Category: Radio

Eli goes Shopping for Work Clothes-MMIV

Eric John MonierLeave a comment

Eli woke up to the alarm on his phone.

He stepped out of bed, then went to relieve himself.

He then walked back to his bed where he sat at the foot and called Hannah over the Chirp service and told her, “Good Morning my baby.”

“Good Morning sweetheart,” She replied.

“What are your plans for today?”

“Shop for school clothes with my mom.”

“I’ll probably shop for some work supplies with my Pappy.”

“Nice.”

“When can you come to see me again?”

“How about I come to church with you?”

“Yay! I would really like that.”

“I would too.”

“Maybe we could do something together after church.”

“I would really like that too!”

“Do you want me to kiss you some more?”

“Of course.”

“It would be an honor to kiss you!”

“I can’t wait for you to kiss me again. Now I have to empty the teapot.”

“What kind of tea were you drinking?”

“I’m not drinking any tea. When I say that I have to empty the teapot, it’s a nicer way of saying I have to pee.”

“Oh okay. I just did that a few minutes ago. Let’s keep in touch throughout the day, though.”

“Of course, baby. Now, I really need to get to the bathroom before my panty and nightshirt are soaking wet and smelly. I love you!”

“I love you too!”

Afterward, Eli walked down the hall to the kitchen where his grandparents were finishing breakfast.

They quickly handed him a plate of smoked sausage, scrambled eggs, and toast with grape jam.

Eli also served himself some V8 Vegetable Juice from a can in the refrigerator.

He sat and ate as his Pappy read the newspaper and his MeeMaw flipped through the cable channels.

Eli finished breakfast, then washed his dishes.

When the dishes were clean, he asked his Pappy, “Would you bring me to Target so I can buy some white tee and Oxford shirts as well as some shaving supplies for work?”

“Sure. What about pants and shoes?”

“I was going to wear the work pants and work boots you and MeeMaw gave me for my birthday.”

“Good. Those boots have steel toes in them, so they will protect your feet while you work in the kitchen. I picked those out for you. Your MeeMaw picked out the pants and she says they are made of sturdy fabric.”

“I can’t wait to wear them.”

“Hannah would probably think you look good in them too!” MeeMaw Darla said, then continued, “I remember how good your Pappy looked when he put on his work clothes. I always made sure that he appeared in a way that everyone could set their watches to how sharp and dependable he looked!”

“Eli, what time do you want to go to Target?”

“Let me go shower and shave right now.”

“Good idea. I’ll get ready as well,” Pappy Wilson then looked at MeeMaw Darla and asked, “Honey do you need anything while we go shopping?”

“Get us some fresh batteries for our smoke detectors and we will have Eli install them.”

“Anything else?”

“I need a new flashlight for my purse, the last one I had cracked into many pieces.”

“I know a good brand, MeeMaw,” Eli interjected.

“I’ll also see if I can get some gardening supplies and some cabbage, broccoli, and turnip seeds to plant for the winter.”

“Yes, honey. And see if all medicines are ready as well.”

“Will do.”

Eli went to shower and shave while Pappy Wilson put on his going-out clothes.

After Eli was clean he also put on going out clothes, then retrieved his phone, flashlight, scanner, and wallet.

Pappy Wilson retrieved his wallet, keys, and pocket knife, then they entered his vintage Dodge D100 and headed to Target.

“You said you wanted some white Oxford shirts, Eli?”

“Yes sir, Pappy.”

“That brings me back to when I worked in the control room at the chemical plant. We had to wear black pants and a white Oxford shirt. We also had to be clean-shaven and keep our hair very neat. Well by that time I only had a little bit of hair, but I still had to shave.”

“I thought you worked in the raw materials department.”

“I did, but then I was promoted to the control room. It was fine until they started making me operate those dog-gone computers. Those computers make me want to pute.”

“So what did you do?”

“I tried my best to learn the system, but couldn’t. So the company forced me into early retirement. At least they gave me a handsome pension. I get almost as much money to sit at home as I would have if I were to continue working. But, I worked hard for that company and I gave them thirty-nine of my best years. I always did what I was told and carried out my tasks to the best of my ability. And when my tasks were complete, I asked for more tasks so I could make extra money. I took care of the company and now they are taking care of me. Now I have time to work in my garden and be with my family!”

“I know that MeeMaws flashlight that cracked was issued by your company and that y’all were required to use them. Why do they have to be made of plastic though?”

“If you drop a metal flashlight on something hard, it will create a spark. That can be deadly when you are handling flammable material. But sometimes we were working in the middle of the night when the barges delivered the chemicals so we needed light. The company ordered thousands of flashlights that are approved to be used around flammable material.”

“Oh, yes. I think I read something about that a while back on the Internet.”

“The company issued me a bunch of those over the years, and I kept them around the house. Your MeeMaw thought they were bright and rugged enough that she would keep one in her purse. Before you were born, she and I had gone to see a movie. A lady had dropped her purse and all the contents fell out. It was dark and they were using cigarette lighters to find everything that fell under the seats. Your MeeMaw became nervous about them potentially starting a fire, so she lent them her flashlight and they located everything safely.”

“Well, you and MeeMaw told me to always carry a flashlight.”

“Does Target sell the one you carry?”

“I think it does.”

“Good, then I will get one for your MeeMaw’s purse.”

“What about for you?”

“I have plenty of my battery-powered lanterns, for sowing crops at night.”

“Oh okay.”

Eli’s phone then beeped.

Hannah was calling him over the Chirp service.

“Where are you, sweetheart?”

“With my Pappy on the way to Target?”

“Oh okay. Y’all please be careful.”

“We will. My Pappy has a flawless driving record.”

“I’m leaving with my mom right now to buy some school clothes?”

“Y’all be careful as well.”

“We will.”

“What store you are going to?”

“Promise you won’t judge me?”

“I promise.”

“We’re going buy them at social concerns.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Are you sure?”

“Most definitely. It doesn’t matter to me where you buy your clothes. You have a wonderful heart and you are the prettiest girl I have ever seen. I’m just glad you’re mine!”

“I love you, Eli!”

“I love you too, Hannah!”

“We just pulled up to the bust stop in front of the thrift store parking lot.”

“Well, we are about a block away from Target.”

“Be safe.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too!”

Moments later Eli and Pappy Wilson pulled into the Target parking lot. They found a decent spot and then entered the door.

“What should we get first?” Eli asked.

“Let’s get your shaving supplies.”

They walked to the personal care section.

Pappy Wilson said, “I know you use those cheap disposable razors but how about I buy you a good razor?”

“What do you have in mind, Pappy?”

He pointed on the pegboard to a Van Der Hagen safety razor that came with several replacement blades, then said, “I used something like this when I was a young man. I’ll get it for you.”

“Wow! Thank you, Pappy.”

“I’ll also get you some more blades, but please be careful when handling them.”

“Will do.”

“Now, did you need some shaving cream or aftershave?”

“Yes. I buy whatever shaving cream is on sale.”

“What aftershave do you like?”

“Aqua Velva.”

“Excellent choice, young man!” Pappy Wilson said, then whispered, “Your scent will drive Hannah wild, but y’all cannot act on those urges until she is eighteen!”

Eli blushed, then they walked to the men’s clothing department.

Eli selected three white Oxford shirts and a twelve-pack of white tee shirts.

They then walked to housewares where Pappy Wilson said, “Go get a pack of batteries for the smoke detectors, and then we will get a new flashlight for your MeeMaw’s purse.”

“We should get her one as I have but maybe in a different color.”

