NOAA FireSafe Midland WR120 User manual

Weather Radios
Midland WR120
Recommendation
(updated Aug 2020)!
What is a weather radio and why might I want one?
•The NOAA Weather Radio system is the sole government-
operated radio system that provides people with direct
warnings of natural disasters and warnings for all
hazardous conditions that pose a threat to life and safety,
both at a local and national level.!
•All Hazards Public Alert Weather radios are equipped with
a tone alarm, or a special alerting feature which can be
programmed to let you know immediately when the
National Weather Service issues a warning for your specific
area. !
•Notifications like this allows you to seek safety and protect
yourself and those around you. (This alert technology is
called SAME and it is not available on regular radios even
if they receive regular audio weather channel forecasts.)!
Fire Safe Occidental (FSO) has been studying, testing and
recommending NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards Public Alert
radios since early 2019. Our recommended Weather Radio that is
inexpensive and easy to configure and use is the Midland WR120.!
The Midland WR120 was selected for a number of reasons:!
1. NOAA tests the alert system on Wednesday around 11am
PT by issuing an alert tone and a short test message. The
WR120 will issue a warning “beep” if it has not received that
test within the last 10 days. This provides the value of the
weekly testing alert without having the user to configure it
on, then off… and it continues to check for the weekly alert
forever. We consider this a valuable feature.!

2. The WR120 receives only Weather Radio channels, not
AM/FM radio this is important because it keeps battery
usage low. !
3. The WR120 is an AC line powered radio with three (3) AA
batteries for backup reception if the power goes off. Battery
life for the WR120 is quite good; the three “copper-top”
Duracell alkaline AA batteries in our test units still measure
good voltage after a year. It is important to always
remember to test and replace backup batteries if you want a
working radio when the power goes off; we recommend
checking them at least twice a year, preferably just before
the fire season in July, and after, in January. There is a
battery low symbol on the display to help do this.!
4. The WR120 is also easier to configure than other radios
as it comes to you in an easy to configure mode; just
follow the instructions on the first page of the manual.
Reception seems to be similar to all other radios tested,
using the same telescoping pull-out type of antenna that
other radios have.!
5. The cost of the WR120 is low: Buy it at Occidental
Hardware for $39.99, or slightly less online. If you can,
support our local businesses; Occidental Hardware is a
great store! [Note that the WR120 is labeled as a
WR120B on the box and in ads, but the radio’s ID plate
on the back will say it is a WR-120EZ. Do not worry, they
are the same radio we call WR120.]!
Regardless of the radio you choose, be sure you configure your
radio for Weather Channel 4 (which is 162.475 MHz) as this is
the channel with the best reception in the greater Occidental
area.!
If you do get a radio, follow the instructions on the first page of the
WR120 Owner’s Manual under “Quick Start Instructions” to

configure the Weather Radio. For the SET CHANNEL option scroll
up or down to 4 which is 162.475 (MHz). When done with
configuration (the time is displayed) you can push the big wide
button labeled WEATHER/SNOOZE to turn on the weather radio
channel selected; push again to turn off. (If you want help right
from the start, ask FSO to help you configure and test your WR120
by sending an email (see below).!
Before you buy a radio you should check with a close-by
neighbors that has one to make sure you have adequate Weather
Radio reception in your area as some small areas do not because
of hills blocking the signal. If you cannot receive the SAME alert
signals there is no point to buying the radio.!
If you need help, please contact FSO to help you find out by
sending an email (see below).!
Other things to remember:
A. Make sure that you use high-quality AA batteries such as
Duracell “copper tops” Alkaline or Energizer Ultimate
Lithium, and that you check them twice a year, preferably
just before the fire season in July, and after, in January. There
is a battery low symbol on the display to help do this.!
B.Remember, there is no substitute for being alert and staying
aware of what is going on. Staying connected with FSO and
your neighborhood increases the number of eyes and ears
keeping you safe! Also make sure you sign up for NIXLE and
SoCoALERT (see FSO website: firesafeoccidental.org).!
Please feel free to contact us with any questions at:!
[e-mail]!