I got this radio from Radio Shack last week. It has AM/FM, TV and 7 weather channels along with the “alert” function so if any emergencies, weather alerts or other alerts are activated it turns the radio on to explain the warning etc.
On Sunday evening and this evening the alert has gone off (scared me out of my chair the first time). I know they test the system on Wednesdays’ at noon. But when I listen it says there are no warnings. I can’t find any explanation on the emergency websites in Canada (my location) or the USA (NOAA). Can someone tell me why this is happening? Is this common and how can I avoid false alarms?
Prepping Gal – at 21:53
Hi there, Yes it happens on a regular basis and is necessary to prove that there system is working and also is proof to you that your radio is working. As long as your radio is set to alarm you can not avoid these tests. Its a bit anoying but you get used to it and they only test the system once a week. Did you get the AC power supply module that you plug in to the wall so you can have the radio on all the time with out running the battery’s down?
Prepping Gal – at 21:53
Sorry I just reread your post. When the alert comes on you have to listen all the way through the whole anouncement as the alert item will be at the end of the anouncement.
Does anyone now why the alerts wouldn’t work? I bought a similar model, after 911, and now the alerts don’t work. I tried to reset the codes and I called the company, but they weren’t much help. Everything else works fine, but the reason that I bought it was for the alerts. Thanks!
You need to program in the S.A.M.E. codes for both your geographic location, and the types of emergencies you want to be alerted to. ie: tornado watch, tornado warning, chemical release, etc.
I picked up a similar model and programmed it for my kid’s school office, but I only programmed MAJOR events to alert on, and the weekly and montly test don’t trigger the siren, only the flashing light.
It’s all in how you program it.
Also check to make sure you have STRONG reception of the NOAA signal. If you don’t then the digital won’t be decoded.
Thanks bg. I did program, originally, then reprogrammed after it wouldn’t work. It had worked great for almost 5 years, now just doesn’t get the alerts. I’ll try moving it -maybe there is some new interfernce, who knows…I’m always fixing electronic things! haha (can americans PLEASE go back to making things!!!)
In addition to my Eton FR 400 I was at a discount store and there in an odd place was a pair of Audiovox 2 way emergency-radios-I’ve never seen this type of item in this store & the price was right. It has lots of bells & whistles including the alert system. I kind of chuckled seeing the other women buying discounted brand name clothes and here I am buying what must have appeared to them as a “toy”. Now I hope that these don’t have false alarms as well. Mine don’t thave SAME technology; I don’t want to spend the extra.