Emergency radio kit: what belongs in it?
A radio in your emergency kit is essential during disasters. But there's an even better solution: communication where you can also transmit
Why a Radio in Your Emergency Kit?
During a disaster or crisis, communication is crucial. The government, GHOR (Dutch medical emergency service), and aid organizations advise having an emergency radio in your emergency kit. A radio for emergency kits allows you to receive official updates when internet and telephony fail.
Whether it's a major power outage, flood, storm, or other emergency – via radio, you stay informed about evacuation orders, safety measures, and assistance. An emergency radio kit is therefore part of your disaster plan and ensures self-reliance in a crisis.
✓ Government Recommends Emergency Radio
The Dutch government recommends having an emergency radio that works on batteries or a hand-crank radio. This is part of your 72-hour plan – the supplies you need to independently survive a crisis for 72 hours.
Which Radio in Your Emergency Kit?
When assembling an emergency kit, you must choose which radio to include. There are various types of emergency radios, each with their pros and cons:
1. FM/AM Radio on Batteries
The most common emergency radio kit choice is a simple FM/AM radio that runs on batteries. These radios are affordable (€15-€40) and reliable. Make sure you have sufficient spare batteries in your emergency supplies.
Advantages:
- ✓ Cheap and widely available
- ✓ Easy to use
- ✓ Receives official radio stations
Disadvantages:
- ✗ Receive only, cannot transmit
- ✗ Dependent on batteries
2. Hand-Crank Radio (Cranking Radio)
A hand-crank radio (also called a dynamo radio) is a popular choice for emergency kit radios. These radios don't need batteries – you turn a crank to generate electricity. Some models also have solar panels.
Advantages:
- ✓ No batteries needed
- ✓ Often includes flashlight and USB charger
- ✓ Perfect for extended emergencies
Disadvantages:
- ✗ More expensive (€30-€80)
- ✗ Receive only, cannot transmit
3. Emergency Radio with Weather Alert
Less common in the Netherlands, but popular in countries like the US: a weather radio that automatically alerts during severe weather or disasters. It receives special emergency signals from meteorological services.
💡 What All Emergency Radios Have in Common
All traditional emergency radios share one important characteristic: they can only receive. You can listen to updates from emergency services and news stations, but you cannot transmit. You cannot communicate with your family, request help, or send messages to others. It's one-way communication.
The Problem with Receive-Only
A traditional emergency radio is useful for receiving information. But in a real crisis situation, you want more:
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Contact with your family: Know if they're safe, where they are, if they need help
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Ability to request help: If you're in distress, you want to reach others
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Coordinate with neighbors: Get through the crisis stronger together
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Share your location: So people know where you are
These are situations where two-way communication is essential. A regular emergency radio cannot provide this. But there is a solution that can: MeshCore.
The Modern Solution: MeshCore Emergency Communication
MeshCore is a modern emergency communication tool that goes beyond a traditional emergency radio. Instead of just listening, with MeshCore you can also transmit and receive. It's a mesh network that works via LoRa radio technology and is completely independent of internet, mobile networks, and power supply.
LocalMesh is the Dutch citizen initiative that helps people use MeshCore as part of their disaster plan and emergency supplies. It's the next step after a traditional emergency radio: interactive emergency communication.
What Makes MeshCore Different?
📡 Transmit AND Receive
Not just listening to updates, but also sending messages to family, friends, and neighbors. Two-way communication.
🔋 Long-Lasting Battery
LoRa radio devices last days to weeks on a single battery. Perfect for extended crisis situations.
🌐 Mesh Network
Messages travel via repeaters over long distances. The more people participate, the stronger the network.
💰 Free Network
No subscription, no provider, no monthly costs. One-time investment of from €50.
📱 Via Your Phone
Connect the device via Bluetooth to your smartphone. Sending messages is as easy as WhatsApp.
🔐 Encrypted
Private messages are end-to-end encrypted. No one else can read them.
