Radio Shack 12-261 User manual

www.radioshack.comSM
OWNER’S MANUAL —
Please read before using this equipment.
©2003 RadioShack Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
RadioShack and RadioShack.com are trademarks
used by RadioShack Corporation.
\
!IMPORTANT !
If an icon appears at the end of a paragraph, go to the box on that page with the
corresponding icon for pertinent information.
o— Warning !— Important Ô— Note
Desktop SAME
Weatheradio®
12-261
LiquidCrystalDisplay
—alarge, easy-to-read
display shows alert
and channel
information.
e,d,f,g—Press to navigate
programming menus. MENU — Press to select
programming options.
CLOCK — Press to set the
clock and alarm time. WEATHER/SNOOZE — Press
to listen to a broadcast. Press to
stop the alarm from sounding or
to snooze.
STATEMENT/
WATCH/WARNING
LEDs — Light to
indicate the severity of
a weather alert.

2
Back view
DC 9V Jack — Insert the supplied
adapter to power your Weatheradio.
ALERT ON/OFF — Turn
the audible alert on or off as
desired.
ALARM ON/OFF/SNOOZE —
Turn the alarm on or off, or enable
the snooze function.
ALERT OUT — Connect to an
external device to be notified of
weather alerts almost anywhere in
your home.
EXT ANT — Connect an
external antenna for crisp,
clear reception.
The lightning symbol is intended to alert you to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous voltage within this product’s enclosure that
might be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric
shock. Do not open the product’s case.
The exclamation symbol is intended to inform
you that important operating and maintenance
instructions are included in the literature
accompanying this product.
!
WARNING:To reduce the
risk of fire or shock hazard,
do not expose this product
to rain or moisture.
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric
shock, do not remove cover or back. No user-
serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to
qualified personnel.
RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK DO NOT OPEN
!
CAUTION

How Your Weatheradio Works
3
HOW YOUR
WEATHERADIO
WORKS
Traditional weather radios simply
receive the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
weather broadcast, and then sound an
alarm if an emergency code is
transmitted along with the broadcast.
This means that people outside an
affected area are often alerted even
though their area is not affected,
causing some to ignore weather
warnings that apply to their 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 area (such as a county)
affected by the emergency. Your
Weatheradioreceives, interprets, and
displays FIPS code information so you
can determine if the emergency affects
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
CONTENTS
How Your
Weatheradio Works .......... 3
Weather Alerts .............. 4
Locking Out Undefined
Weather Descriptions ... 4
Understanding
FIPS Codes .................. 5
Obtaining Your Area’s
FIPS Code(s) ................ 6
Preparation ....................... 6
Connecting to AC Power 7
Installing the Backup
Battery .......................... 7
Using the Antenna ........ 8
Connecting an
External Antenna .......... 9
Choosing a Location .... 9
Connecting to an
External System ......... 10
Testing the
Weatheradio ............... 10
Programming ................. 11
Channel Setup ............ 12
Alert Type Setup ......... 13
Missed Alert Reminder 14
Signal Loss Reminder 15
Response Location ..... 15
Tone Defeat ................ 18
Operation ........................ 21
Setting the Clock
and Alarm ................... 22
Listening to a Weather
Broadcast ................... 24
Using the Alert ........... 24
Setting Alert Tone Level 24
Viewing Multiple Alerts 25
Troubleshooting ............. 27
The FCC Wants
You To Know .................. 28
Specifications ................ 29
NWS Alert Descriptions .. 30

How Your Weatheradio Works
4
National Weather Service (NWS). If
FIPS codes are entered, your
Weatheradio 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.
WEATHER ALERTS
When a weather alert is received, an
alert sounds, and the alert description
and duration appear on the display,
Alert descriptions are based on a list of
specific weather alert types published
by the NWS. For a list of alert
descriptions displayed on your
Weatheradio©, see “NWS Alert
Descriptions” on Page 30. Ôo
LOCKING OUT UNDEFINED
WEATHER DESCRIPTIONS
The NWS mightoccasionally broadcast
weather information intended for
commercial or non-private use. This
information could include a message
intended for automated weather
services (such as those used by radio
or TV stations). Your Weatheradio
memory does not contain a specific,
corresponding description for the
ÔNOTE Ô
If more than one
weather alert is received
at the same time,
information for each
alert appears
sequentially.
oWARNING o
The NWS uses
sophisticated weather
models to determine an
alert’s effective time.
However, the end of an
alert does not necessar
y
mean that the weather
emergency is over.

