WX alerts vs. general scanning.

[TonyMcN0BPA]

I have a weather alert (only) radio with SAME technology which I use to keep aware of severe weather. It does not travel with me.
I noticed that during the last severe situation my WX radio alerted, while the SDS-100 did not.
Not being at all sure of what I am doing with this thing, I double-checked the instructions to try to see how I can receive alerts. The manual seems to indicate that, if I want WX alerts, only the WX channels are scanned and the scanner is otherwise muted. Is this so? Is there a way to listen to general scanner audio while scanning for the WX alert tones? I hate to think that I would have to give up my regular scanning during a potential WX emergency.

Help? Comments?

Thanks - Tony N0BPA

 

[hiegtx]

I have a weather alert (only) radio with SAME technology which I use to keep aware of severe weather. It does not travel with me.
I noticed that during the last severe situation my WX radio alerted, while the SDS-100 did not.
Not being at all sure of what I am doing with this thing, I double-checked the instructions to try to see how I can receive alerts. The manual seems to indicate that, if I want WX alerts, only the WX channels are scanned and the scanner is otherwise muted. Is this so? Is there a way to listen to general scanner audio while scanning for the WX alert tones? I hate to think that I would have to give up my regular scanning during a potential WX emergency.

Help? Comments?

Thanks - Tony N0BPA

There are two different methods for weather alerts on your SDS100.

Weather Alert Priority will check for alerts every 4 seconds or so. You'll hear a brief drop-out of audio (if receiving a transmission) while the scanner checks for the weather alert tone. This can be used along with normal scanning. However, it will alert if finding the 1050Hz tone on any weather frequency in range.

If you want to use the SAME settings, to get alerts for only your preferred locations, then the scanner will only do that. You cannot use normal scanning, since if the scanner was receiving something else, and only checking every x seconds, it might miss the SAME digital encoding in an alert,

If I'm going to be in an area, away from home, where I might need the SAME alerts, I generally take one of my older scanners & use it as an impromptu weather radio, while the SDS100 or 436HP scans the area systems.

More on Weather options here:

Easier to Read SDS100/200 Digital Scanner Manual

 

[TonyMcN0BPA]

Thanks for the good information, Steve. With all the features and options available, it is easy to get confused about whether I am taking all the proper steps. Now all I need to do is to activate WX alert and wait for severe thunderstorm season (in October, in Missouri, I may be too late). Floods are for the spring; too far south for a lot of blizzards; last serious earthquake was some time back and 200 miles away. Plagues of locusts not really an issue.

I can think of other possibilities, but this is not a political forum.

Thanks again,

Tony N0BPA

 

[MStep]

I have found the best option for WX alert monitoring, and certainly the most reliable and dependable, is a separate, stand alone weather-alert receiver. At least for use at home when portability is not required. I've seen them for as little as 29.95 and up. And make certain to check your receiver with the NWS weekly test signals to make certain it is operating properly.

 

[TonyMcN0BPA]

I hear you, MStep! I have a dedicated SAME receiver as well as numerous small weather radios stashed around for emergency use.
Mostly I am just trying to get the full $6XX.00 worth of use out of my SDS-100 in any way I can!

Tony N0BPA

 

[MStep]

I hear you, MStep! I have a dedicated SAME receiver as well as numerous small weather radios stashed around for emergency use.
Mostly I am just trying to get the full $6XX.00 worth of use out of my SDS-100 in any way I can!

Tony N0BPA

Understood Tony, and for others on the go who are using the SDS100 as a portable or a device in car, if it's the only option, it's certainly better than nothing, especially on days when there are obviously signs of stormy weather ahead. Some might find the audio drop-out every time the radio checks its weather priority a bit annoying. Unlike the regular priority, which has the very clever DND mode, not so on weather priority, which is the correct design--- just "On" or "Off" --- no DND mode which could defeat the purpose of weather alerting in a true emergency.

Perhaps on some future version of the radio, Uniden might incorporate a dual-receive function, somewhat like the set ups on some of the amateur handi-talkies. The second receiver could just be programmed to monitor or scan the weather channels for alerts as the primary scanner just goes about its programmed functions uninterrupted.

 

[donc13]

Understood Tony, and for others on the go who are using the SDS100 as a portable or a device in car, if it's the only option, it's certainly better than nothing, especially on days when there are obviously signs of stormy weather ahead. Some might find the audio drop-out every time the radio checks its weather priority a bit annoying. Unlike the regular priority, which has the very clever DND mode, not so on weather priority, which is the correct design--- just "On" or "Off" --- no DND mode which could defeat the purpose of weather alerting in a true emergency.

Perhaps on some future version of the radio, Uniden might incorporate a dual-receive function, somewhat like the set ups on some of the amateur handi-talkies. The second receiver could just be programmed to monitor or scan the weather channels for alerts as the primary scanner just goes about its programmed functions uninterrupted.

And even better, the radios that have a GPS attached *could* determine what county you are in and set the SAME code accordingly.

Obviously, another database, etc would be needed, but that's not an impossible task.

😊

 

[hiegtx]

And even better, the radios that have a GPS attached *could* determine what county you are in and set the SAME code accordingly.

Obviously, another database, etc would be needed, but that's not an impossible task.

😊

That's a great idea, and would be extremely useful for the "road warrior" on a trip, using a GPS & location control.

 

[wtp]

a work buddy bought one of these for his travels,

EH55VP - S.A.M.E. Handheld Weather Alert Radio

EH55VP - S.A.M.E. Handheld Weather Alert Radio. This Midland EH55VP portable handheld emergency radio broadcasts emergency threats 24/7 from tornados, floods, hurricanes, fire and earthquakes.

www.wearecb.com

 

[donc13]

Yea, I have one of them, but it doesn't have a GPS chip built in nor can it accept a GPS input so doesn't auto select SAME codes or frequencies for the county you are in at the time.