7 Channel Weatheradio
(120-0249) Features Faxback Doc. # 40471
In 1994, the National Oceanic and Aerospace Administration (NOAA) began
broadcasting coded emergency weather signals that identify the specific
geographic area (such as a county) affected by an emergency. Until that
time, such specific emergency weather information was sent in other ways
(over land wire, for example) to other communication outlets (such as
radio stations), then broadcast to the public on AM or FM radio
frequencies or on TV.
NOAA transmits the coded weather emergency signals using a technique
called Specific Area Message Encoding, or SAME. Your RadioShack
7-Channel Weatheradio with NWR-SAME (National Weather Radio-SAME)
Severe-Weather Alert is specially designed to receive these SAME
transmissions.
The Weatheradio's SAME technology circuitry lets your program it with up
to 15 predefined state/county codes and receive emergency weather alert
broadcasts that notify you of weather warnings, watches, statements
-- about 30 different types -- for only those areas. ˙You can set the
Weatheradio to sound an alert when it receives a SAME emergency signal,
and you can adjust the alert volume.
In the most sophisticated alerting system, Weather Radio Specific Area
Message Encoding (SAME), digital coding is employed to activate only those
special receivers programmed for specific emergency conditions in a
specific area, typically a county. SAME can activate specially equipped
radio and cable television receivers and provide a short text message that
identifies the location and type of emergency. SAME will be the primary
activator for the new Emergency Alert System planned by the Federal
Communication Commission.
Currently, the 12-249 Weatheradio offers SAME alert capabilities.
The Weatheradio also comes preprogrammed with the seven NOAA broadcast
frequencies, so you can select the channel that is broadcast in your area
and listen to general weather information 24 hours a day.
The Weatheradio's features include:
Alert Function - lets you set the Weatheradio to sound an
alert when it receives a weather emergency
broadcast from NOAA.
SAME Operation - lets you program up to 15 different FIPS
(Federal Information Processing System)
codes into the Weatheradio's memory. Each
FIPS code identifies a specific geographic
area (defined by the NWS), so your
Weatheradio sounds an alert when a weather
emergency is declared in only those
locations. This helps you track the weather
conditions in and around your area.
8-Character Liquid Crystal - clearly displays as digital character items
Display such as channel numbers and alert status
descriptions (TORNADO WARNING, FLOOD WATCH,
and so on).
Alert Status Indicators - different-colored indicators let you deter-
mine at a glance the type of alert received
(red is for a warning, yellow is for a
watch, and green is for a statement).
7 Channels - lets you select the frequency for your
local NOAA weather broadcasts.
Adjustable Display Backlight - makes the display easy to read in low light
situations. You can set the light to turn
on for about 10 seconds when you press a
key or remain on until you turn it off.
Alert Volume Control - lets you adjust the volume of the alert so
you will be sure to hear it.
External alert Terminals - lets you connect the Weatheradio to an
external controller system (such as a Plug
'n Power or X-10 system) and set that
system to indicate an alert based on
signals received by the Weatheradio. This
is useful for ensuring that you can hear
the alert in a location (such as the
garage) that might be some distance from
where you installed the Weatheradio.
External Antenna Connector - lets you connect an optional external
antenna to the Weatheradio to improve
reception (in remote areas, for example).
(EB/tc 6/29/98)
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