View Single Post
  #2   Report Post  
Old August 23rd 07, 03:17 PM posted to rec.radio.scanner
Radiosrfun Radiosrfun is offline
external usenet poster
 
First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Oct 2006
Posts: 299
Default FIPS Code. Entering the right one? Why can't I receive alerts??

"Crackles McFarly" wrote in message
...
029047 -- Are you suppose to Begin the code with the Zero?

Is it suppose to be 6 digits and if no number starts the 2nd of 6
digits, you're suppose to add a zero to the front?

A county for example is 21099 as listed with NWS, am I suppose to add
a zero to the front, making it 021099???

I set the radio up this way and did not receive the test signal
weekly. NWS guy told me Wednesdays 10am-noon was the time, it never
happened.
I'm quite concerned that this radio does not seem to currently have
the ability to alert me to even a TEST signal..

It's Midland Model #74-250
Here's the Manual for it
http://www.midlandradio.com/comersus...log/74-250.pdf


thanks if you can help me..


I'm wondering if your area NWS transmitter is "yet" - fixed up for such
transmissions. IF that radio operates (I don't know the unit) - like a "PL"
system, it "should" cut out all transmissions if a code - especially the
wrong one - is entered. The code - would block all transmissions "unless" a
sub audible tone is sent to open the receiver - "or" a tone sent ahead of a
message to open the receiver - depending on it's circuitry - that the radio
is waiting to get. The NWS was going ahead with placing County codes in for
each county so that an alert tone for a specific county could be sent -
rather than a "broad" alert - but the question is, is "all" of those offices
so equipped as yet? Example.... if the radio is on a PL of 151.4 hz, and you
have the radio set to pl (some radios can have pl turned off/set -
manually) - unless that receiver sees 151.4 Hz - either in front of the
message (alert tone) "or" subaudibly during the message - the receiver will
act dead. This "may" not be the "exact" way the radio is set up - but it is
probably as close as I can get to telling you how it "may" be behaving -
based on your issues and the manual - not knowing the radio due to lack of
ownership or schematic.

The manual gives a statement of: "and the "0" indicates the subdivision of
the county. In this case and most cases the code will have a zero for the
first digit, indicating that no subdivision is in use."

Therefore - YOU will have to find someone who knows if there is in fact a
subdivision or not. IF there is - then the "0" - would appear to be
inaccurate - and may need removed. OR experiment with it on "Wednesdays" til
you get it right. Yeah, it can be a pain. If you have no way to reproduce
the signal, it could be a bitch to get it right. There "is" a Phone number
AND internet address which "reportedly" have information on your particular
codes needed - listed in the manual

Are you sure you have the "correct" NWS freq installed? If not, no matter
what "code" you have in - you won't get anything.

It also says "When no icons are displayed, the radio is off. Only time and
temperature is active." Therefore - there will still be "minmal" current
drain from your batteries. I do suggest buying the NiMh batteries and
charging them. You'll pay a bit - but save money as well - in disposables.

I'm not trying to be smart by saying this, but it would be a help if you go
back through the manual and "READ" it - play with buttons, change settings
to get used to them and then set it as you wish - to familiarize yourself
completely with the radio. Once you get to know the radio better- maybe you
can better figure out what the issue is you are having. Not having one in
hand - those of us trying to help - are sort of helpless.

This is about all I can offer - if you keep having issues, try contacting
Midland - http://www.midlandradio.com/ they have a "Contact us" button
there.

I think I'm out of help for you at this stage. Good luck.

L.