A hand crank emergency radio is simple to use, but a few habits make the difference between a radio that works in a storm and one that's dead in a drawer. This guide covers how to charge it, set up weather alerts for where you're parked, and use the crank and solar panel. It's based on the Midland ER310 and ER40, using Midland's own guidance. Buttons and menus differ between models, so keep your owner's manual handy.
Step 1: Charge it fully by USB first
This is the step most people skip. Midland says the solar panel is not meant to charge a low or dead battery. It's there to keep a full battery topped up. So before anything else:
- Plug the radio into a USB charger with the cable. On the ER310, Midland says to use a 5 V adapter. The radio comes with the cable but not the wall adapter.
- Leave it to charge fully. Midland suggests charging overnight.
In an RV, any 5 V USB port works: a 12 V USB socket, a wall adapter on shore power, or a portable power station.
Step 2: Find your local NOAA weather channel
NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts warnings, watches and forecasts from the nearest National Weather Service office, 24 hours a day. It uses seven frequencies, from 162.400 to 162.550 MHz. Your radio labels them as weather channels (WX).
- Switch the radio to the weather band.
- Step through the channels and stop on the one with a clear broadcast.
- To be sure it's the right one for your county, check the "Find My Station" map on the National Weather Service's NOAA Weather Radio site (weather.gov/nwr). If your county has more than one channel, Midland suggests picking the one that comes in clearest.
RV tip: the right channel changes as you travel. Re-check it every time you set up at a new campground.
Step 3: Turn on weather alerts
A weather radio is only useful as a warning device if alert mode is on. Then it stays quiet and sounds an alarm when the Weather Service issues an alert on your channel.
- On the ER310, Midland says to make sure "WX" is flashing at the top of the screen. If it isn't, press the WX/M button briefly.
- The ER310 receives all alerts for your area, including the weekly test. You can't pick which alerts it sounds for.
- The weekly test is a good thing: if you hear it, you know the radio and channel are working.
Step 4: Use the crank when there's no other power
The hand crank is your backup when there's no USB power and no sun. Turn the handle steadily. Cranking charges the internal battery, so a few minutes of cranking gives you some listening time. Check your owner's manual for how long a given amount of cranking runs that model.
- Crank in short sessions and use the radio between them, instead of trying to fully charge the battery by hand.
- Use the crank to keep alerts and the flashlight running. Recharge by USB as soon as power is back.
- Turn the flashlight off when you don't need it, and use a low brightness setting if your radio has one. Light uses battery fast.
Step 5: Keep it topped up with solar
Once the battery is full, the solar panel helps it stay that way. Midland's figures for the ER310:
- Fully charged by USB and then kept in a sunny spot, it typically goes 2 to 3 weeks between charges.
- Without sun, it gets about a week of charge.
- Solar charging may not move the battery indicator. That's normal.
In an RV, a sunny spot on the dash or a window ledge works well while you're parked or driving.
Charging your phone from the radio
Most crank radios have a USB port to charge a phone, but be realistic. Midland explains that these radios were designed to give an older phone an emergency charge. Today's phones have much bigger batteries, and the radio won't drain its own battery to charge them, since its main job is keeping you alerted. Expect a small top-up at best on a modern phone. For real phone charging, carry a power bank or power station.
Turning it off and storing it
- The ER310 is meant to stay on all the time, so it can sound alerts. Holding the BAND button stops the radio playing, but the screen stays on with the clock.
- To fully power down the ER310 for storage, Midland says to remove the battery and store it separately.
- Keep the radio in your go-bag or near the door, not buried in a cabinet. See our RV emergency kit checklist.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| No weather alerts | Alert mode is on ("WX" flashing on the ER310), and you're on the right channel for your county. |
| Static on every weather channel | You may be out of range of a transmitter, or the station may be down. The NWS NOAA Weather Radio site lists outages. Try moving to a window or outside. |
| Solar won't charge it | Solar can't revive a flat battery. Charge it fully by USB first. |
| Phone starts charging then stops | Normal with modern phones. The radio protects its own battery. Use a power bank. |
| Battery runs down in storage | Keep it in the sun to stay topped up, or remove the battery for long-term storage. |
Quick checklist
- Charge fully by USB before you leave.
- Set your local weather channel at every new stop.
- Keep alert mode on.
- Leave it in the sun to stay topped up.
- Crank in short bursts when there's no other power.
- Don't rely on it to charge a modern phone.
Not sure which radio to get? See Midland ER310 vs ER40, or browse our Midland radios.
FAQ
How do you charge a hand crank radio?
Charge it fully by USB first. Then keep it in the sun so the solar panel tops it up, and use the hand crank when there's no other power.
Can a solar panel charge a dead crank radio?
Not on Midland's ER radios. Midland says the solar panel extends the charge of a full battery but won't charge it from low or empty. Use USB first.
How long does a crank radio stay charged?
For the ER310, Midland says 2 to 3 weeks between USB charges when it's kept in a sunny spot, and about a week without sun.
Why won't my crank radio charge my phone?
Modern phones have far larger batteries than these radios were designed to charge, and the radio protects its own battery for alerts. Expect a small top-up at most.
How do I find the right NOAA weather channel?
Use the "Find My Station" map on the National Weather Service's NOAA Weather Radio site, or step through the weather channels and pick the clearest one.
How do I turn off a Midland ER310?
It's designed to stay on for alerts. Holding BAND stops playback. To power it down completely, remove the battery.