There are many different types of weather radios. When shopping for a weather radio, look for the two most important features:
- Designated weather alert radio
- The NOAA logo
To see if your NOAA weather radio is programmed correctly, listen for a clear audio broadcast, verify your specific county's SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) code in the menu, and listen for the weekly National Weather Service test.
017089.
Kane County is covered by five stations.
One of the popular brands that is found on Amazon is the Midland NOAA radio. You can follow Andrew as he demonstrates how to program this brand.
Quick Verification Steps
- Test the Audio: Press the Weather/Snooze or Weather Bar button. You should hear a clear, continuous automated voice giving local forecasts. If the audio is static-heavy or silent, adjust your channel frequency or fully extend your antenna near a window.
- Check Location/SAME Code: Go to Menu > Set Location > USA > Illinois > Kane to confirm that the region code is entered accurately. If you selected "Any" instead of a specific single county/location, your radio might still work, but setting it to your exact county ensures targeted alerts.
- Check the Weekly Test: Most National Weather Service stations broadcast a mandatory weekly test tone and message usually on Wednesday between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM local time. A properly programmed radio will sound the alert or display a visual test message confirming it received the transmission.
- Look for Warning Signs: Check the screen for error warnings like a blinking "NOAA" icon or a "Check Reception" message, which indicates poor signal strength or that the radio hasn't received a signal update recently
