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The Ultimate Protest Machine: ThunderPower Megaphones and Tips for Your Next Rally

ThunderPower ultimate protest machine concept: A woman uses a THUN-250 megaphone to chant while raising her fist and marching in a crowd.

The best way to spark change is to get your voice heard, and that often includes the act of protesting. If you’re preparing for your next rally, we have several recommendations on what to take with you — not the least of which includes our powerful megaphones and bullhorns. Learn why ThunderPower is considered the ultimate protest machine, as well as the other essentials you should pack.

Why ThunderPower Is the Ultimate Protest Machine

Megaphones are the most convenient means of enhancing your voice and projecting it to your intended audience. But in order to do that, they need to offer excellent sound quality, range, and durability. That’s where ThunderPower megaphones shine.

Whether you’re considering our most compact model or our largest, all ThunderPower megaphones offer:

  • Clear sound quality, thanks to their design.
  • Range, thanks to battery power. 
  • Durability, thanks to industrial-grade, heavy-duty plastic.

What you need to ask yourself is: how many people do you want to hear you? That answer will help you decide which of our models are best suited for your next protest.

Here are some factors to keep in mind:

Crowd size, which will help you determine what range you’ll need from your megaphone.

Location of the protest, and whether you expect to relocate or march, which will help you decide on a smaller megaphone you can carry in one hand, or a larger one that requires a carrying strap.

Length of the protest, which will indicate whether you’ll want to take backup batteries for your megaphone, and whether you’d prefer a model that offers a vehicle charging adaptor.

Megaphone Examples

While ThunderPower offers several megaphone models to choose from, here are three suggestions for your consideration: 

The THUN-150: compact but powerful, this lightweight model is easy to carry while ensuring your voice is heard loud and clear. It offers 15 watts of power, a 600-yard range, 98 decibels (dB) for voice, and 112 dB for siren.

The THUN-250: this is one of the best medium-sized megaphones on the market, offering 25 watts of power, a 1200-yard range, 102 dB for voice, and 118 dB for siren.

The THUN-1200: weighing in at roughly seven (7) pounds, this megaphone is designed to be carried with a shoulder strap and used with a palm mic. Known as “The Earthquake Maker,” it should come as no surprise that the THUN-1200 packs a punch at 45 watts. That means you’ll have a 2000-yard range, 112 dB for voice, and 122 dB for siren.

You can see a full lineup of our available megaphones here. Once you’ve decided which one is right for your needs, let’s review the other protest essentials you’ll want to take with you.

Your Ultimate Protest Machine Checklist

Depending on how long your protest will last, you may consider bringing the following items.

Water. Adequate hydration is important when you aren’t moving, so imagine how much more it will be when you’re standing and marching over the course of several hours. The time of year and weather conditions (heat, humidity) will also determine how much water you’ll want to make sure you bring for yourself and those who may be joining you. It’s worth noting that should any protesters become injured at a rally, water may also be helpful for cleaning dirty wounds and reducing eye irritation.

Food. Based on where you’ll be protesting, you may not have convenient access to food beyond what you bring yourself. Consider stocking up on options like snack bars, fruit, and nuts, as they can all be easy to transport and effective at keeping you healthy and alert.

Appropriate attire. Again, be mindful of the weather and how long you anticipate being out in it. If you’re planning to move a lot, good walking shoes are essential. Hot temperatures can require loose-fitting clothing, hats or visors, and sunglasses — and yes, plenty of sunscreen and deodorant. Inclement weather can mean wearing raincoats and galoshes, as well as carrying umbrellas. You may also decide that it’s best to have a spare change of clothes just in case it becomes necessary.

A backpack. It may seem obvious to mention at this point, but carrying around all of the items we’ve already listed means having a durable backpack or travel bag.

First aid kit. While water can be used to clean wounds, you’ll do well to have basic medical supplies in case someone does get scratched or injured more severely. Gauze, bandaids, and alcohol wipes are some of the first aid options that can come in handy in a pinch. Bringing along hand sanitizer is also recommended as a simple sanitary precaution.

Extra batteries. Your megaphone will thank you.

Flashlights. More than likely, your protest will happen during the day. But for those times of the year when there’s less daylight, or when protests extend into the evening hours, having flashlights can be useful for keeping track of your fellow protesters and staying aware of your surroundings. The tip about extra batteries applies to these, too.

Cash. It’s always good to carry a little in case you need additional supplies.

A pen/pencil/marker and paper. These days, most people probably rely on technology like their smartphones to take notes and send information. However, there’s no guarantee that you’ll have reliable cell reception when you’re attending a massive rally. Plus, your phone battery might not be sufficient to last for the entire event. A simple writing tool is helpful if and when you need it.

Your protest sign. This probably goes without saying, depending on whether or not you intended to bring one already, but it’s worth keeping in mind how you plan to carry your sign in conjunction with the other items on this list (and how big of a backpack that will require).

Honorable Mention: Protest Songs

What’s a protest without music? Plenty of songs have been written about protesting throughout the ages, with no shortage of popular ones you could use during your next rally. Those include:

Bob Dylan, “Masters of War.”
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, “Ohio.”
Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Fortunate Son.”
Rage Against the Machine, “Killing in the Name.”

What’s the best way to hear that music loud and clear? You guessed it — ThunderPower megaphones. 

Models like the THUN-150 and THUN-1200 come with separate audio inputs that you can use to play music from an attached device.

Are You Ready To Be Your Own Ultimate Protest Machine?

We support your right to protest, and we want to help you make sure your voice is heard! Contact us today at 877-782-7073 to discuss the megaphones and bullhorns we have in stock, and get the ones you need. You can also review our full lineup and available discounts here.

