Why a weather radio

Ready.gov's basic kit includes a battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert (Ready.gov). A weather radio can sound an alarm for warnings in the middle of the night, when phones are silent.

The seven channels

Channel	Frequency
1	162.400 MHz
2	162.425 MHz
3	162.450 MHz
4	162.475 MHz
5	162.500 MHz
6	162.525 MHz
7	162.550 MHz

Source: National Weather Service. Which channel serves you depends on the nearest transmitter: press the weather button and scan for the clearest one.

SAME codes

SAME codes are six-digit codes that identify a state and county. Programmed into your radio, they make it alert you only for warnings that affect your county. Find yours on the National Weather Service county list; some radios accept several counties, so you can add a neighboring one you drive through (NWS, using SAME).

The weekly test

Local NWS offices broadcast a required weekly test. The Springfield, Missouri office, for example, runs it on Wednesdays between 11 a.m. and noon, weather permitting (NWS Springfield). Check your local office's schedule and confirm your radio sounds.

Batteries

Keep fresh backup batteries in the radio so it still works, and still wakes you, when the power fails.

Choosing a weather radio

Look for "NOAA Weather Radio" with an alert function and SAME programming, battery backup, and if it is for a go-bag, a hand crank or solar panel. Many emergency radios combine AM/FM, the weather band, a flashlight and a USB phone charger.