Radio Shack 12-259 User Manual
©2007. RadioShack Corporation. All rights reserved. RadioShack and RadioShack.com are trademarks used by RadioShack Corporation.
12A07
12-259
P/N: AO0158ADA1
Printed in China
12-259
Handheld
Hazard Alert Radio
Thank you for purchasing your Hazard Alert Radio
from RadioShack. Please read this user’s guide before
installing, setting up and using your new radio.
What’s Included
Radio Belt Clip
User’s Guide
Specifications
Power supply ...................... 6V DC 300 mA AC adapter (not supplied)
......................................................................3 AA battery (not supplied)
Thermometer operating range ...................................... -4 °F to 122 °F
Dimensions (HWD) .............................................6 9/16 x 2 13/16 x 1 7/16 in.
Weight ............................................................................................ 5.6 oz
Channel 1 ...........................................................................162.400 MHZ
Channel 2 ...........................................................................162.425 MHZ
Channel 3 ...........................................................................162.450 MHZ
Channel 4 ...........................................................................162.475 MHZ
Channel 5 ...........................................................................162.500 MHZ
Channel 6 ...........................................................................162.525 MHZ
Channel 7 ...........................................................................162.550 MHZ
Specifications are subject to change and improvement without notice. Actual
product may vary from the images found in this document.
RF Emissions Information
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 connected.
• Consult your local RadioShack store or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help.
If you cannot eliminate the interference, the FCC requires that you stop
using your radio. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by
RadioShack may cause interference and void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment.
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, and (2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Limited 90-Day Warranty
This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in
material and workmanship under normal use for ninety (90) days from the
date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized
RadioShack franchisees and dealers. For complete warranty details and
exclusions, check with your local RadioShack store.
RadioShack Customer Relations
300 RadioShack Circle, Fort Worth, TX 76102 04/04
Protect the environment by recycling used electronics. Go to
www.ecyclingcentral.com to find a recycle location near you.
Product: Hazard Alert Radio
Model: 12-259
Responsible
Party:
RadioShack Corporation
300 RadioShack Circle
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: 817-415-3200
Traditional weather radios simply receive the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather
broadcast (usually within a 50-mile radius), then sound
an alarm if any emergency code was transmitted along
with the broadcast. This means that people outside an
affected area are often alerted even though their area is
not affected, leading some to ignore weather warnings that
apply to their own area.
In 1994, NOAA began broadcasting signals called FIPS
(Federal Information Processing System) codes along with
their standard weather broadcasts. These codes identify
the type of emergency and the specific geographic
(such as a country) information about the codes, so you
can determine if the emergency might affect your area.
Only SAME-compatible weather radios are able to take
advantage of this technology.
Each FIPS code identifies a specific geographic area
defined by the National Weather Service (NWS), so your
alert radio, sounds an alert only when a weather emergency
is declared in that area. This helps you more efficiently
track the weather conditions in and around your area.
How Your Alert Radio Works
Using AC Power
Your alert radio can also use one 6V, 300mA AC/DC adapter
with plug size H (not supplied) for power.
1. Open the rubber DC 6V jack cover.
2. Insert the AC/DC adapter’s barrel plug into DC 6V jack.
Then plug the adapter into a standard AC outlet.
Power Up Reset
When powered on for the first time after installing batteries,
all LCD segments turn on for one second. The device starts
to search for the best weather channel. To reset the alert
radio to default settings:
1. Remove the batteries and disconnect AC power.
2. Hold down WX and install batteries or connect to AC
power. Hold down WX until USER SETUP appears and a
short beep sounds.
3. Release WX and press MENU. DEFAULT ON appears
briefly, and then USER SETUP appears.
4. Remove batteries and/or disconnect AC power. Reinsert
to begin use.
Note: The backlight is on when receiving an alert message, or for
any key operation.
Hold down G for two
seconds to turn on or off
TR/HM
Select Travel mode or
Home mode.
DC 6V jack
Selecting Temperature Display Mode
1. Press MENU. Then repeatedly press or until
TEMPERATURE appears.
2. Press . The current temperature reading flashes.
3. Press or to select temperature display mode (ºF or
ºC). The temperature is updated every 30 seconds.
