Midland Radio WR-300 User Manual

Your new MIDLAND Weather Radio (WR-300) 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. The Midland Weather Radio has a special receiver that tunes to the 24/7 broadcasts issued by the National Weather Service. The combined All Hazards/Weather Alert broadcast network is the single, most immediate source for comprehensive weather and emergency information available instantaneously to the public, in advance of TV and radio bulletins.

This MIDLAND Weather Radio has an innovative automatic alert system. In the event of special warning broadcasts, the radio is automatically activated along with a loud tone, a flashing LED indicator, and an “alert” message in the LCD. Emergency weather bulletins include alerts about: Tornados, Hurricanes, Floods, Ice/Snow Storms, and other Severe Weather. Other emergencies might include: Amber Alert, Hazardous Explosions, Fires, Chemical Spills, and other civil emergencies.

We encourage you to read this Owner’s Manual thoroughly before operating this unit. This manual is a valuable part of your new Midland Weather Radio. See the “Quick Start” section of this manual for the initial weather radio setup and programming. The quick & easy programming menus are designed to meet your radio operation needs. After this weather radio is programmed and operating properly, store the manual in a safe place.

Midland Radio Corporation

5900 Parretta Dr. Kansas City, Mo. 64120 Phone: (816) 241-8500 Fax: (816) 241-5713 E-mail: mail@midlandradio.com URL: www.midlandradio.com

(See “Controls” & “Quick Start” sections in this manual.)

DIAGRAM OF THE WEATHER RADIO:

1. WEATHER/HAZARD ON/OFF standby mode button

2. ALERT ON/OFF button

3. SNOOZE clock alarm snooze button

4. “WARNING” Alert Status light

5. “WATCH” Alert Status light

6. “STATEMENT” Alert Status light

7. AM/FM radio AM or FM selector button

8. RADIO AM/FM radio on/off button

9. OFF Weather Radio unit on/off dial & volume control

10. ALARM OFF/ON switch

11. MENU (programming) menu mode activation button

12. SELECT (programming) select & confirm option button

13. Arrows (programming) buttons – up, down, right & left

Note: This unit programs with menus similar to a TV remote control.

Features located on back of unit are not shown: DC jack (also for AC Power Adapter), and jacks for optional external alert, external antenna & earphone.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Your new MIDLAND Weather Radio (WR-300)

Diagram of the Weather Radio ......................................... 2

Product Information .......................................................... 5

Features ............................................................................. 5

Controls ............................................................................ 8

Quick Start Instructions

1. Batteries .................................................................. 10

2. AC Power Adapter .................................................. 10

3. Antenna ................................................................... 10

4. Setting the AM/FM Clock Radio

a. Time ................................................................... 11

b. Date .................................................................... 11

c. Alarm (for AM/FM Clock Radio ....................... 12

5. Program the Weather Channel for Your Area ........ 13

6. About S.A.M.E. & the County Codes ..................... 13

Programming Your Weather Radio .................................. 14

NWR, NOAA, NWS, & SAME ....................................... 14

Emergency Power (connecting power & reception) ........ 15

What is a FIPS Code? ....................................................... 16

Acquiring FIPS codes for Your Area ............................... 17

Adjusting the Weather Frequency .................................... 18

Changing the Alert Pattern ............................................... 19

FIPS Code Programming .................................................. 20

Using the Alert Function .................................................. 22

Testing Siren & External Alert Devices ........................... 23

NWR Alert Descriptions (chart) ....................................... 23

Reviewing Overlapping Alerts ......................................... 26

When a Test of Demo Alert Occurs ................................. 26

Defeat Siren Alert Option ................................................. 27

Adding Future SAME Event Codes ................................. 27

Backlight of the Display ................................................... 28

AM/FM Radio Use ........................................................... 28

AM/FM Memory Channels .............................................. 29

Programming Memory Channels ..................................... 29

............ 1

Button Press Beeps ........................................................... 29

Troubleshooting & Help ................................................... 30

Notes & Maintenance ....................................................... 31

12 Volt Operation ............................................................. 32

FCC Compliance Information .......................................... 32

FIPS Code Form ............................................................... 34

Service .............................................................................. 35

One Year Limited Warranty ............................................. 36

Specifications ................................................................... 37

Glossary ............................................................................ 38

PRODUCT INFORMATION:

The WR-300 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 and AM/FM radio are also featured.

The WR-300 has an emergency battery backup system for use if you lose power. It will provide up to thirty hours of operation if power fails.

The WR-300 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 24-hour-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.

• User-selectable warning system – Your choice of siren

alarm, voice or visual flasher.

• Weather Command Button – large touch bar turns unit

from alert mode to full time monitoring.

• High Performance Chassis – Receives weather

broadcasts up to 50 miles from transmitter.

• Large Top-Firing Speaker – Directs alerts and audio

toward listener.

• Eleven-character LCD display for viewing alert type.

• Clock displays time and date and has alarm and snooze

functions.

• AM/FM radio for listening or wake-up alarm.

• Emergency Powered from 4 type AA batteries (optional).

• Telescopic Antenna – Provides maximum range

reception-up to 50 miles. Antenna folds down for easy transport.

• Fully Variable Volume Control – Adjusts audio output.

• Alert siren volume adjustable for maximum flexibility.

