Staying informed about severe weather is crucial for your safety and preparedness. NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is a nationwide network broadcasting weather and hazard information 24/7. Programming your NOAA weather radio correctly ensures you receive timely alerts specific to your location. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to program your NOAA weather radio, making sure you are always a step ahead of any weather emergency.
Understanding NOAA Weather Radio and Why Programming Matters
NOAA Weather Radio is operated by the National Weather Service (NWS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It broadcasts warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information. Think of it as a dedicated weather channel, but specifically designed for potentially life-saving alerts.
There are two main types of NOAA Weather Radios:
- Radios with SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding): These are more advanced and allow you to program them for specific counties or areas. This means you only receive alerts relevant to your chosen locations, reducing unnecessary alarms.
- Radios without SAME: These are simpler and broadcast all alerts for a broader listening area based on the selected frequency.
Programming is vital, especially for SAME radios. Without proper programming, you might miss critical alerts for your area or be overwhelmed by alerts from distant locations.
NOAA Weather Radio Frequencies: Finding the Right Channel
NOAA Weather Radio operates on seven VHF frequencies. You need to tune your radio to the frequency broadcasting from your local NWS office. Here’s a list of common frequencies:
| Channel | Frequency (MHz) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 162.400 |
| 2 | 162.425 |
| 3 | 162.450 |
| 4 | 162.475 |
| 5 | 162.500 |
| 6 | 162.525 |
| 7 | 162.550 |
To find the best frequency for your location:
- Consult the NOAA Website: Visit the NOAA NWR website and use their station locator map. Enter your location (zip code or city, state) to find the closest transmitters and their corresponding frequencies.
- Radio’s Auto-Search Feature: Many radios have an “auto-search” or “channel scan” function. Refer to your radio’s manual, but typically, you’ll press a “Weather” or “Menu” button and select “Channel Scan.” The radio will automatically search for active NOAA channels in your area.
- Manual Tuning: If auto-search isn’t available or effective, manually cycle through channels 1-7 on your radio. Listen for a clear broadcast with your local weather information. The clearest signal indicates the best frequency for your location.
Once you’ve found a clear channel, note the channel number for the programming steps below.
Programming Instructions for Common NOAA Weather Radio Models
The programming process varies slightly depending on the radio model and manufacturer. Below are instructions for some popular models, similar to those mentioned in the original article, to give you an idea of the general steps. Always refer to your radio’s specific user manual for the most accurate instructions.
Midland Weather Radio Programming
Midland is a well-known brand for weather radios. Here are programming examples for a few Midland models:
Midland WR-100
A Midland WR-100 NOAA Weather Radio, a desktop model for receiving weather alerts.
Adjusting Weather Frequency:
- Press the MENU button.
- Use the ARROW KEYS to find “WEATHER CHANNEL” on the screen.
- Press SELECT.
- Use the UP ARROW key to scroll through channels until you hear a broadcast.
- Press SELECT to save the channel.
- Press MENU to exit.
Setting SAME Code:
- Press MENU and use UP ARROW to find “SAME Set”.
- Press SELECT, then use UP ARROW to choose “SINGLE,” “MULTIPLE,” or “ANY.” Select “SINGLE” and press SELECT (“SAME 01” appears).
- Press SELECT again to start code entry.
- Use UP ARROW to select digits (0-9) and RIGHT ARROW to move to the next digit.
- Repeat for all six digits of your SAME code, then press SELECT.
- For multiple codes, choose “MULTIPLE” in step 2 and follow similar steps for each location.
- Press MENU to save settings.
Choosing Alert Type:
- Press MENU and use ARROW KEYS to find “ALT TYPE”.
- Use UP ARROW to select “DISPLAY,” “VOICE,” or “TONE.”
- Press SELECT to choose.
- Press MENU to exit.
Midland WR-300
The Midland WR-300, another desktop weather radio, designed to receive and alert users to NOAA broadcasts.
Adjusting Weather Frequency:
- Press the MENU button.
- Use the ARROW KEYS until “WEATHER CHANNEL” is displayed.
- Press SELECT.
- Use the UP ARROW key to scroll through channels until you hear a broadcast.
- Press SELECT to save.
- Press MENU to exit.
Setting SAME Code:
- Press MENU, use UP ARROW to find “County Code”.
- Press SELECT, choose “SINGLE,” “MULTIPLE,” or “ALL.” Select “SINGLE” and press SELECT.
- Press SELECT again to start code entry.
- Use UP ARROW for digits (0-9), RIGHT ARROW to move to the next digit.
- Repeat for all six SAME code digits, press SELECT.
- For multiple codes, choose “MULTIPLE” in step 2 and follow similar steps for each code location.
- Press MENU to save settings.
Choosing Alert Type:
- Press MENU, find “ALERT MODE” using ARROW KEYS.
- Press SELECT, “VOICE” blinks.
- Press SELECT for voice alert, or use UP ARROW to “SIREN” and press SELECT for siren alert.
Midland 74-210
The Midland 74-210 weather radio, a model designed for receiving NOAA weather alerts and featuring SAME technology.
Selecting a Channel:
- Set FM/WR switch to WR, press RADIO (current channel shows on LCD).
- Press PROGRAM to enter program mode, rotate SEARCH knob to “CHANNEL”.
- Press ENTER, channel number (1-7) appears next to “CHANNEL”.
- Rotate SEARCH knob to desired channel.
- Press ENTER to store.
