Radio Recommendation - Again :)

[Magnumglide]

This must be the most asked question.  Some of the posts are a year or 2 old, so here it is again.  There apparantly are new SAME codes coming out, if not already, for regions within a county.  My most important features would be, the end of message technology that shuts the radio off after an alert.  I work 3rd shift and don't need a 5 minute alarm every week. Disabling the weekly tone would be a nice option as well.  The Midland I hear, goes for the 5 minute alert and won't stop if I read correctly.

battery backup where the alerts still are heard is nice.  I actually read a review on a Honeywell where the reviewer, in Florida with huuricanes coming, siad when his powere went off, the radio went to battery backup, but then would not alert....Geez.  Same storm that knocked his power out, caused his "emergency" radio to shwo its weak point..  I had 2 Oregon Scientific WR-602.  One never worked right, but my in laws never told me so I coould get it replaced.  Mine has since died. I saw O.S. had a recall a couple years back.  Reliability is key.  Reviews made just after people plug it in do not have the reliability factor figured in.  Although with changing models and cheapening products, longevity and durability are harder features to rate.  Any help is appreciated.

[mmorris]

Well you could look at the Reecom the model I use an have no complaints with had it a couple of years: R-1650C
Here is the web site on the manual http://www.reecominc.com
 Now if your looking for a radio that is setup the way you want it out of the box which in this day and age is what people think is going to happen this radio is going to take some work but it is quite customizable. 

[Downlinerz2]

     Here in my area a local TV station is teaming up with Krogers Supermarkets to sell Midland radios at about half price.  They have been selling out like crazy since we had the tornado that killed 6 people late at night and 3 of the victims were asleep.  They have people at the store to program them with whatever codes you want.  I tried to get one but they sold out.  Next time.

[groze]

This must be the most asked question.  Some of the posts are a year or 2 old, so here it is again.  There apparantly are new SAME codes coming out, if not already, for regions within a county.  My most important features would be, the end of message technology that shuts the radio off after an alert.  I work 3rd shift and don't need a 5 minute alarm every week. Disabling the weekly tone would be a nice option as well.  The Midland I hear, goes for the 5 minute alert and won't stop if I read correctly.

battery backup where the alerts still are heard is nice.  I actually read a review on a Honeywell where the reviewer, in Florida with huuricanes coming, siad when his powere went off, the radio went to battery backup, but then would not alert....Geez.  Same storm that knocked his power out, caused his "emergency" radio to shwo its weak point..  I had 2 Oregon Scientific WR-602.  One never worked right, but my in laws never told me so I coould get it replaced.  Mine has since died. I saw O.S. had a recall a couple years back.  Reliability is key.  Reviews made just after people plug it in do not have the reliability factor figured in.  Although with changing models and cheapening products, longevity and durability are harder features to rate.  Any help is appreciated.

If I'm not mistaking the Midland 100, 300 & 301  has a voice option.  It will sound the alert for a few seconds than you hear the nws voice message.    There has been complaints about the Midland 100 not working or quiting working after a year.   I think that because they didn't know how to program it or change weather stations.   Some nws add new towers,  which may cause some counties to be changed to a new tower on a different frequency. 

The Midland 300 & 301 lets you set it for specific warnings & watches you want to hear. You can turn the alert sound down. 

[Magnumglide]

Thanks.  The now dead Oregon Scientific shut off after the message and that was nice.  I'd rather the voice not go on any longer than necessary either.  I'll contact Midland.

[groze]

Thanks.  The now dead Oregon Scientific shut off after the message and that was nice.  I'd rather the voice not go on any longer than necessary either.  I'll contact Midland.

I wouldn't contact them, they never respond.  You can buy a Midland radio at 100 or the 300/301 at some Wal-marts.

I don't think those radio shut off after the warning is issued but I am not sure.

Unconfirmed but according to a comment at Amazon the Sima WX-200 Emergency Alert Radio will shut off after the voice message & it customizable for alerts.


All models listed here except the Midland 100 you can set the Alert volume.

[LFWX]

The Reecom is a nice radio, you can program it so it will not sound for the weekly test (this may be the default setting), and it will silence at the end of the alert announcement.