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ThunderPower Offers Superior Megaphones for Cheerleaders

Cheerleaders, football players, and a coach all huddle together with a trophy to celebrate a winning game. A cheerleader holds a ThunderPower megaphone.

Cheerleading season may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean squads won’t be practicing over the spring and summer, and they’ll need megaphones! ThunderPower is here to help teams ensure their routines go smoothly and their voices are heard so that they’re ready to crush it at their next major competition or sporting event. Learn how, and which megaphones for cheerleaders we recommend.

The History of Megaphones for Cheerleaders

Megaphones have been a part of cheerleading since they were wooden and acoustic. In fact, their first recorded use with a cheer team dates back to 1898 at the University of Michigan.

These days, ThunderPower’s electronic models — also known as bullhorns — are made with industrial-grade, molded plastic, making them preferable because of their added strength, enhanced clarity, and extended range. We carry several bullhorn models to meet the specific needs of your training.

Megaphone Pro Tip

If you really want some force behind your cheers, make sure to take a look at “The Earthquake Maker,” our most powerful megaphone. Running on 45 watts and offering a range of 2000 yards, the THUN-1200 is guaranteed to make you the loudest person at any event. Plus, it’s big enough to require a carrying strap and speaker mic for ease of use.

ESSER II and ARP ESSER Funds

Not sure if you have the money to budget for new megaphones? Check if your school has funds remaining from ESSER II and ARP ESSER. If you’re not aware, these packages were part of COVID relief authorized by the federal government for schools to make improvements to air quality, cleaning and sanitation, and communications equipment. It’s worth confirming with your district if megaphones apply, and that you make sure to obligate available funds by their respective deadlines (September 30th of this year for ESSER II, and September 30th of next year for ARP ESSER).

Cheerleader Safety

Safety’s a big part of any sport, and cheerleading is no exception. Summer practice can be more difficult due to the heat, which is why TheCheerBuzz offers some tips on how to protect your squad members.

Megaphones also contribute to that safety. If one of your team members feels threatened, they can use a megaphone to call for help, or activate its siren to alert others. (This is why we highly recommend that everyone has a megaphone in their disaster kit.)

ThunderPower Megaphone Suggestions

While we stand by the quality and craftsmanship of all of our models, here are the megaphones for cheerleaders we recommend when you’re looking for new ones for your squad.

THUN-150: 15 watts, 600-yard range, 98 decibels (dB) for voice, and 112 dB for siren.

THUN-120: 15 watts, 800-yard range, 100 dB for voice, and 112 dB for siren.

THUN-250: 25 watts, 1200-yard range, 102 dB for voice, and 118 dB for siren.

Questions?

Do you have questions about the megaphones we currently offer? We want to hear about them! Call us today at 877-782-7073 to speak with one of our customer service specialists.

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What Are Megaphones Used for in Winter?

A THUN-450 megaphone is displayed beside a winter rescue team member riding a snowmobile.

When you think of megaphones, you probably imagine sporting events, protests, and outdoor concerts — basically any situation where you need a tool that increases the volume of the human voice against surrounding noise or over a great distance. But when the temps start to drop, what are megaphones used for in winter? Here are a few options that you may not have thought about, and the recommended models that ThunderPower offers.

1. Winter Sports

Megaphones are great at any sporting event, and those held in winter are no exception. The biggest example that comes to mind is certainly the Winter Olympics. We’ve even had the honor of being the megaphone vendor of choice for the Games up in Canada. Having an assortment of high-quality megaphones makes coordinating large groups of people at these venues much easier, whether they’re the teams setting up and maintaining each event, or the crowds who are there to watch in person.

Recommended model: THUN-250. It’s made with heavy-duty industrial plastic, includes an extra loud siren, and offers a range of up to 1200 yards.

2. Ski Resorts

You don’t have to host a worldwide championship to need megaphones in the snow. Ski resorts depend on these units to maintain operations and make sure that skiers, snowboarders, and tubers remain safe. Emergency response can use them to communicate with customers quickly, as well as signal from the slopes. The fact that cold air affects how sound waves travel, allowing voices to be heard farther away, also helps.

Recommended model: THUN-450. This model offers convenient handling with a shoulder strap and palm mic, and comes with a range of up to 1400 yards.

3. Winter Training

Even if sporting events aren’t being held, that doesn’t mean athletes aren’t practicing — and that includes rowers! Coaches need the best means to direct their rowing teams during winter training to make sure no one gets injured.

Recommended model: THUN-1200. Known as “The Earthquake Maker,” this is the loudest megaphone ThunderPower currently carries, giving you a range of up to 2000 yards.

4. Emergency Kits

We’ve talked before about what items are essential in an emergency kit, and megaphones are definitely one of them. More reliable than cell phones, and easier to keep charged, these units can make all the difference for allowing rescue services to find you. Winter can be one of those times when inclement weather may threaten power, heat, and road travel, which means you want the best communications equipment available to make sure your voice is heard.

Recommended model: Any. This may depend more on your living situation and available storage with your emergency kit, but we think any ThunderPower megaphone will be good enough to help you in a crisis. That said, you can’t go wrong by having the loudest, which means the THUN-1200 may be the one you want to select.

Ready To Purchase Your Next Megaphone?

What are megaphones used for in winter? Turns out, a lot! If there are other examples you can think of that we missed, let us know! And if it’s time to place your order for the best megaphones available on the market, we’ve got plenty of ThunderPower options in stock that are ready to ship as soon as the day they’re purchased!

Call us today at 877-782-7073 to talk about the units you need.