How Your Weatheradio Works
5
signals related to these commercial
weather types.
Additionally, your Weatheradio is
designed to recognize all common
weather alert types currently used by
the NWS. However, the NWS
occasionally creates and broadcasts
new alert types. If a signal for a new
alert type is received and the alert is
turned on, UNKNOW N and the alert
description (EM ERGENCY,STATEM ENT,
W ARNING or W ATCH) appear.
UNDERSTANDING FIPS
CODES
For the purpose of broadcasting
weather information, the NWS has
divided the United States into regions
by state and county (or parish, where
applicable), and assigned a six-digit
FIPS code. For example, the code for
Tarrant County, Texas, is 048439.
The first digit of a FIPS code identifies
the county subdivision, the next two
digits identify the state, and the last
three digits identify the county or
parish. Ô
Your Weatheradiocan receive all
SAME alert signals broadcast within
ÔNOTE Ô
Most FIPS codes begin
with 0, which means the
code represents an
entire county. The NWS
plans to subdivide some
large counties. When
this happens, each
subdivision will be
assigned a digit from
1-9, resulting in codes
such as 148439,
248439, and so on. If
you are close to a
county or parish line,
you might want to obtain
the codes for the nearby
counties or parishes.

6
Preparation
about a 50-mile radius. To receive
alerts about weather occurring only in
particular counties within that area, you
can program up to nine FIPS codes into
memory. You can then avoid hearing
an alert that applies to an area within a
50-mile radius, but not necessarily to
your county or parish.
OBTAINING YOUR AREA’S
FIPS CODE(S)
To obtain FIPS codes, contact your
local RadioShack store or call the NWS
toll free at 1-888-NWR-SAME
(1-888-697-7263). !
You can also visit the NWS website at:
www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/indexnw.htm#sametable
PREPARATION
Your Weatheradiouses the supplied
AC adapter for power, and one 9V
battery (not supplied) for backup if AC
power fails or is temporarily
!IMPORTANT !
You might want to obtain
codes for other local
areasthat youfrequently
travel through (as long
as they are within an
area covered by your
local NWS broadcast
station). That way, you
can program those
codes into the
Weatheradio and
receive those
broadcasts.

7
Preparation
disconnected. We recommend
RadioShack alkaline batteries.
CONNECTING TO AC
POWER
1. Insert the supplied AC adapter’s
barrel plug into the weatheradio©’s
DC 9V jack.
2. Plug the other end of the adapter
into a standard AC outlet. Ô
INSTALLING THE BACKUP
BATTERY
1. Slide the battery compartment
cover downward to remove it.
Barrel Plug
ÔNOTE Ô
Always connect the
Weatheradio to AC
power for normal use.

8
Preparation
2. Place a 9V battery in the
compartment according to the
polarity symbols marked inside.
3. Replace the cover.
When ²appears, backup battery
power is low. When ²flashes and AC
power isconnected, the backup battery
is dead, or not installed correctly.
Replace or install a fresh battery. Ô
USING THE ANTENNA
The built-in telescoping antenna lets
you receive strong local signals. To use
the built-in antenna, lift it so it is
positioned vertically and fully extend it.
ÔBATTERY NOTESÔ
• Dispose of old batteries
promptly and properly.
• Do not burn or bury
batteries.
• Use only a fresh battery
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 Weatheradio for
several weeks, remove
the battery. Batteries
can leak chemicals that
can damage electronic
parts.

9
Preparation
CONNECTING AN EXTERNAL
ANTENNA
To improve reception in remote areas,
you can connect an external antenna
using an adapter cable with a phono
plug. Your local RadioShack store sells
a wide variety of antennas.
To connect an external antenna,
connect oneend ofthe adapter cable to
the Weatheradio’s EXT ANT jack.
Connect the other end of the cable to
the antenna.
CHOOSING A LOCATION
You can set your Weatheradioon any
flat surface. For the best reception,
place your Weatheradiowhere:
• it can receive alert signals.
• you can hear the alert tone.
Make sure the Weatheradio is away
from obstructions such as metal
cabinets or bookshelves. Higher
frequencies are noticeably affected by
obstructions. Do not place the
Weatheradio near any metal surface
such as a refrigerator, a metal door or
wall, or a water pipe hidden behind a
wall. This reduces the Weatheradio’s
ability to receive signals.

10
Preparation
CONNECTING TO AN
EXTERNAL SYSTEM
The Weatheradio’s ALERT OUT
terminals let you connect an external
module interface using twin-lead 20-
gauge cable (not supplied). Then you
can set the interface to sound an
audible or visible alert on a connected
appliance when a weather emergency
alert broadcast is received. Ô
1. Connect the Weatheradio©’s
positive (+) and negative (-)
ALERT OUT terminals to the
corresponding (+ and -) terminals
on the external system.
2. When you are finished, use a
pointed object (such as a
straightened paper clip) to press
on the orange tabs under the cable
wires, and gently pull on the wires
to remove them.
TESTING THE WEATHERADIO
In the United States, the NWS
broadcasts a test alert every week on
Wednesday between 11 AM and 1 PM.
To find out the specific test schedule in
your area, contact your local NOAA or
NWS office. These offices are usually
listed in the telephone book under “US
ÔNOTE Ô
Your local RadioShack
store carries a wide
selection of cable and
audible or visible alert
accessories.

