Midland Radio Portable Radio 74 250C User Manual

Owners Guide  
Model 74-250(C)  
Digital Weather Receiver with NWR-SAME decoding,  
thermometer and Digital clock with 2 alarms  
 
High Performance Receiver – Receives weather broadcasts up  
to 50 miles from transmitter.  
Dot Matrix LCD display for viewing alert type and monitor  
status.  
Clock displays time and date and has 2 alarms and snooze  
functions.  
Powered from two AA batteries (optional).  
Flexible Antenna – Provides maximum range reception-up to  
50 miles.  
Fully Variable Digital Volume Control – Adjusts audio  
output.  
Compact, Ultra Modern Styling – Small enough to take along.  
Earphone Jack – Allows private listening or remote speaker  
location.  
Charge jack- allows for charging Ni-Cd or Ni- Mh batteries  
(optional).  
CONTROLS:  
Mode – This is a push  
button that switches the  
display from time, date  
and temperature display  
to alarm display. Also is  
used to change the active  
county.  
Set – This button allows  
setting  
of  
various  
functions.  
3
 
Snooze/Function – This is a push button  
that switches between time, date and  
temperature display and alert message  
area. By pressing and holding this button  
you can switch between alert with siren  
voice and alert message, alert message  
only, turn the weather alert off or listen to  
the weather broadcast.  
UP/Down – These buttons allow for  
changing volume and changing  
settings.  
Earphone jack – This jack allows for  
attaching an earphone for private  
listening.  
Charge Jack - This jack allows for  
charging optional NI-Cd (Nickel Cadmium) or Ni-Mh (nickel  
metal hydride) batteries.  
NWR-SAME:  
In 1994, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration  
(NOAA) began broadcasting coded emergency signals that  
identify the specific geographic area (such as a county) affected  
by an emergency. Until that time such specific emergency  
weather information was sent in other ways to broadcast stations  
and others then relayed to the public.  
NOAA transmits the coded weather emergency signals using a  
technique called SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding). The  
4
 
Midland 74-250 7-channel weather/ all hazards monitor is  
designed to receive these SAME transmissions.  
Your Midland 74-250 can be programmed with up to 9 predefined  
county/channels that will define which notices broadcast by your  
local NOAA weather station will cause the radio to alert you.  
This includes warnings, watches and statements of weather and  
other area emergencies, about 40 different types.  
Also included in the SAME message is the amount of time for  
which the message is effective. The 74-250 will continue to  
display the alert until its time expires. In the upper left of the  
display will be the time the alert was received.  
You don’t need to wait for the 74-250 to give you an alert. Just  
find the NWR station broadcasting to your area from the 7  
available channels. You can listen at any time, day or night to the  
latest weather information from the National Weather Service.  
See quick use guide  
What is a FIPS Code?  
The NWR divides the United States and territories by state and  
county (or parish) and assigns a six digit code number called a  
FIPS (Federal Information Processing System) code or also  
known as a NWR/SAME county code. The first digit identifies  
subdivision. The next two identify the state or territory, and the  
last three identify the county. For example the code for Clay  
county Missouri is 029047. The“047” indicates the county, the  
“29” indicates the state, 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. The  
NWS plans to introduce subdivisions of some counties in the  
future, assigning digits 1 through 9 to the parts resulting in codes  
like 529047.  
5
 
Acquiring FIPS codes for the desired Area:  
The FIPS codes can be found by calling the NWS toll free  
number  
1-888-NWS-SAME  
(1-888-697-7263) Please be sure you are dialing the correct  
number  
Automated instructions will guide you to the numbers you  
need.  
The FIPS codes and much more information can be found by  
Note: You might want to obtain the codes for other counties  
close to you or those you might frequently travel through.  
The counties still must be within the coverage area of your  
NWS broadcast.  
This is what to expect when you call the NWS number. You will  
be prompted to enter your state. We suggest spelling the entire  
state to expedite the process. Next you will be prompted to enter  
the county. Again spell the entire county. We suggest you locate  
several counties surrounding you especially the county in the  
direction most of the storms will be coming from. When you have  
entered the county, the system will ask you to confirm what you  
entered is correct. Be ready to write the number. The system tells  
you the number fairly quick but you have the option to have it  
read back to you so you can get the whole number. Remember the  
number will be six digits long usually beginning with a zero.  
INITIAL SETUP  
To Install Batteries:  
1. Hold the radio face down. Press the latch so it swings away  
from the cover.  
6
 
