7 Channel Weatheradio
(120-0249)            Understanding the FIPS Code     Faxback Doc. # 41299

The NWS divides the United States by state and county (or parish, where
applicable), then assigns a 6-digit "FIPS" (Federal Information Processing
System)code to identify each county/parish for the purpose of broadcasting
weather conditions.  For example, the code for Tarrant County, Texas, is
048439.

The first digit in a FIPS code identifies the county subdivision, the next
two digits identify the state, and the last three digits identify the
county itself.  For example:  048439.  0 is the County Subdivision, 48 is
the State and 439 is the County.

Notes: Most FIPS codes begin with 0, which means that FIPS code represents
       an entire county.  The NWS, however, eventually plans to subdivide
       some large counties.  When that happens, each subdivision will be
       assigned a digit from 1-9 resulting in codes such as 148439, 248439
       and so on.

       FIPS codes are stored in EPROM and are not dependent on AC Power or
       Battery Power.  The only stored data that would be affected by
       removal of AC and Battery Power are the alert messages that are
       stored in Microprocessor RAM.  The RAM is backed up by a small
       electrolytic capacitor that would allow the user approximately 60
       seconds to install a battery, from the time the AC Power is removed
       For all practical purposes, due to the method of storage of FIPS
       codes, they can be considered to be in a "permanent" memory
       location.

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.

Your Weatheradio is preset to receive all SAME alert signals broadcast
within about a 50-mile radius of where you installed it.  To receive SAME
alerts and broadcasts about weather occurring only in particular counties
within that area, you can program up to 15 FIPS codes into the Weatheradio
memory.  That way, for example, you can avoid an alert that applies to an
area within that 50-mile radius but not in your county.

Obtaining Your Area's FIPS Code(s)

To obtain the FIPS code for the location where you installed the
Weatheradio, contact your local RadioShack store or call your local NWS
office.  The NWS is usually listed in the telephone book under US
Government, Department of Commerce.

Note:  If you are close to a county/parish line(s), you might want to
       obtain the codes for any other counties/parishes you are close to.

Hint:  Since you can program up to 15 FIPS codes into the Weatheradio's
       memory, you might want to obtain the codes for other local areas
       that you travel through to work (as long as those areas are within
       a 50 mile radius of your location and within an area covered by
       your local NWS broadcast station).  That way, you can program those
       codes into the Weatheradio and receive broadcasts covering those
       locations too.

(KM/eb 3/12/98)