Weatheradio

Weatheradio Receivers

Weatheradio receivers can be purchased from retailers who specialize in electronics, through selected mail order catalogs, and often from marine equipment suppliers. They come in many sizes with a variety of functions, including an alert feature.

An alert-capable Weatheradio can be preset to beep, flash or switch to broadcast mode when Environment Canada issues a severe weather warning. Some CB radios, scanners, and shortwave radios are able to receiver Weatheradio broadcasts as well but may not have the alert feature. To make use of the latest digital coding technology, a more sophisticated Weatheradio is required. A receiver with Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) capability can be programmed to alert for only specific types of events in the immediate region.

When choosing a Weatheradio receiver, consider what features are important. For example, not all receivers have the alert option; some older models receive only the original 3 frequencies rather than the current 7; and not all units can be battery-operated. In addition only the new programmable receivers have the added capability of being set to activate for only certain types of warnings for a smaller geographic area.

Different models vary in receiver sensitivity and immunity to signal overload and interference. As a result, performance may vary among different units at the same location, particularly on the fringe of the normal reception range.

Where to buy a Weatheradio

Weatheradio receivers can be purchased at many retail stores that sell electronic merchandise. These receivers can also be purchased through selected mail order catalogs and are often sold by boat and marine accessory businesses. Prices vary from $30 to $300, depending on the model. Many, but not all, receivers have the tone alert feature.

A recent development has been the introduction of "Family Radio Service" electronic products. These are basically limited range walkie-talkie radios, but some models also have the capacity to receive Weatheradio signals.

Environment Canada does not endorse any particular make or model of receiver. Environment Canada encourages the use of Weatheradio models that have the tone alert feature. The following is a partial list of Weatheradio retailers and manufacturers. Manufacturers who wish to add their company's information to this page may e-mail weatheradio@ec.gc.ca

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