The FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
requires that you be advised of certain requirements
involving the use of this device. 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 and Regulations. These rules are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential environment.
This equipment uses and can generate radio frequency
(RF) energy. If not used in accordance with the instructions, it may cause interference to other radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that the
interference will not occur in another device's reception (which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on). The user is encouraged to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the radio and other
devices
• Consult the manufacturer for technical assistance
FCC Warning: This equipment generates or uses radio
frequency (RF) energy. Changes or modifications not
expressly approved in writing may cause harmful
interference and void the user's authority to operate
this equipment.
1
II. ABOUT TOPAZ3
Topaz3 is the exclusive supplier of Maxon®, Legacy and
TruTalk brand communication products.
Our product line ranges from two-way radios suitable for
Business and Industry (B&I) markets like farm, government,
law enforcement, utility, etc. to consumer communications
equipment for recreational and light-duty business markets.
Product offerings include a variety of UHF and VHF
handheld and mobile radios, repeaters and RF link modules,
as well as FRS (Family Radio Service), GMRS (General
Mobile Radio Service) radios, MURS (Multi User Radio
Service) radios, Citizen’s Band radios and weather monitors.
Available accessory items include a variety of carrying
cases, spare batteries, desktop and mobile chargers, ear
bud speaker microphones and more for each radio model.
For additional information on our product line, visit our
website:
www.topaz3.com
III. ABOUT YOUR WX-80
The WX-80 SAME Weather Monitor "hears" weather
alert broadcasts from the National Weather Service,
and announcements from the Emergency Alert System
to keep you aware of ever-changing conditions.
SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) technology lets
you program the monitor to receive forecasts, updates
2
III. ABOUT YOUR WX-80, Continued
targeted to your area. The unit stores up to 15 SAME
geographic codes, allowing you to hear weather events
in the counties you choose - not those far away from
you.
Other features of the TruTalk WX-80 include:
• Provides instant weather information anytime night or day - up to
50 miles from nearest transmitter
• Stores up to 15 SAME geographic codes - allowing you to hear
weather events in the counties you choose
• Meets EAS (Emergency Alert System) standards
• LED Indicators identify alert types: Statement, Watch and Warning
• Keypad selects weather channel, enters SAME geographic codes
and chooses alert type
• Backlit 8-character LCD shows specific emergency messages
• Variable alert tone and audio broadcast volume levels
• Built-in "test mode" confirms operation and resets to factory default
settings
• Separate alert "off" control button
• Telescopic antenna
• AC Power operation (AC power adaptor included)
• 9V Battery backup keeps you advised during power outage
(battery not included)
• Compact monitor can be used on counter or wall-mounted
• One Year Warranty
3
IV. UNPACKING AND CHECKING EQUIPMENT
Carefully unpack the monitor and any accessories. Use
the item list below to identify the components included
in the product packaging, to ensure that no items are
discarded in the packing materials.
WX-80 Weather Monitor
AC Power adaptor
Wall mounting hardware
If any items are missing or damaged, you should
contact the Topaz3 Customer Service Department.
Dial 1-800-821-7848, Ext. 499 for assistance.
V. GETTING TO KNOW YOUR WX-80
A) Speaker - announces event messages and alert tones
B) Telescopic antenna - extends for maximum radio
reception
C) 8-Character LCD - displays event message, radio
E) ALERT Button - used to turn alert on or off
F) WEATHER Button - used to obtain NWS weather
announcements anytime night or day
G) OFF / PROGRAM Button - used to turn off weather
alert siren and enter programming mode
H) Numeric keypad - used to enter SAME geographic
codes
4
V. GETTING TO KNOW..., Continued
I) NO Function selection button - declines function during
programming
J) YES / Tone Function button - selects function during
programming; adjusts alert siren tone
K) Power On / Off switch
L) Volume up / down switch
Monitor base (not shown):
Battery compartment door, Wall mounting keyholes
On Monitor side (not shown):
External antenna jack, DC Power jack
B
A
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
KL
5
I
VI. POWERING THE WEATHER MONITOR
Your WX-80 weather monitor uses standard 12V DC
power for normal operation and one 9V battery (not
supplied) for backup power when standard power fails
or is temporarily disconnected. For the best performance
and longest life during power failure, we recommend
an alkaline battery. A fresh backup battery will power
the weather monitor for up to 1 hour with the weather
broadcast turned on or up to 8 hours in alert standby
mode. However, we recommend you always connect
the weather monitor to AC power for normal use.