They walked to the flashlight aisle and Eli picked out a pink 2 AA Mini Maglite.

He then said, “We would need some bulbs as well.”

“Get a pack of bulbs for you and a pack for your MeeMaw.”

“Yes sir, Pappy.”

“Now, to the gardening section!”

“Right behind you, Pappy!”

They walked a few aisles over then Pappy Wilson placed a new shovel and a new ho in his cart. He then placed a packet of cabbage seeds, turnip seeds, and broccoli seeds in his cart.

“Could you plant some potatoes too, Pappy?” Eli asked.

“Sure!”

Pappy Wilson then placed a packet of potato seeds in his cart as well.

They then walked to the pharmacy, where a technician told them that it would take thirty minutes to fill the prescriptions.

Pappy Wilson took Eli to the food court where they ate hot dogs and drank soft drinks.

Eli looked at his watch and saw that thirty minutes had passed.

The pharmacist was just done filling the medications and the technician handed them to Pappy Wilson.

They then walked to the registers and paid for their items.

A young man rang them up and Pappy Wilson began cracking jokes that made the young man laugh so hard that tears filled his eyes.

“That’s my Pappy for you,” Eli said also laughing.

They then left the store and loaded their purchased items into the storage box in the bed of Pappy Wilson’s truck.

As they headed home, Eli was listening to his scanner and heard a call come over to the fire department about a city bus in an accident with multiple casualties.

Eli became highly distressed and called Hannah over the Chirp service.

“Baby, are you all right?”

“Yes, sweetheart, why you ask?”

“I heard a call on my scanner about a city bus in an accident and there were multiple casualties.”

“We’re okay. We just got off the bus and are walking in the door right now.”

“Oh, thank God. I was so worried.”

“I’m safe at home now, but thank you for checking up on me. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Where are you, Eli?”

“Pulling into my grandparents’ subdivision now.”

“Let me know when you’re home.”

“We just pulled in the driveway.”

“Okay, good. I love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you too. Let’s keep in touch throughout the day.

“Of course.”

They then unloaded their purchases.

Eli placed his shaving supplies in the medicine cabinet and hung up his Oxford shirts. He then placed the tee shirts in his chest of drawers.

Pappy Wilson placed the packets of seeds in his kitchen junk drawer and his gardening tools in the utility room.

With his pocket knife, he cut open the Mini Maglite for his wife and installed the batteries.

She placed it in her purse, then placed one set of bulbs on the shelf in the broom closet and Pappy Wilson gave the other packet of bulbs to Eli.

Eli then went to his room where he and Hannah lovingly talked over the chirp service for the next few hours…

Back to “a.D. MMIV”

An American Family Living through the Pearl Harbor Attack

Eric John MonierLeave a comment

I do not own the featured image on this page.  I borrowed it from a listing on eBay.  It is a picture of a radio that would likely have been used during the time of the events of Pearl Harbor and that is why I am using it for this post.

This event occurred over forty five years before I was born, however, I have fabricated a story about what would have likely happened to families throughout the United States on that infamous day.

Without further ado, here was go:

I envision a young housewife walking home from church with her husband and babies. After everyone is settled in at home she steps into the kitchen and begins preparing some chicken, green beans, potatoes and perhaps a cherry pie for her Sunday Dinner. Her husband purchased her a kitchen radio for her in order for her to have entertainment while carrying out her household duties. She turns the radio on and just as the tubes get warm enough for the radio to function, the news of the attack breaks. Her husband is in the back yard well bundled up and tending to the cabbage crops in his garden. The babies are equally bundled up and playing nearby in the dirt. A reporter begins to broadcast the details as they are coming in from the teletype machines. The lady calls her husband in to listen to what she is hearing. As he hears this breaking news, anger and fear soon grip him. Later that evening the couple and their children walk back to their church and begin to fervently pray, knowing what potentially lies ahead…

Back to “Works of Fiction”

Avionics, Travel, Belize and Other Topics

Eric John MonierLeave a comment

I had mentioned this memory in a piece before, a little over four years ago, but I wish to mention it again and with more details: It was almost twenty-five years ago, at the time of writing this piece, that a certain childhood memory occurred.

The memory entailed me hanging out on the western side of my paternal grandparents (now my cousin and her husband’s) house.

I had a fascination with that side of the house because it is where the electric meter, the gas meter, the telephone network interface, and the cable hookup were located.

All of that fascinated me ever since early childhood and still does, to be honest.

I hated school and wished I could have stayed home, however, I was looking forward to Christmas Break which was coming up shortly.

Also, one of my mom’s students had discarded a calculator, so she picked it up and gave it to me.

That December 1997 morning, I was standing on the western side of the house as mentioned before with that calculator in my school pants pocket.

The weather was slightly cold or at least cold enough to where I could see my breath when I exhale.

While I was standing there, a low-altitude plane was flying over me. I mean that neighborhood is under a considerably busy flight route.

I think children in the 1990s were more imaginative than children of today are, but I imagined myself on that plane helping the pilot navigate with the aid of the calculator in my pocket.

I cannot remember anything about that calculator except that it was a mid-grade scientific model made for or by an office supply company known as Royal. I also would imagine that it came off the assembly line either in the 1980s or very early 1990s, probably no later than 1991. I last saw my sister playing with it sometime in 1999 or 2000.

Also, since my breath was visible in the cold air, I wondered if the pilot and whatever passengers on that plane could see my breath and maybe thought that a ten going on the eleven-year-old child was smoking a cigarette.

In later years, when passing by a certain small airport, I could see the fuel storage tanks from the local road and always thought that everyone near them durn better not be smoking. And then in even later years, I thought how anyone near them durn better be using explosion-proof or intrinsically safe equipment.

I purposely used the word durn, because, for whatever reason, it was forbidden at my school.

Dang and darn were allowed, but durn was forbidden.

I think the teachers and staff at my school liked to make those nit-picky rules because their private parts tingled and oozed at the thought of oppressively controlling [mostly] defenseless children.

Even more fervently, I believe that the teachers and staff at my school must have durn near achieved an orgasm every time they confiscated a handheld video game.

All right, I know that I am slightly off track, but still, I feel the need to say this, because what I mentioned is just the tip of the enormous iceberg of how cruel teachers and staff at my school were.

And just maybe, I harbor this foul attitude towards my school because I have special needs, I’m sure most of my teachers realized I have special needs, and yet they refused to make any sort of accommodations for me nor did they step in when I was harassed by other students, except in really major incidents.  However, the teachers and staff at this wretched school made accommodations for other kids and they feverishly protected other kids from harassment.  They did the literal bare minimum for me.

I just thank God that for a considerable time of me attending that school, I carried a flashlight either on my person or in my backpack and it never once was confiscated. Other students viciously harassed me for my love of flashlights, though.

At one point while writing this, I was hanging out at my adopted sister’s apartment and my adopted niece was stating how she is addicted to hot chocolate. Off the top of my head, I made up a scenario where a long haul truck driver stopped at a travel center, before dawn on a cold December morning filled his rig with Diesel fuel, then went inside and bought a large cup of hot chocolate and several King Size Mister GoodBars then got back on the road. The energy-dense food and drink gave him the nourishment and comfort to effectively drive that rig for the next several hours before needing to stop again.

By the way, the teachers at my school would have sneered at such a profession, although, it is what I would love to have chosen for a career, but am disqualified from it because of the medication that I am required to take.