I believe all the SAME models sold at Radio Shack do the same thing. (any I've used or given as gifts have been that way)

[Scalphunter]

 also the Midlands are dual power. wallwart or battery. So you  still have  wx radio if power goes off.

John

[Wx4U]

The local WalMart had Midland WR-100s on sale several months ago for $10.00 +8% tax. I bought a half a dozen give away all but two. Anybody want them? Cost + shipping.
I have been using one for about three years...works for me.

[Sigdigit]

My Midland 300 crapped out after only a year!  I'll never buy another Midland again.  Read all about it under my thread about squeal being heard on all channels.  I wrote to all the corporate big wigs in person about my experience, I'm curious if they'll respond.  Anyway, looks like a Reecom will be my next radio.  Doesn't look as pretty as my Midland, but if it lasts more than a year.....

[gadget_guy]

I have a Oregon Scientific WR-602.  I like the radio and the way it operates - mostly.  I think reception can be a challenge.  I've found out that I get a lot of dead zones, yet just a few feet away I can get a good signal.  I suspect the built in antenna is marginal.  Also, it's important to keep the batteries charged.  If they drain too far down, the radio loses all programming and you will have to re-program it after placing it in the charger.  Wish it had a battery to back up the internal memory.  I'd give it about 5 on a scale of 10.

[Sigdigit]

gadget guy, does that radio allow you to disable individual alerts so it does not wake you up in the middle of the night ? (example:  I hate flood warnings.  I don't live in a flood zone).

[gadget_guy]

I don't believe it does.  I can't find anything in the instructions to that effect.

[Sigdigit]

Yeah, you're right.  I checked the manual online before you replied (isn't that a great thing?).  Gotta be able to disable certain alerts.  I understand the Reecom does.  As far as Eton radios, there seems to be a lot of complaints on Amazon reviews regarding reception and other stuff.  So far, no calls/emails back from Midland.  I also checked the reviews of this Midland radio at Amazon last night.  Seems most people love it initially, and now there are a good number of people reporting the weather band portion of the radio mysteriously and suddenly dies between 1 and 2 years after getting one.

[Sigdigit]

7/27/10 update: Midland customer service manager emailed me and they are replacing the unit at no charge. I went from being very upset to thrilled with their customer service, and will remain a Midland fan, as they really do stand behind their products. 

[BigOkie]

7/27/10 update: Midland customer service manager emailed me and they are replacing the unit at no charge. I went from being very upset to thrilled with their customer service, and will remain a Midland fan, as they really do stand behind their products. 

I've had quite a few Midland products over the years (CB's and now weather stations; I have a 300 I bought less than a year ago and a 100 that while it's pretty bare-bones, has not failed once in the four years I've had it).  They have always had top notch products.

[groze]

Yeah, you're right.  I checked the manual online before you replied (isn't that a great thing?).  Gotta be able to disable certain alerts.  I understand the Reecom does.  As far as Eton radios, there seems to be a lot of complaints on Amazon reviews regarding reception and other stuff.  So far, no calls/emails back from Midland.  I also checked the reviews of this Midland radio at Amazon last night.  Seems most people love it initially, and now there are a good number of people reporting the weather band portion of the radio mysteriously and suddenly dies between 1 and 2 years after getting one.

You can silence alerts on the Midland 300/301 weather alert radio.
 
What strange is you got to turn on the alerts for tornado and other warnings.  They have the sound silence for some warnings but not watches.   Got it backwards midland?  I don't have one, but I read the instructions I found both online.  To big to attach here.

[BigOkie]

Yeah, you're right.  I checked the manual online before you replied (isn't that a great thing?).  Gotta be able to disable certain alerts.  I understand the Reecom does.  As far as Eton radios, there seems to be a lot of complaints on Amazon reviews regarding reception and other stuff.  So far, no calls/emails back from Midland.  I also checked the reviews of this Midland radio at Amazon last night.  Seems most people love it initially, and now there are a good number of people reporting the weather band portion of the radio mysteriously and suddenly dies between 1 and 2 years after getting one.

You can silence alerts on the Midland 300/301 weather alert radio.
 
