Why aren't US/Canada radios required to tune in to weather radio frequencies?

[ZLoth]

So, I have a stupid question.... if NOAA weather radio and Weatherradio Canada is used to convey critical weather information and both use the same frequencies, why aren't radio manufacturers required to make the radios tune in to those frequencies?  Often, you have to get specialized radios such as the Sangean radio, but standard AM/FM radios do not have those frequencies.

[briantroutman]

While the FCC governs all aspects of broadcasting radio signals rather strictly, they seem to have a more hands-off attitude regarding the reception of them. So it's not so much that the FM receiver you buy at your local store picks up 87.9-107.9 MHz because government regulations dictated it so, but rather, other government regulations dictated that the broadcasters transmit within those ranges, and electronics manufacturers are just making radios that can pick up the frequencies that you, the consumer, want to receive.

So in that spirit, the government hasn't mandated that all radio receivers pick up weather frequencies–and they haven't mandated that all radios carry both AM and FM either. Of course radio manufacturers are free to add the weather radio frequencies if they wish–and I have seen several home and car radios thad do–but the truth is that most of the public couldn't care less about weather radio.

I think it's all a moot point, anyway, because the EAS can (and often does) break into any terrestrial broadcast to relay severe weather watches and warnings, and emergency alerts are now coming through avenues like the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS), too.

[kkt]

Because commercial broadcasters would rather you listened to their commercial-filled broadcasts to get your weather information, rather than getting it direct from the government that provides the information.  Socialism, you know.

[hbelkins]

My family had a weather radio years ago. The major problem with it was it would go off anytime there was a watch or warning in the entire area covered by the NWS office, not just our county.

[roadman]

My family had a weather radio years ago. The major problem with it was it would go off anytime there was a watch or warning in the entire area covered by the NWS office, not just our county.

Nearly all weather radios now (except for the el-cheapo tuneable multi-band radios that include the weather frequencies) incorporate a NOAA-supported feature called SAME (don't know if WeatherCanada has a similar feature).  SAME allows you to program county-specific subfrequencies into the radio, so you receive alerts targeted only for those specific counties you want.

[DaBigE]

Because commercial broadcasters would rather you listened to their commercial-filled broadcasts to get your weather information, rather than getting it direct from the government that provides the information.  Socialism, you know.

Commercial radio stations, yes, however many television stations around here (even ones that have a radio sister-station) advocate purchasing a NOAA weather radio--some even going as far as to sponsor giveaways.

My family had a weather radio years ago. The major problem with it was it would go off anytime there was a watch or warning in the entire area covered by the NWS office, not just our county.

As roadman said, they've mostly eliminated that problem with the newer radios. Just look for one that lists S.A.M.E. as one of its features, and you'll be down to receiving just the alerts you want (you can tune out certain warnings if you like), just for the county(s) you want. Unfortunately, they're not to the level of being able to integrate the new polygon-based warning method that the NWS has switched to.

Some newer cell phones include a version of this technology as well, but it varys greatly by carrier.

[roadman]

DaBieE's comment about improved and more specific NOAA warning systems reminds me of an old Beverly Hillbillies episode.  Drysdale, in one of his plots to keep the Clampetts from going back home for a visit, convinces them that a blizzard is going to hit Beverly Hills.  He plays a tape recording, telling Jed and Granny it's a weather radio.  The recording states the storm will center around Crestview Drive (the address of the mansion).

[Scott5114]

The only problem with SAME is that I have yet to find a weather radio that allows you to discriminate based on type of alert. I don't need to be waken up in the middle of the night for a thunderstorm watch (and even a Severe T-Storm Warning is usually something I don't really need to know about). If I could filter the alerts to just get tornado information, it would be nice.

[DaBigE]

The only problem with SAME is that I have yet to find a weather radio that allows you to discriminate based on type of alert. I don't need to be waken up in the middle of the night for a thunderstorm watch (and even a Severe T-Storm Warning is usually something I don't really need to know about). If I could filter the alerts to just get tornado information, it would be nice.

This Reecom unit does.  I've had this model for over six years now. It's a little pricier, but it's reliable and allows you to pick what kind of alert you receive and how the alert is handled. The only warning I have it sound the alarm tone for is a tornado warning. Severe thunderstorm and tornado watches I have set to only give me a visual warning (LED light/scrolling message). All other alerts I have completely turned off. This model also gives a countdown for the alert, however, it will still display even if the alert is cancelled early.

The only two faults I've had with this radio is that the regular clock tends to be a little fast, gaining about a minute every month or so and that it is not wall mountable.

[SteveG1988]

If i were to force them to carry the radio frequencies for weatherband, i would make it cover At least making all radio-alarm clocks have it with a automatic activation system if it is for your local area

[ZLoth]

If i were to force them to carry the radio frequencies for weatherband, i would make it cover At least making all radio-alarm clocks have it with a automatic activation system if it is for your local area

FWIW, I've had the Sangean CL-100 for almost a year now. Not only is it a good SAME radio, but I have been using it as an alarm clock and regular radio as well. The alarm can be set for specific days (Mine is set to Tuesdays-Saturdays at 8:30 PM, yes I'm a vampire), plus, if the FM radio station is sending time info, it will set the clock as well.

The thing is, with digital tuners, it shouldn't be that difficult to add that feature in since it is just above the regular FM band.

[roadman]

If i were to force them to carry the radio frequencies for weatherband, i would make it cover At least making all radio-alarm clocks have it with a automatic activation system if it is for your local area

The Midland WR-300/302 models are full AM/FM/Weather alarm clock radios that have SAME.  However, they don't have the ability to discriminate between alerts like the aforementioned Reecom unit does.

[DaBigE]

If you pony up the extra ~$20 for the next model up, Reecom gives you all the features mentioned before, plus regular AM/FM tuning with dual daily alarms. The only problem is you can't really put it next to your bed and still see the clock while laying in bed like a traditional alarm clock/radio.