# NOAA Weather Radio: channels and setup

> The seven NOAA Weather Radio frequencies, what SAME county codes do, how to program your radio, the weekly test and why Ready.gov puts a weather radio in every kit.

- Canonical URL: https://72hourkit.com/noaa-weather-radio/
- Source: [National Weather Service, NOAA Weather Radio help (Mobile, AL office)](https://www.weather.gov/mob/nwrhelp)
- Checked: 2026-10-25
- Structured data: https://72hourkit.com/data/noaa-weather-radio.json

This page includes a free interactive tool that runs in the browser and sends no data. The figures and rules it uses are the ones stated on this page, with their sources.

## 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](https://www.ready.gov/kit)). 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](https://www.weather.gov/mob/nwrhelp). 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](https://www.weather.gov/nwr/Counties); some radios accept several counties, so you can add a neighboring one you drive through ([NWS, using SAME](https://weather.gov/nwr/usingsame)).

## 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](https://www.weather.gov/sgf/nwr_rwt)). 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.

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