4. Press to confirm. Press MENU to exit.
Selecting a Channel
1. Press MENU. Then repeatedly press or until
SELECT CH appears.
2. Press .
To automatically search for channels, press when
AUTO appears. CHANNEL and SEARCHING …
appear. If there is an available channel, CHANNEL,
and the number of the currently selected channels, and
AVAILABLE appear. If there is no available channel, NO
CHANNEL, AVAILABLE, BACK TO CHANNEL, and
the number of the last selected channel appear. AUTO
appears and the alert radio beeps.
To manually search for channels, press when
MANUAL appears. CHANNEL and the number of the
currently selected channels appear. The alert radio
tunes to a channel and turns on the broadcast. To select
another channel, repeatedly press or until the
desired channel number appears.
Press to confirm the selection. A beep sounds and
CH, the number of the currently selected channels, and
SELECT appear. Then SELECT CH appears. Press MENU
to exit.
Notes:
• If Auto mode was selected previously, AUTO appears. If
Manual mode was selected previously, MANUAL appears.
• During manual channel selection, the weather broadcast
turns on so that you can verify a station exists on the selected
channel.
• The alert radio automatically searches for and tunes to the
strongest weather broadcast channel in your area if you
select AUTO.
Selecting Alert Mode
You can set the alert radio to respond to an NWS alert
broadcast in one of two ways:
TONE – The alert radio sounds an alert for five minutes or
until End of Message is received and an alert description
appears until the alert’s effective time expires. To turn off
the alert sooner, press WX.
Note: The alert radio automatically selects TONE for the first
time you turn it on.
VOICE – The alert radio sounds an alert for about eight
seconds, and then automatically turns on the weather
(voice) broadcast for five minutes. It also displays the alert
description (such as TORNADO WARNING) until the alert’s
effective time, received as part of the NWS broadcast code,
expires.
1. Press MENU. Then repeatedly press or until ALERT
MODE appears.
2. Press .
3. Press or to select TONE or VOICE.
4. Press to confirm, or press to return without
changes.
5. Press MENU to exit.
Missed Alert Reminder
The alert radio beeps about every 10 seconds after a
specific weather alert broadcast ends and until the weather
alert expires. This is called a missed alert reminder.
1. Press MENU. Then repeatedly press or until ALT
REMINDER appears.
2. Press . Í (off) or % (on) appears.
3. Repeatedly press or to select Í or %. When the
desired mode appears, press to select. Press to
return without changes.
4. Press MENU to exit.
The following weather alert messages will generate a
missed alert reminder
avalanche warning hurricane warning
blizzard warning immediate evacuation
biological hazard warning boil water warning
chemical hazard warnning law enforcement warning
civil danger warning dam break warning
coastal flood warning contagious disease warning
dust storm warning nuclear power plant warning
emergency action notification radiological hazard warning
food contamination warning flash freeze warning
earthquake warning severe thunderstorm warning
freeze warning shelter in-place warning
fire warning special marine warning
flash flood warning wild fire warning
flood warning tornado warning
hazardous material warning iceberg warning
high wind warning industrial fire warning
civil emergency message land slide warning
tropical storm warning volcano warning
tsunami warning winter storm warning
Adjusting Voice and Tone Volume
1. Press WX to turn on the broadcast.
2. Repeatedly press or to adjust the volume to the
desired listening level. VOLUME: and the volume level
appear.
3. Press WX to turn off the weather broadcast.
4. Repeatedly press or to adjust the alert tone volume
to the desired listening level. TONE VOL: and the alert
tone level appear.
Setting the Alarm
1. Press MENU. Then repeatedly press or until SET
ALARM appears.
2. Press . É and the alarm time appear. The first time you
activate the alarm, the alarm time shows 12:00 AM.
Note: Repeatedly press or to enable or disable the alarm.
The alarm is enabled with É on and disabled with É flashing.
3. Press . The hour digits flash. Then press or to set
the desired hour.
4. Press . The minute digits flash. Repeatedly press or
to set the desired minutes.
5. Press . AM or PM flashes. Repeatedly press or to
make your selection.