11
Programming
Government, Department of
Commerce.” !
1. Unplug the AC adapter and
remove the backup battery.
2. Hold down WEATHER and use the
supplied adapter to connect to AC
power. USR SET appears and the
Weatheradiobeeps. Release
WEATHER.
3. Press eto select a beep tone, or
dto select a siren tone. The
Weatheradiosounds the selected
tone.
4. Press gto silence the tone.
5. Press MENU to clear the memory
and restore the factory settings.
DEFAULT, and then USR SET appears.
6. Unplug the AC adapter and
reconnect it. Re-install the backup
battery.
PROGRAMMING
Your Weatheradiois pre-programmed
with the seven NOAA broadcast
frequencies (channels 1-7). It is also
preset to receive any weather alert
broadcasts within its reception range.
!IMPORTANT !
Clear reception of a
weather broadcast
signal does not
guarantee that an
emergency alert will
trigger your
Weatheradio©’s alert
function. Be sure you
choose the proper
location for the
Weatheradio©.

12
Programming
The first time you use your
Weatheradio©, it automatically scans
for the strongest channel and receives
all SAME alert signals broadcast within
a 50-mile radius. If you do not press a
key within about 45 seconds, all valid
channels are stored. The Weatheradio
does not receive alert signals while it is
being programmed.
1. Press MENU.SELCH appears.
2. Repeatedly press eor dto select
and customize the following
options: Channel Setup, Alert Type
Setup, Missed Alert Reminder,
Signal Loss Reminder, Response
Location, and Tone Defeat.
CHANNEL SETUP
You can search for a channel
automatically or manually.
1. When SELCH appears, press g.
AUTO appears.
2. Press eor dto select AUTO or
M ANUALchannel setup.
Auto
3. If you selected AUTO, press gto
start automatically searching for a
channel. SEARCH appears. When a

13
Programming
channel is detected, W EATHER,
CHANNEL# (new channel), and
AVLABLE appear. Then AUTO
reappears.
If no channel is detected, NO CH
AVLABLE
,BACKTO,andCHANNEL#
(the preset channel) appear. Then
AUTO reappears.
Manual
3. If you selected M ANUAL, press g.
CHANNEL# (current channel)
appearsand thebroadcast begins.
Repeatedly press eor duntil the
desired channel number appears.
Press gto confirm your selection.
A beep sounds and CHANNEL#
(new channel) appears. Then
M ANUALreappears. Ô
4. Press MENU to exit.
ALERT TYPE SETUP
The Weatheradioresponds to an NWS
alert broadcast in one of two ways.
Voice – An alert tone sounds for 10
seconds, and then the weather (voice)
broadcast automatically turns on for
five minutes. The alert description and
duration appear.
ÔNOTE Ô
If you received a NOAA
broadcast on more than
one channel, the one
with the best reception
might not be the one
broadcasting
information for your
location. Contact your
local RadioShack store
or the NWS to find out
which frequency NOAA
is using to broadcast
information for your
location.

14
Programming
Tone – An alert tone sounds for five
minutes, and the alert description and
duration appear. To silence the alert
tone sooner, press WEATHER. The
NWS broadcast turns on. This is the
default setting.
1. When ALTM ODEappears, press g.
The currently selected alert type
(TONE or VOICE) appears.
2. Repeatedly press eor dto select
TONE or VOICE.
3. Press gto confirm your selection.
A beep tone sounds and ALT M ODE
reappears.
4. Press MENU to exit.
MISSED ALERT REMINDER
The Weatheradiobeeps every 30
seconds after a weather alert broadcast
ends, until the weather alert expires.
This lets you know an alert tone or
voice broadcast sounded if you missed
hearing it.
1. When M ISS ALT appears, press g.
ALT-ON or ALT-OFFappears.
2. Repeatedly press eor dto toggle
between ALT-ON and ALT-OFF, and
press gto confirm. A beep sounds

15
Programming
and M ISSALT appears. REM INDER
appears and remains on the
display if missed alert reminder is
turned on.
3. Press MENU to exit.
SIGNAL LOSS REMINDER
If a channel signal becomes weak or is
lost, you can set a reminder to sound.
You mustthen choose another channel
or relocate the unit for better reception.
1. When SIG LOSS appears, press g.
SIG-ON or SIG-OFFappears.
2. Repeatedly press eor dto toggle
between SIG-ONand SIG-OFF, and
press gto confirm. A beep sounds
and SIG-LOSS appears. REM INDER
appears and remains on the
display if signal loss reminder is
turned on.
3. Press MENU to exit.
RESPONSE LOCATION
You can set the Weatheradioto work
with FIPS codes in one of three ways.
• ALL LOC – Receives all SAME
alert signals broadcast within
about a 50-mile radius.