I know I don’t need one and I don’t plan on purchasing one, but I have had a fascination with calculators designed specifically for aviators. I believe the Texas Instruments TI-58 or TI-59 was a general-purpose calculator but had an available ROM cartridge specifically for solving problems related to handling an aircraft, among other applications. Later there were other purpose-built calculators designed solely for aviation. I would like one of those, maybe or maybe not. There are also slide rules, some even featured on wristwatches crafted for pilots.

This piece was originally supposed to be about aviation calculators and/or flight computers, by the way, but I had to add my other words of whatever you, the reader, perceive them to be.

I do and have had a fascination with calculators since infancy and I think I have made that pretty clear on this blog and other forms of media.

I also have a waxing and waning interest in avionics. I think all of that communications equipment, RADAR, flight computers, and other instruments are so neat. I am greatly fascinated by all other modes of transportation but it seems that aviation has the most interesting equipment.

Soon after that plane flew over, the school bus arrived and I boarded it. I was in fourth grade and it was a rough school year. Honestly what saw me through was my God, although I was not yet saved and my interests outside of school. I felt very relieved that Christmas Break was just days away.

The era in which I am most fascinated by avionics and handheld calculating/computing is the decade of the 1980s. It is the decade in which I was born but also a time when personal mobile phones were not yet widely used and smartphones hadn’t been thought of yet. Because of that, one needed a dedicated electronic device for each task he or she wished to accomplish. And there was something so astounding about that.

On an unrelated note, it was in the 1980s that tactical flashlights became compact, the first being in 1984 with the Mini Maglite. Well, I’ve seen and heard of many pilots carrying Mini Maglites. I carry a vintage Mini Maglite from 1993 in my eyeglass case, but that is for another piece.

I do want to either get Red Mini Maglite Spectrum in either AAA or Solitaire, for nighttime travels.

This desire stems from traveling through the Mississippi Darkness on either the I-55 or I-59 Corridor as a passenger and not wanting to disturb the driver, yet having to locate items in the dark. My Green Mini Maglite spectrum simply doesn’t cut it.

But a Red Mini Maglite Spectrum would be ideal for nighttime aviation, especially for reading instruments in a non-glass cockpit.

Red light is easier on the eyes in total darkness than any other color including and especially white.

SureFire took the idea of compact tactical flashlights and ran with it!

About a year ago I was doing some research about the country of Belize. It seemed like a really interesting place and just about the only place South of the Border, I would want to set foot in, although God is dealing with me about that. The only way I would know how to easily get there without paying too much would be to hire a charter flight or some nice person with a Cessna and possibly take off from KHUM (The Houma-Terrebonne Airport) or possibly even L83 (probably only in a Cessna), then fly over the Gulf of Mexico. What I find amusing is that there is an airport in Belize known as “Gallon Jug Airport”, though there are a few other airports in that country. I’m wondering if anyone who reads this blog wonders what airport I am referring to when I say “L83.” I shall explain: L83 is the callsign issued to the Thibodaux Municipal Airport, which is located in the Thibodaux, Louisiana suburb of Schriever. It is also the small airport I frequently passed by, saw the fuel tanks, and had my thoughts about those standing near them durn better not be smoking and durn well better have intrinsically safe equipment. I thought L83 was a small airport, but it appears that Gallon Jub Airport is even smaller, although it has a nice place to relax, almost on par with a Swiss chalet, and possibly a longer runway, unlike L83. While L83 has a tall tree hazard Gallon Jug has mountains. Maybe I would be better off landing in the capital of Belize City, where I could then go watch marine traffic. Another humorous aspect of Belize is that fried chicken is referred to as fried chicken. I especially appreciate this because some folk from Louisiana’s Bayou Country refer to ground [beef] meat as “grind meat.” From what I gather Belize has quite a few things in common with Louisiana. I wish I could explore Belize on the ground in a Range Rover from the mid-1980s, specifically a 1984 to 1986 model but that is currently just a fantasy. Of course, in that Range Rover, I would have some sort of a scanner radio, that is a given and it would have to be one capable of tuning in both civilian and military aircraft. I would also have an amateur radio transceiver with antennas tuned for 80 Meters, 40 Meters, 11 Meters, 10 Meters, and 6 Meters. I would have to be cautious on 11 Meters because it is no longer an amateur radio band and hasn’t been since 1958. It is the location of HF Citizen’s Band among other things but now in 2022 mostly obsolete except for a few die-hard Citizen’s Band users and hobbyists that have migrated to the now unused portions in addition to the CB portions of 11 Meters. I would probably also have my EDC backpack and in it would be some scanners and portable 2 Meter and 70 Centimeter transceivers.

If you, the reader, didn’t realize, I have been thinking about all of this for some time now!

Maybe God wants me and possibly my wife to do some supportive work for missionaries in Belize and that is why He is putting all this in my head and heart. I’m not sure though. It’s quite possible that my wife maybe is called to be a pastor, but I am happy just as a servant or administrator.

I know my writing performance isn’t at what it usually is, but I will say that it is the end of the month, my breakfast consisted of sliced bread, cane syrup, and sausage, with chocolate milk to drink with that. On top of that, I am feeling slightly under the weather. My wife and I are nibbling on some Chester’s Hot Fries (one of our favorite snacks) as I am finishing up this piece and she is doing some research for her writings.

Life is much better though since I was in school.

One good thing that is still common is that I am looking forward to Christmas as it is my favorite season.

I wish to roast a goose this Christmas as I have done once before but I will have to settle for a turkey.

The reason being is that I already purchased my turkey and even the smallest goose is over $60.

As it turns out, I have just been summoned by my adopted sister to cook some white beans for her and her family, so I will cut this piece short now.

I do enjoy cooking and I don’t mind helping out my adopted family, so I will be on my way shortly.

That means this piece is now concluded.

I hope that you, the reader, have been informed, enlightened maybe even entertained.

May God richly bless you!

Back to “Personal Reflections”

A Review of the Radio Shack® 12-259 or 120-0522 Handheld Public Alert Weather Radio

Eric John MonierLeave a comment

Just to bring everything to light, I am not the owner of the image featured on this page. I am giving credit where credit is rightly due and in this case, I cropped it out of some Radio Shack literature.

I had wanted a sturdy pocket-sized weather radio since my late teen years and since then I have tried several.

I discovered the Radio Shack 12-259 at the age of twenty, though I didn’t purchase it at that time.

The model number was later changed to a 120-0522 or a 12-522, depending on the source, and given a red cabinet as opposed to an olive green cabinet.

I think Radio Shack was promoting the color red for some of their products to promote preparedness because the prepper mentality began around 2008 and has taken off full force since. Maybe they even partnered with the Red Cross and that was the idea for the color red. I think pocket-sized weather radios should be bright yellow, but that’s just me.

I am referring to it as the 120-0522 because that is how it is referred to in the literature which I acquired from Radio Shack and is so shown in the featured image.

Even though money was tight for Christmas of 2009, I was still given some cash by family members and went to my local Radio Shack to see what I could buy.

I don’t remember if it was on sale or if I paid the full SRP, but I saw one, and I bought it.

I also bought a tin that was filled with Enercell batteries.

I carried it in what was my EDC backpack for the next almost three years.

Then, sadly, sometime in 2012, it just stopped working. No matter which Weather Channel I tried tuning in to, nothing would be received. I had assumed it was dead and sadly chucked it.

I was highly disappointed because it seemed like the perfect pocket-sized weather radio.

In July of that year, I purchased a Radio Shack Weather Cube, which I had until a wicked woman named Ida did her very wicked deed.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, I purchased the predecessor model, the 12-259.