2. Lift the battery cover slightly. Gently slide the cover off the  
unit.  
3. Insert 2 AA batteries observing the proper polarity.  
 Insert the top battery first by inserting the - terminal end of  
the battery first and gently pressing the battery into place.  
Install the second battery by inserting the + terminal into the  
radio first and gently pressing the battery into place.  
4. Replace the battery cover over the batteries and fasten with  
the latch.  
5. For optional rechargeable batteries, please charge for 10-14  
hours before use.  
6. Read and understand the programming instructions before  
attempting programming.  
Display Backlight  
When any buttons are pressed the backlight will be activated for  
about 5 seconds. For additional seconds of viewing time with  
back-light, press and release “SET” button.  
Programming  
This radio has 9 memory locations. Each memory location allows  
you to store one county code and one channel associated with the  
county code. The radio will initially be programmed as follows:  
The FIPS code 999999 is the  
all county code. You may  
continue to use this code that  
allows the radio to receive  
all alerts regardless of  
county. By selection of one  
of the memory locations, you  
may find the best NWS  
channel to listen to.  
Memory Code  
Channel  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
999999  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
1
999999  
999999  
999999  
999999  
999999  
999999  
999999  
999999  
7
 
When you have finished with entering the county code and the  
channel associated with it, the radio will automatically revert back  
to the last county the radio was on. This means that when you  
finish with programming a county/channel you must be sure of  
the memory location you programmed. If you programmed  
county 2 and the radio was on county 1, when you are finished  
programming the radio it will be on location 1. You must cause  
the radio to switch to the county you just stored in a memory  
other than 1. Below are detailed instructions on programming the  
radio.  
Before programming the radio, we suggest turning off the  
NOAA receiver. To temporally deactivate the receiver, press and  
hold the SNOOZE/FUNC button until you do not see the NOAA  
or any of the speaker icons associated with it. The display should  
look like this...  
Alert display  
or like this…  
Clock display  
Use this mode also when monitoring for alerts is not required.  
Battery life will be much greater.  
Enter the county code and NWS channel into memory  
 When you receive this radio it is programmed with the “all  
county” code 999999. You may continue to use this code  
which allows the radio to receive all alerts regardless of the  
county.  
 Your 74-250 is supplied with a booklet that lists most of  
the NWS frequencies and the major cities they are in. Find  
the desired city and the frequency associated with it and  
refer to the list at the bottom of this section and program as  
desired. Do not enter the frequency (162.xxx) as a county  
code.  
8
 
From the clock display:  
1. Press and release the FUNC/SNOOZEonce to change from  
clock to alert display.  
You will see on the display in most cases NO  
MESSAGEscrolling across the screen. This message will  
depend on if you have received any alerts recently. Above  
the message you will see on the right center of the display  
COUNTYfollowed by a number (1-9) (as described  
earlier). This number is the county/channel location  
presently in use.  
2. Press and hold SETbutton until you see six digits on the  
display. The number next to the word COUNTYwill flash.  
 The six numbers are the county (fips) code. Refer to the  
instructions above on how to acquire the FIPS code  
2. Press the UPbutton to select the county code/memory  
location you desire (1-9). This number will flash indicating  
you are able to change that digit.  
There are nine county code/channel memory locations  
available. Each location can have a different county code  
and channel if desired.  
4. Press and release the set button. The first digit of the county  
code will flash indicating you are able to change that digit.  
Each press of the SETbutton will allow you to change  
each digit with the “UP/DOWNbuttons on the side of the  
radio. The digits will flash indicating you can change that digit  
5. Press and release the UP/DOWNbuttons to change the  
digit.  
6. Press and release the SETbutton to move to the next digit.  
9
 