Remember, when the unit is powered OFF, no alert
signal will be received, even with a backup battery
installed! The unit must be "ON" to receive alerts and
broadcasts.
Installing the Backup Battery
1. Place the monitor's power on / off switch into the
"OFF" position by sliding it to the right.
2. Press the tab on the battery compartment cover,
lift the cover up and set it aside.
3. Using a fresh 9V alkaline battery, "snap" the terminal
connector onto the battery, and place the battery
into the compartment, taking care not to crimp
or damage the wiring.
4. Replace the cover.
5. Power ON the WX-80 by sliding the power switch
to the left ("ON" position).
6
VI. POWERING THE WEATHER..., Continued
Installing the Backup Battery, Continued
NOTE: Do NOT use a rechargeable-type battery in your
weather monitor. Use standard alkaline batteries only.
NOTE: If the backup battery becomes weak, your
weather monitor might not sound a tone when an
emergency or test alert is broadcast. Check the monitor's
reception periodically, and replace the battery as
needed.
CAUTION: Dispose of an old or weak battery promptly
and properly. Do not burn or bury it. Batteries can leak
chemicals that can cause personal injury and/or damage
to the monitor unit.
When "REPLACE BATTERY" appears on the radio
display or the weather monitor stops operating (while
under battery-only power), replace the battery with a
fresh one. "REPLACE BATTERY" will also appear on the
radio display if no backup battery is installed and the
weather monitor is connected to AC power and then
turned on. This is to remind you that the battery
backup capability will not work in times of AC power
outages without a battery installed!
Connecting the Weather Monitor to AC Power
1. Place the monitor's power on / off switch into the
"OFF" position by sliding it to the right.
7
VI. POWERING THE WEATHER..., Continued
Connecting the Weather Monitor..., Continued
2. Plug the AC power adaptor into the power jack
on the left side of the monitor.
3. Plug the power adaptor into a standard, household
110V AC outlet.
Using the Built-In Antenna
The weather monitor's built-in telescoping antenna
lets you receive strong local signals. Lift the antenna
to a vertical position, then full extend it for optimum
reception.
To improve reception in remote areas, you can connect
an external 50 Ohm antenna to your weather monitor
using an optional adapter cable with an RCA plug
connected to the side panel EXT ANT (External Antenna)
jack. Your local electronics store sells a wide variety of
antennas. Follow the installation instructions provided
with the antenna to connect to the WX-80 monitor.
VII. LISTENING TO A WEATHER BROADCAST
Your weather monitor is pre-programmed with the 7
NOAA weather broadcast frequencies (Channels 1-7).
To select a frequency broadcast for your area, follow
steps outlined on the next few pages.
8
VII. LISTENING TO A WEATHER..., Continued
1. With the WX-80 powered ON, push the "WEATHER"
button to activates the monitor audio circuitry.
2. Adjust the audio volume to the desired listening
level using the Volume Up / Down bar. Volume
settings range from 1 - the lowest setting, to
8 - the highest setting. The audio volume control
has a mute setting (volume setting 0) that will
allow you to temporarily mute all audio.
3. To turn off the weather broadcast, press the
WEATHER button again.
VIII. PROGRAMMING YOUR WX-80
Factory Default Programming
Your weather monitor is preprogrammed to receive
broadcasts for ALL area broadcasts and ALL weather
alert types. This is called "All Signals Code", (refer to
Table of Contents for page number). The first time
you use your weather monitor, you will find that it is
automatically set to use the NOAA weather broadcast
frequency 162.550 MHz (Channel 1).
