Am I asking to much of a Weather Alert Radio? I've been browsing online here and elsewhere for a long time today, and the more I know the less I know. It seems that spending more for a higher-line set gets more features to break down, and that the cheap ones don't last very long. Can someone recommend a Weather Alert radio with AM/FM (alarm clock unimportant) that is relatively easy to set up and reset after an alert episode, and that is likely to last a year or more with gentle care? I've yet to find one! Notice that price is not a factor unless the value is WAY out of line with the competition. Thanks, al smalling, chicagoPS--Please pardon missing "o" in title of Discussion. Am I asking to much of a Weather Alert Radio? I've been browsing online here and elsewhere for a long time today, and the more I know the less I know. It seems that spending more for a... » Read More Am I asking to much of a Weather Alert Radio? I've been browsing online here and elsewhere for a long time today, and the more I know the less I know. It seems that spending more for a higher-line set gets more features to break down, and that the cheap ones don't last very long. Can someone recommend a Weather Alert radio with AM/FM (alarm clock unimportant) that is relatively easy to set up and reset after an alert episode, and that is likely to last a year or more with gentle care? I've yet to find one! Notice that price is not a factor unless the value is WAY out of line with the competition. Thanks, al smalling, chicagoPS--Please pardon missing "o" in title of Discussion. « Show Less
76326
I went through the online manual (WR120) twice and saw no reference to excluding alerts. I called Midland last year and back then they indicated I would need to buy the W300 if I wanted that feature. Where in the manual do you see this feature?
76327
Looks like there are old and new manuals floating around. Midland must have upgraded their models. That info was not in the manual that I was looking at. The WR120 that I bought (and returned) a few years ago did not have that feature (at least it wasn't in the manual). Without that feature, a weather radio is useless, unless you enjoy frequently having your sleep unecessarily disturbed . Maybe Midland listened when I called and told them that awhile back.
76328
Try the Midland WR-300 it has AM and FM radio and gets weather alerts like the WR-120 but the down side is you to get the S.A.M.E code for your county and enter it. You can find the country codes at WWW. Noaa.gov
76329
Read the manual for the WR120: it allows you to delete alerts you do not want. I've set up mine so that it alerts only for thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes and national emergencies.
76330
I agree 100%. The model back then did not have it as confirmed to me by M-L customer service.
394825
There is only one alarm setting, the time-clock is easily perturbed by electrical current fluctuations, and the analog radio tuner tends to drift off-signal. Other than that, it's not a bad AM/FM/Weather radio.
91455
Wow. Glad you asked this question; all of the answers are very helpful. The clock is not a deal maker or deal breaker for me, but I'm sure glad to know about it before clicking the BUY button.
1288884
I went with AlarmSim, but as @LeppardQueen said, it will take a while to pay off.. I figure either way is less expensive than getting a new system.. I'll report back once I receive it an set up.
263393
I don't blame you for wanting to return it. Maybe return it and wait a few months, see if it improves.There are supposed to be "fixes" for WiFi, MySB, alarms, etc... in the just released SBS 7.4.2, but who knows.For audio quality I'd take the Boom any day! :)As for my Radio, it *never* loses connection to my WiFi (RED indicator), but I do get the occasional BLUE indicator (loses connection to MySB).My main issue is the "looks like it's playing but it is not" problem. Even then it is not as often as others have reported, for me anyway.I'm also running 7.5 beta and 7.4.2 beta so that may be why I don't have as many issues with the Radio as others, hard to say. I don't blame you for wanting to return it. Maybe return it and wait a few months, see if it improves.There are supposed to be "fixes" for WiFi, MySB, alarms, etc... in the just released SBS 7.4.2, but who knows.For audio quality I'd take the Boom any day! :)As for my Radio, it *never* loses connection to my WiFi (RED indicator), but I do get the occasional BLUE indicator (loses connection to MySB).My main issue is the "looks like it's playing but it is not" problem. Even then it is not as often as others have reported, for me... » Read More I don't blame you for wanting to return it. Maybe return it and wait a few months, see if it improves.There are supposed to be "fixes" for WiFi, MySB, alarms, etc... in the just released SBS 7.4.2, but who knows.For audio quality I'd take the Boom any day! :)As for my Radio, it *never* loses connection to my WiFi (RED indicator), but I do get the occasional BLUE indicator (loses connection to MySB).My main issue is the "looks like it's playing but it is not" problem. Even then it is not as often as others have reported, for me anyway.I'm also running 7.5 beta and 7.4.2 beta so that may be why I don't have as many issues with the Radio as others, hard to say. « Show Less
1785356
Not good at all...I'm in your typical suberb approximately 60 miles from a major city. If I hit "scan" on my radio, it will only stop at one station which is our local radio station. Even if you only listen to FM for traffic reports or whatever, it'll drive you nuts. Save the money
1001621
It's tough to recommend this radio for am? I've had trouble with am signals. I don't use am on this radio. I think it depends on where you place the radio. There are a lot of buttons on this radio and it takes some time to get used to. If you are operating in the dark I think that you might at times hit the wrong button. Overall I do like it.
