Kaito KA600 review

Who it is for

The KA600 suits someone who wants one radio to follow local news, national stations and shortwave broadcasts as well as NOAA weather, through a power outage or a camping trip. Kaito describes it as a digital portable receiver for everyday use as well as emergencies. By the manual's figures it measures about 9.4 by 5.4 by 2.8 inches and weighs about 1.2 lb with its batteries, so it is a tabletop or shelf radio more than a pocket one.

For a radio that sits by the bed and wakes you for a warning in your county, a dedicated alert radio such as the Midland WR120B is the simpler choice.

Bands and weather alerts

The manual lists FM from 87 to 108 MHz, shortwave from 2,300 to 23,000 kHz and longwave from 150 to 521 kHz, plus AM and seven preset weather channels. That matters because, as the National Weather Service explains, NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts on special VHF frequencies that cannot be heard on a simple AM/FM radio.

Kaito also lists an Alert mode: with it set, the radio switches itself on and plays the weather emergency when a NOAA alert signal comes in. Kaito does not describe county-by-county S.A.M.E. filtering in its text, so expect it to respond to alerts from your transmitter's whole area. NWS says reception typically reaches about 40 miles from a transmitter on level ground, so check your local station first.

Five ways to power it

Kaito lists an optional AC/DC adapter, three AA batteries (not included), a built-in rechargeable Ni-MH pack, a hand crank and a flip-up solar panel that turns through 180 degrees. The Ni-MH pack can be charged by the adapter, the crank, the sun or a computer over USB, and Kaito says the solar panel can run the radio even with no battery fitted. Flip the CHARGE switch first, as the manual instructs.

It can also charge a phone, though the manual cautions that some phones with particular charging demands may not charge from it. Kaito does not publish a battery capacity, runtimes or how much cranking gives how much listening, so treat phone charging as a top-up, not a full refill, and keep AA batteries in the kit.

Extras and care

There is an LED flashlight and a five-LED reading lamp, plus a temperature and moisture indicator. The manual warns against exposing the radio to rain or humidity and against leaving it in strong sunlight for long periods, and advises removing batteries to prevent leaks. Our weather radio and hand crank radio guide explains how these radios fit into a plan.

How it compares, and the verdict

On our weather radio comparison and hand crank radio page, the Midland ER310PRO is another crank radio worth comparing, and Kaito's own Voyager Max KA900 is a related model. For serious shortwave listening, the C. Crane CC Skywave 2 is a travel-size alternative. The KA600's appeal is breadth: every band plus every power source in one box.

Verdict: a versatile, well-equipped radio for listening through an outage. Skip it if you want something small for a go-bag, need county-coded alerts, or want published runtime figures.

Does the Kaito KA600 have a NOAA weather alert?

Yes. Kaito says that in Alert mode the radio turns itself on and reports the emergency when it receives a NOAA alert signal. It does not describe county-specific S.A.M.E. coding.

Can the KA600 charge a cell phone?

Kaito says it can charge phones and other gadgets by USB, though some phones with special charging requirements may not charge. No output or capacity figure is published, so expect a top-up.

What batteries does the KA600 use?

It has a built-in rechargeable Ni-MH pack and also takes three AA batteries, which are not included. It can run from an AC adapter or the solar panel too.

Can I hear NOAA weather on a regular AM/FM radio?

No. The National Weather Service says NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts cannot be heard on a simple AM/FM receiver. The KA600 has the seven weather channels built in.