6. Press to confirm. A long beep sounds. Press MENU to
exit.
At the set alarm time, the alert radio generates an alarm.
Press any button to stop the alarm.
Note: The alarm duration is one hour under standby mode and
five seconds only during an NWS alert broadcast.
Setting the Clock
1. PressPress MENU. Then repeatedly pressepeatedly presspress or until SET
CLOCK and Ì appear.
2. Press . The hour digits flash. Press or to set the
hour.
3. Press . The minute digits flash. Repeatedly press or
to set the minutes.
4. Press . AM or PM flashes. Repeatedly press or to
choose the desired format.
5. Press again to store the time. A long beep sounds to
confirm the entry.
6. Press MENU to exit.
Note: Hold down MENU to view the clock time during NWS alert
broadcast.
Battery Notes
• Dispose of old batteries promptly and properly. Do not
burn or bury batteries.
• Use only fresh batteries of the required size and
recommended type.
• Do not mix old and new batteries, different types
of batteries (standard, alkaline, or rechargeable), or
rechargeable batteries of different capacities.
• If you do not plan to use the alert radio for a month or
more, remove the batteries. Batteries can leak chemicals
that can damage electronic parts.
Installing Batteries
1. Slide down the latch on the battery compartment cover
and remove the cover.
2. Install 3 AA batteries (not supplied) as indicated by the
polarity symbols (+ and –) marked inside.
3. Replace and secure the cover.
Full battery power is indicated on the display as j. When
battery power is weak,
;
appears. Further operations are
not allowed until you replace the batteries.
Note: Be sure to turn off the power and replace new batteries
within 1 minute as to keep the set clock time. If it takes more
than 1 minute to replace the batteries, you may be need to reset
the clock time.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,130,600 and 7,050,784
WX
Press to listen to a
broadcast.
MENU
Press to select menu
items.
Press to navigate the
programming menu
and adust the volume.
Troubleshooting
If your alert radio is not working properly, these suggestions might help you eliminate the problem. If it still does not
operate properly, take it to your local RadioShack store for assistance.
Problem Suggestion
No Power.
Make sure the AC adapter is connected to the alert radio or the backup
batteries are installed.
No sound.
If the backup batteries becomes weak, your alert radio might not sound
a tone when an alert is broadcast. Test your alert radio’s reception
periodically, and replace the batteries if the tone does not sound.
Multiple FIPS codes are stored, why does
te radio only responds to weather alert
broadcasts for one code?
Make sure the alert radio is set to MULTIPLE LOC mode.
Make sure the FIPS codes stored in memory are correct.
•
•
One or more FIPS codes are stored, but
the alert radio responds to weather alert
broadcasts for areas not covered by those
codes.
Make sure the alert radio is not set to ALL LOCATION
Make sure the alert radio is not set to TRAVEL mode.
•
•
The alert radio’s continuous alert tone
sounds intermittently or seems to warble.
The alert radio constantly monitors the channel you set it to, even while it is
sounding a continuous alert. Each time a signal is received on the channel,
it pauses briefly to compare the signal against those stored in its memory.
If the alert radio pauses frequently (depending on how often it receives a
signal), it might make the continuous alert tone sound intermittent. This is
not a malfunction.
No weather broadcast when you press WX.
Make sure your hand is not holding the antenna.
Adjust the volume.
•
•
The alert radio is not responding properly
to NWS weather alert broadcasts.
Make sure the correct FIPS code(s) are programmed into the memory.
You might be out of the broadcast range. Move the alert radio closer to
the broadcast source, if possible.
Make sure the alert radio is set to the NOAA channel that is being
broadcast in your area.
If the backup battery becomes weak, your alert radio might not sound
a tone when an alert is broadcast. Test your alert radio’s reception
periodically, and replace the battery if the tone does not sound.
•
•
•
•
CHECK OPERATION appears.
The alert radio is broadcasting and has not received a SAME alert signal for
about 10 days. Make sure the FIPS code(s) stored in memory are correct.
Signal Loss Reminder Setting
1. Press MENU. Then repeatedly press or until SIG
REMINDER appears.
