12-251 Weatheradio® with Alert: How to Store and Change FIPS Codes

You can store and change FIPS codes in the weatheradio's memory to narrow the area for which you receive SAME alerts. Your weatheradio has two memory locations for the FIPS codes.

Notes:

• The weatheradio will not receive a weather alert while you are programming it.
• FIPS Codes are six-digit numbers, indicating a particular state and county. Each digit must be entered individually and in sequence.
• To stop programming the weatheradio at any time during the steps described in this section, set the Program/Operate switch back to Operate. The weatheradio exits program mode and saves any valid entries you have made.
• The Program/Operate switch is located on the back of your weatheradio to the left of the Tone/Voice switch, as shown below.
  

For additional information on this product, see the links below:

• 12-251 Weatheradio User's Manual
• Weatheradio Basics
• Weatheradio FAQ's

Step 1: Put the Weatheradio in Programming Mode

To begin storing or changing the FIPS codes, you need to have the weatheradio in Programming mode, as per Steps 1-4 in the Selecting a Broadcast Frequency Tutorial.

Step 2: Select the FIPS Code to Change

To change the FIPS code, press SCROLL while the current FIPS code is flashing. The first digit of the FIPS code (there are six digits) stored in the weatheradio appears. In this example it is 1, as shown above. Note: To skip the code and proceed without changing it, press and hold CONFIRM for about 2 seconds.

Step 3: Change the FIPS Code Number

Repeatedly press or hold down SCROLL until the digit of the FIPS code changes to the one you want. It goes through the numbers in sequence, 0-9.

Step 4: Store the FIPS Code Number

Press and release CONFIRM to store the new digit. A dash (-) appears on the display as a prompt for the next digit, if applicable.

Step 5: Clear a Wrong Digit

If you enter the wrong digit, press CLEAR to delete the current number, then go back to Step 3.

Step 6: Save the FIPS Code

Repeat Step 3 to change each digit of the FIPS code. When you have entered the last digit of the FIPS code, the weatheradio automatically sounds a confirmation tone and saves the new FIPS code. There are six numbers in a FIPS code.

Step 7: Enter or Skip the Second FIPS Code

When you save the FIPS code in the first memory location, L, 1, and (-) flash, in this order. Then the weatheradio automatically goes to the second memory location and L, 2, (-), and the FIPS code stored in the second memory location flashes. If you have nothing stored in the second memory location L,2, 000000 flash. Repeat Steps 2-4 to enter a FIPS code in the second memory location or press and hold CONFIRM for about 2 seconds to skip the second location and go to the next step.

Step 8: Confirm the FIPS Codes

After you have stored or skipped the FIPS codes, the weatheradio sounds a confirmation tone and the codes flash on the display. First it will flash the letter (C) for channel, then the number 7 and then each number of the FIPS code. If you did not store a second FIPS code, the second memory location (L, 2) shows six 0's. Note: If you enter a wrong FIPS code, you will still get a confirmation tone, but the code will flash 0's. At this point, you need to start over from Step 2 and re-enter the code.

Step 9: Set the Weatheradio to Operate

When you finish, set PROGRAM/OPERATE back to OPERATE. The weatheradio will automatically revert back to channel you previously programmed.