National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Working with the Federal Communications Commission's new Emergency Alert System, NWR is an "all hazards" radio network, making it the single source for the most comprehensive weather and emergency information available to the public. NWR now broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards - both natural (such as earthquakes and volcano activity) and technological (such as chemical releases or oil spills).

Some weather radios are equipped with a special tone feature, which can sound an alert and give you immediate information about a life-threatening situation. During an emergency, National Weather Service forecasters will interrupt routine weather radio programming and send out the special tone that activates weather radios in the listening area. The hearing- and visually impaired also can get warnings by connecting weather radios with alarm tones to other kinds of attention- getting devices like strobe lights, pagers, bed-shakers, personal computers and text printers. To make use of the new digital coding technology, more sophisticated weather radio receivers will be required. Most NOAA Weather Radio receivers are either battery-operated portables or AC- powered desktop models with battery backup so they can be used in different situations. Some CB radios, scanners, short wave and AM/FM radios are capable of receiving NOAA Weather radio transmissions. Many communities throughout the United States also make "Weather Radio" available on cable TV and broadcast television secondary audio programming channels.

Weather radios are especially valuable in places that are entrusted with public safety, including hospitals, schools, places of worship, nursing homes, restaurants, grocery stores, recreation centers, office buildings, sports facilities, theaters, retail stores, bus and train stations, airports, marinas and other public-gathering places. To buy a NOAA Weather radio, check with stores that sell electronics. More information is available through the Internet at the National Weather Service's NOAA Weather radio Web site - http:/www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr

Known as the "Voice of the National Weather Service," NWR is provided as a public service by the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. The NWR network has more than 450 transmitters, covering the 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories. NWR requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. Broadcasts are found in the public service band between 162.400 and 162.550 megahertz (MHz).

The seven NWR broadcast frequencies are: 162.400 MHz, 162.425 MHz, 162.450 MHz, 162.475 MHz, 162.500 MHz, 162.525 MHz, and 162.550 MHz. NWR coverage is expanding through our partnership programs with local communities. The following is a list of frequencies and transmitter locations within the state of Georgia:

1. Americus 162.425
2. Athens 162.400
3. Atlanta 162.550
4. Augusta 162.550
5. Baxley 162.525
6. Blue Ridge 162.475
7. Brasstown Bald 162.500
8. Buchanan 162.425
9. Chatsworth 162.400
10. Cleveland 162.525
11. Columbus 162.400
12. Eastman 162.400
13. Eatonton 162.525
14. La Grange 162.450
15. Macon 162.475
16. Pelham 162.550
17. Sandersville 162.450
18. Savannah 162.400
19. Taylor's Ridge 162.450
20. Thomaston 162.500
21. Valdosta 162.500
22. Waycross 162.475
23. Waynesboro 162.425

A consumer grade NOAA Weather radio receiver that can handle the Emergency Alert Signal was recently introduced. The Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME) tone alert can be set for up to 15 counties and can be tuned to all seven NOAA Weather radio frequencies. It includes a digital display, an adjustable volume control for the tone alert signal, an external jack for an antenna and an external alarm. It is certainly a big step toward reducing the number of unwanted tone alarms the individual might receive. The SAME radios are currently available at Radio Shack for approximately $80.