I even dreamed about me carrying it in my EDC backpack in a shopping mall, trying to stay safe during a tornado. I even attempted to make it into a story based on myself and a certain young lady that I was talking to. For the record, this event occurred between my ex-girlfriend breaking up with me and meeting my current [and I so fervently pray, forever] wife.

For those who are wondering, my 12-259 came off the assembly line in October of 2004.

First of all, let me say that I have tried quite a few pocket and/or travel-sized weather radios.

The closest competing model to the 120-0522 or 12-259 would be the Midland HH54/HH55 series radios and I will say right now that the Radio Shack 12-259 or 120-0522 had a better antenna skin. And this is shocking because normally I would say that Midland makes the best weather radios, hands down and Radio Shack in the 2000s to 2010s was very much a has-been.

I have only owned my 12-259 for about a year, but it has assisted me in tracking some severe weather, especially in the months following Hurricane Ida.

I even EDCed it in my backpack from time to time.

Both Radio Shack models are Public Alert Certified.

The reception range could be a little better but that would mean a longer antenna would be required.

There is also a travel and home setting, which would make this ideal for road trips to keep tabs on the weather or keep as a bedside standby radio when anticipating a power failure.

An optional AC adapter can be purchased, allowing the end user to conserve the batteries for a real weather emergency.

The speaker is loud and clear.

The cabinet is made of smooth but sturdy polymer plastic.

The dot matrix LCD is clear enough and even has a bright backlight.

I believe the backlight on the 120-0522 is blue whereas on the 12-259 it is indigo.

My chief complaints are that it eats batteries like a starving pit bull that was locked in a butcher shop and it loses the signal way too easily.

There is a feature that will alert a siren should it lose the signal in standby mode, but this proves more annoying than usual.

I would recommend this product on the following conditions:

If one is using it to travel at all (even commuting on foot.)

If one works, plays, or is otherwise frequently outdoors.

OR

If one wishes to use this in a safe room to monitor the progress of inclement weather and lives close enough to a weather radio station. And when I say close enough, I mean twenty-five miles or less.

My 120-0522 is long gone but I still use my 12-259 from time to time.

In later years Radio Shack products seemed to be lacking in their quality, performance, and longevity. This was not the case in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Certain countries are better at producing electronics than others, but I digress.

If I were to give these weather radios a rating, it would be about 4.25 out of 5 stars and this is because of the frequent signal loss. It seems compactness and portability were traded for antenna gain.

All in all, I hope that you, the reader have been informed enlightened, and maybe even entertained.

May God richly bless you!

PS, Here is a video of this weather radio in action

Back to “Product Reviews”

A Review of the Realistic (Radio Shack®) 12-162 Mini Pocket Weatheradio

Eric John MonierLeave a comment

Just to let you, the reader, and everyone else knows, I do not own the featured image on this page. Truth be told, I cropped it from the Radio Shack Catalog.

I had been collecting various weather radios since the Summer of 2012.

In the latter part of 2018, I was divorced from my first wife and suddenly had much more financial freedom than before.

I will also say that on October 28, 2022, I married a wonderful young lady and I hereby declare that she is my biggest blessing ever. I find myself frequently thanking God for her.

Nonetheless, in the latter part of 2018, I had more financial freedom than ever before.

And for the record, my finances are in better shape now than in 2018.

So because of this financial freedom, I was able to enhance my weather radio collection among other interests.

I had seen some vintage commercials about the Realistic Mini/Pocket Weatheradio 12-162 on YouTube and wanted one.

I thought those commercials were so neat. Furthermore, they truly captured the time in which they were recorded, namely the early-to-mid 1970s, especially with the emergence of soft rock. The scenes from the bedroom window showing nighttime thunderstorms and then the waves crashing on the shore and the calls of seagulls make me think of the many soft rock hits of the era.

So, I was romanticizing such a weather radio and I ordered one, not knowing that the antenna was damaged. I ended up selling it for parts.

I ordered a duplicate in 2019 and used it on and off.

The Realistic 12-162 was put on the market before 1975, which means it technically was not supposed to tune in to the third weather radio broadcast channel (162.475 MHz.) That said frequency was introduced in 1975.

However it was able to tune in the first two channels 162.55 MHz and 162.4 MHz and since 162.475 is right dab in the middle, with patience it can also be tuned in on this radio since it employs a rotary tuner.

I was able to get footage of mine receiving KIH23 out of Morgan City, Louisiana which indeed broadcasts on 162.475 MHz.

Sadly, I lost my second one to a very wicked woman named Ida.

If I would have lived closer to a weather radio station that broadcast on one of the two original frequencies and it would have been the 1970s, this radio would have been halfway decent.

It appeared to be built to withstand light rain and uncomfortably hot or cold temperatures and maybe even a little sea spray (as the commercial implies) because of its tough plastic cabinet.

In other words, this weather radio was meant to be used outdoors to get vital weather data whilst outdoors and on the go.

This was also Radio Shack’s first pocket-sized dedicated weather radio.

The Realistic 12-162 was first introduced in the 1974 Radio Shack catalog and came up for sale on October 1, 1973.

In 1974, it sold for $14.95 which would have been the equivalent of $90.37 in 2022 US Dollars.

The price peaked in 1975 at $15.95 or $88.35 in 2022 US Dollars, although there were sales of $5 off according to the aforementioned commercial that caught my interest in the product. I would assume that commercial aired in 1975 so if it was on sale for $10.95 in that year it would be the equivalent of $60.65 in 2022 US Dollars. This means that inflation may have been worse in the 1970s than it currently is because a pocket-sized, entry-level weather radio retails for about half of what it would have retailed for in those days, inflation-adjusted.

According to my digital collection of Radio Shack catalogs, the Realistic 12-162 was not listed in the 1976 catalog.

In 1977 and 1978 it sold for $11.95, which would be the equivalent of $58.77 and $54.62 respective American Dollars.

In 1979 it was replaced by the Realistic 12-156, which I do not yet own at the time of writing this piece but do hope to own one day, God willing.

I don’t understand the use of blue for the cabinet color of the 12-162 and 12-156. Yellow would have been a far better choice.

I mean Radio Shack had other types of radios in the color yellow, but maybe the shade of blue was associated with stormy weather.

When the Radio Shack 12-162 was on the market, Weather Radio was still in its infancy or at least early childhood and nowhere as mature as it is in 2022.

I do appreciate the compact size and rugged cabinet, but the antenna is flimsy as can be.

However, this radio would have been quite useful for those in maritime hobbies or occupations, farmers, hunters, and travelers, especially anyone commuting on foot.

If it was before 1975 I would give this product a 4.5 out of 5 stars because I do not dig the flimsy antenna.

However, the Realistic 12-162 was a huge milestone because it was the first dedicated weather radio that could indeed be EDCed.

I guess this, therefore concludes my review of the Realistic 12-162.

I hope that you, the reader, have been informed, enlightened, and maybe even entertained.

May God richly bless you.

PS, Here is a video of this weather radio in action in June of 2020.

Back to “Product Reviews”

A Review of the Realistic (Radio Shack®) 12-161 Pocket Weatheradio Alert

Eric John MonierLeave a comment

Just to clear the air, I do not own the featured image on this page. To give credit whereupon credit is due, I cropped this image out of the 1980 Radio Shack Catalog.

My wife and I had a little money left over for the month of November 2022. She purchased a few items and I purchased a vintage but still in very good condition Realistic 12-161 Pocket Weatheradio Alert.

For those wondering, mine came off of the assembly line somewhere in the Republic of China in December of 1979.

This means that at the time I received it, it is almost forty-three years old.