Depending on your location, you may need to select a
different channel, determined by your local area NWS
transmitter frequency. Follow these steps to select your
local broadcast frequency.
IMPORTANT: During all programming modes, if there
9
VIII. PROGRAMMING YOUR WX-80, Continued
Factory Default Programming, Continued
is a pause of 40 seconds without a key press, the WX-80
will store current settings and return to operations mode.
This will ensure that the WX-80 is operational, should
there be any interruptions during your programming
setup.
The following programming instructions are broken
down by specific function. Each programming topic
ends by terminating the programming and returning to
standby or operating mode.
All programming functions can be set in one session
should you desire to program multiple functions before
returning to operations mode. The YES key is used to
accept the current display setting and will continue to
advance you to the next programming step, allowing
you to skip options that you do not wish to change.
1. Power the WX-80 weather monitor "on" by sliding
the on/ off switch to the left. You will hear a tone
to confirm power is ON.
2. Press the OFF/PROGRAM button for 2 seconds to
begin the programming mode. The display will
show the last selected weather channel (possibly
the default setting frequency).
3. Press the WEATHER button to activate the weather
audio, then push the volume up or down key to
10
VIII. PROGRAMMING YOUR WX-80, Continued
Factory Default Programming, Continued
adjust the broadcast volume to desired level.
4. Press the number keys, in sequence, from 1 through
7 to find the broadcast channel for your area, by
listening for the strongest signal. Re-adjust the
volume level if necessary, then listen briefly to
the announcement message to ensure information
about your local area is being broadcast. If another
channel seems strong, go to that channel and
listen to its broadcast. Choose the channel which
best represents information for your location.
Channel FrequencyChannel Frequency
1162.550 MHz
2162.400
3162.475
4162.425
5. When you have selected the best channel for your
location, push the YES button to store your
selection and advance to the next programming
step, "Setting the Alert Type", or push the OFF /
PROGRAM key for 2 seconds to store the
selection and set mode to operate. The current
alert status (WEATHER ALRT ON or WEATHER
ALRT OFF) appears.
5162.450
6162.500
7162.525
11
VIII. PROGRAMMING YOUR WX-80, Continued
Setting the Alert Type
You can set the WX-80 weather monitor to respond to
an NWS alert broadcast in one of two ways. When the
monitor is powered on and activated by an alert signal,
the following will occur (by setting selection):
VOICE - when activated by an alert signal, the weather
monitor sounds an alert beep or siren for about 8
seconds, then automatically broadcasts the weather for
5 minutes. Then it returns to standby operation. The
display shows the alert description (such as TORNADO
WARNING) until the alert's effective time expires. An
alert could be in effect for several hours.
ALERT - when activated by an alert signal, the weather
monitor sounds an alert beep or siren continuously and
displays an alert description until the alert's effective
time expires. To turn off the alert sooner, press the OFF
button. To hear the NWS voice broadcast, press the
WEATHER button.
NOTE: When the weather monitor's alert expires or
you turn it off, you hear the NWS alert termination tone
(three bursts) for a few seconds before you hear the
voice broadcast. The NWS alert termination tone has
a different sound than the weather monitor's alert tone.
12
VIII. PROGRAMMING YOUR WX-80, Continued
Setting the Alert Type, Continued
The weather monitor is set to the ALERT setting as
the factory default. To change the alert type setting to
VOICE (or to check the current selection), follow these
steps:
1. With the WX-80 powered on, push the
OFF/PROGRAM button for 2 seconds to
set mode to program.
2. Press the YES button once to advance to the Alert
Type setting. The current alert pattern selection
(VOICE or ALERT) appears on the display.
3. To select the alternate setting (choosing VOICE
instead of ALERT or choosing ALERT instead
of VOICE) press the NO button. The alternate
setting appears. To toggle between settings,
press the NO button more than once. Your
selection is saved by pressing the YES button.