2. Press . Í (off) or % (on) appears.
3. Repeatedly press or to select Í or %. When the
desired mode appears, press to select. Press to
return without changes.
4. Press MENU to exit.
Note: When signal loss reminder is on, with Signal Loss detected,
signal loss reminder will be generated at intervals of 30 seconds,
1 minute, 1.5 minutes, 2 minutes, ...up to 5 minutes. With no
signal recovered, the reminder continues to beep every 5
minutes and will be terminated with any key pressed.
Understanding the FIP Code
For the purpose of broadcasting weather information, the
NWS has divided the United States into regions by state
and county. A 6-digit FIPS code is used to identify each
county, parish, or part of a county. For example, the code
for Tarrant County, Texas, is 048439. The first digit in a FIPS
code identifies a portion of Tarrant County. The next two
digits identify the state, and the last three digits identify the
county or parish. Your alert radio can receive all SAME alert
signals broadcast within about a 50-mile radius of where
you program it. To receive SAME alerts and broadcasts
about weather occurring only in particular counties within
that area, you can program up to 10 FIPS codes into the
alert radio’s memory.
Note: To get all alerts for your county, enter 0 as the first digit of
the FIPS code. To be alerted only to county notices and notices
for your particular part of the county, enter your code (1–9). Your
county or parish may not be divided.
You can also set the location by directly selecting a state
and county. While displaying location code under SINGLE
or MULTIPLE mode, LOCX ----- (default with memory blank)
appears, hold down for a second. A list of states appear.
Press or to scroll through the list. With the correct
state displayed, press to view the corresponding county
list. Press or to scroll through the county list and press
to confirm. If your county cannot be found from the list,
please refer to “Obtaining Your Area’s FIPS Code(s)”.
Obtaining Your Area’s FIP Code
To obtain the FIPS code for the location where you
programmed your alert radio, contact your local
RadioShack store or call the NWS toll free at 1-888-NWRSAME (1-888-697-7263). You can also obtain a state/county
list of all FIPS codes by visiting the NWS website:
www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/indexnw.htm.
Choosing a Location
You can set the alert radio to work with FIPS codes in one of
three ways:
ALL LOCATION – The alert radio receives all SAME alert
signals broadcast within about a 50-mile radius. The alert
radio automatically selects ALL LOCATION the first time
you turn it on.
SINGLE LOC – The alert radio receives a SAME alert
signal for one FIPS code programmed in memory
location 1.
MULTIPLE LOC – The alert radio receives a SAME alert
signal for up to 10 FIPS codes programmed in multiple
locations in the alert radio’s memory.
1. Press MENU. Then repeatedly press or until AREA
SELECT appears.
2. Press . The selected FIPS mode (ALL LOCATION,
SINGLE LOC, or MULTIPLE LOC) appears.
3. Repeatedly press or until the desired FIPS mode
appears. Then press .
If you select ALL LOCATION, the radio beeps and AREA
SELECT appears. You will now receive all SAME alert
signals within a 50-mile radius.
If you select SINGLE LOC or MULTIPLE LOC and have
not programmed the alert radio with a FIPS code,
LOC1--------- appears. Otherwise, LOC and FIPS codes
already programmed in that memory location appear.
4. If you select SINGLE LOC, go to step 5. Otherwise,
repeatedly press or to select the memory location
to store a FIPS code.
5. To add or change a FIPS code, press . The FIPS code’s
first digit flashes.
6. Repeatedly press or to move the cursor backward
or forward to change the digit. Then repeatedly press
or until the desired digit appears. Then press .
Note: To erase the FIPS code, press or to select the first
digit and press to confirm.
7. Repeat step 6 for each digit you want to change or add.
Press when the last digit flashes. The radio beeps and
saves the FIPS code. If the code is not in the alert radio’s
database, NEW CODE? appears. Press again to save
the FIPS code.
8. If you select MULTIPLE LOC in step 4, the FIPS code
stored in the next memory location appears. Repeat step
5 -7 for each additional FIPS code.
9. When finished, press MENU or wait about 45 seconds
without pressing any key.