However, it works just flawlessly.

The speaker’s sound is crisp and clear.

The reception is dead on.

There is even no static in the volume potentiometer!

I have been keeping it near my bedside and listening to the weather forecasts almost every night since it came in.

The only drawback is that it only receives the three main weather radio channels and not the other four intermediate channels but in 1979, there were no intermediate weather radio channels and wouldn’t be for at least a decade.

I never owned the 12-156 (which is the step below the 12-161.) However, I have owned two of the 12-162 weather radios which is the predecessor model to the 12-156. As much as I think a rotary tuner is cool, it is not anywhere near as reliable as the crystal-controlled tuner that the 12-161 has. Also, the 12-162 seems to be much more flimsy than the 12-161.

I get it though, the 12-156 and the 12-162 were meant for the outdoors and traveling, for getting weather data on the fly. They are more weather resistant and because of that, they were made of that plastic whereas the 12-161 is made of some plastic but also brushed Aluminium.

I could picture those younger boomer teenagers and older Xer children taking the 12-156 and 12-162 while walking to school and even carrying it in their coat pockets.

The 12-161, however, was maybe meant for a traveling business person, to be placed at the bedside in his or her hotel room. The standby alert feature enforces this theory of mine.

I could also see some people using this for off-the-grid living and needing emergency weather information.

Still, a rich or nerdy boomer teen or Xer child may have also carried one of these.

The price of the 12-156 in was $12.95 throughout its production run from 1979 until 1982 ($39.99-$53.16 in 2022 US Dollars.) The 12-162 was at its highest price in 1975 at $15.95 ($88.35 in 2022 US Dollars.) It would sometimes go on sale for $10.95 in 1974 or 1975 ($66.19 and $60.65, respectively.) Near the end of its production run in 1978, it sold for $11.95 ($54.62 in 2022 US Dollars.) However, throughout its production run, from late 1979 to 1984, the 12-161 cost a whopping $32.95 ($94.51-$135.25 in 2022 US Dollars.)

This inflation is hurting everyone, but I won’t speak any further of it, lest this blog becomes political.

However, I will let the numbers do the talking.

I think that you, the reader, can now see why I have the theory that I have.

The 12-161 would have been a pocket portable weather radio for the well to do and 12-156 and 12-162 were for those who needed weather radios outdoors or just cheap access to vital weather data.

I am still wondering if any school children carried weather radios on their foot commutes to and from school or anywhere else they went in the mid-1970s throughout the 1980s.

I could not find any conclusive data about this.

I cannot yet write accurately about the 12-156 but I can say that in terms of longevity, the 12-162 was a poor performer in later years and both fell apart on me.

However, the 12-161 is robust and still working well almost 43 years later!

If it were 1979 or 1980, I would have to give it the full five stars.

In 2022, I would give it 4.5 out of 5, because it only has the three main channels, no S.A.M.E. feature, and probably would not be good for outdoor travel.

And there are now weather radios available in 2022 that indeed do have those provisions.

I guess this, therefore concludes my review of the Realistic 12-161 Pocket Weatheradio Alert.

I hope that you, the reader, have been informed, enlightened and maybe even entertained.

May God richly bless you!

Back to “Product Reviews”

Southeast Louisiana Wide-Area Business Band Frequencies

Eric John MonierLeave a comment

Lafourche Parish:
Golden Meadow
158.160000 BHP Petroleum, WRKB891
158.325000 BHP Petroleum, WRKB891
453.000000 Chevron USA, WPKI917

Port Fourchon
151.580000 Energy XXI, WQKK548

Thibodaux
153.050000 Transcontinental Gas Pipeline, WRCH919
453.000000 Hebert Brothers Farms, WQNR904

Leeville
48.56000 Shell Communications, WPK540

Multiple Locations in Lafourche
173.35000 Texas Petroleum, WNXU926
452.82500 LOOP LLC, WNKG854

Assumption Parish:
Belle Rose
153.140000 Dow Chemical, WPWC366
451.025000 Enterprise Products, WQQA480

Napoleonville
151.580000 UCAR Pipeline, WNJM442

Saint Mary Parish:
Amelia
48.820000 Texas Gas Transmission, KKY461

Bayou Vista
463.775000 Schlumberger One Subsea, WRNR958

Morgan City
153.680000 Enterprise Products, WRJI640
461.550000 Ochsner, WQPD540

Terrebonne Parish:
Houma
47.880000 SLECA, KNBW661
48.280000 SLECA, KNBW661
48.820000 Texas Eastern Communications, KVY276
48.940000 Texas Eastern Communications, KVY276
153.395000 Shell Communications, WPJJ818
451.975000 TGMC, WRTH858
461.412500 E3 Electrical, WRMM954
463.275000 Southland Mall, WQWP687
463.987500 TGMC, WRTH858

Humphreys
48.740000 Transcontinental Gas Pipeline, KBZ432
153.275000 Dow Chemical, KQH911

Schriever
152.960000 LeBlanc Brothers, KKX833

Gibson
153.605000 Transcontinental Gas Pipeline, WRAJ490

Saint James Parish:
48.740000 Transcontinental Gas Pipeline, KBY661
153.065000 Shell Communications, WNXH501
451.075000 Shell Communications, WQNR646
451.187500 Zen-Noh Grain, WRJH730
463.925000 Ergon Saint James, WNXA428
469.325000 Saint James Rail Terminal, WQPQ699
469.375000 Saint James Rail Terminal, WQPQ699

Saint John The Baptist Parish:
173.312500 Marathon Refinery, WGL253 (Garyville)
461.250000 Cooper T. Smith Stevedoring, WQJI693 (Laplace)
461.850000 Archer Daniels Midland, WPBK434 (Reserve)
463.200000 Cargill, WPSZ628 (Reserve)
463.475000 Alton Ochsner Foundation, WQPD540 (Laplace)
464.200000 Cooper T. Smith Stevedoring, WQJI693 (Laplace)
464.587500 Evonik Superabsorber, WQOH420 (Garyville)

Saint Charles Parish:
37.460000 Entergy Services, WPLW540 (Waterford 3 Nuclear Plant)
150.980000 Shell Communications, KDF500 (Norco)
151.550000 Bisso Tow Boat Company, WQZD958 (Luling)
152.915000 Entergy Services, WQPD293 (Taft)
153.560000 Valero Refining-New Orleans, KNCQ961 (Norco)
153.665000 Transcontinental Gas Piepline, WRAJ490 (Paradis)
451.025000 Entergy Services, WPLF582 (Kilona)
451.112500 Enterprise Products, WRDX704 (Norco)
451.575000 Entergy Services, WRLD376 (Montz)
451.925000 Koch Fertilizer, WQKK450 (Hahnville)
452.175000 Dow Chemical, WPXR669 (Taft)
452.675000 Dow Chemical, WPXR669 (Taft)
460.700000 Bayer Crop Science, KEZ224 (Luling)
461.112500 Occidental Chemical, WPKZ543 (Taft)
461.162500 Saint Charles Parish, WPSK735 (Luling)
461.512500 Air Liquide, WPVU886 (Norco)
461.537500 Protherm Serices, WQHE971 (Taft)
461.562500 Occidental Chemical, WQIU403 (Hahnville)
461.575000 Bayer Crop Science, WNKM758 (Luling)
464.025000 Air Porducts and Chemicals, WQPH206 (Luling)
464.162500 SP Plus, WRDG215 (Saint Rose)
464.575000 Bayer Crop Science, KNAQ529 (Luling)
464.675000 Air Liquide, WPVU886 (Norco)
464.787500 Air Porducts and Chemicals, WQPH206 (Luling)
467.075000 Shell Communications, WRFB391 (Norco)

