Model 74-200 Digital Weather Receiver with NWR-SAME decoding and Digital clock with alarm
PRODUCT INFORMATION The 74-200 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.
• • • • • • • • • 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.
• • • • • • • 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. 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.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. enables and disables the alert siren and external alert signals. When Alert is off, only the LED indicators are active. Off Bar button – this switch cancels alert siren sounds and any external alert features when alert is active. “WARNING” LED Indicator – This red light emitting diode visual indicator tells you that the unit has received a SAME message that has issued a warning for your area.
11. 12. 13. 14. display automatically switches to display messages from the SAME decoder when they are received. SET button – Press this button to switch from display to set mode in time, date or alarm time display modes. Characters will flash in set mode. Use the other three adjacent buttons to change settings. Press SET again to return to display mode. MIN/ MONTH and HOUR/DATE buttons – Used mostly for time and date setting. Not active in normal display mode.
technique called SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding). The Midland 74-200 7-channel weather/ all hazards monitor is designed to receive these SAME transmissions. Your Midland 74-200 can be programmed with up to 15 predefined state/county codes that will define which notices broadcast by your NOAA weather station will cause the radio to alert you.
Install a 9-volt alkaline battery (Eveready 522 or equivalent, not supplied). Observe the battery polarity (+ and -). Replace the battery cover. (Rechargeable batteries are not recommended because the 74-200 will not charge the battery.) INITIAL SETUP Connecting power – The AC power adapter is required for normal operation if the radio is to be in service for more than a few hours. Plug the wall adapter into a 110-115 Volt AC (standard house current) outlet.
NOTE: The National Weather Radio service operates Weather Broadcast systems covering a large area of the United States. Some areas are not included. Check the directory enclosed for weather broadcast availability. Your 74-200 can receive broadcasts from the Weather Stations up to 50 miles. Hills and certain terrain can reduce reception. An external antenna can improve range.
like 529047. Acquiring FIPS codes for Your Area: The FIPS codes can be found by calling the NWS toll free number 1-888-NWS-SAME (1-888-697-7263) 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 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. Setting the Clock, Alarm and Calendar CLOCK 1. Press and release the “Display Mode” button until “Time” is displayed in the upper left corner of the display. 2. Press the “Set” button, the display will start flashing. Press and release the “Hour / Date” button to increment the hour. Each press of the “Hour / Date” button changes the time by one hour.
1. Press and release the “DISP. MODE” button until “AL Time” is displayed in the upper left corner of the display. 2. Press and release the set button. The display will begin flashing. Press and release the “Hour / Date” button to change the Hour. Press and release the “Min /Month” button to change the Minute. Press the “Set” button to store your settings 3. To activate the alarm, set the switch on the right side of the 74-200 marked “ON OFF ALARM” to the ON position.
channel button corresponding to the frequency of your NOAA weather broadcast station. If you find there is more than one broadcast station in your area, be sure that station will broadcast your county code. To confirm this listen to the broadcast associated with the weekly test. Durring the broadcast they will give a list of counties covered by the transmitter. Channel Frequency (MHz) 1 162.400 2 162.425 3 162.450 4 162.475 5 162.500 6 162.525 7 162.
Changing the Alert Pattern The alert tone is a high low alternating sound. The speed of the tones depends on if the 74-200 received a watch or warning. The alert pattern has two options available through the program button, VOICE and ALERT. If VOICE is chosen, the alert will sound for about 8 seconds then the voice weather broadcast will be heard for about 5 minutes when an alert message is received. If you desire to listen to the broadcast longer, press the “WEATHER” bar on the front the 74-200.
NOTE: The 74-200 has enough memory to store 15 “FIPS” codes. The next display after VOICE/ALERT will display six numbers. These numbers will determine the areas or counties that your 74200 will be set to respond to SAME messages. See “Acquiring FIPS Codes for Your Area” for how and where to find the codes for your area.
to review all memory locations you desire. All empty memory locations will be “000000”. When finished reviewing the “FIPS” codes press and release the program button. ALL County Code To cause the 74-200 to receive all SAME messages without regard to area, enter the code “999999. Be sure there are no other codes programmed in any other memory location. If you have not selected a weather channel frequency for your local area follow the instructions in “Adjusting Weather Frequency”.
received. The 74-200 provides a switch closure to signal other devices at the EXT. ALERT jack when the radio receives an alert. The output is compatible with home automation devices from suppliers like X-10 and others. Connect the positive lead of the interface to the tip of the 1 /8 inch (3.5mm) phone plug and the negative lead to the body of the plug. A DC powered device using 12 Volts or less and requiring less than 300mA of current can be switched directly using the EXT. ALERT jack.
