Weather Radio

[Route 66]

With the threat of tornadoes and severe weather here in Livingston, TX the other night, I dug out my weather radio. I hadn't used it in some months because it was a nightmare to program, and impossible to program without the owners manual. I got it going, but decided to look for a new radio that was user friendly.

A friend told me about the Radio Shack model 12-262. It's a little pricey at $69.99, but it is by far the easiest to program and is ideal for travelers.

This model uses SAME technology, and comes with all the FIPS codes preprogrammed. It has all the states and counties, plus Canada and its provinces. It is 120v powered with battery backup.

To program, you scroll through the list of states, select yours, then select your county, and you're done.

Radio Shack lists it as a hazard alert radio, as it will receive alerts from the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, as well as weather alerts.

I am completely satisfied with this radio.

[Route 66]

With the threat of tornadoes and severe weather here in Livingston, TX the other night, I dug out my weather radio. I hadn't used it in some months because it was a nightmare to program, and impossible to program without the owners manual. I got it going, but decided to look for a new radio that was user friendly.

A friend told me about the Radio Shack model 12-262. It's a little pricey at $69.99, but it is by far the easiest to program and is ideal for travelers.

This model uses SAME technology, and comes with all the FIPS codes preprogrammed. It has all the states and counties, plus Canada and its provinces. It is 120v powered with battery backup.

To program, you scroll through the list of states, select yours, then select your county, and you're done.

Radio Shack lists it as a hazard alert radio, as it will receive alerts from the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, as well as weather alerts.

I am completely satisfied with this radio.

[ThunderRock]

'Bout time RS came up w/an idea like this. Those "FIPS" codes were a real PITA.

[williejo]

Thanks for the info Dirk, we live in Dover De. but when some family things change we will be back out on the road full time again. We had been looking for a weather radio and this sounds like what we want as at the age I need something simple to operate. Will hit RS tomorrow and with the crazy weather we get here now it will be good to
have here and on the road.

[FLYTYER]

I have the Radio Shack model and I like it.

It is easy to program, but you really do not need to. Without programming, the anouncements, alerts, and warnings will be for the area or region you are in.

When inroute, I use a prepared list of counties I will travel through and clip that to my route info or map. Once at a campground I always ask what county I am in to confirm my list.

The radio has 4 times alerted us to dangerous weather and we were able to avoid trouble and go to a shelter...fortunately no damage occured at the campgrounds we were at.

I would not travel without a weather alert radio and I use one when at home too!

[Route 66]

There will be no charge for the assistance.

Willie, not too many of us from Delaware, so it's always good to hear from/see someone from home.

[williejo]

Dirk, you are right about seeing someone for our state on the road. More now than years ago but rember they can only afford to let 3 from each county out or the state can't run. Bad news in your ole town as chrysler is closing the Newark plant and lot of folks are going to be hurt big time. Enjoy each day on the road as their is no better life.

[Route 66]

Having a great time on the road, and I usually look at Delawareonline every day.

[Spoonman]

Picked one up today,looks like the perfect setup for traveling.
Thanks for the heads up,DW will sleep better now.

[DavidMc]

Perhaps the 12-262 model has corrected the problem I have had with the 12-258.

When not connected to 110-volt AC, the 9-volt backup battery quickly discharges - - probably because this radio model insists on keeping the screen back-lit (and the no-signal lights blinking) even when on the battery.
One day's travel was often enough to kill the battery.

[Route 66]

The new model has 6 AA batteries and the screen backlight can be set to on, off, or a 10 second on time when any button is pushed.

I think all weather radios are hard on batteries as they are always "on".

[hondo122]

Picked one up today prior to departure Saturday for Key West. Knew nothing about weather alert radio's except that I wanted one after the FL. tornadoes. Couldn't have been easier to set up. I try to keep the learning curve low on new purchases as I already have too much to learn about the MH. Thanks for the tip Dirk

[read & learn]

Thanks for the info on the warning radio from RS.
Will go there today to pick one up.
Leaving FL for Nappannee in about 10 days and it looks like the route we will be taking goes right thru tornado country.

[450Donn]

Hate having a single purpose tool around the house. So why not go out and get a pair of FRS radios that have weather band built in? That way you can use them for communication when backing into a camp site and also have them for emergency radio as necessary.