Weather Radios Discussion

[NT2C]

I'm in the process of setting up and testing a new weather radio for hear at the house.  The old Motorola in the living room has been walked across so many times by cats it no longer receives the local weather station.  I was going to try fixing it but then this Retekess Model 625 on Amazon for just $15 caught my eye so I bought one.

It has all the features I look for in a weather radio:

• S.A.M.E. technology for localized alerts
• AC/DC power (uses 3 AA batteries as backup)
• Able to use an external antenna
• Able to use an external signaling device
• Able to clone settings from one radio to another

So far it's receiving well using just the telescoping antenna that's on it, which is pretty impressive in the RF-saturated environment of my office. For $15 bucks, this seems like a decent piece of kit.  I may have to pick up a few more for future contest prizes here on UFoZS.

[majorhavoc]

A weather alert radio with S.A.M.E. notification technology for $15 is fairly amazing!  If this thing is legit, I wouldn't expect the price to remain that low for long.  There are a number of reviews/unboxing/setup videos on Youtube.  This one seems like it's received the most views. It is sponsored by the manufacturer, so YMMV, caveat emptor, etc.  If nothing else, it's a good look at what the product is and how it operates. 

FWIW, I like that it has provision for mounting directly to your wall.  That seems like a sensible thing to do for a dedicated weather alert radio.  Also, it comes with an AC adapator, an extra cost option on some emergency radios.

[majorhavoc]

I checked a trio of dromedaries I'm familiar with and apparently the current $14.99 on Amazon is an all-time low.  Average price is $25.89 and it was selling for $35.99 as recently as this past June. 

I do love a bargain so I'm pulling the trigger.  If nothing else, it'll look cool as f*ck mounted to the wall underneath my digital thermostat and CO2 detector. 

Retekess TR625 price history

[NT2C]

Two things that I've discovered about it are that apparently, it's a battery hog when run without AC power, but that's to be expected since it's still operating as a receiver even when the sound is off.  The second thing is that the power cord with the AC adapter is too damn short.  It's only 36", so if you decide to wall mount this you'll need to keep that in mind.  Fortunately, this will probably eventually get mounted to my bedroom wall and there's a power strip already there for my alarm clock, bedside light, phone charger, and the charger for my flashlights.

[NT2C]

And... I now own 5 of them.

Anyone want to guess what might be one of the prizes in our 2nd Anniversary Contest? 

[NT2C]

Mother of G*d...

I forgot to disable the alarm for the "Required Weekly Test" and when it went off in my office this morning about 11:15 AM it terrified all the cats and interrupted my wife's online meeting two rooms away.  That sucker is LOUD!

The cats were already on edge from Santa's visit to the neighborhood atop a fire truck, followed by several other emergency vehicles all sounding their horns and sirens, crisscrossing the whole area and passing the house 6 times. 

We may not see the cats again until March, considering the locals here celebrate New Year's with firearms and fireworks.

[majorhavoc]

My Retekess TR625 arrived today.  I'm over 40, so the litmus test for any piece of consumer electronics is whether I can set the time.  That went well, so I set my location (impressive that you can select your specific county, but I guess that's how the S.A.M.E. system is designed to work), scanned for channels, selected one and set up an alert.  Supposedly the alarm will go off if it hasn't received a NOAA alert in 10 days (apparently to prompt the user to check that the radio is set up properly).  I tested the alert tone and you're right, it's loud! 

And yes, the AC adaptor cord is criminally short.  But nothing that can't be addressed with an extension cord.  Assuming everything works as designed, an amazing piece of kit for $15.

[flybynight]

My Retekess TR625 arrived today.  I'm over 40, so the litmus test for any piece of consumer electronics is whether I can set the time.  That went well, so I set my location (impressive that you can select your specific county, but I guess that's how the S.A.M.E. system is designed to work), scanned for channels, selected one and set up an alert.  Supposedly the alarm will go off if it hasn't received a NOAA alert in 10 days (apparently to prompt the user to check that the radio is set up properly).  I tested the alert tone and you're right, it's loud! 

