Weatheradio

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Weatheradio different than commercial radio broadcasts?

Two things -- it provides continuous weather information 24 hours a day and, more importantly, a Weatheradio receiver in standby mode can turn itself on to notify you of impending severe weather. You don't have to be tuned in to a particular commercial station at the precise moment they air the weather bulletin to be informed of weather hazards.

What are these SAME codes?

A unique SAME code (Specific Area Message Encoding) is used to identify each type of weather hazard and a second set of codes identifies specific geographic areas. This allows listeners to pre-program their Weatheradio receivers to alert them of only selected types of events for just the local area.

Will the receiver I bought a few years ago still work?

An older style of receiver will still pick up the audio Weatheradio broadcast. However some older models have only the original 3 frequencies rather than the current 7. While the older models will continue to work, only a newer receiver with digital SAME capabilities will allow the choice of which alerts to receive.

If I haven't heard an alert message lately, how do I know if my receiver still works?

Once a month, a test message is transmitted from each Weatheradio site to give listeners an opportunity to confirm that their equipment is in good working order. The timing may vary in different regions but is normally near noon on the first Wednesday of each month.

How can I find out if my location is covered by Weatheradio service?

Follow the link to Find A Transmitter and select your region. The signal is normally received for approximately a 60 km radius around the transmitter location.

How can I find out what the SAME codes are for my area or for particular types of warnings?

Follow this link to the Find A CLC page and note the 6-digit codes for your local area or adjacent regions, and to the SAME page for the alphanumeric codes for events that are of interest. Then follow the manufacturer's directions for programming. For help in determining the appropriate codes, call 416-739-4369 and someone will assist you.

I am a recreational boater. Will Canadian Location Codes (CLC) also be transmitted for my lake?

Initially, CLC codes will only be broadcast for public warning regions. Codes for marine warning areas (oceans, large lakes and major rivers) will be implemented with the start of the 2006 navigation season.

Which specific lakes and rivers will be covered?

Environment Canada provides warnings on the following lakes : Athabasca, Winnipegosis, Manitoba, Winnipeg, Lake of the Woods, the Great Lakes, Nipigon, North Channel, Nipissing, Simcoe, Champlain, Memphrémagog, Saint-Jean, and Great Slave; and on the following rivers : St Lawrence, Richelieu, Saguenay, and MacKenzie.

Where can I find a list of SAME event codes?

A listing of SAME event codes can be found on the SAME webpage.

Where can I find a listing of CLC codes for my area?

A listing of CLC codes for MSC public regions can be found at the Find A Transmitter & CLC Code. CLC codes for MSC marine areas will be published in early 2006.

When will the Weatheradio network begin transmitting non-weather related emergency alerts in addition to the usual weather alerts?

Initially, only weather-related SAME event and CLC codes will be transmitted. SAME/CLC codes for other types of emergencies will be added to the broadcast sequence over the next few years as other governmental agencies obtain the ability to transmit their alerts on the Weatheradio network. As new types of emergency alerts are added to the broadcasts, a notification will be published in the "What's New" section.

Where can I get a Weatheradio receiver?

Weatheradio receivers can be found in many electronics stores. A partial list of suppliers can be found on the Weatheradio receivers page.

How much does a Weatheradio cost?

Prices start at around $50 but will vary depending on the quality of the receiver and the number of features it has.

What features should I look for in a receiver?

The most desirable feature is the alert capability. This will activate receivers that are in standby mode if a weather warning is issued, without your having to continuously monitor the broadcast. The new programmable receivers have the added capability of being set to activate for only certain types of warnings for a smaller geographic area, taking advantage of the latest technology. In addition, the radio should be able to receive all 7 frequencies, as most older models with only 3 frequencies will not work in all areas. A final option to consider is whether the unit can be battery-operated outdoors or during power outages.

Can I get Weatheradio broadcasts in my boat or car?