Jefferson Parish:
152.330000 Metry Cab, KKB515 (Metairie) *MIGHT BE ENCRYPTED*
153.312500 Energy XXI, WQPN942 (Grand Isle)
158.302500 Energy XXI, WQPN942 (Grand Isle)
451.237500 American Multi Cniema, WQQB917 (Harvey) *LOW POWER*
451.687500 American Multi Cniema, WQQB917 (Harahan) *LOW POWER*
451.737500 American Multi Cniema, WQQB917 (Harvey) *LOW POWER*
451.912500 Ochsner, WPAY328 (Metairie)
452.275000 Electrocom, WPLG812 (Metairie)
452.400000 Glenn’s Cab, WPWC910 (Gretna) *MIGHT BE ENCRYPTED*
452.437500 River Birch, WRCG326 (Avondale)
452.812500 American Multi Cniema, WQQB917 (Harahan) *LOW POWER*
461.025000 Ochsner Medical Center West Bank, WQTX525 (Gretna)
461.075000 Oakwood Shopping Center, WQZN606 (Gretna)
461.537500 The Galleria, WRAT839 (Metairie)
461.950000 Blackwater New Orleans, WQNW356 (Westwego)
462.062500 Metairie Country Club, WQYZ445 (Metairie)
462.150000 West Jefferson Medical Center, WRAF772 (Marrerro)
462.500000 Ochsner, WPAY328 (Harahan)
463.212500 Ochsner Medical Center Kenner, WRJA751 (Kenner)
463.300000 New South Parking, WREP957 (Kenner)
463.350000 Ochsner Medical Center West Bank, WPTG793 (Gretna)
463.625000 Ochsner, WPAY328 (Gretna)
463.650000 Blackwater New Orleans, WQNW356 (Westwego)
463.975000 Fuji Oil New Orleans, WRKZ260 (Avondale)
464.000000 Oakwood Shopping Center, WQZN606 (Gretna)
464.212500 Nola MotorSports, WRNR815 (Avondale)
464.275000 Ochsner, WPAY328 (Old Jefferson)
464.350000 Cargill, KB21819 (Westwego)
463.350000 Ochsner Medical Center West Bank, WPTG793 (Gretna)
464.412500 Buckeye Marrerro Terminal, WRF827 (Marrerro)
464.425000 Ochsner Medical Center Kenner, WRJA751 (Kenner)
464.462500 Elmwood Fitness Center, WQKD255, (Old Jefferson)
464.575000 Chateau Golf and Country Club, WQLJ956 (Kenner)
464.650000 American Time and Signal, WRDL268 (Gretna) LOW POWER
464.712500 Lakeside Shopping Center, WRKS593 (Metairie)
464.975000 IMTT Gretna, WPUD590 (Gretna)

Orleans Parish:
160.050000 AAA Cooper Transportation, WQPH848
451.300000 In the Clear NOLA PROPCO, WRJQ791
451.225000 Saint Charles Surgical Hospital, WQPA315
451.525000 Saint Charles Surgical Hospital, WQPA315
452.450000 The Higgins Hotel, WREK383
452.650000 In the Clear NOLA PROPCO, WRJQ791
461.025000 Holiday Inn Superdome, WROV829
461.125000 Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans, WQLY586 *MIGHT BE ENCRYPTED*
461.500000 Marriott Hotels, WQZN814
461.587500 Professional Business Providers, WRJA823
461.625000 Ochsner, WQPD540
461.687500 Audobon Nature Institute, WQHI240
461.825000 Omni Riverfront Hotel, WRQX323
461.862500 Bluegreen Club La Pension, WQZN601
461.975000 Shell Communications, WNVF602
463.200000 Rockstep Riverwalk, WRUL532
462.750000 New Orleans Marriott Hotel, WPVB506
463.287500 Marriott Hotels, WQZN814
463.312500 Omni Riverfront Hotel, WRQX323
463.425000 Bear Communications, WNKP445
463.525000 Ochsner, WQPD540
463.662500 Mercedes-Benz Superdome, WQIJ993
463.737500 Brookfield District Energy, WQZZ321
463.862500 Audobon Nature Institute, WQHI240
463.900000 Professional Business Providers, WRJA823
464.012500 One River Place, WRDI744
464.025000 Ochsner, WPAY328
464.137500 Avenue Plaza, WRFF912
464.150000 Fairgrounds, KUD511
464.162500 Audobon Nature Institute, WQHI240
464.587500 Apple Bus, WRBS538
464.775000 Signature Flight Support, WQPS815
464.825000 Rockstep Riverwalk, WRUL532
464.837500 Mercedes-Benz Superdome, WQIJ993
464.900000 Fairgrounds, KUD511
464.962500 Audobon Nature Institute, WQIY481
464.975000 Fairgrounds, KUD511

Saint Bernard Parish:
152.285000 Rain CII Carbon, WROC395 (Chalmette)
152.375000 Rain CII Carbon, WPJV435, WROC395 (Chalmette)
152.397500 Rain CII Carbon, WROC395 (Chalmette)
451.912500 Saint Bernard Parish Hospital, WQPZ740 (Chalmette)
452.400000 Saint Bernard Parish Hospital, WQPZ740 (Chalmette)
462.500000 Domino Sugars, KJJ232 (Arabi)
464.975000 Domino Sugars, KJJ232 (Arabi)

Plaquemines Parish:
48.600000 Vastar Resources, KFZ931 (Venice)
151.895000 Southern Seaplane, KEV563 (Belle Chasse)
152.285000 Energy XXI Gulf Coast, WRBZ500 (Venice)
152.315000 U.S. United Bulk Terminal, KJ5329 (Braithwaite)
152.330000 Lone Star Solutions, WRUL848 (Venice)
152.435000 U.S. United Bulk Terminal, KJ5329 (Braithwaite)
153.815000 Shell Communications, WNZT749 (Gulf of Mexico)
159.975000 Associated Federal Pilots and Docking Masters, WQID788 (Venice)
173.210000 Hilcorp Energy, WQKR500 (Gulf of Mexico)
451.250000 International Marine Matex Terminals, WROQ379 (Port Sulphur)
451.675000 International Marine Matex Terminals, WROQ379 (Port Sulphur)
451.675000 Texas Petroleum, WRPC453 (Pointe A La Hache)
452.250000 Hilcorp Energy, WQKH617 (Venice)
452.800000 Hilcorp Energy, WQKH617 (Venice)
461.350000 Cooper T. Smith Stevedoring, WQJI693 (Belle Chase)
462.012500 Keller North America, WRTS876 (Belle Chasse)
464.200000 Entact Environmental Services, WQPU293 (Belle Chasse)
462.250000 Daybrook Fisheries, WRA857 (Empire)
462.275000 Daybrook Fisheries, WRA857 (Empire)
462.425000 Daybrook Fisheries, WRA857 (Empire)
462.450000 Daybrook Fisheries, WRA857 (Empire)
464.850000 Cooper T. Smith Stevedoring, WQJI693 (Belle Chase)

Back to “Scanner Directory”

A Review of the Realistic (Radio Shack®) Pro-2004 Programmable Desktop Scanner

Eric John Monier1 Comment

Just in case anyone throws a fit or raises a fuss, I hereby declare that I am not the owner of the featured image on this page. I shall give credit whereupon credit is due, in this case, I cropped the image from the 1987 Radio Shack Catalog.

