12v am/fm car radio with weather alert

[Bruce and Jenna]

So me and the missus are ramping up our dry camping efforts, as well as working on emergency preparedness. (We live full time in our fifth wheel.)

I'd like to install a 12volt AM/FM radio with NOAA weather radio bands and the NOAA alert function. Then I'd mount a car radio antenna to the trailer and pick up radio in the hinter lands. (We just spent six days in Death Valley, and could not receive analog or digital transmissions.)

Can any one suggest a radio to meet these requirements? Searching so far with google, I have only found one car radio for $240.

Thanks much.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Wouldn't it be cheaper & easier to get a CB with the NOAA function, or just a separate weather radio? You can still put an inexpensive am/fm in the trailer. Lots of them available in used parts places, flea markets, etc.

[Bruce and Jenna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Roamer [Gary] Wouldn't it be cheaper & easier to get a CB with the NOAA function, or just a separate weather radio? You can still put an inexpensive am/fm in the trailer. Lots of them available in used parts places, flea markets, etc.

Yeah, it would. In fact, I have a handheld weather radio, with three channels (out of seven). And a CB with three channels that I keep in the truck.

But I want to mount an external antenna for the radio for better reception on all channels. So I hope to find one 12v radio with all the features I require.

Thanks.

[Lorna]

You probably have already found this one Crutchfield.com - Noaa

Pyle Marine CD AM/FM Radio, NOAA Weather, Detach Face, Wired Remote :: Car Audio Deals

[wa8yxm]

Can not suggest a radio. prefer to use a pair (one Midland SAME technology weather/all hazards alert radio)

However Crutchfield (Crutchfield: LCD TV, Car Stereo, Home Theater, Speakers, Plasma TV if I recall correctly) has about the best catalog of radios out there.

[FlyingDiver]

Yeah, the only one I can find is $240, for a permanent install. A CB and separate radio will be cheaper, maybe.

joe

[Bruce and Jenna]

Thank you all for the wisdom of your wisdom. I have reached the same conclusion, i.e. separate radios.

What has happened to American ingenuity? I'll bet I could find one made for the Chinese market, but they have different weather than we do. They can send a man to the moon...oh, wait, the Chinese are sending one. Uh oh.

[Bruce and Jenna]

So I almost bought a car radio. Until I started thinking about speakers.

I don't prefer to use standard car speakers, as they are designed to mount in a dash or door.

Can I use 4 ohm small bookshelf speakers with a small car radio, particularly when I'm drycamping and my battery voltage will drop into the high 12s, rather than 13+v for a typical car battery? I don't want to draw a lot of amps. In fact, I'm trying to use an existing power jack connected to a 12v light that only carries about 45watts at 12v.

Or am I making this too complicated?

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce and Jenna So I almost bought a car radio. Until I started thinking about speakers. I don't prefer to use standard car speakers, as they are designed to mount in a dash or door. Can I use 4 ohm small bookshelf speakers with a small car radio, particularly when I'm drycamping and my battery voltage will drop into the high 12s, rather than 13+v for a typical car battery? I don't want to draw a lot of amps. In fact, I'm trying to use an existing power jack connected to a 12v light that only carries about 45watts at 12v. Or am I making this too complicated?

Bruce. See- The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)

A typical car battery reads 12.6-12.7 volts when fully charged. That is an absolute for any 12V (nominal) lead acid battery.

[dkhender]

Just under $200 for this Jensen RV Radio with CD and Weather Channels

[Bruce and Jenna]

Thanks for the info once more. DK - I hadn't see that radio, and it does meet my needs thanks. But I've opted for a handheld weather radio + a conventional car radio for 'bout $110 instead.

Thru further research, I've found that I can use 4 ohm bookshelf speakers with a car radio.
These 4 ohm speakers can be used for your home theater, surround sound, bookshelf, and PA applications as well as in your vehicle.
And there you have it!