WX-67 Large Manual 3/12/02 10:25 AM Page 1 MODEL WX-67 -- User's Manual Specific Area Message Encoding (S.A.M.E.) Emergency Alert System IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THE UNIT. WX-67 Large Manual 3/12/02 10:25 AM Page 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 CHOOSING A LOCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 LOCATION OF CONTROLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 NOTICE TO USERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 WX-67 SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 SERVICE PROCEDURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover Contents in product package In the Package, you will find: · Emergency Alert Radio ­ WX-67 · One AC Power Adapter ­ 120VAC: 12VDC · One User's Manual (this document) · One Wall Mounting Kit Contact the store from which you purchased the product or the Manufacturer's Service Center if you find that any of the above is missing. WX-67 Large Manual 3/12/02 10:25 AM Page 3 Important Safeguards When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following: DANGER! The Manufacturer does not represent this unit to be waterproof. To reduce the risk of fire, electrical shock, or damage to the unit, do not expose this unit to rain or moisture. DANGER! This product has the capability to operate with an optional 9V rechargeable nickel cadmium backup battery, which must be recycled at the end of the life of the battery and must be disposed of properly. Do not incinerate or compost batteries, as they will explode at high temperatures. Contact your local authority for information concerning reclamation and disposal of rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries. Cadmium is a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer. DANGER! This product has a built in circuit for charging an optional 9V rechargeable nickel cadmium backup battery. When a regular 9V alkaline battery is used as a backup power source, turn the battery selection switch on the back of the unit to "Nonrechargeable" (NB) position to switch off the internal charger. CHARGING BATTERIES INCORRECTLY CAN CAUSE FIRE AND EXPLOSION AND ENDANGER LIVES. This product is designed to operate using the AC adapter (120V) supplied in a household application. - Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate this product where persons walking on it could damage the cord. Keep cord away from heated surfaces. - The output terminal blocks for Remote Alert provides a floating relay contact output to external warning devices. The contact will close when an alert broadcast is being received. Do not exceed the maximum current rating of the contacts (0.5A @125VAC or 1A @ 30VDC). Consult a licensed electrician if you want to connect other devices to the radio. - To disconnect, grip the AC adapter and pull it from the wall outlet. Never yank the cord. - Wipe unit with a damp cloth occasionally to keep it looking new. Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents or strong detergents. - When an external antenna is used, make sure that there are sufficient lightning protection on the antenna and its cable feed. Make sure all the ground connections are sound and fit. Do not get close to the unit when it is operating under a thunderstorm. Contact your external antenna supplier for more information on lightning protection and grounding issues on your antenna. You could also get information from lightning protection device suppliers. DANGER! To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not disassemble this product. Take it to qualified service personal when service of repair work is required. Opening or removing cover may expose you to dangerous voltages or other risks. This unit is fully transistorized and does not contain any parts that can be repaired by the user. 1 WX-67 Large Manual 3/12/02 10:25 AM Page 4 Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the First Alert® Specific Area Message Encode (S.A.M.E.) Emergency Alert Radio ­ WX67. This product is designed to exacting standards, which provide reliability, long life and outstanding performance. This product embraces the advanced technology to receive digitally encoded weather, emergency and hazard alert messages transmitted from the National Oceanic and Aerospace Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) broadcast stations. NOAA has more than 425 stations in the 50 states and near adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the U.S. Pacific Territories. The S.A.M.E. Technology allows NOAA to send digitally coded information for all types of hazards, both natural (earthquakes and volcano activities) and technological (oil spills and chemical releases), targeted to a specific area, like a county or portion of a state. The WX-67 Emergency Alert Radio receives all of the seven NOAA weather channels and allows you to program and view warnings on up to 20 pre-defined FIPS (Federal Information Processing System) codes corresponding to the locations that you want to monitor. (NOTE: You have to select the correct weather channel in order to receive warnings for the state/ county codes that you have programmed). The unit will sound an audible alert tone and display the alert message on its |alphanumeric LCD display when an alert with matching code(s) is received. In addition, there are three colored lights indicating whether it is a "Statement", "Watch" or "Warning" alert message. Working with other Federal agencies and the FCC's new Emergency Alert System (EAS), NOAA is the single source for weather and emergency information available to the public. For up-to-date information on NOAA and weather frequencies used in your area, Check the NOAA National Weather Service web site at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr. Your can also call 1-888-NWR-SAME (1-888-697-7263) to obtain the FIPS code number for programming your radio. The main features of the WX-67 Emergency Alert Radio include: Alert Function: Your Emergency Alert Radio will sound an alert tone (siren) and turn on the corresponding color indicator when it receives a weather emergency broadcast from NOAA. Users are required to enter the FIPS codes into the Emergency Alert Radio in order to be able to receive these alert signals. SAME Operation: Allows you to store up to 20 different FIPS codes into the Emergency Alert Radio's memory. Each FIPS code identifies a specific geographic area (defined by NWS). This helps you track the weather conditions in and around your area. Your Emergency Alert Radio will sound an alert when the weather emergency is declared in your locations. 