NOTE: Pressing the NO button repeatedly will alternate
or toggle between the selection of ALERT and VOICE.
4. When your selection appears on the display, push
the YES button to store the selection and
advance to the next programming step, (Setting
the Backlight) or push the OFF/PROGRAM
button for 2 secondsto store the selection and
set mode to operate. The current alert status
13
VIII. PROGRAMMING YOUR WX-80, Continued
Setting the Alert Type, Continued
(WEATHER ALRT ON or WEATHER ALRT OFF) will
appear in the display.
Setting the Backlight
Your weather monitor's display backlight automatically
turns on for about 10 seconds each time you press a
key. For extended use in low light situations, you can
set the backlight so it remains on continuously until
you turn it off. NOTE: The monitor must be connected
to AC power to have a continuous backlight setting.
Follow these steps to turn the backlight on or off.
1. With the WX-80 powered on, push the
OFF/PROGRAM button for 2 seconds
to set mode to program.
2. Press the YES button twice so "CONTINUO"
(continuous) and "BACKLITE" alternately flash
on the display.
3. Press the YES button to accept the continuous
backlight setting, or press the NO button to turn
off the continuous backlight. NOTE: If you
choose NO, the backlight setting will turn off
10 seconds after the last button press. The
display will advance to the next programming
step, "Single or Multiple Location Monitoring".
4. Push the OFF/PROGRAM button for 2 seconds to
14
VIII. PROGRAMMING YOUR WX-80, Continued
Setting the Backlight, Continued
store the selection and set mode to operate. The
current alert status (WEATHER ALRT ON or
WEATHER ALRT OFF) appears.
Understanding SAME Geographic Codes
NOTE: In the following text, SAME Geographic Codes
are also known as FIPS Codes. The National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) began
broadcasting coded weather alert signals able to
identify specific areas where the weather emergency
is forecasted to occur. These Specific Area codes are
called FIPS (Federal Information Processing System)
codes. A unique FIPS code is assigned to every county
or parish throughout the United States and all US
territories.
Example: The 6-digit FIPS code to identify Kansas City,
Missouri (Jackson County) is 029095.
The first digit in a FIPS code identifies the county
subdivision, used only for extremely large counties or
counties with geographically unusual shapes such as
a long, narrow county. The next two digits identify the
state, and the last three digits identify the county or
parish.
15
VIII. PROGRAMMING YOUR WX-80, Continued
Understanding SAME Geographic..., Continued
NOTE: Most FIPS codes begin with 0, which means
that FIPS code represents an entire county. The NWS
has future plans to subdivide some large counties.
When that happens, each subdivision will be assigned
a digit from 1 - 9, resulting in codes such as 129059,
229059, and so on.
Event Codes - Emergency events, such as weather
emergencies or civil emergencies, are also assigned
a code known as an Event Code. These event codes
are used to identify an emergency by type.
Example: (TOW) for Tornado Warning.
SAME - (Specific Area Message Encoding) combines
the FIPS Code to identify a specific area and an Event
Code to specify the particular emergency event for that
area. The area and event identification data is followed
by a voice message pertaining to the emergency
situation for that area. This data is then digitally
encoded and broadcast by your local NOAA
Weather Radio (NWR) station.
Your WX-80 weather monitor can receive all SAME
alert signals broadcast within about a 40 to 50 mile
radius of the NWR transmitter tower. To receive SAME
alerts about weather emergencies occurring only
16
VIII. PROGRAMMING YOUR WX-80, Continued
Understanding SAME Geographic..., Continued
in particular counties of interest, you can program up
to 15 FIPS codes into the weather monitor's memory.
This allows you to avoid hearing an alert that applies
to an area that is possibly several counties from you.
Obtaining Your Area's FIPS Code(s)
To obtain the FIPS code for your current location,
call the National Weather Service toll free at
1-888-NWR-SAME (1-888-697-7263). Follow the
instructions as prompted to enter your state and county
location. The system will respond with the FIPS code
for that county. If you are close to a county line, you
might want to obtain the codes for the neighboring
county or other nearby counties of interest to you.