Comparison: Emergency Radio vs MeshCore
| Function | Traditional Emergency Radio | MeshCore |
|---|---|---|
| Receive information | ✓ Via radio broadcasts | ✓ Via mesh network |
| Send messages | ✗ Not possible | ✓ Text messages |
| Contact with family | ✗ Not possible | ✓ Direct contact |
| Request help | ✗ Not possible | ✓ Send emergency messages |
| Share location | ✗ Not possible | ✓ GPS coordinates |
| Works without internet | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Works without power | ✓ Batteries/hand-crank | ✓ Batteries (days to weeks) |
| Range | Local radio stations | ~1km direct, nationwide via repeaters |
| Cost | €15-€80 one-time | from €50 one-time, no subscription |
| Ease of use | Very simple | Simple (via app) |
💡 Why Not Both?
A traditional emergency radio and MeshCore are not mutually exclusive. In a complete survival kit, you can have both: an FM/AM radio to follow official news broadcasts, and a MeshCore device for interactive communication with your network. Together they form a complete communication tool for crisis situations.
A Complete Emergency Kit with Communication
When assembling an emergency kit, think beyond just a radio. A complete disaster plan includes:
📻 Traditional Emergency Radio
- ✓ FM/AM radio or hand-crank radio
- ✓ Spare batteries
- ✓ For official updates and news
📡 MeshCore Device
- ✓ LoRa radio device
- ✓ Power bank for your phone
- ✓ For interactive communication
🔦 Lighting
- ✓ Flashlight with spare batteries
- ✓ Candles and matches
- ✓ Headlamp (hands-free)
🍲 Food and Water
- ✓ Drinking water (2 liters per person per day)
- ✓ Canned goods and non-perishable food
- ✓ Can opener
🩹 First Aid
- ✓ Bandages
- ✓ Medications
- ✓ Disinfectant
📄 Documents
- ✓ Copies of ID documents
- ✓ Insurance papers
- ✓ Family contact information
This is the basis of a 72-hour plan – the supplies you need to be self-sufficient for three days. Communication is a crucial part of this.
How to Get Started with MeshCore?
Adding MeshCore to your emergency kit is easier than you think:
Purchase a LoRa Radio Device
Costs from €50. LocalMesh helps you choose the right device for your situation.
Download the MeshCore App
Free app for Android and iOS. Connect your device via Bluetooth – as easy as pairing headphones.
Test the System
Send test messages to other users in your neighborhood. This ensures everything works when you really need it.
Inform Your Community
The more people in your neighborhood participate, the stronger the network. Organize a neighborhood emergency plan together.
Upgrade Your Emergency Kit with MeshCore
A traditional radio is good. MeshCore is better. Ensure two-way communication in emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Radio Kits
Which radio is best for an emergency kit?
For a basic emergency radio, a hand-crank radio is often the best choice. It works without batteries and often has extra features like a flashlight and USB charger. Want to transmit and receive? Then a MeshCore LoRa radio device is the most modern solution.
How much does a good emergency radio cost?
A basic FM/AM radio costs €15-€40. A hand-crank radio with extra features costs €30-€80. A MeshCore LoRa radio device costs from €50 (one-time, no subscription). All affordable options for your emergency supplies.
Why can't I transmit with a regular emergency radio?
Traditional FM/AM radios are designed as receivers. They have no transmitter and no license to broadcast on radio bands. For two-way communication, you need different technology, such as walkie-talkies, amateur radio, or modern solutions like MeshCore.
Is an emergency radio legally required?
No, an emergency radio is not legally required. However, the Dutch government strongly recommends having an emergency radio as part of your disaster plan and self-reliance.
How many people in the Netherlands have MeshCore?
The Dutch MeshCore network is growing rapidly. Every day, more people upgrade their emergency kit with interactive communication. Especially in the Randstad (Amsterdam/Rotterdam/The Hague region), coverage is excellent, and the network is expanding rapidly across the Netherlands.
Does MeshCore work if my phone battery dies?
Yes! The LoRa radio device works independently. You only need your phone to type messages (via Bluetooth). Some users also have devices with built-in screens, so you don't need a phone at all. Do include a power bank in your emergency kit to charge your phone.
Should I have both a traditional emergency radio AND MeshCore?
It's not required, but ideal. A traditional emergency radio is useful for following official radio stations (news, emergency service instructions). MeshCore is for interactive communication with your network. Together they form a complete communication tool for crisis situations.