And yes, the AC adaptor cord is criminally short.  But nothing that can't be addressed with an extension cord.  Assuming everything works as designed, an amazing piece of kit for $15.

You should get test alerts on Wed and Fri. every week. At 12 and7:00

[Anianna]

Mother of G*d...

I forgot to disable the alarm for the "Required Weekly Test" and when it went off in my office this morning about 11:15 AM it terrified all the cats and interrupted my wife's online meeting two rooms away.  That sucker is LOUD!

The cats were already on edge from Santa's visit to the neighborhood atop a fire truck, followed by several other emergency vehicles all sounding their horns and sirens, crisscrossing the whole area and passing the house 6 times. 

We may not see the cats again until March, considering the locals here celebrate New Year's with firearms and fireworks.

This is the one thing that bothers me about the S.A.M.E. enabled radios - the alarm is set to a standard 90DB and there's no way to disable it or turn it down.  I get the purpose for it, but it's not necessary for it to be that daggum loud in all circumstances.  I want the local-specific alerts, but I don't want the freaking hearing damage. 

[NT2C]

Mother of G*d...

I forgot to disable the alarm for the "Required Weekly Test" and when it went off in my office this morning about 11:15 AM it terrified all the cats and interrupted my wife's online meeting two rooms away.  That sucker is LOUD!

The cats were already on edge from Santa's visit to the neighborhood atop a fire truck, followed by several other emergency vehicles all sounding their horns and sirens, crisscrossing the whole area and passing the house 6 times. 

We may not see the cats again until March, considering the locals here celebrate New Year's with firearms and fireworks.

This is the one thing that bothers me about the S.A.M.E. enabled radios - the alarm is set to a standard 90DB and there's no way to disable it or turn it down.  I get the purpose for it, but it's not necessary for it to be that daggum loud in all circumstances.  I want the local-specific alerts, but I don't want the freaking hearing damage. 

It's got nothing to do with a radio having S.A.M.E. capability though.  I have others that, while they have alert tones, aren't anywhere near as loud as this one. My Midland WR-300, for example, is much more reasonable about letting you sleep through the impending apocalypse if you wish.  The alert volume varies with the radio volume.

[majorhavoc]

Uh oh. Does the alarm eventually shut off on its own? I'm out of the house all day today. And I just dropped off my car for some brake work so going home at lunch time isn't an option.

I'm worried one of my neighbors will hear it and call the fire dept.

[flybynight]

Uh oh. Does the alarm eventually shut off on its own? I'm out of the house all day today. And I just dropped off my car for some brake work so going home at lunch time isn't an option.

I'm worried one of my neighbors will hear it and call the fire dept.

The alarm sounds for a few seconds. Then the recorded message plays explaining the type, location and expected impacts. Plus steps to take
  For the weekly tests. Alarm sounds and states this is a test performed on Wed, Fri  unless a situation is occurring

[majorhavoc]

That's a relief, thanks!

[Anianna]

Mother of G*d...

I forgot to disable the alarm for the "Required Weekly Test" and when it went off in my office this morning about 11:15 AM it terrified all the cats and interrupted my wife's online meeting two rooms away.  That sucker is LOUD!

The cats were already on edge from Santa's visit to the neighborhood atop a fire truck, followed by several other emergency vehicles all sounding their horns and sirens, crisscrossing the whole area and passing the house 6 times. 

We may not see the cats again until March, considering the locals here celebrate New Year's with firearms and fireworks.

This is the one thing that bothers me about the S.A.M.E. enabled radios - the alarm is set to a standard 90DB and there's no way to disable it or turn it down.  I get the purpose for it, but it's not necessary for it to be that daggum loud in all circumstances.  I want the local-specific alerts, but I don't want the freaking hearing damage. 