Alert Tones Setting
The alert radio automatically sounds an alert tone during
specific types of weather alerts. You can turn the alert tone
on or off for each of these alerts. For example, you can turn
off the alert tone for a volcano warning if you do not live
near a volcano.
1. Press MENU. Then repeatedly press or until TONE
DEFEAT appears.
2. Press .
3. Repeatedly press or until the type of alert you
want to enable or disable (WARNING, WATCH, or
ADVISORY) appears.
4. Press .
5. If you selected WARNING, repeatedly press or to
select one of the following specific alerts:
avalanche warning flood warning
blizzard warning high wind warning
boil water warning fire warning
flash freeze warning special marine warning
freeze warning flash flood warning
coastal flood warning iceberg warning
dust storm warning winter storm warning
severe thunderstorm warning
If you selected WATCH, repeatedly press or to
select one of the following specific alerts:
avalanche watch hurricane watch
coastal flood watch severe thunderstorm watch
dam watch evacuation watch
flash flood watch tropical storm watch
flood watch wild fire watch
high wind watch winter storm watch
tornado watch unrecognized watch
If you selected advisory, repeatedly press or to
select one of the following specific alerts:
administrative message child abduction emergency
practice/demo national audible test
national information center network notification message
national periodic test national silent test
power outage advisory required monthly test
required weekly test 911 telephone outage
emergency
transmitter backup on transmitter carrier off
transmitter carrier on transmitter primary on
flash flood statement severe weather statement
flood statement special weather statement
hurricane statement unrecognized emergency
unrecognized statement
6. Repeatedly press or to select TONE ON or TONE
OFF for the specific alert you selected. Then press .
7. To select another alert type and specific alert, press .
Then repeat steps 3-6. Otherwise, press MENU or wait
about 45 seconds without pressing any key.
Receiving Weather Alerts
The alert radio generates an alert when the FIPS code
matches the pre-programmed location code. The
corresponding alert type icon appears at the top of the
display.
Note: When more than one alert message (maximum four
messages can be stored and displayed) is received, press or
to review the alerts.
In Voice mode, a siren sounds for about eight seconds,
followed by a voice weather broadcast for five minutes or
until End of Message (EOM) is received.
In Tone mode, a siren sounds for five minutes or until the
End of Message (EOM) is received.
Viewing Signal Strength
The alert radio can monitor the signal availability indicated
by Ê. When a signal is available, Ê is on. When the signal is
lost, SIGNAL LOSS appears and Ê flashes. If a signal loss
occurs and signal reminder is enabled, a series of beeps
occur. The beep terminates when a signal is detected again
or if any key is pressed.
Note: When SIGNAL LOSS appears, press and hold down MENU.
The clock time appears. Release MENU, and the alert radio
returns to SIGNAL LOSS display.
Locking Key
1. Press MENU once to enter menu mode.
2. Press within two seconds. A long beep sounds and
appears.
3. The keypad of the alert radio is now locked.
4. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to unlock the keypad.
Note: When the keypad is locked, the alert radio does not
respond to any key operation. Unlock the keypad first to
terminate alarm or alert sound.
Attaching the Belt Clip
Insert the clip into the hole at the back of the alert radio
until it clicks. To remove the belt clip, press the button on
the tip of the clip and pull it out.
Attaching the Wrist Strap (not supplied)
Slide the wrist strap’s small loop under the bar at the back
of the alert radio. Then pull the strap’s large loop through
the small loop and fasten it.
Selecting Travel/Home Mode
There are two data receiving modes: Travel and Home. Press
and hold TR/ HM for two seconds. The alert receiving mode
switches between Travel and Home. With Travel selected,
Îappears. With Home selected, Îdisappears.
When in Home mode, the alert radio uses your default
selections for channel selection, alert mode, missed alert
reminder, and response location. The alert radio does not
perform auto re-scan.
When in Travel mode, the radio searches for the best
channel. If signal loss occurs and no channel is detected
for 10 seconds, the radio switches back to the channel last
selected, whether it was in Home mode or in Travel mode. In
Travel mode, the alert radio is configured with the following
defaults:
Channel Selection — Auto
Alert Mode — Tone
Missed Alert Reminder — Off
Response Location — All Locations
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