The Ultimate Human Powered Radio 6-22-98

June 22, 1998 Design News

The Ultimate Human Powered Radio

Hand-wound spring transforms human energy into electricity

by John Lewis, Northeast Technical Editor

Hand-powered radio receives information and entertainment virtually anytime, anywhere, and has proven effective in enhancing communications in critical situations. That's why it has won the acclaim of more than 30 international humanitarian organizations and governments around the world, including the British Red Cross, War Child, United Nations Agencies, and the European Union.

Whether camping, boating, or simply going to the beach, this radio requires no batteries or outside power source. Rotating the fold-a-way handle winds a textured carbon-steel spring around the torque spool. As the spring unwinds itself back to its original position on the storage spool, torque is applied through a gearbox and belt drive to a dc generator. The generator converts the stored human energy into electricity to power the radio's receiver.

BayGenr recently introduced its extended-play Freeplayr2 radio, the FPR2. It provides a stylish, long-play option to the original FPR1 short-wave model. While FPR1 played for 30 min from a 30-sec wind, FPR2 plays for an hour.

BayGen has a solar-assisted radio, the FPR2S, in the works. It combines solar power with the company's patented Personal Power Generationr technology. The FPR2S delivers continuous AM/FM reception. When exposed to direct sunlight, the radio's solar cell can operate the radio exclusively. With indirect sunlight, the combination power supply extends the unit's playtime beyond an hour.