It's got nothing to do with a radio having S.A.M.E. capability though.  I have others that, while they have alert tones, aren't anywhere near as loud as this one. My Midland WR-300, for example, is much more reasonable about letting you sleep through the impending apocalypse if you wish.  The alert volume varies with the radio volume.

Ah, I guess I misunderstood.  That one has a 90dB siren, but it does say "adjustable alert volume".  I guess I thought the adjustable one was lesser alerts and the 90dB was warnings without being adjustable. 

[NT2C]

Mother of G*d...

I forgot to disable the alarm for the "Required Weekly Test" and when it went off in my office this morning about 11:15 AM it terrified all the cats and interrupted my wife's online meeting two rooms away.  That sucker is LOUD!

The cats were already on edge from Santa's visit to the neighborhood atop a fire truck, followed by several other emergency vehicles all sounding their horns and sirens, crisscrossing the whole area and passing the house 6 times. 

We may not see the cats again until March, considering the locals here celebrate New Year's with firearms and fireworks.

This is the one thing that bothers me about the S.A.M.E. enabled radios - the alarm is set to a standard 90DB and there's no way to disable it or turn it down.  I get the purpose for it, but it's not necessary for it to be that daggum loud in all circumstances.  I want the local-specific alerts, but I don't want the freaking hearing damage. 

It's got nothing to do with a radio having S.A.M.E. capability though.  I have others that, while they have alert tones, aren't anywhere near as loud as this one. My Midland WR-300, for example, is much more reasonable about letting you sleep through the impending apocalypse if you wish.  The alert volume varies with the radio volume.

Ah, I guess I misunderstood.  That one has a 90dB siren, but it does say "adjustable alert volume".  I guess I thought the adjustable one was lesser alerts and the 90dB was warnings without being adjustable. 

I'd offer to send you one but you might beat it to death with a shoe.

[Anianna]

Mother of G*d...

I forgot to disable the alarm for the "Required Weekly Test" and when it went off in my office this morning about 11:15 AM it terrified all the cats and interrupted my wife's online meeting two rooms away.  That sucker is LOUD!

The cats were already on edge from Santa's visit to the neighborhood atop a fire truck, followed by several other emergency vehicles all sounding their horns and sirens, crisscrossing the whole area and passing the house 6 times. 

We may not see the cats again until March, considering the locals here celebrate New Year's with firearms and fireworks.

This is the one thing that bothers me about the S.A.M.E. enabled radios - the alarm is set to a standard 90DB and there's no way to disable it or turn it down.  I get the purpose for it, but it's not necessary for it to be that daggum loud in all circumstances.  I want the local-specific alerts, but I don't want the freaking hearing damage. 

It's got nothing to do with a radio having S.A.M.E. capability though.  I have others that, while they have alert tones, aren't anywhere near as loud as this one. My Midland WR-300, for example, is much more reasonable about letting you sleep through the impending apocalypse if you wish.  The alert volume varies with the radio volume.

Ah, I guess I misunderstood.  That one has a 90dB siren, but it does say "adjustable alert volume".  I guess I thought the adjustable one was lesser alerts and the 90dB was warnings without being adjustable. 

I'd offer to send you one but you might beat it to death with a shoe.

I'm sensitive to loud, sharp noises.  I don't think we'll get along if there is no good way to mitigate that.  I also have multiple hammers because Handy Kid has a habit of disappearing my tools only for them to reappear after I buy a new one, but he "didn't have it" of course, so I think my shoes will be safe. 

[EBuff75]

Both of the radios that I've had with SAME were able to mute the weekly test cycle.  There would be a lighted indicator on the radio, but no audible alarm. 

Likewise, I was able to edit which alerts I wanted to hear.  In Michigan, marine warnings are common, due to the number of lakes.  But as someone who doesn't live near any significant bodies of water and who doesn't own a boat, I really, really, really don't need to have those going off every few days!  Severe thunderstorms, flooding, high winds, blizzards, tornadoes - those are all things I'd like to know about.  But the damned marine warnings were the bane of my existence until I had a radio where I could suppress specific alerts!