Radio Shack 12-240 User manual

Cat. No. 12-240
OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read before using this equipment.
Weatheradiowith Alert
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FEATURES
Your Radio Shack Weatheradio with Alert is designed to
receive National Weather Service broadcasts. These
broadcasts provide information about weather conditions
and forecasts 24 hours a day. Your radio receives these
transmissions from up to 50 miles away. Its features in-
clude:
Alert Mode — monitors weather broadcasts and sounds
an alert siren in emergency weather situations.
Optional Siren Lock — sets the siren to sound until you
turn it off.
Siren Test Button — lets you check the alert siren to
make sure the alert circuit is operating.
Two Antennas — give you the option of using the power
cord or the telescoping antenna for the best reception.
Batter
y
Backup — automatically switches to internal
battery power if AC power is interrupted.
Three Channels — let you choose the frequency that
provides the best reception.
Cr
y
stal-Controlled Tunin
g
— provides accurate tuning.
©1996 Tandy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Radio Shack and Weatheradio are registered trademarks
used by Tandy Corporation.
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Warning: To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose
this product to rain or moisture.
This symbolis intended to alert you to the presence of unin-
sulated dangerous voltage within the product’s enclosure
that might be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock. Do not open the product’s case.
This symbol is intended to inform you that important operat-
ing and maintenance instructions are included in the litera-
ture accompanying this product.
The graphical symbols with supplemental markings are
located on the bottom of the unit.
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
DO NOT OPEN.
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE
COVER OR BACK. NO USER-SERVICE-
ABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVIC-
ING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
CAUTION !
!
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CONTENTS
Power Sources ............................................................ 5
Connecting AC Power ............................................ 5
Installing a Backup Battery ..................................... 5
Operation ..................................................................... 6
Receiving Weather Broadcasts .............................. 6
Using the Alert Mode .............................................. 7
Testing Alert Operation ........................................... 8
Testing the Alert Circuit .................................... 9
Testing Alert Reception .................................. 10
Care and Maintenance .............................................. 11
FCC Statement ..................................................... 12
Specifications ............................................................ 13
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POWER SOURCES
CONNECTING AC POWER
Plug the Weatheradio’s power cord into a standard AC
outlet.
Caution: To prevent electric shock, the plug’s blades are
polarized and fit only one way. If the plug will not fit easi-
ly, turn it over and try again. Do not force it.
INSTALLING A BACKUP BATTERY
The radio automatically switches to battery power if AC
power fails. Follow these steps to install a 9-volt battery
(not supplied), such as RadioShack Cat. No. 23-553.
1. Remove the battery compartment cover by pressing
the tab in the direction of the arrow and lifting up the
cover.
2. Snap the battery connector onto the battery contacts.
3. Place the battery in the compartment and replace the
compartment cover.
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OPERATION
RECEIVING WEATHER
BROADCASTS
Follow these steps to receive National Weather Service
(NWS) broadcasts.
1. To turn on the radio, turn VOLUME to the right until it
clicks. The alert indicator lights. When you turn on
the radio, it is set to the alert mode.
2. Press WEATHER to set the radio to receive weather
broadcasts. The alert indicator turns off.
3. Set ANTENNA to LINE.
Note: If the signal is broken or noisy, set ANTENNA to
ROD. Then unsnap the telescoping antenna and
extend it to its full length. If reception is still not clear,
try locating the radio near an outside wall or window.
4. Set CHANNEL to the frequency that provides the best
reception.
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5. Adjust VOLUME to a comfortable listening level.
6. To turn off the radio, turn VOLUME to the left until it
clicks.
USING THE ALERT MODE
You can set the Weatheradio to alert you when the Na-
tional Weather Service broadcasts an emergency signal,
without having to listen to continuous weather updates.
Follow these steps to set the radio to the alert mode.
1. To turn on the radio, turn VOLUME to the right until it
clicks. The radio is in the alert mode and the alert
indicator lights. Then set VOLUME to its center posi-
tion.
Note: If the radio is set to receive weather broad-
casts, simply press ALERT to set the radio to the alert
mode. The alert indicator lights and the receiver is
silent.
2. Set ALERT LOCK as follows:
ON — The siren sounds until you press WEATHER to
silence it.
OFF — The siren sounds only during the 10-second
alert signal broadcast.
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Note: We suggest you use the OFF setting when you
will be away from the radio so the siren does not dis-
turb others if it sounds. When you return, the radio’s
alert indicator flashes to let you know that the radio
received an alert signal broadcast.
3. When the radio receives an alert signal and sounds
the alert siren, press WEATHER. The siren stops (if it
is still sounding), the alert indicator stops flashing,
and you hear the current weather broadcast.
4. To turn off the radio, turn VOLUME to the left until it
clicks.
Caution: If severe weather threatens, do not wait for an
alert; turn on your radio and monitor the latest weather in-
formation.
TESTING ALERT OPERATION
For your Weatheradio to be effective, you must place the
radio where you can hear its alert tone (see “Testing the
Alert Circuit”) and where it can receive an emergency
alert broadcast (see “Testing Alert Reception”).
Once you determine a location that meets these two con-
ditions, leave the radio there for the best protection.
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Testing the Alert Circuit
The TEST button lets you hear the alert siren the Weath-
eradio produces, but does not guarantee your radio will
receive an emergency alert broadcast (see “Testing Alert
Reception”).
Follow these steps to sound the alert siren.
1. Turn on the Weatheradio.
2. Press ALERT. The alert indicator lights.
3. Press and hold TEST. The siren sounds.
If ALERT LOCK is set to ON, press WEATHER to stop
the siren.
If ALERT LOCK is set to OFF, the siren sounds only
while you hold down TEST.
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Testing Alert Reception
The fact that you get clear voice reception or that the si-
ren sounds when you press TEST does not guarantee
that an emergency alert broadcast will trigger your
Weatheradio’s alert siren. Also, if you are in a fringe area,
your radio might be triggered by an alert broadcast in one
area, but not be triggered if you place it somewhere else
(even close by).
To verify actual reception, your radio must receive a test
or emergency alert broadcast. The National Weather
Service (NWS) broadcasts a test alert every week on
Wednesday between 11 AM and 12 noon. To find out the
specific test schedule in your area, contact your local Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
or National Weather Service office. These offices are
usually listed in the telephone directory under “US Gov-
ernment, Department of Commerce.”
To verify that your Weatheradio receives the test alert
properly, press ALERT before the time when the test alert
is broadcast in your local area. If the test alert broadcast
does not trigger your radio’s alert siren, you are either out
of range of the broadcast, the power cord is disconnect-
ed, or your radio’s batteries are weak.
Note: If you use your Weatheradio when you travel, be
sure to test it at its new location.
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