Weather Band & Shortwave

[Grif]

I am in the process of purchasing my first shortwave receiver which will be portable. As my wife and I frequently use our camper in the mountains, I would like to be able to monitor the NOAA weather bands with this radio. I'm working on learning about this complex topic prior to making the purchase. It appears to me that the shortwave sets I have been looking at...Sony ICF-SW7600GR and Grundig Globe Traveler G3 and others in this price range do not have the capabilities of monitoring the frequencies that are listed on the NOAA website of 162.400-162.550 even though the NOAA website lists shortwave receivers as a way to monitor those frequencies.

I still know nothing about this, but am trying to figure it out. Will these radios be able to monitor those freq. or do I need a separate weather radio?

 

[ka3jjz]

You will need a separate radio that can receive that range. Fortunately practically any old handheld will do it- with the right antenna, of course. You wouldn't want to have a newer handheld when you're out in the sticks somewhere, where it might be bumped or dropped.

The shortwave freqs NOAA lists require a radio such as the Sony or Grundig, and in the case of the SITOR broadcasts, some software to decode and receive

best regards..Mike

 

[N8IAA]

I am in the process of purchasing my first shortwave receiver which will be portable. As my wife and I frequently use our camper in the mountains, I would like to be able to monitor the NOAA weather bands with this radio. I'm working on learning about this complex topic prior to making the purchase. It appears to me that the shortwave sets I have been looking at...Sony ICF-SW7600GR and Grundig Globe Traveler G3 and others in this price range do not have the capabilities of monitoring the frequencies that are listed on the NOAA website of 162.400-162.550 even though the NOAA website lists shortwave receivers as a way to monitor those frequencies.

I still know nothing about this, but am trying to figure it out. Will these radios be able to monitor those freq. or do I need a separate weather radio?

You may want to purchase an inexpensive weather radio to monitor the WX frequencies. It will probably be a better receiver than trying to find a SW that includes WX.
HTH,
Larry

 

[W2NJS]

Grif,

The only thing you can do to be certain that you do or do not need an additional weather receiver is to carefully read the specifications for the HF radio's receive capability. If the top frequency the radio can receive is something like 30 mHz, which is likely, then you WILL need an additional radio. However, it is possible that you can find a portable that does both HF and the VHF weather station broadcasts, but the research and final decision is up to you.

I did a Google search for "shortwave and weather receivers" and got 563,000 hits, at least one of which should have a radio you can use.

 

[KD9KSO]

The Kaito KA1121 receives FM NOAA WX and shortwave to 30Mhz. Might just do the job for you. Don't know anything about this brand, but I haven't heard anything bad about them.

No affiliation:

KA1121 Kaito AM/FM/WX/Longwave/Shortwave Radio with MP3 Recorder/Player - The Shortwave Store

 

[ka3jjz]

Interesting combination there; a bit expensive if you're out camping, though, and things tend to get tossed about or dropped.

It should be noted that NOAA coverage might not include areas that are quite remote or mountainous; in such cases, it's wise to learn how to read the weather from the signs around you, rather than relying on technology that might leave you in a lurch when you least expect it. I've camped in some very remote spots in the US where there's no way in hxxx a VHF NOAA signal would ever reach - did it quite frequently in the 80s and 90s. Learned some tricks from a man whose father went up with Tenzig Norgay and climbed Everest - twice. But that's a whole 'nother story in itself...

best regards..Mike

 

[Zagadka]

You may want to purchase an inexpensive weather radio to monitor the WX frequencies. It will probably be a better receiver than trying to find a SW that includes WX.

things tend to get tossed about or dropped

As campers ourselves, my bride and I know both of these statements to be true. Even if a SW radio can receive the NOAA freqs, it probably doesn't alert (make a noise and start playing the weather feed) and that's really what you want. The drone of the weather going all day would be tedious at best. As mentioned, get a cheap weather radio that you can turn on to alert at the beginning of your trip and turn off at the end then you'll know you're covered and can now devote your full attention to playing with the shortwave (and the mrs, of course).

And fwiw, many scanners receive weather frequencies and even alert if it receives anything. It also can monitor FRS, GMRS, CB and local park ranger services so you have a little better idea of what's going on around you. Just a thought.

 

[Grif]

Wow! Thank you very much for all of that information and the helpful ideas. All good.