Expecting a winter storm? Ready your radio

Many of us living in the eastern half of North America are bracing for a winter storm this weekend.

If predictions are correct, this storm could dump a lot of snow, sleet, and freezing rain in many areas.

Of concern to many is the potential for power loss across the region, should this storm have the expected impact. I, myself, live in a rural mountainous area and fully expect to lose power at some point this weekend. (Keep this in mind if you try contacting me.)

Often when a storm is pending, people rush to the stores to buy bread, milk, and eggs. What I concern myself with is stocking up on power!

And you can guess why. It's a fact, and a fun one: some of the best shortwave/mediumwave listening conditions happen during a regional power outage. The local noise level simply dives as noisy electronics take a temporary vacation"leaving an opening for some great SWLing.

Here's my pre-winter storm checklist:

• Charge batteries
  • Recharge AA cells for portables
  • Charge the internal battery in my CommRadio CR-1a
• Have the World Radio TV Handbook handy
• Have several flashlights at the ready (I'm especially partial to the HumanaLight!)
• Make sure gasoline tanks for the portable generator are topped up
• Fill the 4i-4 with diesel
• Charge my VHF/UHF Handy-Talkies
• Oh, yeah"stock pantry/fridge with plenty of food and water

No power? No problem! While the snow blows, I'll feed the fire in the wood stove, brew a steaming pot of joe with my syphon coffeemaker, and cozy up to my warm radio"for a long afternoon of listening. Ahhh...

SWLing Post readers: How do you prepare for potential power outages?