First Alert WX-167 User Manual

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS------------------ 3
CARE AND MAINTENANCE------------------- 4
FCC NOTICE TO USERS ---------------------- 5
INTRODUCTION ---------------------------------- 6
MAIN FEATURES--------------------------------- 7
LOCATION OF CONTROLS ------------------- 8-9
CONNECTING POWER------------------------- 10
LANGUAGE SELECTION ---------------------- 11
SETTING THE CLOCK -------------------------- 11
SETTING ALERT VOLUME -------------------- 12
SETTING WEATHER CHANNEL ------------- 12
SETTING SAME LOCATION ------------------ 13
SET ALERTING OPTIONS --------------------- 14
SETTING EVENT BLOCKING----------------- 14
BATTERY INSTALLATION --------------------- 15
WALL MOUNTING-------------------------------- 16
BASIC OPERATION ----------------------------- 16
HANDICAPPED ACCESSORIES------------- 17
NOAA MESSAGE MENU ----------------------- 18
TROUBLESHOOTING--------------------------- 19
SPECIFICATIONS -------------------------------- 20
SERVICE PROCEDURE ------------------------ 21
WARRANTY ---------------------------------------- 22

Contents in product package

In this package, you will find:

• One Public AlertTM Radio – WX-167

• One AC Power Adapter – 120VAC: 9VAC

• One User’s Manual (this document)

• One Wall Mounting Kit - 1 bracket, 2 screws
2 wall anchors

• One Quick Start Guide

Contact Sima’s Service Center
at 800-345-7462 if you find that any of the
above is missing.

2

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

When using electrical appliances, the following
basic safety precautions should always be
followed.

CAUTION!

The Manufacturer does not represent this unit to
be waterproof. To reduce the risk of fire, electrical
shock, or damage to the unit, do not expose this
unit to rain or moisture or immerse in water.

CAUTION!

This product has the capability to operate with five
(5) 1.5V AA batteries (either rechargeable Nicad,
NiMH or non-rechargeable alkaline), Please
dispose of batteries properly or recycle at the end
of the life of the battery. Do not incinerate or
compost batteries, as they can explode at high
temperatures. Contact your local authority for
information concerning reclamation and disposal
of rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries.
Cadmium is a chemical identified by Proposition
65 in the State of California to cause cancer.

CAUTION!

This product has a built-in circuit for charging five
(5) 1.5V AA rechargeable NiCad or NiMH
batteries. When regular alkaline batteries are
used as a backup power source, set the selection
switch in the battery compartment to the
“Alkaline” position to switch off the internal
charger.

CHARGING ALKALINE BATTERIES CAN

CAUSE FIRE AND EXPLOSION AND

ENDANGER LIVES.

DANGER!

To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not
disassemble this product. Take it to a munfacturer
authorized service personnel when service or
repair work is required. Opening or removing
cover voids warranty. This unit does not contain
any parts that can be repaired by the user.

3

CAUTION!

You should understand the danger of lightning
striking an external antenna and make
appropriate measures to protect yourself from
injury and fire hazard resulted from a lightning
strike on an external antenna.

- When an external antenna is used, make sure
that there is sufficient lightning protection on
the antenna and its cable feed. Make sure all
the ground connections are sound and fit. Do
not get close to the unit when it is operating
during a thunderstorm.

- Lower, retract or remove the telescopic antenna
when using an external antenna.

- Contact your external antenna supplier for more
information on lightning protection and
grounding issues on your antenna. You could
also get information from lightning protection
device suppliers.

4

Care and Maintenance

- The output jacks for Remote Alert provide a floating
relay contact output to external warning devices.
The contact will close when an alert broadcast
has been received. Do not exceed the maximum
voltage or current rating of the contacts - 1 Amp
(A) @ 30V DC.

- Wipe unit with a damp cloth occasionally to clean.
Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents or
strong detergents.

- Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord.

- Do not locate this product where persons walking on
it could damage the cord. Keep cord away from
heated surfaces.

- To disconnect, grip the AC adapter and pull it from
the wall outlet. Never disconnect by pulling on the
cord.

- This product is designed to operate using the AC
adapter supplied in a household application or
12V DC for portable use.

- LCD screens can change color in extreme
temperatures. If the unit is exposed to
temperatures below -20ºC (-5ºF) or above +60ºC
(+140ºF), the display may temporarily cease to
function properly, or could result in permanent
damage.

FCC NOTICE TO USERS

The system may cause interference to a TV or radio even when it
is operating properly. To determine whether the system is causing
the interference, turn it off. If the interference goes away, the
system is causing the interference. This equipment has been
tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference
by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is needed.

• Contact your dealer for help.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference.

2. This device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.

WARNING: changes or modifications to this unit not
expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance

could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment

IMPORTANT!

Clear voice reception is important, but does not guarantee that
an emergency alert will trigger your unit’s alert siren. To test
actual reception and alert response, your unit must receive a test
or emergency alert signal broadcast. The National Weather
Service (NWS) broadcasts a test alert every week typically on
Wednesday between 11AM and 12PM (noon). The radio will
warn you if it has not received an alert within 10 days.To find out
the specific test schedule in your area, contact your local
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or
National Weather Service (NWS) office. These offices are
usually listed in the telephone book under “US Government”.or
visit the NOAA website athttp://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/

REMEMBER – FOR YOUR SYSTEM TO BE EFFECTIVE, YOU
MUST PLACE IT WHERE IT CAN RECEIVE AN EMERGENCY
ALERT SIGNAL AND WHERE YOU CAN HEAR ITS ALERT
SIREN OR SEE ITS FLASHING LIGHTS.

