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Eton Quest Hand-Crank NOAA Weather Radio

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Shortwave meets the emergency radio

The Eton Quest is the odd one out in the best way: an all-band radio — FM, AM, shortwave, and NOAA weather — wrapped in an emergency-ready body with a hand crank, solar panel, and the biggest battery in its class. Most crank radios stop at AM/FM/weather. The Quest adds the 3.2–22 MHz shortwave band, which makes it as interesting to radio hobbyists and travelers as it is to preppers.

The biggest battery in its class

The headline number is 5,200 mAh — per the owner's manual, a 7.4V rechargeable lithium pack that dwarfs the ~2,000 mAh cells in most crank radios. It charges four ways: hand crank (with a protection chip that stops drawing once the battery is full), solar panel, three AAA batteries as backup, or DC input over the included USB-C cable. A USB-A output at 5V/2.1A charges phones at a proper rate, with an "OUT" indicator on the display while it's working.

Bands cover FM 76–108 MHz (including the Japanese 76–90 range, handy for travelers), AM 520–1710 kHz, shortwave 3.2–22 MHz, and NOAA weather at 162.40–162.55 MHz. The large backlit LCD doubles as a clock in standby, and a 20-station auto memory scan stores FM presets automatically. Bluetooth 5.0 (up to about 10 meters) streams music from a phone, and there's an aux-in port as well.

Alerts, light, and an honest caveat

One thing to be clear about: the owner's manual documents a weather-band alert monitor mode — the radio watches your tuned NOAA station and un-mutes when an alert is issued — but no confirmed S.A.M.E. county-code programming. If county-level filtering is a must, the Midland WR400 or Sangean CL-100 are the honest picks. What the Quest does have is a loud SOS function: one button triggers a siren plus a flashing red light, alongside a 1W LED flashlight and a white/red ambient light panel. There's an alarm clock, headphone jack, power lock switch, and a carry-strap hole.

At 5.8 × 7.1 × 2.3 inches and 1 lb 6 oz per Eton's spec sheet, it's a substantial unit. One caution: some retailers call it splashproof, but the manual warns against exposing it to rain — treat it as outdoor-tolerant, not weatherproof.

Who it's for, and who should skip it

The Quest fits shortwave listeners, international travelers, and anyone who wants maximum battery plus maximum bands in one crank radio. The 5,200 mAh cell alone justifies it for long outages.

Skip it if S.A.M.E. county filtering is non-negotiable — the manual doesn't confirm it. And if you need a simple bedside alerter, this is overkill; the WR400 is cheaper and purpose-built.

Pros

• All-band reception: FM/AM/shortwave/NOAA weather in one unit
• 5,200 mAh battery (per owner's manual) — largest in its class
• Four power sources with crank, solar, USB-C input, and AAA backup
• 5V/2.1A USB phone charging with on-display indicator
• Bluetooth 5.0 streaming, SOS siren with red flashing light, alarm clock

Cons

• No confirmed S.A.M.E. county-code programming — alert is monitor-mode only
• Heavier than most crank radios at 1 lb 6 oz
• Manual warns against rain exposure despite some retailer "splashproof" claims
• Battery and weight figures conflict across sources; manual/spec-sheet values used here

Specs

Frequently asked questions

Does it have S.A.M.E. county-code alerts? Not confirmed. The owner's manual documents a weather-band monitor mode that un-mutes audio when your tuned NOAA station issues an alert, but no county-code programming. If you need S.A.M.E., look at the Midland WR400 or Sangean CL-100.

Is the battery really 5,200 mAh? That's what the current owner's manual states (7.4V pack). An older Eton spec sheet listed 2,600 mAh, so there appears to have been a revision — the manual is the newer document.

Is it waterproof? Treat it cautiously. Some retailers describe it as splashproof, but Eton's own manual warns against exposing it to rain. Keep it dry.

What's the Bluetooth for? Streaming music and audio from your phone to the radio's speaker (about 10 meters of range). It's playback only.

Verdict

The Quest is the enthusiast's emergency radio: shortwave, a 5,200 mAh battery, and four power sources in one crank-powered box. The missing S.A.M.E. confirmation is the honest trade-off — buy it for the bands and the battery, not for county-coded alerts. Check the current price on Amazon: View on Amazon

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