What strange is you got to turn on the alerts for tornado and other warnings.  They have the sound silence for some warnings but not watches.   Got it backwards midland?  I don't have one, but I read the instructions I found both online.  To big to attach here.

Unless you actually have one, I'd caution you to not dispense misinformation...the 300 can absolutely silence watches.  I own one.  I know for a fact it can and does.  Look at the bottom of page 9 of the manual under 'Selectable Alert Option'.  I just got done defeating SVR watches, Flood Watches, Tornado Watches.

All defeating does on the 300 is turn off the audible alert.  The scrolling message and light still displays. 

[groze]

Yeah, you're right.  I checked the manual online before you replied (isn't that a great thing?).  Gotta be able to disable certain alerts.  I understand the Reecom does.  As far as Eton radios, there seems to be a lot of complaints on Amazon reviews regarding reception and other stuff.  So far, no calls/emails back from Midland.  I also checked the reviews of this Midland radio at Amazon last night.  Seems most people love it initially, and now there are a good number of people reporting the weather band portion of the radio mysteriously and suddenly dies between 1 and 2 years after getting one.

You can silence alerts on the Midland 300/301 weather alert radio.
 
What strange is you got to turn on the alerts for tornado and other warnings.  They have the sound silence for some warnings but not watches.   Got it backwards midland?  I don't have one, but I read the instructions I found both online.  To big to attach here.

Unless you actually have one, I'd caution you to not dispense misinformation...the 300 can absolutely silence watches.  I own one.  I know for a fact it can and does.  Look at the bottom of page 9 of the manual under 'Selectable Alert Option'.  I just got done defeating SVR watches, Flood Watches, Tornado Watches.

All defeating does on the 300 is turn off the audible alert.  The scrolling message and light still displays. 

I never said it couldn't.

What I was talking about is when you first get the radio according to the instructions,  midland has a lot of the warnings silenced, but not the watches.  That is why I said "got it backwards midland?"  The way I understand the instructions you can silence or not silence any alerts you so choose.   Also, even if an alert is silenced, it will still display the alert message according to the instructions.  Of course all this could vary with the model.   I read they made at least 4 different 300/301 models.

[BigOkie]

Yeah, you're right.  I checked the manual online before you replied (isn't that a great thing?).  Gotta be able to disable certain alerts.  I understand the Reecom does.  As far as Eton radios, there seems to be a lot of complaints on Amazon reviews regarding reception and other stuff.  So far, no calls/emails back from Midland.  I also checked the reviews of this Midland radio at Amazon last night.  Seems most people love it initially, and now there are a good number of people reporting the weather band portion of the radio mysteriously and suddenly dies between 1 and 2 years after getting one.

You can silence alerts on the Midland 300/301 weather alert radio.
 
What strange is you got to turn on the alerts for tornado and other warnings.  They have the sound silence for some warnings but not watches.   Got it backwards midland?  I don't have one, but I read the instructions I found both online.  To big to attach here.

Unless you actually have one, I'd caution you to not dispense misinformation...the 300 can absolutely silence watches.  I own one.  I know for a fact it can and does.  Look at the bottom of page 9 of the manual under 'Selectable Alert Option'.  I just got done defeating SVR watches, Flood Watches, Tornado Watches.

All defeating does on the 300 is turn off the audible alert.  The scrolling message and light still displays. 

I never said it couldn't.

What I was talking about is when you first get the radio according to the instructions,  midland has a lot of the warnings silenced, but not the watches.  That is why I said "got it backwards midland?"  The way I understand the instructions you can silence or not silence any alerts you so choose.   Also, even if an alert is silenced, it will still display the alert message according to the instructions.  Of course all this could vary with the model.   I read they made at least 4 different 300/301 models.

How would they have 'gotten it backwards'?  It's better to err on the side of caution, wouldn't you think?  Not everyone will want the watches silenced.  So leaving them activated was a better choice.

 

[groze]

How would they have 'gotten it backwards'?  It's better to err on the side of caution, wouldn't you think?  Not everyone will want the watches silenced.  So leaving them activated was a better choice.

I guess to each his/her own.   However,  I would prefer it with warnings enabled and watches disabled.   At least you can change the default settings on all watches/warnings/advisories.