MIDLAND WR-300 NOAA Weather Monitor
Pros:
Very sensitive.
S.A.M.E. technology
Battery backup
Cons:
Difficult to program
Mediocre clock radio.
Annoying beeps.
The Bottom Line:
The Midland WR-300 is a fantastic weather/all-hazard radio radio that could save your life. Buy it.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Appearance
The WR-300 is described on the box as a “Weather Monitor with All-Hazards Alert.” It is a nice looking sloped panel radio with a telescopic antenna. A battery (not included) should be installed to power the radio during power outages. The radio uses an AC power adapter (supplied) rather than an internal power supply. The LCD panel is blueish with black letters and numbers. There are program buttons along the top and on the right side. These buttons are rubber and have a nice feel to them.
Features
Let me list the features as there are many. Weather alert/announcements (about 26 in all), All-Hazard alerts (Amber Alter, Hazardous material warning, Civil Emergency message, Power Plant Warning, etc - there are about 13 of these). The good news is that you can select which one(s) of these apply to your area. For example I live in Texas so I have de-selected all snow storm warnings. More features - S.A.M.E. technology which allows you to pick which counties you want to receive your warnings from, AM/FM clock radio, snooze button, alert status light ( warning/watch/advisory), and the ability to choose one of seven channels so you can get the strongest station in your locality. Other features are present - the list is almost exhaustive.
Initial set-up
Plan to spend some time here. This is NOT a plug-and-play radio. You need to have knowledge of (I used the internet) FIPS (federal information processing system) county codes. The web site is in the manual. The alert volume as well as the type of alert alarm is programmed. Other items to program are AM/FM memory channels, backlight, radio memory channels, SAME event codes, NWR alert descriptions, weather radio channel, and time/date. (Keep your manual handy.)
How it works
This is the section where the WR-300 shines as a weather radio. It is very sensitive. The manual says that it receives stations up to 50 miles away. I was able to receive transmissions from four NOAA towers. I chose the strongest not only because it was a good solid signal, but also because the station sent warnings to my county. When an alarm is transmitted the WR-300 beeps at 90db which is very loud. It can be heard all though my 2800 sq ft house. After a short while the alarm automatically stops and the announcer comes on to give details of the approaching storm. If the power goes out, the batteries take over.
As an AM/FM clock radio, look elsewhere. The sound quality not on the level of other clock radios. Whenever you push a program button there is a loud “beep” which I find annoying. The am/pm letters on the LCD panel are extremely small. We have moved the radio out of the bedroom into the kitchen where it is used only as a weather alert radio.
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