Handheld Weather Radios

[A Newcomb]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had a opinion on the following portable weather radios?


Midland 74-250, Oregon Scientific wr-601 and wr602.




I've owned the Midland one for several years, and I was considering buy one of the OS models as a replacement. I need something that will be handy during mobile spotting, the Midland has been having trouble keeping a battery charge in the last year.



Thanks for any help.

 

[Steve Miller]

By spotting, if you mean you will be in one area most of the time, a handheld will likely be okay. I haven't had luck at all with them while roaming the plains chasing.
The little brother of the Midland 74-250 is the unit I have. It is in a box somewhere in the garage due to lack of ability to ever pick anything solid up. The unit was feature rich though and at the time, had the best gain of anything else offered.
So, check your proximity to transmitters and take into account how much travel you will be doing - If a lot, look into a scanner or ham unit (if licensed) and go external with an antenna and you'll be all good!

 

[A Newcomb]

Thanks for the response.

I should throw a couple things out there....I'm 16 soon 17...so between school and work....I basically am only spotting in my local area....west central Indiana, basically. I was just curious if anyone had any experience with any of them. Ill probably stay with my 74-250 since it works pretty well.

Thanks.

 

[Ben Holcomb]

I just got one of these for when I need a portable. The radio itself is smaller than my cellphone if you don't count the antenna, and reception seems to be pretty well. I wanted something simple I could carry with me if I was going to be doing an outdoor activity where there was a chance of storms.