Looking To Get A Weather Radio & Lightning Detector (2015)

[pinballwiz86]

Is the Midland WR120EZ a decent model for the money? I was thinking of getting the strobe light as well just to jazz up the alerts. The lightning detector I'm thinking of getting is the Accurite 02020. Or is the Strike Alert pager worth getting?

Thanks.

 

[JStemann]

I have a Reecom r1630. I had a midland, but don't remember the model. The midland REQUIRED an outdoor antenna to get alerts. The Reecom, requires proper placement in the house but does just fine with the attached telescopic antenna. I will say that I live on the outer edges of the NWS transmitter, if you have one closer the midland may do just fine for you.

Also,if you haven't already, check out the reviews over on eham:

eHam.net Reviews - Receivers: Weather Alert

I can't help with the lightning detector, I have no experience with any of them.


Jeff.

 

[Thunderknight]

I have no experience with that lighting detector, but I see you are a ham. I once tried a simple Hobby Boards lightning counter, and it kept registering my HF SSB transmissions. I haven't tried any other models, so I don't know if that is common or was unique to that one.

 

[Spec]

I've found the Strike Alert to be vulnerable to close by radio transmissions, ie keying up a portable nearby. Otherwise not too bad. Remember they work on receiving RF. As to the Accurite I have no experience with it.

 

[pinballwiz86]

So, if I key up my radio equipment I should expect my Lightning detector to sing? lol, this is manageable. But thanks for the heads up! Here in Missouri there are a lot of lightning strikes. Even in the winter! We've had flash flooding overnight with an overnight thunderstorm. If I had my lightning detector it would have alerted me of severe weather along with the weather radio. So, I look forward to receiving my equipment.

Another note on the lightning detector..I had a friend from high school that was fishing at a lake in Columbia, MO when the weather suddenly turned bad on her. As she walked back to her car, lightning struck her and killed her. She was a wonderful person. So sad that happened to her.

So, I am always leery of lightning and will NOT go outside unless I absolutely have to.


http://www.columbiatribune.com/news...cle_213efa6f-3286-5f96-a8e1-a3d8f51e3b1a.html


Thanks Jeff! The Reecom wasn't available through Amazon Prime so I got the Midland WR120EZ. I should have no problems picking up the weather signal from inside my home as the transmitter is received full scale on all my portable scanners. I also picked up the alert light. I'll report back on my results.

Thanks for all the comments!

 

[pinballwiz86]

I received a PM asking about the Midland WR120EZ and the alert light.

It works great! The receiver isn't extremely sensitive but as long as you're not in a fringe area, you'll have no problem. The alert ight plugs right in to the radio and works great when there is a severe weather alert.

The setup is worth the money. It alerts for other things besides just severe weather, BTW.