For those of you who didn’t realize, I was born in January of 1987.

It wouldn’t be for fourteen and a half years before I would discover scanner radios.

I wouldn’t own one until I was fifteen and going on sixteen.

Since then I have gone through several.

In my early thirties, I began collecting and even using some vintage scanner radios.

In the Summer of 2021, at the age of thirty-four-and-a-half, I purchased my first Realistic Radio Shack Pro 2004. Then in March of 2022, I purchased another of the same scanner. The reason why I wanted these is that they were Radio Shack top-of-the-line model scanners in 1987 and the second one I purchased came off the assembly line in January of 1987, according to the date code. I keep my first one in a secure storage area and I keep the one that is as old as me, next to my bed, for sentimental reasons.

And that scanner is what this piece will be a review thereof.

The Realistic Pro 2004 was indeed Radio Shack’s premium model scanner for the year 1987.

It retailed brand new for $399.99 in 1987 which, in 2022 dollars, would be a whopping $1,042.83!

To justify that cost, there is a plethora of features on this scanner that made it truly top-of-the-line.

I will list some of the features and specs along with my commentary:
Frequency Range 25-520 MHz and 760-1300 MHz-Very generous coverage, especially for the late 1980s.
AM/FM/WFM Selectable for each channel-There are some modern scanners that do not have this.
300 Channels in 10 Banks-more than what most scanner listeners know what to do with.
10 Search Ranges-perfect for hiding hidden frequencies on specific bands.
1 Priority Channel-I could take or leave this feature, honestly.
Memory powered by 9 Volt Battery-this is what technology offered in those days.
Power Supply 13.8 Volts DC or AC mains-can be used even in a power failure with the right equipment, that is.
Weight 7 pounds or 3.2 kilograms.
Sound Squelch-more scanners should have this feature available as it would make them less annoying to everyone else.
Tape out jack-another feature that more scanners should possess.
10dB attenuator-this is something that is found on the higher-end models, well this was a higher-end model.
Backlit display-great for listening at night.
Triple Conversion Superheterodyne Receiver-this provides excellent sensitivity as well as selectivity.
Two Speeds 9 or 16 Channels or Steps per second-pretty obsolete by 2022’s standards and I cannot believe scanners with this much memory were this slow.

Because it is analog only, non-trunking, and has a slow scan speed by today’s standards, it is partially [mostly] obsolete in 2022.

However, it can still be used to hear traffic on Citizen’s Band, the neighboring 11 Meter Free Bands, Military and Civilian Aircraft, fire dispatch (if set up properly), most railroads, and virtually all VHF Marine. There is also a good bit of business band and some EMS traffic that can still be heard in some areas. Since it can do AM or FM, I programmed some FM CB frequencies, since I currently (at the time of writing this) live near a truck stop and major highway.

Railroad, marine, or fire calls can be difficult to hear replies if all banks are turned on, because of the slow speed. Still, when coupled with a decent antenna, this scanner can pull in a great deal of radio traffic.

I use this mostly for hearing CB, Freeband, and the little bit of military aircraft in my area.

In order to hear fire dispatch, I must only monitor the bank I have set for that, as the slow speeds will cause me to miss some of the details of the call between the tones finishing and the dispatcher beginning.

I know I have listed a few complaints about this scanner, but it is truly a workhorse.

Furthermore, how many scanners made in 2022 will be able to pick up any signals or even work at all 35 years in the future?

I know I purchased this for sentimental reasons and that, I can use other scanners to feed my listening hobby, but this is still a winner.

If I was old enough in 1987 to purchase this scanner, I would give it a full 5 out of 5 stars and I would probably lock myself with it in a room and be listening for days on end.

I still give it a 3 out of 5 stars for it in 2022 but am annoyed more than anything else by the excessively slow scan speed. Everything else makes this scanner awesome.

I guess this, therefore, concludes my review of the Realistic Radio Shack Pro 2004.

I hope that you, the reader, have been informed, entertained, and maybe even enlightened.

May God richly bless you!

Back to “Product Reviews”

A Review of the Midland ER10VP Compact AM/FM/Weather Radio

Eric John MonierLeave a comment

Let’s clear the air now: I declare that I am not the owner of the featured image on this page and I, therefore, give all credit whereupon credit is rightly due.

I, of course, have felt the need to EDC a Weather Radio for quite some time.

For years, my go-to EDC Weather Radio was a Midland HH50B.

My lovely fiancée now carries one of those.

In the Spring of 2022, I decided to try a newer Weather Radio for EDC purposes.

There’s nothing really wrong with the Midland HH50B, save for a faulty belt clip.

I just wanted to try something new for a change.

Therefore in that aforementioned time, I purchased a Midland ER10VP and have been EDCing this ever since.

And that is what this piece will be a review thereof.

God be praised, there hasn’t been much severe weather in 2022 so far, at least for my immediate area. This is a very good thing for me as I am currently living in subpar housing.

I lost my original Midland WR100EZ to Hurricane Ida, but my renter’s insurance replaced it and pretty much everything else that I lost. So, I keep one of those on standby right next to where I sleep. As mentioned before, if my fiancée and I are traveling, she carries a Midland HH50B in whatever handbag she has at the moment. And sometimes, I will carry my Midland ER10VP in my EDC backpack.

I think Midland makes the best weather radios that are currently on the market and I have relied on them for almost a decade.

Initially, I purchased my Midland ER10VP to give as a gift to a friend but later purchased him a better radio in the stead.

Therefore, I kept the Midland ER10VP for myself and have been EDCing it on and off since.

If I know ahead of time that there will be a significant chance for severe weather, I stay with family members who have more sturdy housing.

This was the case on the evening of March 22, 2022. My parents had me come to their place to ride out a squall line that was due in our area that evening.

I had my Midland ER10VP with me and was on standby.

After Ida had damaged their home they had upgraded their roof.

While the squall line was passing through, I was in their attic with my tactical flashlight (a PowerTac Valor for those who wish to know) monitoring for leaks. There appeared to be none.

After the storms had moved out of my area, I kept my Midland ER10VP on standby, just in case.

At one point, it alerted me to a Tornado Warning for Lafourche Parish, and several minutes before my parents’ cable system got the message out.

Now I have been observing the weather for the past twenty years and usually, in fact, almost always when anything tornadic forms in Lafourche Parish, it is always in the southeastern portions of the Parish near the Jefferson Parish line.

This was the case with this tornado as well, but I kept tracking it with my Midland Weather Center app anyway. It turns out that this would be the tornado that damaged parts of Greater New Orleans.

My fiancée was staying in the New Orleans area during all this and because of a misunderstanding, I had put her in the friend zone, which was a huge mistake on my part. Still, I liked her and I wanted her and when I saw that the tornado that I had previously thought not much of was in her neck of the woods, I texted her, which gave her seconds to get to safety. In the text I let her know that I still cared about her. She and I eventually got into a relationship on May 23, 2022, and have been very happy ever since.

Two other times, I had used this weather radio that I am currently reviewing to monitor the progress of severe weather.

It entailed me packing it in my EDC backpack, then seeking shelter in a truck stop near my subpar housing site and purchasing some food and/or drink, so I can say that I am a paying customer, thus allowing me to stay in the trucker’s lounge or adjacent restaurant for more substantial shelter.

I am also assisted by my Midland Weather Center app and a robust data plan.

As you, the reader can see, I am quite satisfied with this product as far as Weather Radio reception is concerned.

FM reception is also fairly decent and AM reception is on par with that of a radio its size.