1559085
Having an FM/AM & HD radio by this manufacture helped me decide. AND! the responses I read from other purchasers. The brand I knew was good and the price was affordable. The other brand was on my wish list->but understandably, I believe,->I picked this one. I am satisfied with my choice. (Of course, read the purchasers responses to get a feel for the differences between the two too help in your choice pick.) Whatever you decide--> "GOOD LISTENING! O-Yeah---> If you have an FM tuner and you find it lacking, get/put up an outside antenna. It will help and you should pull in more stations. Having an FM/AM & HD radio by this manufacture helped me decide. AND! the responses I read from other purchasers. The brand I knew was good and the price was affordable. The other brand was on my wish list->but understandably, I believe,->I picked this one. I am satisfied with my choice. (Of course, read the purchasers responses to get a feel for the differences between the two too help in your choice pick.) Whatever you decide--> "GOOD LISTENING! O-Yeah---> If you have an FM tuner and you find it lacking, get/put up an outside antenna. It will help and you should pull in... » Read More Having an FM/AM & HD radio by this manufacture helped me decide. AND! the responses I read from other purchasers. The brand I knew was good and the price was affordable. The other brand was on my wish list->but understandably, I believe,->I picked this one. I am satisfied with my choice. (Of course, read the purchasers responses to get a feel for the differences between the two too help in your choice pick.) Whatever you decide--> "GOOD LISTENING! O-Yeah---> If you have an FM tuner and you find it lacking, get/put up an outside antenna. It will help and you should pull in more stations. « Show Less
780562
.......just my opinion, but if you plan to use radios a Little more often than not, I would suggest the FCC LIC. Easy to get....and good for five years. Last time I looked, it was in the $80.00 range. Not bad for five years, and the off chance that you would be caught using it without a LIC, makes the $80.00 attractive still, compared to the possible $5,000.00 Fine.The chance of being cited is very low, unless you operate say, often, on the same channel and code as a licensed user who may take offense. Can't blame someone. Also, it is known that some Law Enforcement agencies use these type radios in undercover work and such. .......just my opinion, but if you plan to use radios a Little more often than not, I would suggest the FCC LIC. Easy to get....and good for five years. Last time I looked, it was in the $80.00 range. Not bad for five years, and the off chance that you would be caught using it without a LIC, makes the $80.00 attractive still, compared to the possible $5,000.00 Fine.The chance of being cited is very low, unless you operate say, often, on the same channel and code as a licensed user who may take offense. Can't blame someone. Also, it is known that some Law Enforcement agencies use these... » Read More .......just my opinion, but if you plan to use radios a Little more often than not, I would suggest the FCC LIC. Easy to get....and good for five years. Last time I looked, it was in the $80.00 range. Not bad for five years, and the off chance that you would be caught using it without a LIC, makes the $80.00 attractive still, compared to the possible $5,000.00 Fine.The chance of being cited is very low, unless you operate say, often, on the same channel and code as a licensed user who may take offense. Can't blame someone. Also, it is known that some Law Enforcement agencies use these type radios in undercover work and such. « Show Less
1389133
This is a great radio, but it does not serve as a weather alert radio where you can program in your county or region to receive alerts when severe weather is in the area. As with most radios, you have to manually dial in the AM or FM stations you want to hear. We've used this radio while taking cover from a tornado in our underground storm shelter, and it worked great!
490757
I tried several different sets, the Howard Leight by Honeywell worked the best for me. Somewhat directional on am, but ok. I also listen to am but I work outside. Hope this helps.
193885
hi catie , love this thing to death , the re-charge batteries are great , it runs for no less than 12 hrs at work , it has a very high volume output , my only gripe is the reception, it can be terrible at time`s , I have no idea why , but being digital , you can not simply turn the dial to make it come in better , but it does have the ability to use your phone or what ever type of electronics you might have , I do not have any of that crap , just the AM - FM , but for the durability and coolness of the radio , it is worth every penny , just needs a bigger antenna from radio shack or something . hi catie , love this thing to death , the re-charge batteries are great , it runs for no less than 12 hrs at work , it has a very high volume output , my only gripe is the reception, it can be terrible at time`s , I have no idea why , but being digital , you can not simply turn the dial to make it come in better , but it does have the ability to use your phone or what ever type of electronics you might have , I do not have any of that crap , just the AM - FM , but for the durability and coolness of the radio , it is worth every penny , just needs a bigger antenna from radio shack or... » Read More hi catie , love this thing to death , the re-charge batteries are great , it runs for no less than 12 hrs at work , it has a very high volume output , my only gripe is the reception, it can be terrible at time`s , I have no idea why , but being digital , you can not simply turn the dial to make it come in better , but it does have the ability to use your phone or what ever type of electronics you might have , I do not have any of that crap , just the AM - FM , but for the durability and coolness of the radio , it is worth every penny , just needs a bigger antenna from radio shack or something . « Show Less
186800
You have to get used to the menus which are in alphabetical order. Then you can program it easily, especially for repeaters. If you just want to listen to a certain frequency like NOAA , you just punch it in like a phone. The manual shows you how to do everything. If you get the USB cable, you can program it from a computer.
1860557
Only one of the four bands can be on at one time. If you're on FM then AM, Ham and weather are off, etc. Weather alerts do not break in automatically as they did on some older radios.
1615173
That's the only thing I don't like about it. There is no switch. You put it on AM ( because there's less stations on AM) and you dial it in between stations so it's not picking up radio. Then you can't turn it up to high or else you get the static from AM. Just turn up the AU device and it's fine. If you move around a lot you might have to adjust AM again to get off an AM station if you pick one up as you move around. Buy them there really good for the money. And I'm cheap!
1701671
I agree w/ Gary because I did just that. It's cheaper and also the replacement sensor that I purchased thru Amazon, Heath / Zenith SL5316 is the best one I've had because you can adjust the range so the unit doesn't go off when vehicles go by. Also, unlike other units I've had, it doesn't keep going on & off when it's windy or raining
2252581
Yes, it is very soft and you need to be close to read it. Weather alert works fine with an alarm as well as spoken of the weather alert condition and location(s).