7. After setting the 6th-digit of the county code, press SET”  
once, the number will flash next to CH.  
8. Press and release the UP/DOWNbutton to select the  
channel (1-7).  
9. Press and release SETone time to end programming.  
 When no buttons have been pressed for 10 seconds, the  
current setting is stored and the display switches to alert  
display mode automatically. If after 30 seconds there has  
been no buttons pressed the radio will switch to clock mode.  
Channel Frequency  
(MHz)  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
162.400  
162.425  
162.450  
162.475  
162.500  
162.525  
162.550  
Setting the “County” to listen to.  
 After setting the county or counties desired you now must  
select one to listen to.  
From the Weather message display:  
1. Press and hold the MODEbutton until you see the 6 digit  
county code on the display. The number next to the word  
COUNTY will flash. Press the UP/DOWNbuttons to select  
the county location number desired.  
10  
 
2. Press and release the MODEbutton to restore the radio to  
alert mode.  
Setting how your Radio alerts you  
NOTE:  
The National Weather Radio service operates  
Weather Broadcast systems covering a large area of the  
United States. Some areas are not included. Check the  
directory enclosed for weather broadcast availability.  
Your 74-250 can receive broadcasts from the Weather Stations up  
to 50 miles. Hills and certain terrain can reduce reception. If your  
city is listed as having a Weather Service Station but you do not  
receive it please call your local Weather Service to confirm they  
are broadcasting (Sometimes these stations are shut down for  
maintenance).  
Setting the Clock and Temperature units  
From the clock display:  
Press and release FUNC/SNOOZE first if in alert mode.  
1. Press and hold the “SET” button, the hours will flash.  
2. Press and release the “UP or Down” button to set the hours.  
3. Press and release the “SET” button the minutes will flash.  
4. Press and release the “UP or Down” button to set the minutes.  
5. Press and release the “SET” button a HR12 or HR24 will be  
displayed depending on previous setting.  
 The HR12 indicates the 12-hour format. The HR24  
indicates military 24-hour format.  
6. Press and release the “UP or Down” button to select the  
desired format.  
7. Press and release the “SET” button, the F or C will flash next  
to the temperature.  
11  
 
 F is for Fahrenheit and C is for Celsius.  
8. Press and release the “UP or Down” button to select F or C.  
9. Press and release the “SET” button to store your selection and  
return to clock mode.  
 The day of the week will be correct when you set the Date.  
When no buttons have been pressed for 10 seconds, the  
current setting is confirmed and the radio switches to alert  
display mode automatically. If after 30 seconds there has  
been no buttons pressed the radio will revert to clock mode.  
Setting the Date  
From the Clock display  
1. Press and release the “MODE” button, the Date will be  
displayed.  
2. Press and hold the “SET” button, the Year will flash.  
3. Press and release the UP/DOWNbutton, to select the Year.  
4. Press and release the “SET” button, the Month will flash.  
5. Press and release the UP/DOWNbutton to select the Month.  
6. Press and release the “SET” button, the Day will flash.  
7. Press and release the UP/DOWNbutton, to select the Day.  
8. Press and release the “SET” button, to return to the Date  
display.  
Setting the Alarms  
 There are two alarms available. They are identified with a  
number one and a number two inside of a bell that is  
displayed next to the temperature.  
From the clock display:  
1. Press and release the “MODE” button (usually twice) until  
you see the bell icon on the display with a 1. This is displayed  
in the upper center of the display. The time is followed by AL.  
 The bell icon with the number is the alarm you will be  
setting.  
 