As much as I like flashlights, I could take or leave the flashlight feature on this device.

I could also take or leave the clock, although I do greatly appreciate the digital display and PLL tuner.

My one complaint is that it gets knocked on into standby mode way too easily, thus unnecessarily running down the batteries.

I wish there were a better way to keep it turned on while being carried in a backpack, so if one plans to use it as the main radio, have extra AA batteries on hand.

It does not have a SAME decoder feature, but I see this more as a traveler’s weather radio, and therefore, I don’t think it needs one.

Although I see it has much potential as a traveler’s weather radio, I think Midland has intended this to be for tracking the progress of severe weather during and after a severe weather event and also while off grid due to a severe weather event.

The following is what the company website had to say:

“Don’t be caught off guard when you’re off the grid – be prepared at all times with the Midland ER10VP Emergency Alert AM/FM Weather Radio. An essential piece of equipment when you’re hiking, fishing, hunting, overlanding, or camping with the family, the ER10VP will immediately alert you of incoming inclement weather. This versatile battery operated weather radio doubles as a flashlight with Hi, Lo, and SOS strobe options in case of emergency. Its slim and compact design lets you easily slip it into your pocket or gear bag, and it comes equipped with a wrist lanyard to keep it on you at all times. Leisurely listen to AM/FM radio with the comfort of knowing that you will be warned of any emergency weather in your area.”

For all intents and purposes, this is a great device for weather-related emergencies. It is especially perfect for the aftermath of a hurricane or tornado but could also be useful for everyday applications.

I guess this, therefore, concludes my review of the Midland ER10VP and if you, the reader are wondering, I give it 4.50 out of 5 stars only because it gets knocked on way too easily while in a backpack.

I hope that you have been informed, entertained, and maybe even enlightened.

May God richly bless you!

PS, Here is a YouTube video of it in action

Back to “Product Reviews”

A Review of the Radio Shack Pro-82 Handheld Scanner

Eric John MonierLeave a comment

It was either December 23 or Christmas Eve of 2004.

I was given some cash as a Christmas gift by my parents and was making a beeline to my local Radio Shack.

There was a certain scanner that I was laser-focused on purchasing, namely a Radio Shack Pro-82.

And that is what this piece will be a review thereof.

I had been medicated since the following June and this medication was hindering my academic performance considerably. This was on top of the fact that I don’t think I belonged in school or at least a conventional school.

However, despite experiencing all of these academic hindrances and anhedonia to a considerable degree, my scanner interest was still somewhat there, although it had been considerably diminished.

The two reasons for me desiring a Radio Shack Pro-82 were that it was affordable (on sale for $79.99), it could tune in civilian aircraft, and it had an extensive memory compared to what I had been previously used to.

That day, I don’t remember what type of shirt or pants I was wearing but I had on a Synergy jacket that I had worn from the ages of 11 to 22. I remember paying cash for the scanner and may have purchased some Alkaline Ennercell batteries for that scanner as well. I then placed the scanner still in its box along with the receipt in the shopping bag inside that jacket.

My Chemistry teacher happened to be also walking the mall and I remember running into her and asking if I passed for the semester to which she said I did. While I do think science is fascinating, I am terrible at it because of all the Algebra it requires.

Afterward, I went to Burger King along with my dad and brother and I drank some coffee, although I cannot remember what I had to eat.

When I arrived home, I set up the scanner and began to do a dedicated search of the aircraft band, although I could not well understand what was being said. Before this, my only ability to tune in aircraft transmissions was by my Radio Shack Multiband Radio which was a 12-756.

For the rest of Christmas Break, I used this scanner to tune in all sorts of aircraft communications.

I was also attending a church in Schriever, Louisiana, and should have used this scanner to tune in the railroad communications in addition to the aircraft communications.

What highly impressed me was the crispness and clarity of this scanner’s audio, especially compared to my Uniden BC80XLT, which seemed to have dull audio.

After Christmas break was over and school had resumed, I would frequently carry this scanner in my schoolbag and listen to it after school or during lunch (in a secluded area of the school.)

When not in school I was either tuning in local businesses (especially Southland Mall), fire and EMS communications, or sometimes marine traffic all in addition to air traffic.

It was now Summer break of 2005 and I had some income from my first job. For years I had wanted to obtain an amateur radio license but could never afford the equipment or even the test to take, but never had the income.

One day after work, I used this scanner to tune in to my local amateur radio repeater and took note of the callsigns being mentioned.

I had looked several of them up on QRZ’s website and acquired the email address of a few.

One older gentleman replied to my email and informed me that there was an event occurring shortly, namely Field Day. I did attend that event and I noticed that all the other guys were holding various handheld transceivers while I was holding my Radio Shack Pro 82. I was later given some study materials which helped me pass my exam on July 18, 2005.

So you, the reader, could say, this scanner was instrumental in me getting my ticket.

Sadly shortly after, there was a software glitch and it gave out on me.

I would replace it a year later with a Radio Shack Pro-95.

In November of 2009, I bought another Radio Shack Pro-82 and installed a high-performance antenna on it.

This second one was instrumental in me listening to my local railroads as well as the fire and business band.

In fact, it was my EDC scanner until December of 2011.

I ended up giving it to a friend in the former parts of 2012. I think he still uses it!

Feeling nostalgic, I purchased my third Radio Shack Pro-82 in the latter parts of 2021, although I haven’t used it much.

If one wants to listen to fire department tone-outs, marine traffic, civilian air traffic, most railroad traffic (even in 2022), [local] amateur radio, analog business band, racing, and maybe a few federal entities, then this scanner would still be useful even today. For anything else, it also receives Weather Radio broadcasts. I think it was put on the market in 2003 and taken off between 2007 and 2009, replaced by the Pro-404. This scanner does not tune in CB or Free Band, which means I will take off a point. It also does not have a Signal Stalker feature but it was made before such a feature was standard on most scanners.

A more detailed list of the features follows:

Frequency Range:
29.00-54.00 MHz FM
108.00-137.00 MHz AM
380.00-512.00 MHz FM

Dedicated Push button service band searches for
VHF Marine (ship button)
[Rural] Police, Fire, and EMS (flame button)
Civilian Aircraft (airplane button)
Amateur Radio (10M, 6M, 2M 70CM all in FM) (antenna button)
All 7 Weather Channels (storm cloud button)

200 Memory Channels

The Radio Shack Pro 82 was Radio Shack’s entry-level handheld model for the mid-2000s.

If only one could go back to [19]82 with one of these (considering the model number), then it would shine like the brightest beacon on a moonless night!

It may be considerably bulky by 2022’s standards, especially for someone wanting to watch trains and boats outdoors, but it makes up for it with sensitive tuning and excellent audio (which made me a convert to Radio Shack scanners for a few years.)

I guess this, therefore, concludes my review of the Radio Shack Pro-82.

If you’re wondering, I give it a 3 out of 5 stars. The first point was taken off for not featuring CB and Freeband when it easily could have. Another half point was taken off for not covering 800 MHz, which many even some rural agencies were using by 2003. Finally, there could have been a dedicated search for a business band, maybe with a dollar sign button to activate it. If I were to rate it in 2022, I would still give it 3 out of 5, analog 800 MHz is almost obsolete nowadays, but CB and Freeband are making a comeback, and business band frequencies are quite interesting to hear these days. However, this scanner is quite bulky and power-hungry by modern standards.

For those wondering, my anhedonia has been kept at bay almost continuously since late January 2006.

I hope that you, the reader, have been informed, enlightened, and maybe even entertained.

May God richly bless you!

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