Monitoring Single or Multiple Locations
Your WX-80 Weather Monitor will monitor either a
single location or up to 15 locations, determined by
the number of SAME Geographic Codes you enter,
or choose to monitor.
To set the weather monitor to single or multiple
locations, use the following steps:
1. With the WX-80 powered on, push the
OFF/PROGRAM button for 2 seconds to set
mode to program.
17
VIII. PROGRAMMING YOUR WX-80, Continued
Monitoring Single or Multiple..., Continued
2. Press the YES button three times so the word SINGLE
or MULTIPLE appears on the display.
3. To select the opposite setting (MULTIPLE rather than
SINGLE), press the NO button. The setting you
selected appears. Pressing the NO button
repeatedly will alternate the selection between
SINGLE and MULTIPLE until the YES button is
pressed.
4. Press the YES button to select the option of your
choice. The display will advance to the next
programming step, "Entering the FIPS Location
Codes". Whether you choose the SINGLE or
MULTIPLE location option, the first memory
location (LOC 1) and the FIPS Code stored will
now alternately flash on the display.
5. Push the OFF/PROGRAM key for 2 seconds to
store the selection and set mode to operate.
The current alert status (WEATHER ALRT ON
or WEATHER ALRT OFF) appears.
18
VIII. PROGRAMMING YOUR WX-80, Continued
Entering FIPS Location Codes
Your weather monitor is preset to use a default "All
Signals" code (code 99), this lets the WX-80 receive
any weather alert broadcast within its reception range
(about a 50-mile radius in most locations). This code
is preset in the weather monitor's first memory location
(LOC 1 - 99).
To change the FIPS code in any of the memory location
cells (LOC 1 through LOC 15), press the NO button
while the LOC and code are flashing alternately.
Pressing "NO" tells the WX-80 that you do not want the
existing code and intend to change it to another code.
NOTE: This flashing code may be the default code of
'99'. This code value sets the WX-80 to monitor ALL
broadcasts within the area regardless of location code.
Follow these steps to program the weather monitor to
the FIPS code for your local county or counties that
you would like to monitor.
1. With the WX-80 powered on, push the
OFF/PROGRAM button for 2 seconds to set
mode to program.
2. Press the YES button four times so the word "LOC 1"
(location 1) and "99" (the default code or an
existing programmed FIPS code) flashes on the
display. If you choose to monitor multiple
19
VIII. PROGRAMMING YOUR WX-80, Continued
Entering FIPS Location Codes, Continued
locations, this will be the first of fifteen FIPS
codes (LOC 1 - LOC 15) that can be stored and
monitored.
3. If you do NOT want to retain the existing FIPS code
in this location cell, press the NO button.
Proceed to Step 5 to enter the new FIPS code.
4. If you DO want to retain the FIPS code currently in
this location cell, press the YES button.
The WX-80 will advance to the next location
cell (2 - 15). At each location cell, you must
make the same choice to either keep the existing
FIPS code or to enter a new FIPS code.
5. To add or change a code in a different location,
press the YES button repeatedly until you see the
first unused memory location or the code you
want to change, then press the NO button to
clear the existing code. Six dashes (- - - - - -) will
appear allowing you to enter a new FIPS code
for that location cell. Use the number keys (0-9)
to enter the 6-digit FIPS code you want to store.
NOTE: If you make a mistake while entering the code
press NO to clear all digits. The dashes (- - - - - -) will
reappear and allow you to enter the correct code.
6. Press the YES button to store the desired codes in
memory.
20
VIII. PROGRAMMING YOUR WX-80, Continued
Entering FIPS Location Codes, Continued
Reminder: If you set the weather monitor to its multiple
location mode, the code (if any) stored in the next
memory position appears. Repeat Steps 3-6 for each
code (up to 15) you want to change or add.
