Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The WR602 is an updated version of the WR108, which had some alert problems. Oregon Scientific changed the model number for the repaired version to avoid confusion. Do not purchase the WR108, which has been discontinued.
The WR602 works well. It has good reception, and once it's set up, is bascially a no-brainer. Plan on spending a few minutes to actually read the instructions and play with the unit when you first receive it, though. We had a nasty storm front hanging over Chicago for several days. Believe me, this radio does what it's supposed to. Over the course of a couple of days I received the weekly test, thunderstorm warnings, a tornado warning, and flash flood warnings, all relevant to my area.
One note: the instructions advise that *when changing batteries*, push the reset button in the battery compartment. This does not "wipe" the unit (location codes are retained), but it does "reboot" it. Apparently if you don't do this (at least on the older model), the unit may not alert properly. I have not had this problem, but your mileage may vary. All that should need to be done after a battery change/reset is to set the clock.
If you don't want audible alerts, you can put it into mute mode. Any current alert will show up on the screen, and the light will blink red, but there will be no audio.
Pros: You have the option of either selecting the station you wish to receive, or you can set it to automatically select the strongest station. You can program up to 9 different SAME codes to only receive alerts for a specific area(s). There is also a travel mode that switches the unit to automatic channel/receive all county alerts. By pressing one button you can ensure that you will receive alerts as you travel. Pressing the travel/home button again restores your home channel/SAME settings. The unit has rechargeable batteries, and will continue to operate during a power failure. The audio is both loud and clear.
Cons: When the backlight is used, the display is difficult to read except when looking up from the bottom of the radio. The status light could also be brighter.
Other Information: The radio responds to a specific alert signal sent out by the National Weather Service. When such an alert is broadcast on TV or radio, there is a distinctive "squawk" tone which precedes the message. Not every alert that is put out by a TV or radio station originates from the NWS (or more specifically the Emergency Alert System), and not every alert the NWS issues is considered important enough to "squawk". They reserve this for messages they consider of high importance. Per the National Weather Service / NOAA: "Only the most imminent life- and property-threatening hazards are broadcast with the SAME signal and 1050 Hertz warning alarm tone, where the public has to take immediate action to protect themselves and their property. An operational guideline is that messages are alerted only for hazards urgent enough to warrant waking people up in the middle of the night or otherwise interrupting someone's activities at any time." Don't necessarily expect to hear the alarm go off for watches. Your local NWS station decides what is important enough for the alert tone. When you do receive an alert, the display has a countdown timer that will delete the alert when it reaches zero (expires). Also, be aware that the alert tones (or as some have called them, the "siren") are BROADCAST. They aren't part of the radio. The "squawk" is what activates the radio, the tone that follows is intended to get your attention.
Incidently, weekly tests don't always happen when they're supposed to. If there's even a chance of a real alert happening, they will keep pushing the test back 24 hours at a time until there's no chance of a real alert being issued.
You can't disable specific alarms, but you shouldn't need to, since NWS doesn't issue alarms capable of activating the radio lightly. The weekly test will make noise for about a minute once a week, but it's useful in that you will know that the unit is still working. The radio isn't doing you any good if you only find out that it's not operating when you actually need it.
As to technical support, I had a couple of pre-purchase questions regarding the way the unit operated. I reached a live person quickly (2-3 minute hold time) and they answered my questions accurately. I've had no problems with the unit since I purchased it.
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Oregon Scientific WR602 Weather Radio with Charge CradleStay on top of severe weather and civil emergencies with this compact and portable weather radio from Oregon Scientific. Programmed to receive broadcasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the radio signals alerts for tornados, hurricanes, and floods. It also communicates alerts for public issues like child abductions, nuclear accidents, and other hazards. The radio is equipped with S.A.M.E. technology to filter out distant broadcasts and target a specific local area of up to seven counties. It receives transmissions 24 hours a day and features both audio and visual signals.
Easy to take on the road if necessary, the radio has a travel mode that searches for the strongest signal, and its digital clock includes an alarm. Channel select modes are manual or automatic, and the message levels (statement, watch, warning, and test) can be set to English, French, or Spanish. Fitted with a good-looking silver and black housing, the radio comes with a rechargeable NiMH battery, a belt clip, and a charge cradle. The unit can also run on standard AA batteries, and Oregon Scientific includes a detailed user manual.
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