NOAA Weather Radio

[SpeakEasy]

A few years ago someone here posted a link to a great deal on a NOAA weather radio. I bought one (I think for about $10), and it has been a great help to us on our trips. One night in Minnesota the NOAA alert warning sounded and woke us up. There were strong thunderstorms and tornadoes not far away. Needless to say, we folded down and got an early start on our travels for that day.

That radio has gone past its useful days. There is a loose connection inside, and you have to fiddle with the antenna to get any reception. So I've been looking around for a replacement.

Well, here's my question. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good replacement?

Radio Shack has two models. One is a tabletop model that can run on either batteries or AC. It sells for about $30. It seems to be a lot like the one I have. The other is a handheld that goes for $50 without an AC adaptor. You can get an AC adaptor for another $15. With the radio I have been using, if you set it to monitor for alerts, it eats up batteries at a frightening pace. I think a 9v battery lasts only about two or three nights.

Campmore has a special right now on a handheld for about $30 I think.

Anyone have a recommendation?

Thanks!

[rock_hound]

I would get a radio with S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding) technology.  I have the Uniden wx100.  It either uses AC or a 9V battery.  The 9V barely lasts a day (worthless).

[rocknroll]

Theres also the option of a FRS with weather or a scanner with weather. I.E
BC60XLT-1 for 69.99 refurb'd at uniden.com. With the scanner you can also monitor other things @ the sametime. Just a thought. Hope this helps

rocky
1995 explorer
2005 fleetwood yuma..

[beacher]

As rocknroll mentioned, higher-end FRS radios come with a NOAA built in.  

My Garmin Rino 130 has one built in.  It was kinda funny two weeks ago as we are driving towards Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument near Flagstaff.   It started to rain, then hail very heavily, many cars and trucks pulled over.  After about ten minutes of this pelting the NOAA radio tone went off as we continued on our journey.  They were warning us of heavy hail and rain!  A little too late!

Anyway, in five minutes it all passed and just an occasional drizzle in the area.

[Rustyone]

Hi Beacher.  Hey what they said.  You can get those FRS radios that has NOAA scanning abilities.  I just bought a pair of Motorolas that have FRS, GMRS, and NOAA and they work like a charm.  Just note however if you get something GMRS you get to pay the FCC $80.00 to use them, but they do scan 4 NOAA channels and they are rechargable.

Russ

[4campinfoxes]

I have an Oregon Scientific model, it's more of a handheld size that uses AA batteries.  I usually have to replace the batteries 2-3 times a year, I take it camping when we go, otherwise it stays at home to warn us.  It has the SAME technology so I've programmed watch areas.  I bought it about 3 years ago, I think for about $50.

Sharon

[station71]

I just recently purchased 2 Midland Radios. There 5 watts which is about 16 miles line of site. They also came with 2 radio headsets and 2 rechargeable batteries and charger. All came to $101.00 Cdn or about $80.00 am including shipping. To make a long story longer they have 9 NOAA channels which you can tune until you find the correct channel for the area. Its the first unit that I've seen with 5 watts, I purchased them on ebay and I think the seller was something like bulvedere theater. Hope that helps

Cheers

Alastair

[SpeakEasy]

I have an Oregon Scientific model, it's more of a handheld size that uses AA batteries.  I usually have to replace the batteries 2-3 times a year, I take it camping when we go, otherwise it stays at home to warn us.  It has the SAME technology so I've programmed watch areas.  I bought it about 3 years ago, I think for about $50.

Sharon

Thanks for steering me in the direction of Oregon Scientific. I found one at http://www.weatherconnection.com that I like a lot. It's the WR103 model, and it runs on AC or batteries. It has great reception!