Midland Radio 74-250-C User Manual
Owners Guide
Model 74-250(C)
Digital Weather Receiver with NWR-SAME decoding,
thermometer and Digital clock with 2 alarms
PRODUCT INFORMATION
The 74-250 N.W.R./ S.A.M.E. (National Weather Radio/Specific
Area Message Encoding) Weather/All Hazard Monitor provides
you with constant monitoring of your local National Weather
Service broadcast for messages warning you of hazardous
conditions. The NWR/SAME decoding allows you to hear only
messages concerning the area concerning you. You now have a
choice as to what information will be brought to you. No more
will you be awakened to hear of a problem many miles from your
home that will not affect you. A clock with alarm is also featured.
The 74-250 NWR/SAME Weather/All Hazard Monitor is the
latest advance in Weather monitoring technology providing you
with the information you need for your greatest safety from the
effects of weather and other external hazards.
FEATURES:
• VHF Weather Monitor with seven different National Weather
Service channels in the 162 MHz FM band – Provides 24hour-a-day National Weather Service information from seven
different channels for maximum reception possible (in areas
where available)
• Alert monitor system receives NWR/SAME codes transmitted
by National Weather Service stations warning of dangerous
weather conditions and other general hazards. The SAME
codes designate which counties or parts of counties are
affected by the individual message. When the alert feature is
activated, the receiver remains in a standby mode. As SAME
coded messages are received, the receiver automatically
activates to warn you of dangerous weather conditions.
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• High Performance Receiver – Receives weather broadcasts up
to 50 miles from transmitter.
• Dot Matrix LCD display for viewing alert type and monitor
status.
• Clock displays time and date and has 2 alarms and snooze
functions.
• Powered from two AA batteries (optional).
• Flexible Antenna – Provides maximum range reception-up to
50 miles.
• Fully Variable Digital Volume Control – Adjusts audio
output.
• Compact, Ultra Modern Styling – Small enough to take along.
• Earphone Jack – Allows private listening or remote speaker
location.
• Charge jack- allows for charging Ni-Cd or Ni- Mh batteries
(optional).
CONTROLS:
Mode – This is a push
button that switches the
display from time, date
and temperature display
to alarm display. Also is
used to change the active
county.
Set – This button allows
setting of various
functions.
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Snooze/Function – This is a push button
that switches between time, date and
temperature display and alert message
area. By pressing and holding this button
you can switch between alert with siren
voice and alert message, alert message
only, turn the weather alert off or listen to
the weather broadcast.
UP/Down – These buttons allow for
changing volume and changing
settings.
Earphone jack – This jack allows for
attaching an earphone for private
listening.
Charge Jack - This jack allows for
charging optional NI-Cd (Nickel Cadmium) or Ni-Mh (nickel
metal hydride) batteries.
NWR-SAME:
In 1994, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) began broadcasting coded emergency signals that
identify the specific geographic area (such as a county) affected
by an emergency. Until that time such specific emergency
weather information was sent in other ways to broadcast stations
and others then relayed to the public.
NOAA transmits the coded weather emergency signals using a
technique called SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding). The
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Midland 74-250 7-channel weather/ all hazards monitor is
designed to receive these SAME transmissions.
Your Midland 74-250 can be programmed with up to 9 predefined
county/channels that will define which notices broadcast by your
local NOAA weather station will cause the radio to alert you.
This includes warnings, watches and statements of weather and
other area emergencies, about 40 different types.
Also included in the SAME message is the amount of time for
which the message is effective. The 74-250 will continue to
display the alert until its time expires. In the upper left of the
display will be the time the alert was received.
You don’t need to wait for the 74-250 to give you an alert. Just
find the NWR station broadcasting to your area from the 7
available channels. You can listen at any time, day or night to the
latest weather information from the National Weather Service.
See quick use guide
What is a FIPS Code?
