Review on Red Kaito KA500IP Voyager Solar/Dynamo AM/FM/SW NOAA Weather Radio with Alert and Cell Phone Charger by John Faxon

Ordered this last Monday when all our other units were not giving us tornado warnings. I researched radios under $50. Most I found didn't provide real-time alerts (emergency radios) or were cheaply made. It was the only handheld device with weather alerts I could find in that area. I didn't expect much. I just wanted something that would work, I wasn't worried about the sound quality, the extra bells and whistles, or even the quality of the materials. I was over the moon when I opened it. The radio is well made, feels durable and has a soft rubber coating. To be honest, it's about as good as some of the working radios I've used over the years (Milwaukee's or DeWalt's, etc.). An impressive start. Then I turned it on. I thought there would be interference in the signal, poor reception quality and the like. Again, I didn't care as long as the weather groups came. And again I was pleasantly surprised. The sound quality was crystal clear and picked up almost every station I could wish for in the landscape we live in. I can also catch a few NOAA tapes and the one I need the most comes in like it's right next door. . Shortwave bands are well caught, but I know little about them. FM is clean, as is AM, which surprised me. Extra features I didn't think I'd love but the clockwork radio and lights are pretty handy. Ultimately, I worry more about weather warnings than anything else. I can't test them, but I know I'll find out soon. If it's as good as the rest of the product, I can sleep well. It is currently 4.5 stars. As soon as I hear the warnings I will update the review.