Tune In to Being Earthquake-Ready

This may be the ideal earthquake country gadget: an affordable AM-FM radio/flashlight with a hand-crank generator--so dead batteries are no longer a problem.

Powered by either two standard AA batteries, hand-crank generator, solar or room light or by a plug-in adapter, this versatile item is great for storage in your earthquake kit or under your bed.

If no other power source is available, it will provide 10 minutes of news, music or illumination with a minute of hand cranking.

With its internal ni-cad batteries fully charged by its built-in solar collector or the optional AC adapter, the radio will play up to eight hours. It measures 7 inches by 3 inches by 1 1/4 inches and is light in weight.

The Rechargeable Dynamo and Solar Radio With Light is sold mail order from the Edge Co. ($29.95), (800) 732-9976 or the Grill Lover’s Catalog, ($39.99) (800) 241-8981.

It is also sold at B & B Hardware in Culver City, ($21.98) (310) 390-9413, where the manager said the store has sold between 100 and 150 of the radios each month for several years.

A standard 4.5 volt AC adapter from most electronic dealers will power the radio from a household wall outlet.

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Gary Abrams is a general contractor who has written about home improvement for The Times for eight years. Comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 711, Thousand Oaks, CA 91319. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Abrams can also be reached at homedoc.pacbell.net.