1. Press and hold the “SET” button until the hour is flashing.  
Press the “UP or DOWN” buttons to set the hour.  
2. Press and release the “SET” button, the minutes will flash.  
Press and release the “UP or DOWN” buttons to change the  
minutes.  
3. Press and release the “SET” button when setting is  
complete.  
To set the second alarm press “MODE” button to cause the bell  
icon with a 2 to be displayed and repeat the steps above.  
Turning On or Off the Alarms  
It is possible to turn on or off one or both of the alarms.  
From the clock display:  
1. Press and release the “MODE” button (two or three times  
depending on which alarm you want to turn off) to see the bell  
icon on the display flashing with the number inside. The number  
will be the alarm you are turning off.  
2. Press and hold the “SET” button until the hours flash.  
3. Press and release the “SNOOZE/FUNC” button. The display  
will flash OFF.  
4. Press “SET” to set the alarm to the off position.  
5. To turn the alarm (s) back on follow the steps under Setting  
the Alarms.  
Turning on the Alarm (s)  
From the clock display:  
1. Press and release the “MODE” button (two or three times  
depending on which alarm you want to turn on) until you see  
the bell icon on the display with the number of the alarm you  
13  
 
want. You will see on the display OFF.  
2. Press and hold the “SET” button until the OFF flashes.  
3. Press and release the “SNOOZE/FUNC” button to cause the  
alarm time to be displayed. The hours will flash indicating  
you can set as desired. Follow the instructions above to set the  
alarm.  
LISTENING TO WEATHER BROADCASTS  
These icons indicate the receiving mode.  
To change modes, press and hold the  
SNOOZE/FUNC button until the desired  
mode is displayed.  
1. This icon indicates that weather alerts will only display and  
not sound.  
2. This icon indicates the weather receive is in voice mode.  
3. This icon indicates normal alert monitoring mode.  
 When no icons are displayed, the radio is off. Only time  
and temperature are active. You can extend your battery  
life if this mode is used when you do not require weather  
alerts.  
 With icon 2 and 3 displayed the broadcast is heard and  
the radio is in alert mode. When an alert is received the  
LED on the top of the radio flashes Red and the alert type  
will scroll across the display.  
 With icon 1 and 3 displayed the speaker is muted. When  
an alert is received the siren or voice will not be heard. The  
LED on top of the radio will flash Red and the alert type  
will scroll across the display.  
 With only icon 3 displayed the speaker is muted. When an  
alert is received, the siren is heard then the speaker is un-  
muted and the broadcast will be heard for 5 minutes, the  
alert type will scroll across the display. If you do not desire  
14  
 
to listen to the broadcast for the 5 minutes press and release  
the “Snooze/Func” button to mute the speaker.  
USING THE ALERT FUNCTION:  
When your 74-250 receives alert, an audible alert tone is heard  
(depending on settings) and the display will scroll showing the  
nature of the alert, watch, warning, statement, and the time the  
alert was received. The audio will be turned on (depending on  
settings) to allow you to hear the broadcast. The LED on top of  
the radio will flash red indicating the radio has received an alert.  
The alert duration can be between 15  
minutes and 6 hours. This duration is  
determined by the NWS.  
NWR Alert Descriptions  
This table contains the NWR descriptions of all the types of alerts  
that your 74-250 will display. The display text and type of alert  
sound are shown for each type of alert  
What You See  
Alert Sound  
Tornado Watch  
Tornado Warning  
Fast siren  
Very fast siren  
Fast siren  
Very fast siren  
Fast siren  
Severe Thunderstorm Watch  
Sever Thunderstorm Warning  
Flash Flood Watch  
Flash Flood Warning  
Flood Watch  
Very fast siren  
Fast siren  
Flood Warning  
Very fast siren  
Fast siren  
Very fast siren  
Very fast siren  
Fast siren  
Winter Storm Watch  
Winter Storm Warning  
Blizzard Warning  
High Wind Watch  
15  
 
