Oregon WR102 User Manual

PORTABLE S.A.M.E. WEATHER RADIO

MODEL: WR102

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the WR102 Portable SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) Weather Radio. The
WR102 is a multi-function device that operates on the same radio frequencies used by the NOAA (National Oceanic
Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio (NWR). The WR102 warns users of severe weather and other
environmental dangers. Ideal for back-packers or individuals who spend extended periods of time in remote
locations; this device is also equipped with a digital clock and daily alarm.

The WR102 is designed for individuals and organizations that require dependable early-warnings of weather or
environmental dangers. This is the first portable take anywhere weather radio that operates on batteries or AC
power. A low battery warning icon alerts users that batteries are low and need replacing. The WR102 is small,
lightweight and constructed of durable materials. With a reception range up to 40 miles, the WR102 is ideal for use
in remote outdoor areas and in densely populated areas such as schools, hospitals or offices.

The 2-line liquid-crystal display (LCD) is easy to read. The electro-luminescent (EL) backlight ensures that night
time warnings are seen and properly interpreted.

To optimize your use of the WR102, please read this manual before use. Should you require additional assistance
or information, please contact our Customer Service Department at 800-853-8883 or via email at:
[e-mail].

ABOUT THE NATIONAL WEATHER-RADIO SYSTEM

The National Weather Service (NWS) is an agency within the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) that operates a nationwide network of radio stations known as the NOAA Weather Radio (NWR). The NWR
radio system broadcasts warning information for all types of hazards both natural and technological. Working in
conjunction with the Emergency Alert System (EAS), NWR is considered to be the most comprehensive
emergency information system.

A nationwide network, the NWR consists of more than 480 stations in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin
Islands and U.S. Pacific Territories. Broadcasts are designed to meet local needs. Routine programming is
repeated every few minutes and consists of local forecast, regional conditions and marine forecasts. Additional
information, including river stages and climatic data, is also provided. During emergencies, these routine
broadcasts are interrupted to report specific warnings, watches or other critical information.

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DESCRIPTION AND FUNCTION OF PARTS

A. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

A1. Radio Frequency Channel
A2. Radio in NOAA-On Mode [ “ICON” ]
Radio in NOAA-Stand-by Mode [ “ICON” ]
Radio in NOAA-Mute Mode [“ICON” ]
Radio in NOAA-Off Mode [ no icon ]
A3. Low Battery Warning Icon
A4. Warning Indicators: Warning, Watch,
or Statement
A5. Time/Date/Alarm Displays

A6. Alarm 1 and Alarm 2 Icons
B. MODE Button
Switches between clock, calendar, alarm 1& 2 modes
Enables setting or changing clock, calendar and

alarms

C. CHANNEL Button
Engages and exits channel setting mode
D. Indicator Light
Variable red/green LCD light identifies radio on/off

and message alert status

E. COUNTY Button
Activates the county mode to enter or change county
code settings
Switches between the 7 county code settings
F. Radio Speaker
G. Battery Compartment
Houses three (3) AA-sized or UM-3 1.5V batteries

(not included)
H. Battery Compartment Door Latch
I. Speaker Jack
Connection for optional external speaker (not

included)

J. NOAA Button
Switches between NOAA-On, NOAA-Stand-by,

NOAA-Mute and NOAA-Off modes
Immedate switch to NOAA-On mode from NOAA­ Stand-by Mode during SAME message alert
K. Antenna

DESCRIPTION AND FUNCTION OF PARTS, CONTINUED

L. VOLUME UP Button
Increases audio volume
Turns on and off the selected daily alarm
Activates or disables the displayed county code
Increases setting values in any setting mode
M. VOLUME DOWN Button
Decreases audio volume
Turns on and off the selected daily alarm
Activates or disables the displayed county code
Decreseas setting values in any setting mode
N. SNOOZE Button
Temporarily disables the alarm for 8-minutes
after which the alarm will sound again
Activates the backlight feature
O. AC Power Jack
Connection for optional AC power adapter (not
included)
P. Carrying Holder
For easy clip-on transport or wall mount

GETTING STARTED

Please note that the WR102 does not have an ON / OFF switch; and that the LCD will light-up once the batteries
are inserted. To conserve power, the radio can be set to NOAA Stand-By, NOAA-Mute, or NOAA-Off modes
instead of NOAA-On.

