Radio Shack 12-521 User Manual

User’s Guide

12-521

All-Hazards Desktop Weather Alert Radio

Thank you for purchasing your All-Hazards Desktop Weather Alert Radio from
RadioShack. It receives seven NOAA weather channels and notifies you of
weather information broadcast on these channels. Please read this user’s guide
before installing, setting up and using your new radio.

What’s Included

Weather Alert Radio
AC Adapter
User’s Guide
Quick Start Guide

www.RadioShack.com

2

C

ontents

3

Setup ....................................................................................................... 4

Features ............................................................................................................................4

Powering Your Weather Alert Radio .............................................................................5

Settings ................................................................................................... 6

Setting Channels ............................................................................................................. 6

Setting the Alert Mode .................................................................................................... 6

Setting the Missed Alert Reminder...............................................................................7

Setting the Signal Loss Reminder ................................................................................7

Setting the Menu Language...........................................................................................7

Setting Daytime and Nighttime Alert Volume .............................................................8

Setting the Backlight ......................................................................................................8

Setting the Clock and Alarm .......................................................................................... 8

Programming ............................................................................................ 9

Programming Locations and SAME Codes .................................................................. 9

Programming Alerts ......................................................................................................10

Restoring Factory Default Settings .............................................................................10

Using Your Radio .................................................................................... 10

Viewing Alerts ................................................................................................................10

Connecting to an External System ..............................................................................11

Turning Audible Alerts On or Off ..................................................................................11

Using the Alarm and Snooze .......................................................................................11

NWS Alert Descriptions ................................................................................................12

Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ) ............................................................. 14

What are FIPS codes?...................................................................................................14

What is an alert? ...........................................................................................................14

What are undened or unrecognized alerts? ............................................................14

How do I test my radio? ................................................................................................15

Multiple FIPS codes are stored, but why does the radio only

respond to alerts for one area? ...................................................................................15

Why is there no weather broadcast when I press WEATHER/SNOOZE? ...............15

What is the difference between a watch and a warning? .......................................15

How can I adapt my weather alert radio for special needs? ..................................15

3

Contents

Why wouldn’t I receive the test signal from NOAA? .................................................16

Should the radio pick up a weather broadcast all of the time? .............................16

What does 0H29M (or similar) on the display mean? .............................................16

What does CHECK OP on the display mean? ............................................................16

Additional Information ............................................................................ 17

Specications .................................................................................................................17

Care ................................................................................................................................. 17

Service and Repair ........................................................................................................17

FCC Notice ......................................................................................................................18

Limited Warranty ...........................................................................................................19

4

Setup

5

Setup

Features

Alert Indicators

Red – WARNING, Orange – WATCH,
Yellow – ADVISORY, Green – READY.

When an alert is in effect, the corresponding
alert indicator flashes for 60 seconds and then
lights for the duration the alert is in effect.

CLOCK

• Press and hold to
start setting the
clock.

• Press to toggle
between clock
and alarm time.

When alarm time
shows, press
and hold to start
setting the alarm.

WEATHER/SNOOZE

Press to listen to the
broadcasts, stop
the alarm, or enable
snooze when the alarm
sounds.

Antenna

Fully extend to
receive weather
broadcasts.

MENU and , , , 
Navigate and adjust

menu items.

SELECT

Confirm settings.

or

Adjust the volume
during broadcasting.

5

Setup

DC 9V

Insert the
AC adapter.

ALERT ON/OFF

Turn audible
alerts on or off..

ALERT OUT

Connect to a
compatible external
alerting device with a

3.5mm phono plug.

ALARM SNOOZE/OFF/ON

Turn the alarm on or off,
or the alarm snooze on.

EXT ANT

For better reception, connect an
external antenna using an optional
adapter cable with a phono plug
(not included).

n Note: The power source must supply 9V DC and deliver at least 300mA.

Its center tip must be set to positive and its plug must fit the DC 9V jack. Using
an adapter that does not meet these specifications could damage the radio or
adapter.

Powering Your Weather Alert Radio

Insert the AC adapter to the DC 9V jack to
power your radio.

Install 6 AA batteries (not included) for backup
power. Insert batteries as indicated by the
polarity symbols (+ and –) inside.

n Battery Notes:

• When flashes, replace the batteries.

• Use only fresh batteries of the required size
and type.

• Dispose of old batteries promptly and properly. Do not burn or bury them.

• 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 your radio for a long period, remove the battery.
Batteries can leak chemicals that may damage electronic parts.

6

Settings

7

Settings

Setting Channels

1. Press MENU. SELECT CH appears.

2. Press SELECT and then  or  to select AUTO (default) or CHANNEL X (where

X is the channel number 1-7).

3. When CHANNEL and a channel number (1-7)
appear, press SELECT to set that channel.

When AUTO appears, press SELECT again to
automatically set to a channel. For auto setting:

• SEARCHING CHANNEL displays during a search, followed by the channel

number (1-7).

• WEATHER CHANNEL X AVAILABLE displays when channel X (1-7) is detected.

• NO CHANNEL AVAILABLE BACK TO CHANNEL X displays when no channel is

detected and the previously selected channel number X displays.

4. Press MENU to exit.

n Note: If you receive NOAA broadcasts on more than one channel, the one

with the best reception may not be the best one for your location. Contact
your local RadioShack store or the NWS for information regarding broadcast
locations.

Setting the Alert Mode

1. Press MENU and then  or  to select

ALERT MODE.

2. Press SELECT and then  or  to select either:

• VOICE – An alert tone sounds for 10 seconds, then a vocal weather broadcast

turns on for 5 minutes with the alert description and duration displaying.

• TONE – An alert tone sounds for 5 minutes.

The alert description and duration appear on
the display. To silence the alert tone, press
WEATHER/SNOOZE.

3. Press SELECT again to confirm.

4. Press MENU to exit.