{"id":28862,"date":"2017-10-24T09:23:51","date_gmt":"2017-10-24T13:23:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=28862"},"modified":"2017-10-24T09:23:51","modified_gmt":"2017-10-24T13:23:51","slug":"noaa-weather-radio-review-three-excellent-choices-under-90","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/noaa-weather-radio-review-three-excellent-choices-under-90\/","title":{"rendered":"NOAA Weather Radio Review: three excellent choices under $90"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Midland WR120 weather radio.<\/p><\/div>\n

Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> reader, Jim T, who writes with the following inquiry:<\/p>\n

Wondering if you can give me some guidance re: NOAA weather radios.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re looking to be better prepared for disasters, bad weather etc. and have narrowed our radio candidates to CC Crane, Sangean and Kaito.<\/p>\n

AM\/FM would be nice, hand cranking and solar as well, but just want to get NOAA alerts should we have an earthquake here in the NW. Willing to spend $50-100 for something quality with relevant features to it. Your thoughts would be appreciated!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thanks for your message, Jim. There are dozens of inexpensive weather radio models on the market, but I know a few good options based on my personal experience.<\/p>\n

Note that all of these radios work in both the US (via NOAA) and Canada (via Environment Canada)–both countries have been using the S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding) <\/a>weather alert system since 2004.<\/p>\n

The Midland WR120: A dedicated weather radio<\/h2>\n

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If you’re looking for a weather radio to plug in and continuously monitor weather alerts through the S.A.M.E. system, I recommend a dedicated<\/em> weather radio like theMidland WR120. These radios don’t typically have AM\/FM functions, but are entirely devoted to the seven weather radio frequencies in the US and Canada (162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, and 162.550 MHz). They plug into mains power and the better ones have battery backup in case of power outages.<\/p>\n

I have family that own the\u00a0Midland WR120. They’ve used it for years and it’s worked flawlessly. Once you set up the radio with your preferred NOAA frequency and SAME alert regions, it will alarm and automatically play NOAA weather radio alerts when they’re issued for your area.\u00a0 My family use this for tornado and storm alerts.<\/p>\n

The Midland WR120 uses three AA alkaline cells for emergency power back-up. It’s very much a “set it and forget it” radio and, in my opinion, a bargain at $29.99<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As with any SAME alert radio, be aware that sometimes the alarm can be annoying. Depending on where you live and how the alert system is set up, you might get notifications for isolated weather events on the other side of your county–the S.A.M.E. system cannot pinpoint your neighborhood.<\/p>\n

Still, I believe S.A.M.E. notifications are worth any extra inconvenience, especially if you live in an area prone to sudden storms and earthquakes.<\/p>\n

Purchase options:<\/strong><\/p>\n