High Wind Warning  
Hurricane Warning  
Hurricane Watch  
Very fast siren  
Very fast siren  
Fast siren  
Coastal Flood Watch  
Fast siren  
Coastal Flood Warning  
Special Marine Warning  
Avalanche Watch  
Very fast siren  
Very fast siren  
Fast siren  
Avalanche Warning  
Very fast siren  
Fast siren  
Volcano Watch  
Vlocano Warning  
Very fast siren  
Very fast siren  
Very fast siren  
Fast siren  
Immediate Evacuation Warning  
Shelter in Place Warning  
Civil Danger Watch  
Civil Danger Warning  
Radiological Hazard Watch  
Radiological Hazard Warning  
Hazardous Material Watch  
Hazardous Material Warning  
Law Enforcement Warning  
Fire Warning  
Tune Tv (unknown watch)  
Tune Tv (unknown warning)  
Local Area Emergency  
Severe Weather Statement  
Special Weather Statement  
Flash Flood Statement  
Hurricane Statement  
Very fast siren  
Fast siren  
Very fast siren  
Fast siren  
Very fast siren  
Very fast siren  
Very fast siren  
Fast siren  
Very fast siren  
Very fast siren  
Beeps  
Beeps  
Beeps  
Beeps  
The SAME message the NWR sends contains information, which  
tells the radio the time period for which the alert is valid. The  
time can be set from 15 minutes up to 6 hours and what type of  
16  
 
the alert is issued. When the designated time has passed the  
display message and LED will be reset to their normal state.  
Reviewing Overlapping Alerts  
The 74-250 radio can store up to five different alerts (with  
overlapping effective times) in its memory. If the radio receives a  
new alert while a previous alert is still in effect, the radio  
automatically displays the alert description and sounds the alert  
for the new alert message. To scroll backward and forward  
through the radio’s memory and review all the effective alerts,  
press the “UP /DOWN” Buttons. Each alert will be displayed  
with the time it was received.  
When a Test or Demo Alert Occurs  
NWR sends a weekly test and occasional demonstration signals  
to let everyone with weather monitor receivers verify the  
operation of their equipment.  
To find out the test schedule of for your area, contact the local  
NOAA or NWS office. Look for the number under US  
Government, Department of Commerce.  
The following alert descriptions are for testing only.  
What You See  
Required Weekly Test  
What You Hear  
Beeps  
Required Monthly Test  
System Demo  
Beeps  
Beeps  
National Periodic Test  
No sound  
As the NWS adds new alert capabilities your radio is set to  
receive them and alert you automatically with no modifications.  
17  
 
TROUBLESHOOTING  
Problem  
Suggestion(s)  
Check that the batteries are  
installed correctly and the  
batteries are good.  
No power.  
No sound.  
Check VOLUME setting  
Ensure that the county has the  
correct channel.  
No weather broadcast when  
you press Snooze/Func button  
Ensure that the radio is set to  
the NOAA weather channel in  
use in your area. Contact  
NOAA to ensure they are  
presently broadcasting.  
Ensure that the correct  
One or more FIPS codes are  
stored in memory but the radio ‘County’ (FIPS and channel  
responds to alerts for areas  
other than those for the codes  
stored.  
setting) selected.  
The radio is not responding  
Ensure that you have  
properly to NWS weather alert programmed the correct FIPS  
broadcasts  
code(s) into the radio’s  
memory.  
18  
 
NOTES AND  
MAINTENANCE  
1.  
The typical weather (162MHz) reception distance will  
range from 25-50 miles depending on your location and  
conditions of weather, terrain, etc. Also, some Weather  
Stations operate at much higher power levels than others  
and have their transmitting towers on the top of high  
buildings or hills. If reception in your area is not good,  
check with your local dealer for assistance and ask about  
typical reception range in your area. Also try different  
locations to find a place of good reception.  
2.  
3.  
If Weather Stations cannot be heard on any channel,  
contact your local National Weather Service office to  
verify that the station is on the air and also verify the  
CHANNEL (Frequency) and location of the weather  
station.  
All National Weather Service stations periodically  
transmit an Alert test signal. Some broadcast only once a  
week and others more often. You can always find out  
when the test signal is broadcast by calling the U.S.  
Weather Service's phone number for your local NOAA  
station.  
4.  
Mobile home reception is difficult due to the metallic  
structure preventing reception. Put your 74-250 near a  
window.  
19  
 
