by Charles Moorhen

Created on: August 31, 2008

When A Wind-Up Is Not A Wind-Up!

Ever since I was a child, way back in the days when there was no colour in the world and, everything was black and white, I have always been a radio fan or wireless' as we called it back then. With the birth of wind-up radios I have often been tempted to buy one; being impressed with the total simplicity of the whole idea.

Being in a supermarket store last year, browsing and comparing computer keyboards, my eye was caught by a little wind-up radio in a box. I could not resist the impulse to buy, and couldn't wait to get it home to try it out.

Straight out of the box I was impressed.
Although the RAD-306 is made, predictably, of virtually 100% plastic, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that although light in weight, it has a substantial feel when held in the hand and the silver casing makes it looks more expensive than it really is.

For a little radio at the low price of 7.97 (price correct at time of writing, May 2007) it has more features than I had expected.
On the top of the radio is the chrome-finished telescopic aerial, which is multi-directional.
Next to that is the little, black AM/FM waveband selector switch.
The Radio/Light selector switch is next, also black.
Then comes a DC 4.5v socket; enabling the radio to be plugged into a mains socket and used as a normal radio, which incidentally charges the battery at the same time. It also runs on 2xAA batteries if you prefer this option.
Last but not least (on the left-hand side) is the headphone socket. Using headphones with the RAD-306 is a real pleasure, as the quality of the sound is outstanding. Used in general radio mode, the small speaker produces good reproduction for both music and the spoken word - considering how small the speaker actually is.

On the right of the radio is the volume dial which also switches the radio on and off, and above this is the tuning dial. If there is one feature that detracts slightly from to this product it is the tuning dial. Although the station signal stays in place once tuned in, setting the required radio station can, at first, feel somewhat fiddly.

On the far left is the built-in light, which is powerful enough to cope with most general purpose uses, and would come in very handy if used while camping or for car breakdowns etc. However, the radio does not operate while the light is on, but does come back on automatically as soon as the light is switched off.

On the front is the small, circular tuning window, speaker grille, two buttons - red and green - to show battery condition, battery selector switch and the all-important black charging handle. The handle is simplicity itself to use. A few clockwise turns and you are charged up and ready to go!

This little radio is in most large Tesco stores and also available through Tesco Direct'.

A good quality wind-up radio for a low price, that will also go a little way to reducing your carbon footprint.

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