Radio Shack HTX-420 - Manual (Page 9)

9
them to potentially ignore real weather
warnings that can save lives.
In 1994, NOAA began broadcasting SAME
(Specific Area Message Encoding) codes
along with their standard weather broadcasts
from local stations in your area. SAME codes
identify the type of emergency and the
specific geographic area (such as a county)
affected by the emergency. Your transceiver
receives, interprets, and displays information
about the codes so you can determine if the
emergency might affect your area. Only
SAME-compatible radios (such as this
transceiver) are able to take advantage of
this new technology.
Each SAME code identifies a specific
geographic area (defined by the National
Weather Service [NWS]), so your transceiver
sounds an alert only when a weather
emergency is declared in that area. This
helps you more efficiently track the weather
conditions in and around your area.
7 0&'456#0&+0) "5#/'"% 1&'5
For the purpose of broadcasting weather
information, the NWS divided the United
States into regions by state and county (or
parish, where applicable) then assigned a
six-digit SAME code to identify each county
or parish. For example, the code for Tarrant
County, Texas, is 048439.
The first digit in a SAME code identifies the
county subdivision, the next two digits identify
the state, and the last three digits identify the
county or parish.
± ± ± ±
Your transceiver can receive all SAME alert
signals broadcast within about a 40-mile
radius. To receive SAME alerts and
broadcasts about weather occurring only in
particular counties within that area, you can
program up to nine SAME codes into the
transceiver’s memory (see “Entering Your
Area’s SAME Codes” on Page 9). For
example, this lets you avoid hearing an alert
that applies to an area within a 40-mile radius
but not necessarily to your county or parish.
6 740+0) " 10 " 6*' "5#/'"# .'46
When your local weather station broadcasts
a weather alert signal, the transceiver sounds
an alert tone and displays an alert code for 5
seconds, showing the level of alert being
broadcast. Follow these steps to turn on the
alert.
1. Repeatedly press to select the
weather mode.
2. Repeatedly press
6
or
7
until
I7C; I7C; I7C; I7C;
appears.
3. Press
8
or
9
to select
ed ed ed ed
.
r
appears.
4. Press or PTT to store the setting.
The transceiver displays one of the following
codes when it receives an alert signal.
M7HD M7HD M7HD M7HD
for Warning
M7J9> M7J9> M7J9> M7J9>
for Watches
IJCJ IJCJ IJCJ IJCJ
for Statement
J;IJ J;IJ J;IJ J;IJ
for Test
The weather alert operates only when the
transceiver is in weather mode.
± ± ± ±
' 06'4+0) "; 174 "# 4'# N 5 "5#/'"
% 1&'5
You can store up to nine SAME codes. Refer
to the SAME codes at http://
www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/indexnw.htm. for the
corresponding codes for any specific area
you wish to monitor for weather warnings or
watches.
1. Repeatedly press
6
or
7
until
7H;7 7H;7 7H;7 7H;7
appears. If no SAME codes are stored in
memory, _ _ _ _ _ _ and
7' 7' 7' 7'
appear.
2. Repeatedly press
8
or
9
to select the
desired memory location (A1–A9).
3. Enter your area’s SAME code using the
number keys.
If you want to enter another SAME code,
repeat Steps 2 and 3.
4. Press or PTT to store the code and
exit.
7 5+0) " 6*' "' .'%6410+% "
%
1/2#55
Your transceiver has an electronic compass
that can display two digits of direction such
as SE or NW and up to three digits of
directional angle such as 360°, 180°, 90°, or
45° in five degree steps.
You must calibrate the electronic compass
before using it.
1. Turn off the transceiver.
2. Place the transceiver horizontally on a
flat surface that does not give off
electrical or magnetic interference.
3. Hold down COMP and press PWR .
4. Place your index finger on the side of the
transceiver’s antenna and turn the
transceiver clockwise or
counterclockwise, twice, smoothly and
continuously. Take 8 to 9 seconds to
complete a circle.
5. Press PTT or . ± ± ± ±
To use the electronic compass press
F + COMP ( H/L ) to see the magnetic direction.
The display provides 8 primary directions;
DDDD
,
D; D; D; D;
,
;;;;
,
I; I; I; I;
,
IIII
,
IM IM IM IM
,
M M M M
, and
DM DM DM DM
. If you press any
key, the compass display disappears.
± ± ± ±
± ± ± ±
"016'"
± ± ± ±
"
Understanding SAME Codes
Most SAME codes begin with 0, which means
the code represents an entire county. The NWS
plans to eventually subdivide some large
counties. When that happens, each subdivision
will be assigned a digit from 1 through 9,
resulting in codes such as 148439, 248439, and
so on.
Turning on the SAME Alert
• When the SAME code is detected, the audio
is muted.
• If you do not program any SAME codes into
the transceiver’s memory, the transceiver
detects all SAME signals when the SAME
function is on.
Using the Electronic Compass
• The compass is not intended to be used as a
scientific instrument. The accuracy of the
compass is affected by environmental
factors in the area where the radio is being
used.
9E#;HH 9E#;HH 9E#;HH 9E#;HH
appears when the transceiver
does not detect compass data. If
9E#;HH 9E#;HH 9E#;HH 9E#;HH
appears, repeat Steps 1–5 to re-calibrate the
compass.
• To use the electronic compass feature, you
need to hold the transceiver within 30
degrees of a horizontal position.