FCC Compliance Information  
Midland NWR-SAME Weather Monitor  
Model 74-250  
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is  
subject to the following two conditions:  
This device may not cause harmful interference.  
This device must accept any interference received including  
interference that may cause undesired operation.  
For compliance information contact:  
Midland Radio Corporation  
1120 Clay St.  
North Kansas City, MO 64116  
Tel: (816) 241-8500  
20  
 
SPECIFICATIONS  
Specifications are nominal and subject to change.  
GENERAL  
Frequency Range  
(162.40, 162.425, 162.45, 162.475, 162.50,  
162.525, 162.55MHz)  
Number of WX Channels  
…………….7  
Input Voltage .........................................3 Volts DC  
Dimensions ….. 73mm W x 105mm H x 30mm D  
(2 7/8 x 4 1/8 x 1 1/4 in.)  
Battery life (alkaline):6 to12 days monitoring, up to 6 months in  
clock mode.  
Battery life (Ni-cad): 2 to 4 days monitoring, up to 2 months in  
clock mode.  
RECEIVER  
20 dB Quieting Sensitivity…………...…..0.5 uV  
FIPS Code Sensitivity @5kHz Dev..…….0.5uV  
Channel Selectivity ………..................±25kHz, 30dB  
Speaker Impedance ……………......…..4 ohms  
Power Output @10%THD........................150 mW max.  
21  
 
SERVICE:  
If it ever becomes necessary to return your 74-250 for service:  
1.Pack the unit in its original box and packing. Pack the original  
box in a suitable shipping carton along with the following.  
Improper packing may result in damage during shipment.  
2.Include a full description of any problems and a daytime  
telephone number.  
3. For warranty service include a photocopy of the bill of sale or  
other proof of purchase showing the date of sale.  
4.Include a money order for $7.50 to cover shipping and handling  
(this may not be required in some states).  
You do not need to return accessory items (AC/DC Adapter,  
Owners Guide) unless they maybe directly related to the problem.  
A flat rate of $45.00 will apply to repairs not covered by warranty  
or units that are over one year old. Send only cashiers check,  
money order or Master Card or Visa card number.  
Midland Radio Corporation  
1120 Clay St.  
North Kansas City, Mo. 64116  
Tele. 816-241-8500  
22  
 
ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY  
Midland Radio Corporation will repair or replace, at its option  
without charge, your 74-250 weather alert radio which fails due  
to a defect in material or workmanship within one year  
following the initial consumer purchase.  
This warranty does not include any antennas, prior service  
attempts, liquid damage, abuse or misuse.  
Performance of any obligation under this warranty may be  
obtained by returning the warranted product, freight prepaid,  
along with a copy of the original sales receipt, to Midland Radio  
Corporation, Warranty Service Department, 1120 Clay St. North  
Kansas City, Missouri 64116, or to the place of purchase (if a  
participating dealer).  
Warranty information may be obtained by writing  
Midland Consumer Radio, Warranty Service Department.  
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also  
have other rights, which vary, from state to state.  
Note: The above warranty applies only to merchandise  
purchased in the United States of America or any of the  
territories or possessions thereof, or from a U.S. Military  
exchange. For warranty coverage on merchandise  
purchased elsewhere ask your dealer.  
Midland Radio Corporation  
1120 Clay St.  
North Kansas City, Mo. 64116  
Tel: (816) 241-8500  
23  
Printed in China  
 
FIPS codes  
Use this space to record the FIPS codes and weather radio  
channels you have programmed into your 74-250-weather  
monitor.  
Co. Code  
Channel Location  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
24  
 

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