac/dc and emergency flasher? I see solar and battery units that have all these features for $20.

-- red (okie-redneck@webtv.net), September 29, 1999.

I've looked at and tested a few handcrank and inexpensive solar radios and consider them marginally useful (unless you live pretty close to the station). I like the platimun edition of the CC radio (url: http:/ /ccrane.com) but it's pricey. Personally I have a superb quality Sony AM/FM/Shortwave radio that I charge nicads for external to the radio. I have a 12vdc Golden Power battery charger (from http://www.alt- energy.com) that is plugged into my house solar power system I use for charging hi-capacity Panasonic nicads.....DCK

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), September 30, 1999.