The NWR divides the United States and territories by state and
county (or parish) and assigns a six digit code number called a
FIPS (Federal Information Processing System) code or also
known as a NWR/SAME county code. The first digit identifies
subdivision. The next two identify the state or territory, and the
last three identify the county. For example the code for Clay
county Missouri is 029047. The“047” indicates the county, the
“29” indicates the state, and the “0” indicates the subdivision of
the county. In this case and most cases the code will have a zero
for the first digit, indicating that no subdivision is in use. The
NWS plans to introduce subdivisions of some counties in the
future, assigning digits 1 through 9 to the parts resulting in codes
like 529047.
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Acquiring FIPS codes for the desired Area:
The FIPS codes can be found by calling the NWS toll free
number
1-888-NWS-SAME
(1-888-697-7263) Please be sure you are dialing the correct
number
Automated instructions will guide you to the numbers you
need.
The FIPS codes and much more information can be found by
way of the Internet at www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/indexnw.htm
Note: You might want to obtain the codes for other counties
close to you or those you might frequently travel through.
The counties still must be within the coverage area of your
NWS broadcast.
This is what to expect when you call the NWS number. You will
be prompted to enter your state. We suggest spelling the entire
state to expedite the process. Next you will be prompted to enter
the county. Again spell the entire county. We suggest you locate
several counties surrounding you especially the county in the
direction most of the storms will be coming from. When you have
entered the county, the system will ask you to confirm what you
entered is correct. Be ready to write the number. The system tells
you the number fairly quick but you have the option to have it
read back to you so you can get the whole number. Remember the
number will be six digits long usually beginning with a zero.
INITIAL SETUP
To Install Batteries:
1. Hold the radio face down. Press the latch so it swings away
from the cover.
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2. Lift the battery cover slightly. Gently slide the cover off the
unit.
3. Insert 2 AA batteries observing the proper polarity.
Insert the top battery first by inserting the - terminal end of
the battery first and gently pressing the battery into place.
Install the second battery by inserting the + terminal into the
radio first and gently pressing the battery into place.
4. Replace the battery cover over the batteries and fasten with
the latch.
5. For optional rechargeable batteries, please charge for 10-14
hours before use.
6. Read and understand the programming instructions before
attempting programming.
Display Backlight
When any buttons are pressed the backlight will be activated for
about 5 seconds. For additional seconds of viewing time with
back-light, press and release “SET” button.
Programming
This radio has 9 memory locations. Each memory location allows
you to store one county code and one channel associated with the
county code. The radio will initially be programmed as follows:
Memory Code Channel
1 999999 1
2 999999 2
3 999999 3
4 999999 4
5 999999 5
6 999999 6
7 999999 7
8 999999 1
9 999999 1
The FIPS code 999999 is the
all county code. You may
continue to use this code that
allows the radio to receive
all alerts regardless of
county. By selection of one
of the memory locations, you
may find the best NWS
channel to listen to.
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When you have finished with entering the county code and the
channel associated with it, the radio will automatically revert back
to the last county the radio was on. This means that when you
finish with programming a county/channel you must be sure of
the memory location you programmed. If you programmed
county 2 and the radio was on county 1, when you are finished
programming the radio it will be on location 1. You must cause
the radio to switch to the county you just stored in a memory
other than 1. Below are detailed instructions on programming the
radio.
Before programming the radio, we suggest turning off the
NOAA receiver. To temporally deactivate the receiver, press and
hold the SNOOZE/FUNC button until you do not see the NOAA
or any of the speaker icons associated with it. The display should
look like this... or like this…
Alert display Clock display
Use this mode also when monitoring for alerts is not required.
Battery life will be much greater.
Enter the county code and NWS channel into memory
When you receive this radio it is programmed with the “all
county” code 999999. You may continue to use this code
which allows the radio to receive all alerts regardless of the
county.
Your 74-250 is supplied with a booklet that lists most of
the NWS frequencies and the major cities they are in. Find
the desired city and the frequency associated with it and
refer to the list at the bottom of this section and program as
desired. Do not enter the frequency (162.xxx) as a county
code.
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