NOTE: Leaving the WR102 in NOAA-On mode will result in significant battery power consumption. It is
recommended that the WR102 be on NOAA-Stand-By when the user is not listening to radio broadcasts.

INSTALLING THE BATTERIES

The WR102 uses three (3) UM-3 or “AA” size 1.5V alkaline batteries. When replacing the batteries, if the user
changes the battery within 25 seconds, all settings will retained and will not require resetting.

To install batteries:

1.Gently pull to open battery-compartment latch.

2.Lift to open the battery compartment door. Insert batteries with polarities in the diection as shown.

3. Replace battery compartment door.

NOTE: If batteries are changed within 25 seconds, the clock will not stop and settings will not need to be reset.

DISPLAY MODES

There are two basic categories of display modes:

1. Clock-Display Mode displays information specific to the time and date functions: current time, current date,
alarm time(s) and status of alarm time(s).

2. NOAA Radio Status Mode details information specific to the status of the NOAA radio: NOAA-On, NOAA­ Stand-by, NOAA-Mute and NOAA-Off.

To switch between the various time/date displays, press (MODE) and with each press, the display will advance
sequentially.

Current Time Alarm 1

Current Date Alarm 2

To switch between the four different NOAA radio status, press the (NOAA) button.

NOAA-Off NOAA-On

NOAA-Stand-by NOAA-Mute

USING THE EARLY ALERT WARNING SYSTEM

The early warning system uses radio signals to alert the user to weather and environmental dangers. A
built-in radio receiver responds to seven (7) user-selected signal channels.

The WR102 has four activity status levels: NOAA-On, NOAA-Stand-by, NOAA-Mute and NOAA-Off.

1. NOAA-On: The radio is on and audio messages will be continuously heard.

2. NOAA-Stand-by: The radio is in standby mode and will activate automatically when an alert message is
received.

3. NOAA-Mute: The radio is in standby mode without audio capability. When an alert message is received,
the LED (Figure D) will flash. Voice messages will not be heard until the radio is switched to the NOAA-On
position.

4. NOAA-Off: The radio is off and will not respond to alert messages.
To select an activity status level, press the (NOAA) button. With each press, the status level advances

sequentially.
To hear an alert message when the radio is in NOAA-Mute mode, press the (NOAA) button until the status

becomes NOAA-On and then adjust the volume level if necessary.

SAME MESSAGE CODES USED BY THE NWR

When the NWR airs alert warnings, a digital code known as “Specific Area Message Encoding” (SAME) is
included as part of the warning. This code includes information specific to an affected or endangered local
geographical area. With SAME codes, the user can select the geographical area(s) of interest and program
the WR102 to receive only those specific alerts. When the WR102 is programmed with SAME codes, the
user will be alerted to warnings only for those pre-selected geographical areas. Alerts are initially shown on
the WR102 as a text display on the LCD screen (Figure A4); then an audio broadcast will follow. At the
completion of the audio broadcast message, the WR102 will emit a short burst of static to indicate end of
message.

In NOAA-Stand-by mode, the WR102 will automatically turn itself on when necessary so an audio broadcast
warning can be heard. The WR102 will then return to NOAA-Stand-by mode after the audio broadcast has
been completed.

FINDING LOCAL NWR CODES AND CHANNELS

SAME codes are available from the NWR.
To contact the NWR via phone: call toll-free 1-888-697-7263 and follow the voice menu to NWR channels
and SAME codes.
The NWR can also be contacted via the internet at: www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/indexnw.htm. Click on the state
for which information is desired.