THUNDERS WATCH SEVERE THUNDERS WARNING FLASH FLOOD WATCH FLASH FLOOD WARNING FLOOD WATCH FLOOD WARNING WINTER STORM WATCH WINTER STORM WARNING BLIZZARD WARNING HIGHWIND WARNING DUST STORM WARINING HURRICAN WATCH HURRICAN WARNING TROPICAL STORM WATCH TROPICAL STORM WARNING COASTAL FLOOD WATCH COASTAL FLOOD WARNING Watch Severe thunderstorm warning Flash flood watch Flash flood warning Flood watch Flood warning Winter storm watch Very fast siren Fast siren Very fast siren Fast siren Very fast siren Fas
SPECIAL MARINE WARNING AVALANCH WATCH AVALANCH WARNING EARTHQUA WARNING VOLCANO WARNING Special marine warning EVACUATI IMMEDIAT SHELTER IN PLACE WARNING CHILD ABDUCTIO EMERGENC 911TELE OUTAGE EMERGENC CIVIL DANGER WARNING NUCLEAR POWER WARNING RAD HAZARD WARNING MATERIAL HAZARD WARNING LAW FORCE WARNING FIRE WARNING TUNE TV Avalanche watch Very fast siren Fast siren Avalanche warning Very fast siren Earthquake Warning VeryFast siren Volcano warning Very fast siren Immediate evacuation warning S
TUNE TV LOCAL AREA EMERGNCY SEVERE WEATHER STATEMEN SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMEN FLASH FLOOD STATEMEN HURRICAN STATEMEN Other warning message not defined Local area emergency Very fast siren Very fast siren Severe weather statement Beeps Special weather statement Beeps Flash flood statement Beeps Hurricane statement Beeps The SAME message the NWR sends contains information, which tells the radio the time period for which the alert is valid. The time can be set from 15 minutes up to 6 hours.
to let everyone with weather monitor receivers verify the operation of their equipment. To find out the test schedule of for your area, contact the local NOAA or NWS office. Look for the number under US Government, Department of Commerce. The following alert descriptions are for testing only.
Back Light of the Display When the AC to DC adapter is used the display back light is always on. When only the backup battery is used to power your 74-200, pressing and releasing the “SNOOZE” button will turn on the back light for about 5 seconds. Button press Beeps When a button is pressed with the “Max / Volume / Off” switch ON, the 74-200 emits a beep sound. One beep represents that the 74-200 has received a command and has taken effective action.
If you are using an external antenna, ensure that it is connected properly. Ensure that the radio is set to the NOAA weather channel in use in your area. Contact NOAA to ensure they are presently broadcasting. Ensure that the all signals code (999999) is not stored in a memory. One or more FIPS codes are stored in memory but the radio responds to alerts for areas other than those for the codes stored.
NOTES AND MAINTENANCE 1. The typical weather (162MHz) reception distance will range from 25-50 miles depending on your location and conditions of weather, terrain, etc. Also, some Weather Stations operate at much higher power levels than others and have their transmitting towers on the top of high buildings or hills. For better reception from greater distances, an external antenna can be used.
structure preventing reception. Put your 74-200 near a window. If this doesn't provide reasonable reception-then an outside antenna must be used. One suggested antenna is the Midland 18-259W VHF through-glass antenna. This antenna must be used on single pane windows only. 12 VOLT OPERATION Your 74-200 can be powered from any 12-Volt CAR-TRUCKRV or BOAT battery. An optional (Model 18-235) power cord adapter is available from Midland or your local dealer.
SPECIFICATIONS Specifications are nominal and subject to change. GENERAL Frequency Range (162.4O, 162.425, 162.45, 162.475, 162.50, 162.525, 162.55MHz) Number of WX Channels …………….7 Input Voltage .........................................9-14 Volts DC Dimensions ….. 200MM W x 53MM H x 131MM D (7 7 /8 x 2 1 /8 x 5 1 /4 in.) RECEIVER 20 dB Quieting Sensitivity…………...…..0.5 uV FIPS Code Sensitivity @5kHz Dev..…….0.5uV Channel Selectivity ………..................±25kHz, 60dB Speaker Impedance ……………......…..
SERVICE: If it ever becomes necessary to return your 74-200 for service: 1.Pack the unit in its original box and packing. Pack the original box in a suitable shipping carton along with the following. Improper packing may result in damage during shipment. 2.Include a full description of any problems and a daytime telephone number. 3.For warranty service include a photocopy of the bill of sale or other proof of purchase showing the date of sale. 4.Include a money order for $7.
ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY Midland Radio Corporation will repair or replace, at its option without charge, your 74-200 weather alert radio which fails due to a defect in material or workmanship within one year following the initial consumer purchase. This warranty does not include any antennas, which may be a part of or included with the warranted product, or the cost of labor for removal or re- installation of the product in a vehicle or other mounting.
Midland Radio Corporation 1120 Clay St. N. Kansas City, Mo. 64116 Printed in China E- mail: mail@midlandradio.com visit us at http://www.midlandradio.com Note: Features & Specifications are subject to Change without notice. MIDLAND is not responsible for unintentional errors or omissions on its packaging.
FIPS codes Use this space to record the FIPS codes you have programmed into your 74-200-weather monitor. 1._____________ 2._____________ 3._____________ 4._____________ 5._____________ 6._____________ 7._____________ 8._____________ 9._____________ 10.____________ 11.____________ 12.____________ 13.____________ 14.____________ 15.