5

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the First

®

brand Public AlertTM Radio, Model WX-167.

Alert

This product complies with the exacting standards for

TM

Public Alert
provide reliability, long life and outstanding
performance. The WX-167 receives both audio and
digitally encoded civil and weather emergency alert
messages transmitted from NOAA broadcast towers.
NOAA has more than 900 towers in the 50 states and
near adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S.
Virgin Islands and the U.S. Pacific Territories.

The WX-167 Public Alert
NOAA weather channels and uses Specific Area
Message Encoding (S.A.M.E.) technology to identify
specific areas, like a county or portion of a state.

To simplify programming, the WX-167 has a built­in database of over 3000 state and county locations.
You can select up to 20 locations for your radio to
respond to.

NOTE: You must select the correct weather
channel to receive warnings for the state/county
codes that you have programmed.

6

devices as set by CEA -2009, and will

TM

Radio receives all 7

How it works

When NOAA broadcasts a message, the WX-167
decodes the message and displays it on the LCD
screen. One of three color-coded LED lights will light
up identifying the message as an “Advisory” (yellow),
“Watch” (orange) or “Warning” (red). External
handicapped accessory devices are triggered, if
connected. The alert siren sounds and the radio
automatically switches to the voice broadcast.

There are optional settings which you can use,
such as Event Blocking and Alerting Options, to
customize the response of your radio to an alert.

Working with other federal agencies and the FCC’s
Emergency Alert System (EAS), NOAA is the single
source for weather and civil emergency information
available to the public. For up-to-date information on
NOAA and weather frequencies used in your area,
check the NOAA web site at

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr.

Your can also call 1-888-NWR-SAME

(1-888-697-7263) for further information.

The main features of the WX-167 Public Alert Radio include:

Alert Function

Your Public AlertTM Radio will automatically sound an
alert tone siren and flash the corresponding LED
color indicator when it receives a weather or civil
emergency broadcast from NOAA.

Specific Area Message Encoding (S.A.M.E.)

Allows you to store up to 20 different location codes into
memory. Each code identifies a specific geographic
area typically a county (defined by NWS). Setting the
S.A.M.E. helps reduce unnecessary alerts.Your WX-167
will sound an alert when a civil or weather emergency is
declared in your area.

Alphanumeric Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

The LCD displays the NOAA weather channel number,
time, programming information and alert/status
description. The LCD has a unique tilt view function to
provide optimal visibility.

Display Backlight

Allows you to read the LCD display in low light
situations. When powered from the AC adapter or 12V
DC source, the backlight will stay on continuously. To
conserve power from the backup batteries during a
power failure, the backlight will stay on for about 10
seconds when you press a key.

Non-Volatile Memory

Channel and location settings are stored in non-volatile
memory, even when AC and battery power is removed.

Remote Alert

This feature can be used to control external handicapped
accessible devices such as strobe lights, pillow vibration
modules and external sirens.

Alert Audio Output

Allows connection of the siren and audio signal to a
Public Address system, amplifier, un-amplified external
speaker or two-way radio for special alert applications.
The volume contol knob controls the audio output. The
radio speaker is disabled when using this feature.

External Antenna (F connector)

Allows connection to an optional external antenna (not
included) to improve its reception in fringe or low
reception areas such as a shelter.

Rear Power Jack:

Connects to 9V AC wall adapter or 12VDC car cigarette
plug adapter.

Battery Backup

During AC power blackout periods, the unit will maintain
normal operation on five AA backup batteries.
Rechargeable Ni-Cad or NiMH batteries as well as
alkaline batteries may be used. A switch located in the
battery compartment is provided to select the type of
battery used. Typically, alkaline batteries will provide up
to 24 hrs of operation while rechargeable NiCad and
NiMH batteries will provide up to 12 hours. See battery
installation section (page 15) for more information.

7

LOCATION OF CONTROLS AND FUNCTIONS

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WX-167

11

12

13

23

22

21

8

7

6

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8

16

17

9

10

20

19

18

LCD

1

2

Screen

4

1. IntegratedTelescopic Antenna

2. Remote Alert Jack (3.5 mm)

3. Alert Audio Out Jack (6.2 mm)

4. External Antenna Jack (F Connector)

5. DC Power Jack

6. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

7. Warning Indicator (red) LED

8. Watch Indicator (orange) LED

9. AdvisoryIndicator (yellow) LED

10. Power Indicator (green) LED

11. Function Knob

12. ALERT Volume/OFF Switch

13. Volume Knob

14. Speaker

15. PREV Button (Denoted as “<”)

16. SAVE Button

17. PROGRAM Button

18. NEXT Button (Denoted as “>”)

19. Radio OFF Button

3

20. Radio ON Button

21. Battery type switch

22. PC programming switch

23. PC connection jack

LCD Screen

1. Time of Day with AM/PM indicator

2. Alert siren setting

3. Number of stored alerts that are active

4. Scrolling text for messages and program
menus, date.