Weather Radio Purchase Guide Weather Radios: Weather Radio Reviews, NOAA Radio, Public Alert Radio, Emergency Radio, All Hazard Radio, SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) Radio
Editor's Choice
We recommend Public Alert weather radios with SAME Technology. Digital tuning, optional external antenna capability and reliablity are the primary factors in choosing a weather radio.
We prefer the Weather Radios in the May we also suggest section (at the bottom of this page) for their reliability, featues and advanced programming technology. Our personal favorite is the Midland WR-100 becaue of the price vs. features.
What is an NOAA Weather Radio?
This life-saving technology broadcasts weather forecasts and travel conditions, storm warnings, and alerts affecting life and safety on a 24/7 basis - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The system is operated by the National Weather Service which is a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; both agencies are branches of the US Commerce Department. NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts are localized using over 600 special VHF transmitters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (stations are continually being added).
The NOAA frequencies are in the VHF radio spectrum ranging from 162.400 to 162.550 MHz, which is outside of the normal AM/FM radio bands and must be monitored by special receivers like the All Hazards/Weather Emergency Alert radios. These broadcasts can be received up to 40-50 miles from a NOAA transmitter.
What is EAS?
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) provides the only network of national and local government broadcasts for messages affecting public health and safety. Weather radios with SAME technology will receive these broadcasts automatically. EAS broadcasts may include warnings about weather and technological emergencies, including tornados and earthquakes; toxic chemical spills; radiation emergencies; explosions and fires; and other conditions that require immediate public notification.
With the EAS and the NOAA working in conjunction, communities are capable of being warned of every type of disaster - natural as well as man-made. Alerts and warnings (both visual and audio) are issued for such severe weather as hurricanes, tornados, floods, high winds, thunderstorms, tropical storms, radiation emergencies, hazardous chemical spills and fires within a 30-40 mile range.
What is S.A.M.E.?
S.A.M.E. is Specific Area Message Encoding. S.A.M.E. radios receive the same alerts and warnings as the NOAA radios, however they allow users to adjust their reception and identify information for specific counties of interest and concern, rather than for an entire regional broadcast area.
Weather Radio owners can easily program a SAME-equipped receiver with a six-digit code for a specific county location. This eliminates the numerous "false alarms" for weather alerts that may apply to an area 40 or 50 miles distant. Multiple county codes can be programmed and memorized by Oregon Scientific Weather Radios to permit storing home and business locations, travel/vacation destinations, and favorite recreational sites.
County Codes
For SAME Technology Codes and NOAA WEATHER RADIO
County by County Coverage:
>Link Here...
When travelling, simply program 0 (zero) as the county code and you will receive alerts within the local broadcast area. This avoids reprogramming county codes as you change locations.
Automated Computer Voice Broadcasts
In addition to active weather alerts and warnings, the automated computer voice broadcasts (or voice of the National Weather Service) allows you to listen to current weather conditions, weather forecasts as well as weather statements, alerts and warnings.
All weather radios have the ability to tune into a specific frequency and listen to broadcasts.
Automated computer voice broadcasts:
Temperature and Humidity
Barometric Pressure
Rain Fall
Weather Forecast
Storm and Disaster Warnings
Stand-by Mode
All NOAA Radios include a silent stand-by mode that automatically turns on the audio when an alert warning is received.
Public Alert Devices
The Public Alert Standard (CEA-2009) was developed by the Consumer Electronics Association in conjunction with the National Weather Service. Devices carrying the Public Alert logo meet certain technical standards and come with all the features mentioned above.
Weather Radio Accessories and Special Needs Weather Radios
External antennas, audio cables, bed shakers, strobe lights and wireless transmitters are available for special needs applications. For more information:
>Link Here...
Statements, Alerts and Warnings
The following statements, alerts and warnings are currently available with NOAA All Hazard Weather Radios.
911 Telephone Outage
Avalanche
Biological
Hazard
Boil Water Warning
Blizzard
Child Abduction
Civil Danger
Civil Emergency
Coastal Flood
Chemical Hazard
Dam Watch
Dam Break
Contagious Disease
Dust Storm
Emergency Action
Earthquake
Immediate Evacuation
Evacuation Watch
Food Contamination
Flash Flood
Flash Flood Watch
Flood Watch
Fire Warning
Flash Freeze
Freeze Warning
Hurricane
Hazardous Materials
Hurricane
High Wind
Iceberg
Industrial Fire
Local Area Emergency
Law Enforcement Warning
Land Slide
Nuclear Power Plant
Power Outage
Radiological Hazard
Special Marine Warning
Special Weather Statement
Shelter in Place Warning
Severe Thunderstorm
Severe Weather
Statement
Tornado Watch
Tornado
Tropical
Tsunami
Volcano
Wild Fire
Winter Storm Warning
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