About the Scout

The Freeplay Scout is a self-sufficient 4-band radio (AM/FM/SW1/SW2) designed, developed, and tested specifically for use in harsh conditions – for long periods and with no maintenance.  The Scout and its sibling the Lifeline are unique in the radio industry in that they have been designed specifically for use in development initiatives and other humanitarian projects.

Smaller than the Lifeline, the Scout is for use by individuals and smaller groups.  While it has a lower cost than the Lifeline, it does not compromise on quality, performance or ruggedness.  Engineered to be highly robust for use in the harshest of rural conditions and climates, the Scout is easy to operate, has excellent reception and runs on both solar and wind-up power.

Developed on Freeplay’s proven Ranger chassis and further fortified for harsh environments, the Freeplay Scout is a compact, robust and dependable radio for individuals and small groups.  Energy and poverty are linked.  To break the poverty cycle, people must have unlimited and inexpensive access to information and access to education.  Nearly 2 billion people in the world, approximately 35% of the global population, still do not have electricity.  Sub-Saharan Africa, with a population of about 350 million people, has the lowest levels of electrification in the world, where 9 out of 10 people do not have electricity.  The Scout radio makes it possible for them to have sustainable access to information and educational content.

Freeplay radios have been used to provide information that is vital to improved health, safety, education, agricultural productivity, disaster mitigation, governance and ultimately opportunity for a better life.  The introduction of the lower-cost Scout enables these benefits to be provided to larger numbers of individuals and groups.

Benefits

• Radio programming can perform the role of "surrogate teacher", helping fill the educational void.
• Radio programming can offer useful information to orphans that a parent or adult would normally provide.
• In most of the developing world, electricity is non-existent and batteries are unaffordable on an ongoing basis, especially to women and children.
• Information and education are vital to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS. The Scout radio makes sustainable access to information and educational content possible.
• A 60-second wind (nominally between 120 and 140 rpm) typically results in an hour of play time.
• The winder handle can be turned in either direction.
• The Freeplay Scout does not rely on external power sources or disposable batteries to function – which means dependable access to information wherever and whenever it is required.
• The integrated solar panel allows the radio to charge itself or play uninterrupted when exposed to sunlight.  The Scout will still play when exposed to the sun with an absent, faulty or dead battery pack.  The radio will not be damaged under these circumstances.

Product Features

• Compact, portable and easy to use
• Four-band coverage ensures access to many channels: AM/FM/SW1/SW2
  
• Suitable for individual or smaller-group listening
• Solar powered
• Integrated crank (can be turned in either direction) uses Freeplay's patented high-efficiency self-charge system to provide power when there is no sunlight
• Can play for up to 24 hours when fully charged
• Highly geared fine-tuning knob to make tuning easy
• Included extension antenna enhances SW reception in areas with weaker signals
• Operates in extreme temperatures, rain, moisture, dust, sand and humidity