16
Programming
• MULTIPLE – Receives SAME alert
signals for up to nine programmed
FIPS codes.
• SINGLE – Receives a SAME alert
signal for the FIPS code
programmed in memory location 1.
1. When LOCATION appears, press g.
The current response location
appears.
2. Repeatedly press eor duntil the
desired setting (ALLLOC,SINGLE, or
M ULTIPLE) appears.
All Locations
To store all locations, press gwhen ALL
LOC
appears. A beep sounds and
LOCATION flashes at the bottom of the
display.
Single
1. To store a single location, press g
when SINGLE appears. 1-------
appears.
2. Press g. The first digit of the code
flashes.
3. Press eor dto select the first
digit. When the correct number
appears, press gto move to the
next digit. If you made a mistake,

17
Programming
press fto move back, and then
press eor dto correct the
number.
4. Press gwhen you finish entering
all six digits of the FIPS code. The
radio stores your entry and SINGLE
appears.
5. Press MENU to exit.
Multiple
1. To store multiple locations, press g
when M ULTIPLE appears. 1-------
appears.
2. Press g. The first digit of the code
flashes.
3. Press eor dto select the first
digit. When the correct number
appears, press gto move to the
next digit. If you made a mistake,
press fto move back, and then
press eor dto correct the
number.
4. Press gwhen you finish entering
all six digits of the FIPS code. A
beep sounds, the radio stores your
entry, and moves to the next code
location.

18
Programming
5. Repeat Steps 2-4 to enter up to
nine FIPS codes in memory.
6. Press MENU. The Weatheradio
stores all valid entries and exits
programming.
TONE DEFEAT
The Weatheradioautomatically sounds
an alert tone during specific types of
weather alerts. You can turn the alert
tone on or off for each type of alert. For
example, you can turn off the volcano
warning alert if you do not live near a
volcano. Ô
1. When T-DEFEAT appears, press g.
2. Repeatedly press eor duntil
W ARNING,W ATCH,STATM ENT, orTEST
appears.
3. When W ARNING appears, press g.
AVALANCH W ARNING appears.
4. Press eor dto scroll through the
warning menu options:
ÔNOTE Ô
• The Weatheradio still
detects and displays
alert information for alert
tones that are disabled.
• When you select
TONEON,iflashes.
When you select
TONEOFF,Íflashes.

19
Programming
AVALANCH W ARNING
BLIZZARDW ARNING
CHILDABDUCTNEM ERGENC
COASTALFLOODW ARNING
DUSTSTORM W ARNING
FLASHFLOOD W ARNING
FLOODW ARNING
HIGH W INDW ARNING
SPECIALM ARINEW ARNING
VOLCANO W ARNING
W INTER STORM W ARNING
5.For each type of alert, press g.
TONEON or TONEOFFappears.
6. Press eor dto toggle between
TONEON and TONEOFF, and press g
to confirm. A beep sounds. Ô
7. Press fto return to the previous
menu category.
8. Repeatedly press eor duntil
W ATCH appears.
9. Press g.AVALANCHW ATCH appears.
10. Press eor dto scroll though the
watch menu options:
AVALANCHW ATCH
COASTALFLOODW ATCH
FLASHFLOOD W ATCH
FLOODW ATCH
HIGHW INDW ATCH
HURRICAN W ATCH
SEVERETHUNDER W ATCH
TROPICALSTORM W ATCH
VOLCANO W ATCH
W INTER STORM W ATCH

20
Programming
11.For each alert option, press g.
TONEON or TONEOFFappears.
12. Press eor dto toggle between
TONEON and TONEOFF, and press g
to confirm. A beep sounds.
13. Press fto return to the previous
menu category.
14. Repeatedly press eor duntil
STATM ENT appears.
15. Press g.FLASH FLOOD STATM ENT
appears.
16. Press eor dto scroll through the
statement menu options:
FLASH FLOODSTATM ENT
FLOODSTATM ENT
HURRICAN STATM ENT
SEVEREW EATHER STATM ENT
SPECIALW EATHER STATM ENT
UNKNOW NSTATM ENT TUNETV
17. For each alert option, press g.
TONE ON or TONEOFFappears.
18. Press eor dto toggle between
TONEON and TONEOFF, and press g
to confirm. A beep sounds.
19. Press fto return to the previous
menu category.