Setting SAME Code:
- Press PROGRAM, rotate SEARCH knob to find six digits for county code (e.g., 000000).
- Press ENTER, rotate SEARCH knob to select county code memory location.
- Press ENTER to start county code entry. First two digits blink. Enter first two digits.
- Press ARROW, next two digits blink. Enter next two digits.
- Repeat step 4 for last two digits.
- Press ENTER to store.
- Press PROGRAM to exit program mode.
Oregon Scientific WR-108
The Oregon Scientific WR-108, a compact public alert weather radio, equipped for NOAA broadcasts.
Changing Settings (including Channel and SAME Code):
- Press and hold MENU to enter setting mode.
- Use ARROW KEYS to scroll through settings (set alarm/clock/location). Press MENU to select.
- Use ARROW KEYS to change setting, press MENU to confirm and move to next setting.
Setting SAME Code:
- Navigate to SET LOCATION mode (see “Changing Settings”).
- Select a location (C0-C9), enter 6-digit code.
- Select “NAME” or “FIPS.”
- If “NAME,” enter state, then county (EXIT to save). Entering only state receives all alerts for that state.
- If “FIPS,” enter 6-digit FIPS code (EXIT to save).
- To activate a location, select it, press MENU, when code blinks, use UP ARROW to activate, DOWN ARROW to deactivate, EXIT to confirm.
Radio Shack Hazard Alert 12-262
A Radio Shack Hazard Alert 12-262 weather radio, a legacy model for receiving emergency weather broadcasts.
Selecting Channel:
- Press MENU/SELECT, use ARROW KEYS to “SELECT CH”.
- Press MENU/SELECT, choose “AUTO” or “MANUAL” using ARROW KEYS.
- “AUTO”: Radio searches channels 1-7. “WEATHER CHANNEL X AVAILABLE” when found.
- “MANUAL”: Use ARROW KEYS to choose channel, press MENU/SELECT to save.
- Press LEFT ARROW to exit menu.
Setting SAME Code:
- Press MENU/SELECT, use ARROW KEYS to “LOCATION”.
- Press MENU/SELECT, choose “ALL,” “SINGLE,” or “MULTIPLE” with ARROW KEYS.
- “ALL”: Receives all alerts within 50 miles.
- “SINGLE”/”MULTIPLE”: Select location, use ARROW KEYS to “EDIT?” or “DELETE?”.
- To edit code, press MENU/SELECT, use ARROW KEYS to select state and county.
- Press RIGHT ARROW to show SAME code.
- Use ARROW KEYS to change digits, RIGHT ARROW to next digit.
- Press MENU/SELECT to confirm and exit.
Finding Your SAME Code (FIPS Code)
SAME codes, also known as FIPS codes, are six-digit codes identifying specific counties or areas. You need the SAME code(s) for your location(s) to program a SAME-enabled radio for targeted alerts.
How to find your SAME code:
- NOAA NWR Website: The NOAA NWR website has a SAME code lookup tool. You can typically search by state and county to find your code.
- Online FIPS Code Lookups: Many websites offer FIPS code lookups. Search online for “FIPS code lookup” and enter your location information.
- County or Local Government Websites: Sometimes, your county or local emergency management agency website will list the local SAME codes.
Example: For Mobile County, Alabama, you would look up Alabama, then find Mobile County in the list to get the 6-digit SAME code.
Understanding Weather Alerts: Watches, Warnings, and Advisories
NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts different types of alerts. Understanding the difference is important for proper response:
- Watch: A watch means conditions are favorable for a particular hazardous weather event to occur in the specified area. Be Prepared. For example, a Tornado Watch means tornadoes are possible in the watch area.
- Warning: A warning means a hazardous weather event is occurring, is imminent, or has a high probability of occurring. Take Action! For example, a Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar, posing an immediate threat.
- Advisory: An advisory is issued for less serious conditions than warnings that may cause significant inconvenience and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.
Common Weather Alert Codes (PIL Codes):
- TOR: Tornado Warning
- SVR: Severe Thunderstorm Warning
- FFW: Flash Flood Warning
- WSW: Winter Storm Warning
Knowing these codes can help you quickly understand the type of alert being broadcast.
Tips for Optimal NOAA Weather Radio Programming and Use
- Test Your Radio Regularly: Most NOAA stations conduct a weekly test, usually on Wednesdays. Check your radio’s manual to see if it audibly alerts for tests and how to enable/disable test alerts. Regular testing ensures your radio is functioning correctly.
- Check Battery Backup: If your radio has a battery backup, ensure the batteries are fresh. Power outages often accompany severe weather, making battery power essential.
- Placement: Position your radio in a central location in your home or workplace for best audibility.
- Speaker Volume: Adjust the volume to a level where you can clearly hear alerts, especially at night.
- Stay Updated: Weather information can change rapidly. Rely on NOAA Weather Radio for the most up-to-date official weather alerts and information.
Conclusion: Stay Safe and Informed with a Programmed NOAA Weather Radio
Programming your NOAA Weather Radio is a simple but crucial step in ensuring your safety during severe weather. By correctly setting the frequency and SAME codes for your location, you’ll receive timely and relevant alerts, giving you valuable time to prepare and take action. Take the time to program your radio today and gain peace of mind knowing you have a direct link to life-saving weather information. Remember to always consult your radio’s manual for the most accurate programming instructions and explore the NOAA website for additional resources and information.