Yes. Most marine radios include at least the 3 original Weatheradio frequencies but without the alert capability; several automobile manufacturers equip new vehicles with radios that include Weatheradio frequencies; some electronics companies sell in-dash units that also include the Weatheradio option; and lastly, many of the citizen band (CB) radios also have a Weatheradio option now. And, of course, handheld Weatheradios can be operated while mobile in the car or boat.

Will my Weatheradio bought in Canada work in the U.S.?

Yes. Canada and the U.S. use the same VHF frequencies to transmit Weatheradio broadcasts. The tone alert and SAME code features will also work in the U.S. as these are standard across all of North America. There are over 900 NOAA Weather Radio stations in the U.S. For a complete listing, check out the U.S. National Weather Service's NOAA Weather Radio website.

Will my Weather Radio bought in the U.S. work in Canada

Yes. The U.S. and Canada use the same VHF frequencies to transmit Weatheradio broadcasts. The tone alert and SAME code features will also work in Canada as these are standard across all of North America.

Will my Weatheradio work outside of Canada & the U.S.?

No, with the exception of Bermuda and the outlying U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and the Northern Marianas. Information on Bermuda's broadcast can be found at the Bermuda Harbour Radio website. Information on the U.S. territories can be found at the NOAA Weather Radio website.

I have a Weatheradio receiver that displays weather channels 1, 2, etc. rather than frequencies such as 162.400. How do I convert between channels and frequencies?

Channel numbers directly correspond to Weatheradio frequencies. There are actually two different numbering systems. The original channel numbering scheme is still used on some Weatheradios and on most marine radios. In that system, Channel 1 corresponds to the original Weatheradio frequency 162.550; Channel 2 and 3 are 162.400 and 162.475 respectively; Channels 4, 5, 6 and 7 are the most recently added frequencies of 162.425, 162.450, 162.500 and 162.525 respectively. In the newer scheme (not in widespread use yet), Channels 1 through 7 are assigned to the frequencies from 162.400 through to 162.550 in numerical order. Check your owner's manual to see which system is used by your Weatheradio. These channels may be prefixed by letters such as WX or WB.

I live on the coast of British Columbia and on one of the Weatheradio channels, I can hear a station that calls itself 'Coast Guard Radio'. Is this the same as Weatheradio?

No, but they do broadcast some weather information. These stations, that generally broadcast in the VHF marine band (a different band from Weatheradio), share the use of the Weatheradio frequencies along the B.C. coast. They are operated for marine interests by the Canadian Coast Guard. They do include Environment Canada marine forecasts and warnings as part of their broadcasts, but do not broadcast warning alert tones or SAME codes like Weatheradio Canada stations do, nor do they broadcast inland forecasts or warnings. For a listing of these stations, check the Canadian Coast Guard website.

One day, I turned on my Weatheradio and instead of receiving my local station, a more distant station was coming in instead. Why was this happening?

On rare occasions, atmospheric conditions enhance all VHF signals beyond their normal range and thus cause increased interference and competition among stations. These conditions are most common during the warmer months of the year in the western part of a high pressure system. They are caused by a weather phenomenon known as a temperature inversion, where warm dry air sits on top of a relatively cooler and more humid airmass. During these events, you may need to re-orientate your antenna to bring back reception of your local station. If these conditions happen frequently at your location, you may want to consider installing a directional outdoor antenna aimed at your local station, or try connecting to an existing outdoor TV antenna.

How can I make an external antenna to improve my signal reception?

The antenna will be similar to the type you use for your stereo: a two-conductor piece of wire. Where the wire reaches the wall, split the wire conductors to form a sideways T, with one wire stretching up vertically towards the ceiling as high as possible, and the other wire stretching down in the opposite direction aimed at the floor. Both sections should be about 46 cm long. You can also tap into your regular outside or inside TV antenna. For the best possible reception, install a vertically-polarized made-for-VHF antenna outdoors as high as possible, on the roof or on a tower.

The Green Lane^TM,
Environment Canada's World Wide Web Site.