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1991-06-09
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NOAA WEATHER RADIO
The Voice of the National Weather Service
NOAA weather radio is a service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. It provides continuous
broadcasts of the latest weather information directly from National
Weather offices. Taped weather messages are repeated every four to six
minutes and are routinely revised every one to three hours, or more frequently
if needed. Most of the stations operate 24 hours daily.
The broadcasts are tailored to weather information needs of people within the
receiving area. For example, stations along the sea coasts and Great Lakes
provide specialized weather information for boaters, fishers, and others
engaged in marine activities, as well as general weather information.
During severe weather, National Weather Service forecasters can interrupt the
the routine weather broadcasts and substitute special warning messages. The
forecasters can also activate specially designed warning receivers. Such
receivers either sound an alarm indicating that an emergency exists, alerting
the listener to turn the receiver up to an audible volume; or, when operated
in a muted mode, are automatically turned on so that the warning message is
heard. " Warning alarm " receivers are especially valuable for schools,
hospitals, public safety agencies, and news media offices.
Under a January 1975, White House policy statement, NOAA Weahter Radio was
designated the sole Government operated radio system to provide direct
warnings into private homes for both natural disasters and nuclear attack. This
capability is to supplement warnings by sirens and by commercial radio and
T.V.
NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts are made on one of seven high-band FM
frequencies ranging from 162.40 to 162.55 megahertz (MHz). These frequencies
are not found on the average home radio now in use. However, a number of
radio manufacturers offer special weather radios to operate on these
frequencies, with or without the emergency warning alarm. Also there are
now many radios on the market which offer standard AM/FM frequencies plus
the so-called " weather band " as an added feature.
NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts can usually be heard as far as 40 miles from
the antenna site, sometimes more. The effective range depends on many factors,
particularly the height of the broadcasing antenna, terrain, quality of the
receiver, and type of receiving antenna. As a general rule, listeners close
to or perhaps beyond the 40 mile range should have a good quality receiver
system if they expect reliable reception. Also, an outside antenna may be
required in these fringe areas. If practicable, a receiver should be tried
at its place of intended use before making a final purchase.
The National Weather Service operates about 400 stations. Approximately 90
percent of the Nation's population is within listening range of a NOAA Weather
Radio broadcast.
If you have a question concerning NOAA Weather Radio or wish to receive a
listing of NOAA Weather Radio receiver manufacturers, please contact your
nearest National Weather Service Office.
If you have other questions concerning NOAA weather radios or antennas,
feel free to leave me E-mail on Exec-PC
A.J. Marhofke