Owner`s manual

8
Introduction
Note:
If the Weatheradio displays a
warning (emergency) alert message,
the WARNING indicator lights. If the
Weatheradio displays a Watch alert
message, the WATCH indicator
lights. If the Weatheradio displays a
Statement alert message, the
STATEMENT indicator lights.
UNDERSTANDING THE
FIPS CODES
For the purpose of broadcasting
weather information, the NWS has
divided the United States into regions
by state and county (or parish, where
applicable) then assigned a 6-digit
FIPS code to identify each county or
parish. For example, the code for
Tarrant County, Texas, is 048439.
The first digit in a FIPS code identifies
the county subdivision, the next two
digits identify the state, and the last
three digits identify the county or
parish.
Note:
Most FIPS codes begin with 0,
which means the code represents an
entire county. The NWS, however,
plans to eventually subdivide some
large counties. When that happens,
each subdivision will be assigned a
digit from 1–9, resulting in codes such
as 148439, 248439, and so on.
Your Weatheradio can receive all
SAME alert signals broadcast within
about a 50 mile radius. To receive
SAME alerts and broadcasts about
weather occurring only in particular
counties within that area, you can
program up to 15 FIPS codes into the
Weatheradio’s memory. This lets you
avoid hearing an alert that applies to
an area within a 50 mile radius but not
necessarily to your county or parish.
Obtaining Your Area’s FIPS
Code(s)
To obtain the necessary FIPS codes,
contact your local RadioShack store
or call the NWS toll free at
1-888-
NWR-SAME
(
1-888-697-7263
).
You can also visit the NWS website:
www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/
Note:
If you are close to a county or
parish line, you might want to obtain
the codes for the nearby counties or
parishes.
Hint:
Since you can program up to 15
FIPS codes into the Weatheradio’s
memory, you might want to obtain the
codes for other local areas that you
frequently travel through (as long as
those areas are within a 50 mile
radius of your location and within an
area covered by your local NWS
broadcast station). That way, you can
program those codes into the
Weatheradio and receive broadcasts
covering those locations, too.