Walkie-talkies are handheld, portable, two-way radios that allow you to communicate with other people who have the same frequency or channel. They are useful for various purposes, such as outdoor activities, emergency situations, business operations, and more. However, not all walkie-talkies are created equal. Some have more features and functions than others, and some are more suitable for certain scenarios than others. One of the features that you may want to look for in a walkie-talkie is the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather alert function.
What is NOAA weather alert?
NOAA weather alert is a feature that allows your walkie-talkie to receive broadcasts from the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) network, which is a nationwide network of radio stations that provide continuous weather information, including forecasts, warnings, watches, and advisories. The NOAA weather alert feature can help you stay informed of the current and upcoming weather conditions, especially if you are in an area that is prone to severe weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, thunderstorms, and more. The NOAA weather alert feature can also alert you of other types of emergencies, such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, civil emergencies, and more.
How does NOAA weather alert work?
To use the NOAA weather alert feature, you need to have a walkie-talkie that supports this function, and you need to set it to the correct frequency or channel that corresponds to the NWR station in your area. You can find the list of NWR stations and frequencies on the NOAA website or by calling 1-888-NWR-SAME (1-888-697-7263). Once you have set your walkie-talkie to the NOAA weather alert channel, you can either listen to the weather information continuously, or you can activate the alert mode, which will mute the normal radio communication and only sound an alarm when there is an important weather or emergency announcement. Some walkie-talkies also have a scan mode, which will scan through all the available channels and stop at the one that has an active alert.
What are the benefits of NOAA weather alert?
The main benefit of having a walkie-talkie with NOAA weather alert is that you can be aware of the weather and emergency situations in your area, and take appropriate actions to protect yourself and your loved ones. For example, if you are camping, hiking, fishing, or hunting in the wilderness, you can avoid getting caught in a storm, a flash flood, a wildfire, or a landslide by listening to the NOAA weather alert. If you are traveling, working, or living in a city, you can prepare for a power outage, a traffic jam, a chemical spill, a terrorist attack, or a civil unrest by receiving the NOAA weather alert. Having a walkie-talkie with NOAA weather alert can also help you coordinate with your family, friends, or colleagues in case of an emergency, and provide or receive assistance if needed.
What are the best walkie-talkies with NOAA weather alert?
There are many walkie-talkies that have the NOAA weather alert feature, but some are better than others in terms of quality, performance, durability, and affordability. Here are some of the best walkie-talkies with NOAA weather alert that you can consider:
- Motorola T600 Talkabout Radio: This is a waterproof and dustproof walkie-talkie that can float and flash a red LED light if dropped in water. It has a range of up to 35 miles, depending on the terrain and conditions. It has 22 channels and 121 privacy codes, as well as 11 weather channels with alert feature. It also has a built-in flashlight, a battery meter, a low battery alert, a keypad lock, and a dual power option. It comes with two radios, two belt clips, two NiMH rechargeable batteries, one Y-cable charging adapter with dual micro-USB connectors, and one user guide.
- Midland GXT1000VP4 50 Channel GMRS Two-Way Radio: This is a rugged and durable walkie-talkie that has a range of up to 36 miles, depending on the terrain and conditions. It has 50 channels and 142 privacy codes, as well as 10 weather channels with alert feature. It also has a whisper function, a SOS siren, a vibrate alert, a group call, a scan function, a monitor function, a keypad lock, and a dual power option. It comes with two radios, two belt clips, two rechargeable battery packs, one desktop charger, one AC adapter, one DC adapter, two boom mic headsets, and one owner's manual.
- Cobra RX680 2 Watt Rugged Walkie Talkies: This is a compact and lightweight walkie-talkie that has a range of up to 38 miles, depending on the terrain and conditions. It has 22 channels and 121 privacy codes, as well as 10 NOAA weather channels with alert feature. It also has a voice-activated transmission, a roger beep, a call alert, a battery saver, a battery level indicator, a micro-USB charging port, and a dual power option. It comes with two radios, two belt clips, two rechargeable batteries, one micro-USB cable, and one owner's manual.
These are some of the best walkie-talkies with NOAA weather alert that you can choose from, depending on your needs and preferences. However, before you buy any walkie-talkie, you should also check the following factors:
- License requirements: Some walkie-talkies operate on the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) band, which requires a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States. The license costs $70 and is valid for 10 years. You can apply for the license online at the FCC website. Other walkie-talkies operate on the Family Radio Service (FRS) band, which does not require a license, but has lower power and range than the GMRS band. You should check the specifications of the walkie-talkie you want to buy and make sure you comply with the license requirements if applicable.
- Battery life: The battery life of a walkie-talkie depends on how often you use it, how long you talk, and what features you activate. You should look for a walkie-talkie that has a long battery life, or at least a dual power option that allows you to use either rechargeable batteries or disposable batteries. You should also carry spare batteries or a power bank with you, especially if you are going to use the walkie-talkie for a long time or in a remote area.
- Accessories: Some walkie-talkies come with accessories that can enhance your user experience, such as earpieces, headsets, microphones, speakers, chargers, adapters, cases, and more. You should check what accessories are included with the walkie-talkie you want to buy, and what accessories are compatible with it. You may also want to buy some extra accessories that suit your needs and preferences.