Straight from the Heart Advice from
WBIR Chief Meteorologist Todd Howell:
The Importance of Weather Radios

Severe weather can happen anytime during the year, not just in the spring.  Every home needs a working Weather Radio. Statistics show that in today's society the majority of citizens get their severe weather information from television, but what about the times when your television isn't on, say for example in the middle of the night while you are sleeping? This is where a working Weather Radio can save your life during severe weather...day or night. These radios are affordable, and are well worth the investment. That's why the WBIR Weather Center is teaming with Kroger and the Midland Radio Corporation to offer Midland Digital weather radios at a reduced price at 22 area Kroger stores, as well as on WBIR.com   For $29.99, you'll get a Midland Digital NOAA Weather Radio.  This radio is state of the art and gives you and your family the vital protection you need during severe weather.

The Midland Digital All Hazards NOAA Weather Radio has a number of special features. First and foremost this radio has a tone alarm. This is really a big key to the whole equation and radios without this feature are unable to alert you during severe weather. When the radio is in alert mode, it is on but silent, listening for the special tone that the National Weather Service puts out when a watch or warning is issued that will activate the alarm on your radio. This will serve as an "alarm clock" for you relative to severe weather, especially when you are sleeping or away from your television. Once you receive the alarm, you can listen to the radio message and tune into the WBIR Weather Center for the latest information.

The radio also has the S.A.M.E. technology which stands for Specific Area Message Encoding and it allows the user to program their radio so that they get alerts for a SPECIFIC county or counties! For example if you want Knox County watches and warnings only, you are able to program this radio to accomplish that. You can program your radio with as many or as few counties as you like. The Midland Digital Weather Radio has a battery backup. This is critical in case of a loss of power, which can happen when severe weather occurs.

Pass the word along to family and friends that these radios are available now at area Kroger stores and on WBIR.com.  Also, log onto WBIR.com for help in programming your radio.  Just like a smoke detector against fires, this radio is the best and cheapest life insurance policy you can buy for yourself and your family against severe weather.  As an added bonus, part of the proceeds from purchase of a weather radio will go to benefit the American Red Cross to aid in disaster relief.

Todd Howell, Chief Meteorologist

Quick Start Instructions:
 
1. Place  3 AA alkaline batteries (not supplied) into the compartment on underside of radio.
    (Note: Batteries are important because they provide emergency power for the radio in case of a
    power outage.)

2.  Plug the AC Adapter into a standard house outlet. Plug the other end of the adapter into the DC jack on the back of the radio.

3.  Pull out antenna and extend to its full length above the weather radio. 

4.  Ensure the radio’s weather mode is on by clicking the switch on the right side of the radio to “ON”.

5.  Program the Weather/Hazard Channel for your Area-
     (A).  Turn switch on side of radio to “ON”. 
     (B).  Press “MENU”.
     (C).  Press “UP” arrow until “CHANNEL” is displayed.
     (D).  Press “SELECT”.
     (E).  Press “UP” arrow until you hear the broadcast of your station.
     (F).  Press “SELECT” to save station selection.
     (G).  Press “MENU” to close menu mode.  Toturn Weather/Hazard broad- 
            cast on again, press “WEATHER/SNOOZE”. 

You are now able to receive weather alerts for your area and surrounding areas. Tonarrow the alerts to just your county, see page 8 to program the S.A.M.E. code for your county into the radio.

6.  Press the WEATHER/SNOOZE button to turn on the weather radio.  Then press the “UP” or
     “DOWN” volume button to select desired listening level. (Note: Turning the volume all the way
      down [where no bars show] puts the radio into silent mode.)