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Here are some of the questions we are frequently asked. Click on the question to see the answer. What is NOAA Weather Radio (NWR)?
What are all-hazard warnings and how do I receive them?
How do I receive All-Hazard warnings?
How do I learn more about your organization?
Why buy an All Hazards Alert Monitor?
Who should have an All Hazards Alert Monitor?
Will it work if the power goes out?
Will it work in my boat, RV, etc.?
NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from a nearby National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day.
Working with the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Emergency Alert System (EAS), NWR is an "All Hazards" radio network, making it your single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information. In conjunction with Federal, State, and Local Emergency Managers and other public officials, NWR also broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards – including natural (such as earthquakes or avalanches), environmental (such as chemical releases or oil spills), and public safety (such as AMBER Alerts or 911 Telephone outages).
Older technology weather radios contain a circuit to turn the radio on whenever a weather alert is broadcast that might affect a wide area. The newer radios can be programmed to receive information specific to a certain area, using the Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME) feature, and can sound an alarm to alert users of approaching dangerous weather.
NOAA Weather Radio is the lone government - operated radio system that provides direct warnings to the public for natural and man - made hazards, from floods to forest fires, to oil spills. It also is the primary trigger for activating America’s Emergency Alert System on commercial radio and television stations in the United States.
NOAA Weather Radio transmitters broadcast on one of seven VHF frequencies from 162.400 MHz to 162.550 MHz. The broadcasts cannot be heard on a simple AM/FM radio receiver. That's why you need a separate NOAA Weather Radio receiver in the United States.*
*Canada's WeatherRadio Canada uses dedicated transmitters in the AM and FM commercial broadcast bands in addition to the frequencies listed above.
During normal operation your Weather Radio/All Hazards Monitor can be manually turned on to receive continuous weather information such as forecasts and current conditions. However in the event of a hazard such as a severe weather warning, your NOAA Weather Radio/All Hazards Monitor springs to life on command from the National Weather Service, sounding an alert tone and delivering a voice message as to the nature of the alert, day or night.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NOAA WEATHER RADIO CLICK HERE
What are all-hazard warnings and how do I receive them?
These warnings include comprehensive weather and emergency information. In conjunction with Federal, State, and Local Emergency Managers and other public officials, the National Weather Service (NWS) broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards – including natural (such as earthquakes or avalanches), environmental (such as chemical releases or oil spills), and public safety (such as AMBER Alerts or 911 Telephone outages.)
How do I receive all-hazard warnings?
NWR (NOAA Weather Radio) is provided as a public service by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce. NWR includes more than 940 transmitters covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories.
NWR requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. Broadcasts are found in the VHF public service band at seven different frequencies (MHz).
S.A.M.E. stands for Specific Area Message Encoding and allows the radio to be programmed to sound an alert only when a weather or other emergency threatens the selected county or counties. This technology eliminates all other alerts which are only intended for locations outside the selected area. Weather and other emergencies can occur at any time, day or night. Without S.A.M.E., you could be unnecessarily alerted at any hour for an event which might be as far away as 100 miles! FOR MORE INFORMATION ON S.A.M.E. ENCODING, CLICK HERE.
Who is the Sullivan Amateur Radio Association (SWARA)?
The Sullivan Weather Amateur Radio Association is a non-profit team of amateur radio operators affiliated with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES). SWARA members volunteer their time to provide communications support and other appropriate functions within the Milwaukee/Sullivan (Wisconsin) Forecast Office of the National Weather Service and in conjunction with other local disaster service agencies.
SWARA is self funded. Although we work within and support a local office of a government agency, we receive no financial support from that agency. In this regard, we offer an All Hazards Alert Radio for sale as a means for funding our efforts in support of the National Weather Service.
How do I learn more about your organization?
You can use the contact us page on this website, write to us, phone us or send an email. Address, phone and email data is shown on the contact us page.
Why buy an All Hazards Alert Monitor?
Who should have an All Hazards Alert Monitor?
Will my monitor work if the power goes out?
The unit can be battery powered (12 VDC) from an external source and also has an internal battery backup (common AA batteries). AC adapter is included for normal household use.
Will my monitor work in my boat, RV, etc.?
Yes, it can be battery powered (12 VDC) |
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© 2007 Sullivan Weather Amateur Radio Association
All Rights Reserved