To reset the weather monitor to receive ALL SAME
signals within a 50-mile radius, simply enter 99 in the
first memory location. The display will read: LOC 1 99.
When you press the YES button to store a code in the
last location cell (LOC 15), the display will advance to
the next programming step, Alert Tones.
7. Push the OFF/PROGRAM button for 2 seconds
to store the selection and set mode to operate.
The current alert status (WEATHER ALRT ON
or WEATHER ALRT OFF) appears on the display.
IX. ALERT TONES
You have the option to activate or turn off various types
of "geographically confined" weather event alert tones
received by your weather monitor. Optional alerts such
as "Avalanche Watch", "Coastal Flood Warning" and
"Volcano Warning" are naturally confined to their
geographical restrictions.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Weather alerts for unpredictable
21
IX. ALERT TONES, Continued
weather hazards such as "Tornado Warning" can
NOT be turned off by the user, and do not appear
as options on the chart below.
You can set the weather monitor so it sounds or does
not sound an alert tone during the following types of
events. NOTE: The weather monitor still detects and
displays information about alerts even after you disable
the tone for those alerts. Use this table to note the status
of each alert setting as you are programming.
Event Type Alert: OnOff
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Statement
Flood Watch
Flood Warning
Flood Statement
Winter Storm Watch
Winter Storm Warning
Blizzard Warning
High Wind Watch
High Wind Warning
22
IX. ALERT TONES, Continued
Event Type Alert: OnOff
Hurricane Watch
Hurricane Statement
Coastal Flood Watch
Coastal Flood Warning
Special Marine Warning
Avalanche Watch
Avalanche Warning
Volcano Watch
Volcano Warning
Monthly Test
Test Message
Unknown Statement Tune TV
Demo Message
Your WX-80 uses three LED's to give you visual
distinc-tion between the type of event (Statement,
Warning or Watch) being broadcast. Statement means
"A statement contains follow-up information to a
warning, watch or emergency message. Statements
emphasize short term forecast information, making
use of observations and reports to heighten public
perception of personal risk. Stay informed of the latest
conditions and information by AM/FM radio, NOAA
weather radio, television or other means." Watch
means "There is potential for hazardous weather or
flood event, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing
23
IX. ALERT TONES, Continued
is still uncertain. Stay informed of the latest conditions
and information by AM/FM radio, NOAA weather
radio, television or other means." Warning means "A
hazardous weather or flood event is imminent or
occurring. The severe weather event poses a significant
threat to public safety and/or property and the probability of occurrence and location is high. Use safety
procedures according to the type of event (ie: tornado;
move to the lowest level of home or building, away
from glass or windows, etc.). Stay informed of the latest
conditions and information using battery operated
AM/FM radio or battery operated NOAA weather radio both can move easily with you to your place of safety."
When the term Emergency displays, it means "An event
that by itself would not kill or injure persons, or result in
property damage but indirectly may cause other things
to happen that may result in a hazard. For example, a
major power or telephone loss in a large city alone is
not a direct hazard, but disruption to other critical
services could create a variety of conditions that could
directly threaten public safety."
As you proceed through the list of event types, you will
be shown the current status for each alert tone (On or
Off). Toggle between on and off settings by pressing the
NO button. After confirming the desired status of tone
(On or Off) for specific warning(s), save your selection
for by pressing the YES button.
24
IX. ALERT TONES, Continued
(Example) Alert tone for "Winter Storm Warning". The
eight character LCD will scroll through and display the
message in up to three steps followed by the Alert Status
(On or Off) as shown:
WINTER
STORM
WARNING
TONE ON
To accept and store current alert status (Tone On), press
the YES button.
To change current alert status to (Tone Off), press the
NO button. The display will change to read:
WINTER
STORM
WARNING
TONE OFF
Again, continually pressing the NO button will toggle
between On and Off settings.
Press the YES button to store your selection. The display
will advance to the next optional alert type.
25
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