Weather Radio (NOAA
Weather Radio - NWR)
Whether you are boating, hiking, camping or
just at home, getting the latest news of breaking weather conditions can
be very important. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
offers via the National Weather Service NOAA Weather Radio
(NWR). NWR is a network of radio stations that continuously broadcast
weather and other emergency information.
History
The Weather Bureau first began transmitting aviation weather in the 1950's
from 2 sites. This agency later became the National Weather Service and in
the 1960's expanded service to include information for maritime
operations. By the end of the 1970's, the NOAA Weather Radio (NWR)
network included over 300 transmitters. As of 2001 there were over 600
stations transmitting covering over 90% of the United States.
What Is Broadcast
The programming on NWR originally covered weather and natural related
incidents such as tornados, hurricanes, floods, thunderstorms, earthquakes
and volcanic activities. It was expanded to include man-made emergencies
such as hazardous chemical releases, oil spills, nuclear power plant
related emergencies as well as train derailments and maritime accidents.
Most recently, NWR bills itself as an all-hazards public warning system
with information broadcast directly to the public 24/7. The newest
information includes information in the event of a terrorist attack and
Amber Alerts if requested by local law authorities.
How to Receive Broadcasts
Seven frequencies have been set aside by the FCC for the NWR network, but these stations cannot be received with standard radios.
The broadcasts are allocated on frequencies higher than standard FM radios
can receive . The frequencies are:
|
162.400
MHz |
162.425
MHz |
162.450
MHz |
162.475
MHz |
162.500
MHz |
162.525
MHz |
162.550
MHz |
|
| Many scanners and shortwave radios are able to tune to these frequencies.
Some FM radios are equipped with a weather (WX) band and there are also
radios dedicated to tune to weather radio stations. |
Grundig FR 200 Emergency Radio
 |
Sony ICF-36 Portable TV/Weather/AM/FM Radio
|
Sony ICF-M410V Portable FM/AM/TV/Weather Radio with Sleep/Turn-on Timer
|
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| There are also mobile radios that are
equipped to receive broadcasts from NWR. |
Sony SFR-M37V FM/AM/Weather/TV Radio Walkman with 25 Memory Presets
|
Sony SRF-M80V S2 Sports Walkman Arm Band Radio with FM/AM, TV and Weather
Channels
|
Motorola T5950 Rechargeable GMRS 2-Way Radios (Pair)
|
|
Local Reception
Locally, coverage has improved in the Litchfield
County area of Connecticut thanks to a transmitter located on Cornwall
Mountain in Cornwall, CT. That station's call sign is WWH33 and
broadcasts on 162.500 MHz. The station's programming is handled by the
National Weather Service's office in Albany, NY. Coverage maps are
available for transmitting locations that offer service to Connecticut:
NWR Coverage maps for other parts of the country can be found at this
NOAA
Weather Radio page. |
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Weather Alert
In addition to continuous broadcasts, coded
alerts can be broadcast to weather radios which will cause the radios to
sound an alarm. This system is reliable, but prone to false alarms since
an alarm is sounded whenever it is needed in the transmitter's service
area. Most radios currently produced support a newer technology for
weather alerts.
Newest Technology
Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology allows the NWR system to
broadcast localized messages for areas affected by emergency warnings and
alerts. This allows radios to be designed to sound alerts and show the
specific alert. Receivers can be programmed to enable alarms for specific
regions. |
| Weather radios designed for home use often
include battery back-up as well as a clock in the event of a power
failure. |
Midland WR-300 AM/FM Weather/All Hazards/Civil Emergency Alert Monitor with
S.A.M.E.
|
Midland 74200 Digital All Hazard Alert Monitor
|
Midland WR-100 Weather/All Hazards/Civil Emergency Alert Monitor with
S.A.M.E.
|
|
| Many modern portable weather radios include
the SAME technology which can provide warnings while outdoors or on the
road. |
Midland 74250 All Hazard Radio with S.A.M.E. Technology
|
Oregon Scientific WR102 Portable All Hazard Radio with S.A.M.E. Technology
|
Oregon Scientific WR103 Weather and Emergency Alert Monitor with NOAA
Reception (Silver)
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Specific Area Message Encoding
(S.A.M.E.) Location ID Codes
Since SAME alerts are designed for specific areas, the receiver must be
programmed for the location where it will be used. Programming
instructions vary by model, but they all use the same 6 digit SAME code
for a given area. Care must also be taken to use a NWR frequency
designated for a given area. For Connecticut counties, the codes
are:
| County |
SAME code |
Frequencies |
|
County |
SAME code |
Frequencies |
| Fairfield |
009001 |
162.500
162.400
162.550 |
|
New Haven |
009009 |
162.500
162.475
162.400
162.550 |
| Hartford |
009003 |
162.500
162.475
162.400
162.550 |
|
New London |
009011 |
162.475
162.400
162.550 |
| Litchfield |
009005 |
162.500
162.450
162.475
162.400 |
|
Tolland |
009013 |
162.475
162.400
162.550 |
| Middlesex |
009007 |
162.475
162.400
162.550 |
|
Windham |
009015 |
162.475
162.550 |
The S.A.M.E codes and weather frequencies for other state and maritime
areas can be
found here. |