8-Character Alphanumeric Liquid Crystal Display: Allows you to display time, NOAA channel numbers, programming information and alert/status description. (Note: Time keeping function will be lost and the clock will reset to 12:00am if AC power is disconnected from the unit and there is no battery power to back up the operation). 7 Weather-Channels: Allows you to select any of all 7 NOAA weather broadcast channels. (Note: The channel that gives you the best reception may not be from the station that broadcasts weather information for your own location or county, Check with NOAA/NWS for the correct channel and station that broadcasts the information that you need). 2 WX-67 Large Manual 3/12/02 10:25 AM Page 5 Display Backlight: Allows you to read the LCD display in low light situations. When powered from an AC adapter or 12V DC source, the backlight will stay on continuously. During a power failure, to reserve power from backup battery, the backlight will stay on for about 10 seconds every time you press a key. Remote Alert Capability: Allows you to extend the audible and flashing light alert to other rooms or locations up to 100 ft. away (depending on the environment). It could also be used to control Public Address and two-way radios for extended and special alert applications. Alert Audio Output: Allows you to connect to Public Address system or two-way radio for extended and special alert applications. The audio output level is controlled by the radio's volume control. External Antenna: Allows you to connect an optional external antenna (not included) to your Emergency Alert Radio to improve its reception in fringe areas. (Caution ­ You should understand the danger of lightning on an external antenna and make appropriate measures to protect yourself from injury and fire hazard resulted from a lightning strike on an external antenna ­ see Important Safeguards section for details) Battery Backup - The Emergency Alert Radio is normally powered by an AC adapter. The unit will maintain normal operation with the 9V backup battery during short AC power blackout periods. Rechargeable Backup Batteries ­ To avoid the hassles of changing alkaline batteries, a rechargeable 9V Ni-Cd battery may be used. A switch is provided to select the type of battery used. The internal charging circuit will keep the rechargeable battery fully charged all the time when the unit is operating on the AC adapter. See battery installation section (pages 2 and 3) for more information. Choosing A Location For Installation The Emergency Alert Radio is designed for desk top or wall mount installation. For peak effectiveness, place the unit where it can receive an emergency alert signal broadcast and where you can hear its alert tone or see the Message indication lights. The best location to install the unit is: - Clear of any obstructions or metal surface. - Near windows or large openings for best radio reception. - Near an AC Power outlet - Near to where the user(s) would normally stay ­ e.g. in a bedroom, living room or in the office. NOTE: Keep the receiver away from interference sources ­ e.g. motors, computers, TV or microwave ovens. - To avoid damage to the product, do not expose it to direct sunlight or extreme heat or humid environment for prolonged period. - It is a characteristic of Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) to change color in extreme temperatures. If the unit is exposed to temperatures below -20ºC (-5ºF) or above +60ºC (+140ºF), the display may temporarily cease to function properly, and in some cases, could result in permanent damage. - All Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) have a preferred viewing angle when the display contrast is at maximum. The best viewing point will vary by user, depending on such variables as temperature, humidity and battery condition. 3 WX-67 Large Manual 3/12/02 10:25 AM Page 6 Installation Installing/replacing the receiver battery To replace the battery: - Turn unit upside down. Locate the battery compartment door tab, press down on ARROW and slide cover open in direction of arrow. CAUTION! DO NOT TRY TO CHARGE AN ALKALINE BATTERY - Always select "Non-rechargeable" (NB) before installing an alkaline battery. Using the "Rechargeable" (RB) setting with an alkaline battery may cause fire hazard. - Insert the battery into the battery cap. Be careful to observe the correct polarity when installing battery. CAUTION! Connecting the battery in reversed polarity may result in fire and permanent damage to the product. The Emergency Alert Radio can use either a 9 volt alkaline or a Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd) rechargeable battery as its backup power source. Use the slide switch at the back of the unit to select the type of battery installed. Select "Non-rechargeable" (NB) when an alkaline battery is installed. For a Ni-Cd battery choose "Rechargeable" (RB) to keep the battery at full charge all the time. We recommend changing Ni-Cd rechargeable battery every three years. - Place the battery in the battery compartment and replace the cover. NOTE: The rechargeable battery allows unit to continually provide alert operation during an AC power failure. Battery must be charged with the built-in charger for at least 24 hours before it is ready for backup operation. Rechargeable battery provides approximately 1-2 hours operation time. To maintain maximum backup time, do not disconnect AC power supply from the unit while in use. Disconnect battery when the unit is not in use for a prolonged period of time. 4 WX-67 Large Manual 3/12/02 10:25 AM Page 7 Connecting the power USING STANDARD 120V AC OUTLET WALL MOUNT INSTALLATION 1. Take the wall mount bracket from the package. hold the bracket at the mounting location and, using it as a template, mark the positions for the screw holes on the wall or other mounting surfaces. 2. Drill the two screw holes, fix the screws onto the wall, leaving a space of about 3mm (1/8") between the head of the screw and the wall. Step 3 3. Put the radio and the wall mount bracket together with the AC adapter plug installed. Make sure all the clips are properly set and the radio is secured. Plug the AC adapter co ...