product: how many times have we heard our favourite song switched off because the radio’s batteries were used up? To avoid these glitches and give our contribution to the planet’s health (by reducing the piles of dead batteries in landfills), one solution may be switching to a solar-dynamo powered radio. Currently, such products are available practically worldwide, in different models and with different designs.

where: on the internet, several producers and/or retailers make available these smart multi-powered (mainly solar and hand-crank) radios. Below are a few examples of what you can find surfing the web:

• The Sun-Tap Combo gets its power in five different ways. The solar panel on the top of the handle provides the main source of energy. But should you accidentally leave it in a dark closet for a couple of years, you can plug it into an outlet, hook it up to your car cigarette lighter, pop in a couple of batteries, or best of all just wind its crank a few times and you're in business. The Combo stores its power in an internal non-memory energy cell for immediate or later use. This non-memory energy cell is unlike regular or rechargeable Ni-Cad batteries, which have a memory. The cell doesn't have to be fully discharged before it is recharged, giving it a much longer life. The radio also operates as a flashlight, which can be turned into a room-light flood lantern. It even has a siren and red LED flashers for emergencies. [www.universal-radio.com/catalog/flash/4508.html]



• The Solar-Dynamo Multi-Band Radio – made in China - recharges its NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) battery from solar power, its hand-cranked dynamo, or home electricity. Power can also be supplemented by 4 AA batteries. Under good conditions, one minute of hand cranking can yield as much as 30 minutes of playtime! [www.realgoods.com/shop/shop6.cfm/dp/606/ts/1057168]



• The KA007 is a versatile multi-powered, multi-band radio which receives AM/FM bands, four continuous short-wave (SW) bands, VHF, TV (audio only), and the NOAA weather band. It has a low battery LED (light emitting diode) which indicates low battery charge and an LED tuning indicator to locate and fine tune stations. The KA007 can be operated by winding the generator handle, from direct sunlight (solar panel), from the internal Nickel Metallic Hydride (Ni-MH) battery, from normal household current (110 VAC), or from 3 AA (alkaline) batteries. [www.windupradio.com]



• The Freeplay Summit multi band radio combines the best of radio and self-sufficient energy technology. This top-end radio offers its user the choice of three power options: wind-up, solar and rechargeable power. In a compact and stylish design, the Summit radio is fitted with a DC input facility to accommodate the AC/DC worldwide travel adapter (supplied) and an earphone socket for personal listening. The key features of the Summit include coverage of 4 wave bands (FM/MW/SW/LW), digital tuning and 30 station presets. Designed with the radio aficionado in mind, the Freeplay Summit multi band radio offers reliable access to music and global information wherever and whenever you need it. [www.freeplayenergy.com]