• External Alert jack to operate external warning devices.

(optional)

• Earphone Jack – Allows private listening or remote

speaker location. (optional)

• External Antenna Jack – Permits use of an optional

extended range base antenna or a mobile antenna.

• External Power Jack – Allows use of AC adapter

(included) or DC cigarette lighter power cord (optional) to run off a car or boat battery.

• Compact, Ultra Modern Styling – Small enough to take

along – looks good anywhere.

CONTROLS:

Note: The MIDLAND Weather

Radio volume control and the main power switch (# 9 above) must be turned on to activate the following controls unless otherwise noted by an asterisk.

1. WEATHER/HAZARD ON/OFF standby mode button.

The Weather/Hazard broadcast & alert receiver is active whenever the Weather Radio unit is turned on. Press this button to put the weather/hazard receiver into standby mode (alert monitor mode.) Press button again to return to hearing National Weather Service weather/hazard reports.

2. ALERT ON/OFF button. Press this button to cancel alert

siren sounds and any external alert features when alert active. Press and hold button to enable and disable alert siren and external alert signals (see Page 20).

When Alert is off, only the LED indicator lights

(“Warning”, “Watch”, & “Statement”) are active.

3. SNOOZE clock alarm snooze button. Press to advance the

clock alarm time by 9 minutes each time the clock alarm sounds.

4. “WARNING” Alert Status light. This red LED Indicator

light tells you that a warning has been issued for your area by the National Weather Service.

5. “WATCH” Alert Status Light. This yellow LED Indicator

light tells you that a watch has been issued for your area by the National Weather Service.

6. “STATEMENT” Alert Status Light. This green LED

Indicator light tells you that a statement has been issued for your area by the National Weather Service.

7. AM/FM radio Am or FM selector button. Switches

between AM & FM bands of the broadcast radio. (Weather Radio and AM/FM radio must both be turned on.)

8. RADIO AM/FM radio on/off button. Turns FM/AM

(broadcast) radio on & off. (The weather service channel is monitored for alerts whether or not the FM/AM radio is on.)

9. OFF Weather Radio unit on/off dial & volume control.

This is the MIDLAND Weather Radio volume control and the main power switch. Click unit on & adjust to desired listening level. (Only the clock is active when this dial is set to off.)

10. ALARM OFF/ON switch. Enables and disables clock

alarm function.

11.* MENU (programming) menu mode activation button. Press

to activate programming mode. (Use directional arrows to move through programming menu options.)

12.* SELECT (programming) select & confirm option button.

Press to confirm your selection.

13.* Arrows (programming) buttons – up, down, right & left.

Use directional arrows to program the MIDLAND Weather Radio menus. (This unit programs with menus similar to a TV remote control.) Note: you can also use the arrows to review previous alerts when in normal display mode.

QUICK START INSTRUCTIONS:

After reading the “Features” & “Controls” sections in this manual set up your MIDLAND Weather Radio as follows:

1. BATTERIES. This Weather Radio operates on AC power or 4 AA battery backup. (Batteries are not included.) It is recommended that you install emergency backup batteries: (4) type AA alkaline batteries (not supplied). First, be sure the unit is disconnected from the AC power adapter. Then, remove the battery compartment cover on the underside of the unit by pressing the battery compartment door latch in the direction of the arrow and lifting. Observe the battery polarity indicators (+ and ) as you install the batteries. Replace the battery compartment cover. (Rechargeable batteries are not recommended because the WR-300 will not charge the batteries.)

2. AC POWER ADAPTER. Plug the AC Power Adapter into a 110-115 Volt AC power outlet (standard house current). Plug AC Power Adapter into DC jack on back of the Weather Radio.

3. ANTENNA. Position telescoping antenna vertical and

extend to its full length above the Weather Radio. In most cases, this antenna will provide good reception. In some remote areas an external antenna may be used to improve weak reception.

4. SETTING THE AM/FM CLOCK RADIO.

a. Set the TIME

Press and release the “MENU” button. Press the “DOWN” arrow button until “SET UP TIME” is displayed in the left side of the display. Press the “SELECT” button, hour setting will begin flashing. (Note and adjust A.M./P.M. indicator located to left of the flashing hour setting.) Press and release the “UP” buttons to adjust the hour setting. Press and release the “RIGHT” arrow to adjust minutes. Press and release the “UP” buttons to adjust the minute setting. Press the “SELECT” button to store the time setting.

b. Set the DATE. First turn on the Weather Radio unit, then:

Press and release the “MENU” button. Press the “DOWN” arrow until “SET UP DATE” is displayed in the left side of the display. Press and release “SELECT”. Press and release the “UP” arrow

. First turn on the Weather Radio unit, then:

to adjust the day. Press and release the “RIGHT” arrow to choose setting the month. Press and release the “UP” arrow to adjust the month. Press and release the “RIGHT” arrow to select the year. Press and release the “UP” arrow to adjust the Year. Press and release the “SELECT” button to store DAY/MONTH/YEAR.

c. Set the ALARM (for the AM/FM Clock Radio). First turn on the Weather Radio unit, then:

Press and release the “MENU” button. Press the “DOWN” arrow until “SET UP ALARM” is displayed in the left side of the display. Press and release the SELECT button. The alarm hour

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